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...

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New labs, no change! Help!!

dawnrose0004
dawnrose0004
Hi,

Please help me. I don't know why the medication isn't working. What's wrong??

6/28/12
No meds

TSH 1.19 (.4-4.5)
Free T4 .9 (.8-1.8)
Free T3 2.7 (2.3-4.2)

10/2/12
30mg Armour Thyroid

TSH 1.24 (.4-4.5)
Free T4 1.0 (.8-1.8)
Free T3 2.7 (2.3-4.2)

11/6/12
60 mg Armour Thyroid

TSH .62 (.4-4.5)
Free T4 .9 (.8-1.8)
Free T3 2.7 (2.3-4.2)

Thanks,

Dawn
utahgal
utahgal
Hopefully Cd or MB will be by soon to help you. That said, my labs looked much like yours at first, and I too, am on armour (and synthroid). You are right, your labs are way low. You definitely need a dose increase. I believe that 60 mgs of armour is still considered a relatively low dose. My labs took a nosedive in the beginning too, especially the T4, which is why my doc added synthroid.

If I was in your shoes, I'd ask for an armour increase. I'd try to get my T3 up into the 75% range, yours is way lower! I'm guessing that your T4 will probably lag behind, like mine, so you will most likely need to add some synthroid later on.

Try not to get too discouraged. You've only had 2 dose adjustments. Things can be wacky in the beginning. Hopefully your doctor is ok with raising your dose!
cd3764
cd3764
Sorry to hear you are disappointed with your labs.

Unfortunately, they have followed a predictable pattern - one many of us follow.

When we first start thyroid meds - especially T3, our pituitary glands "recognize" the presence of the active hormone (T3).....and they "think" they don't need to stimulate the thyroid to produce hormone as much.

Your TSH has predictably decreased.

Now your thyroid isn't being stimulated as much to produce hormone. Unfortunately, your increased Armour dose was only enough to maintain the status quo.

Another increase (or more) will get things moving in the right direction.

What does your doctor have to say?
sovgrateful
sovgrateful
My FT3 and FT4 is similar to yours. I take 60 mgs 5 days a week..75mgs 2 days..
My TSH is 1.1 on my last visit after taking Armour since July..and my endo has lowered my dose..arrgh!!
dawnrose0004
dawnrose0004
Thanks for everyone's help. I have an appointment to see my dr next week(I even moved it up 2 weeks b/c I'm still not feeling right). At my last appointment he said that I didn't have far to go. Not sure what he meant. I don't see how he couldn't give me an increase.

Do you think I should have my estrogen and other hormones checked too?
utahgal
utahgal
Yes, it couldn't hurt to check your hormones. I'm also on progesterone, which is supposed to help absorb thyroid better.