Hypothyroidism Support Group
Hypothyroidism is the disease state caused by insufficient production of thyrohormone by the thyroid gland. There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism, the most common being Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. Advanced hypothyroidism may cause severe complications, the most serious one of which is...
(NT 81.25mg) February labs:
TSH 0.06
FT3 3.1 (2.0-4.4)
FT4 1.21 (0.93-1.70)
(4 weeks on 97.5mg) New April labs:
TSH 0.09
FT3 2.8
FT4 0.99
Saliva Cortisol from February:
AM 1.68 (L) (1.8-3.8)
Noon 0.50 (0.3-1.4)
Evening 0.55 (0.1-1.1)
Night 0.16 (0.1-0.8)
I have poor adrenal function, it is clear as day!.
I have low thyroid. I have low ferritin. I get bad titration symptoms when raising thyroid meds.
I was told up front by PCP if I had adrenal issues I'd need to find someone else to address that particular problem. Fair enough.
--I did find an Integrative doctor (pricey!) that states on her website she handles thyroid, adrenals, sex hormones and states she does bio-identical hormone treatment. I just feel 'stuck' with Integrative Dr like we aren't doing anything. Just watching and waiting is what it feels like. I have next appt with Integrative doc in July.
Regarding test results:
Per my knowledge my cortisol is in poor shape. I think I possibly could use HC; I did try the A-Drenal adaptogen/glandular supplement but it didn't do anything but make me more tired.
What is going on with my thyroid levels? MUCH MUCH lower than they've been in months. My gut is telling me its the poor adrenal function making it hard to raise thyroid dose. PCP Dr told me to go back to 81.25 dose where I was before so not to further stress adrenals.
I want to feel better, not stay stuck feeling so bad. So frustrated!
TSH 0.06
FT3 3.1 (2.0-4.4)
FT4 1.21 (0.93-1.70)
(4 weeks on 97.5mg) New April labs:
TSH 0.09
FT3 2.8
FT4 0.99
Saliva Cortisol from February:
AM 1.68 (L) (1.8-3.8)
Noon 0.50 (0.3-1.4)
Evening 0.55 (0.1-1.1)
Night 0.16 (0.1-0.8)
I have poor adrenal function, it is clear as day!.
I have low thyroid. I have low ferritin. I get bad titration symptoms when raising thyroid meds.
I was told up front by PCP if I had adrenal issues I'd need to find someone else to address that particular problem. Fair enough.
--I did find an Integrative doctor (pricey!) that states on her website she handles thyroid, adrenals, sex hormones and states she does bio-identical hormone treatment. I just feel 'stuck' with Integrative Dr like we aren't doing anything. Just watching and waiting is what it feels like. I have next appt with Integrative doc in July.
Regarding test results:
Per my knowledge my cortisol is in poor shape. I think I possibly could use HC; I did try the A-Drenal adaptogen/glandular supplement but it didn't do anything but make me more tired.
What is going on with my thyroid levels? MUCH MUCH lower than they've been in months. My gut is telling me its the poor adrenal function making it hard to raise thyroid dose. PCP Dr told me to go back to 81.25 dose where I was before so not to further stress adrenals.
I want to feel better, not stay stuck feeling so bad. So frustrated!
As you know your labs are dismal.
IMO its your adrenals that are preventing you from elevating your thyroid levels, (in fact they go down when you raised your NT med)
As you know, I effed around with all kinds of dessicated adrenal supps for 8 years and got nowhere. Zilch. I resisted taking the Cortef until only 9 weeks or so ago. After some horrible initial side effects from that evil drug, my body finally, after many dietary changes, is able to cope with it and I am now feeling the positive effects, it took about 2 months for that. So far, well worth it. Energy levels increased dramatically, hyperglycemia gone with very strict dietary changes, so far so good.
You need to get on that stuff girl, I dont see any other way.
July is way too long between app'ts obviously with your levels. You need to ramp up every 6 weeks now for results but first get your adrenals in order. That doctors, except a very few specialists, dont acknowledge or treat adrenals is absolutely shocking, the ignorance of the medical community is mind boggling.
You need to move forward and take some cortisol!
I was on 20 mgs for a year and then Sheridan decreased it to 15 mgs. I didn't notice a difference though.
You seem to be very non reactive to cortisol supps unlike me. That may be good or bad. Dont think that 5mg would make a huge diff especially when so much other hell is going on in your body simultaneously. What were your cortisol levels at last spit test?
Free T4 0.930 -1.700 1.210
Perent of range: 36.36%
Free T3 2.000 -4.400 3.100
Percent of range: 45.83%
Unless my math is off - you're thyroid levels are waaaay low.
I defer to UG and GL on cortisol issues.
While your adrenals may be giving you a problem - it's not gonna fix your thyroid issue.
You need someone who's going to help you up those thyroid numbers. I don't care if your adrenals were perfect - with those thyroid numbers you'd still feel like hell on a cracker. Period.
Did your doc offer to bump up your meds? If not...I'd be pushing for it or I'd find a new doctor!
It should go like this (friendly reminder)
Labs
adjust meds on those labs and how you're feeling
more labs (6 wks later) but I have trouble getting them at 6 weeks so my "thyroid time" is even slower...at 8 weeks.
Repeat until you're optimal.
Good luck.
Everything that MB said of course.
Your adrenals and your thyroid affect each other so yes, you must get your adrenals up into max function. If you are skeptical about finding a practitioner to help you, any ND will prescribe Cortef or other cortisol replacement with your very low lab numbers.
As for your thyroid, wow, as said before, you need lots of help. IMO its your adrenals keeping your thyroid levels low even tho you have upped the NT. Not saying that you wont have to keep upping the ND but you must address your adrenal levels ASAP. With your levels of both, its no wonder you feel wretched to say the least. You are getting hit from all sides.
Yes, definitely feel like I'm being hit from all sides. My adrenal symptoms like no energy (yet wired but tired), low blood sugar have been bad. My thyroid symptoms have been bad. It is super frustrating because i've been dealing with this for so long. I just want to get better.
Gage, thanks for suggesting the ND option, however, state of Florida doesn't allow them to be licensed. Sucks! So guess I'll need to be more forceful with new Integrative Dr or seek yet another Drs opinion.
When I first started NDT my numbers were slow to raise but did. Now they're dropping but I really think its the adrenals keeping the thyroid hormone from entering the cells like they should. Will update when I learn more!