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...
Hello Butterfly Community!
After finding myself almost incapacitated by a host of inexplicable symptoms - fatigue, mental fog, muscle aches - Oh, I don't have to tell YOU, you already know... I was finally diagnosed with the kind of hypothyroidism which comes from difficulty converting T4 to T3.
My doctor put me on generic synth which, as I understand it, is a kind of T4. I am a vegan, so there is no way I am going to use natural T3 supplements.
I have only been on the medication for 5 days, but my brain fog seems to be lifting a bit and I mostly feel more energy. But it seems to fluctuate over the course of the day and I would love to know if anyone else has ever had this experience.
When did you feel better and what did it take to get to that point?
Thanks!
After finding myself almost incapacitated by a host of inexplicable symptoms - fatigue, mental fog, muscle aches - Oh, I don't have to tell YOU, you already know... I was finally diagnosed with the kind of hypothyroidism which comes from difficulty converting T4 to T3.
My doctor put me on generic synth which, as I understand it, is a kind of T4. I am a vegan, so there is no way I am going to use natural T3 supplements.
I have only been on the medication for 5 days, but my brain fog seems to be lifting a bit and I mostly feel more energy. But it seems to fluctuate over the course of the day and I would love to know if anyone else has ever had this experience.
When did you feel better and what did it take to get to that point?
Thanks!
I have a question and it's not intended to offend you, just clarify your information and inform you, K?
" I was finally diagnosed with the kind of hypothyroidism which comes from difficulty converting T4 to T3.
My doctor put me on generic synth which, as I understand it, is a kind of T4. I am a vegan, so there is no way I am going to use natural T3 supplements. "
I, too, have an issue converting T4 to T3. I did not get better until I took a mixture of synthroid and dessicated thyroid hormones (Armour). I tried T4 alone, but I just never got there on T4 alone.
Most people optimize T4 first, and then add T3 if needed, so I'd advise you to stay the course. But, be aware: it takes about six weeks for synthroid/T4 to get into your system. Whereas T3 gets into and out of your system in a matter of hours.
Here's my question - and you don't need to answer me (and I don't particularly want to know) it's simply something for you to think about:
Hypothyroidism is treatable, but it's a permanent condition like diabetes. It can lead, if untreated, to some serious and in some cases (like mine) it can lead to permanent damage or death. Knowing what diabetes can do - would you refuse insulin?
Again, I'm not encouraging you to jump to dessicated hormones, but if you truly have an issue with conversion from T4 to T3 then you're gonna need some T3.
If you don't see yourself EVER using animal products (and I respect that) you can ask for something called cytomel. It's a sythetic T3 replacement therapy.
Be aware: the doc will probably want to optimize you T4 first to see if your conversion rate comes up. If it doesn't when T4 is optimized, that's when you need to ask for cytomel.
Good luck.
Free T4 (lab test name)
Range: .4-1.9 (or whatever)
Result: 2 (or whatever)
Then do the same with Free T3.
The labs will tell you more about which way you need to go with your meds and if you actually NEED t3 at all than anything else.
Good luck! And keep us posted please.
I am very grateful, MB, for your care and concern! I have read many of your posts and have learned a LOT from you!
Thanks again!
Catching the disease early is key, so you're very lucky. And, perhaps you won't have to take T3 at all . But, if you do, Cytomel is the go-to med and it's completely synthetic (no pigs, no animals harmed) :)
Keep us posted!
As usual, MB did a stellar job in covering the bases.
Since you mentioned having the kind of hypothyroidism which comes from difficulty converting T4 to T3, I'm not sure what a T4 med such as Synthroid will accomplish for you.
Regardless, people with conversion issues can sometimes overcome them and not even need to take thyroid meds.
Suzy Cohen explains this in-depth in her book "Thyroid Healthy".
She refers to people with conversion problems as being "thyroid sick" vs. those with us who have an autoimmune disease that prevents the thyroid from producing adequate amounts of hormone.
For whatever it's worth, it took 15 months for my levels to optimize. That was back in June 2011. I've had many, many small dose adjustments (and labs every 4-6 wks.) since then to maintain those optimal levels.
Unfortunately, dealing with thyroid disease is an ongoing process....kind of like dealing with diabetes.
Best of luck to you!
:)