T3 thyroid stories

[Peaceful Isle]

Okay, so my Dr just called me in some t3 meds to go along with my t4 synthroid I have been taking for years.

I am still having hypothyroid issues / symptoms so we are hopeful this will help.

 

I am wanting to hear from anyone who has added this to their regiment , and what affect you saw on your energy, and over all health.

 

I have tried the natural thyroid before, and my tsh went through the the roof, even though I was on a high does.

 

Any stories or experience about how everything bad went away, and now they feel perfect?( okay, not really, but I'm hopeful and would love to hear something encouraging right now) 😜

[gardenmom5]

I bailed on t4 by switching Dr's and going to ndt. I. Feel. So. Much. Better. Already. And it's only been two weeks at this dose.

 

Ndt has all the thyoid hormones, not just t4, or t3.

 

Check out stopthethyroidmadness for real life experiences.

Edited June 23, 2016 by gardenmom5

[gardenmom5]

When you did ndt - did they check your cortisol and your iron?

 

Ndt can unmask existing issues that are hidden by t4.

[JumpyTheFrog]

My dad switched to Armour maybe a year ago. It helped his energy, but he eventually began to get irritable. Now he does a lower dose of Armour at night and Synthroid in the morning (or vice versa).

Edited June 23, 2016 by HoppyTheToad

[Peaceful Isle]

When you did ndt - did they check your cortisol and your iron?

 

Ndt can unmask existing issues that are hidden by t4.

You know, I can't remember. I just know I started gaining tons of weight, and feeling crappy.

[Peaceful Isle]

My dad switched to Armour maybe a year ago. It helped his energy, but he eventually began to get irritable. Now he does a lower dose of Armour at night and Synthroid in the morning (or vice versa).

I didn't realize you could take both at the same time.

[J-rap]

Well, I'm on Synthroid and I feel perfect.  I do have it checked once/year, and sometimes my dosage varies a bit, but I really do feel great.  I hope you find the perfect amount of everything!

[Lawana]

I am very interested in this as well. Have been on T4 for decades and feel like crap LOL

 

ETA I have been doing a lot of reading about thyroid lately and can't wrap my brain around 90+% of MDs treating only to labs and ignoring continuing clinical symptoms of hypothyroidism

Edited June 23, 2016 by Lawana

[Ellie]

I am very interested in this as well. Have been on T4 for decades and feel like crap LOL

 

ETA I have been doing a lot of reading about thyroid lately and can't wrap my brain around 90+% of MDs treating only to labs and ignoring continuing clinical symptoms of hypothyroidism

 

Have you checked out Stop the Thyroid Madness? It's a good start.

 

I was undermedicated on synthetics (T4 only) for 20 years. My doctors only checked my TSH, which was almost always higher than 5, which should have triggered the doctors to check my Free T3 and Free T4, but they did not. Thank goodness one of my doctors, after I once again stoutly and vehemently refused to accept her comment that I was "clearly overmedicated" even though I was a walking poster child for hypothyroid, referred me to an endo who had a clue. I've been taking almost five grains of NatureThroid since last fall, and I feel like a new person.

 

Tell your doctor you want these tests:

 

 

 

If he won't order all of them or if your insurance won't cover all of them, then at least have the thyroid basics done. And do some sleuthing around on Stop the Thyroid Madness, especially this page. Many people feel just fine on T4-only, but if that's what you're taking and you still feel like crap, then obviously it isn't working for you. Don't be satisfied with that.

[Lawana]

At the risk of providing unnecessary info, T4 is the storage form of thyroid hormone, which normally converts to T3, the bio active form, as needed. The thyroid typically produces about 90% T4, with the rest mostly T3 along with very small amounts of T2, T1 and calcitonin. In primary hypothyroidism, supplementing with only T4 works quite well, because the body readily converts T4 to T3, providing cells with the physiological amount of T3 needed to regulate metabolism. The standard training for MDs is that T4 is the appropriate treatment for virtually everyone with any sort of hypothyroidism, and that if TSH is normalized to an in range value, any persisting symptoms must be due to some other cause. Here, have an antidepressant.

 

There is evidence from studies, however, that indicates that many people do not convert adequately, so that even if TSH and free T4 are in range, the cellular levels of T3 are inadequate. In fact, of the 3 forms of Iodothyronine deiodinase, the enzyme necessary to strip an iodine atom from T4 to convert it to T3 or reverse T3, 1 of the forms, D2, works primarily in the pituitary, Creating normal amounts of T3, which in turn sets up the condition to signal a normal level of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone to the thyroid; while at the same time, D1, another form working primarily in the liver and other peripheral tissues, may be greatly suppressed due to chronic stress, acute and chronic illnesses, and other causes, leaving most body tissues hypothyroid. Meanwhile, TSH and T4 levels look great on lab tests. There is also newer evidence of polymorphisms of the deiodinase genes, making it a distinct possibility that some have a genetic tendency towards inadequate conversion.

 

Long story short, it seems many people do better getting T3 directly, whether in the form of desiccated natural thyroid, or as a supplement to T4. I have also read that some use T3 alone. A complicating factor is that T4 has a very long half life, while the half life of T3 is much shorter. So once a day dosing of T4 normally provides quite stable blood levels, but T3 not so much.

 

For me, I am facing an uphill battle finding a doctor who will work with me to try ndt or T3 supplementation in my not so big town with mostly in the box doctors.

[Ellie]

 

I have tried the natural thyroid before, and my tsh went through the the roof, even though I was on a high does.

 

 

 

Ok, I need to know what your "high dose" was, and for how long you were on that dose. Also, although you  probably don't have the numbers, I'd need to know what your Free T3, Free T4, and Reverse T3 were. Your doctor probably only treats you based on TSH, and that's a bad thing.

[Peaceful Isle]

Ok, I need to know what your "high dose" was, and for how long you were on that dose. Also, although you probably don't have the numbers, I'd need to know what your Free T3, Free T4, and Reverse T3 were. Your doctor probably only treats you based on TSH, and that's a bad thing.

You know, I can't remember the numbers exactly way back when, but I believe it was the same as about 112 of synthroid.

I did get labs recently for free t3, 4 and reverse t3.

That's the reason. She is putting me on t3 meds, which I am thankful for. :)

 

It seems like a very rare thing to be put on t3.

 

Anyone have a story of using t3 medication and it making a difference?

Edited June 23, 2016 by Peacefulisle

[Lawana]

You know, I can't remember the numbers exactly way back when, but I believe it was the same as about 112 of synthroid.

I did get labs recently for free t3, 4 and reverse t3.

That's the reason. She is putting me on t3 meds, which I am thankful for. :)

 

It seems like a very rare thing to be put on t3.

 

Anyone have a story of using t3 medication and it making a difference?

Yes, I am thinking it is rare. Wish I had a story to share.

 

I am guessing your reverse T3 was high compared to your T3?

[HSmomof2]

I take Synthroid and Cytomel and have been for about 5 years. Prior to that I only took synthroid for 15 yrs. I do feel better taking the t3/t4 combo than I did just taking t4. I have more energy, less fatigue and brain fog. My labs (free t3/free t4/TSH) are also much more stable taking the combo. It took a few tries to get my dosages of each to be ideal, but I've been stable on my current doses for a few years now.

[Tess in the Burbs]

I started cytomel in Jan. By Mar I had serious heart palpitations. I kept cutting it in half b/c I did feel more energetic on it. But I was not well and finally quit it. Been a month and my heart palpitations have gone away. It was scary there for awhile.

[hornblower]

:(

 

I'm not liking these reports. I need to get 1/2 my thyroid removed and there's a very small chance I will need supplementing. (Of course if they end up having to take the 2nd half, that will make supplementation mandatory)

 

As a vegan, synthroid is all I really want to consider so I'm "lalalal I can't hear you" about the other possibilities....

Edited June 23, 2016 by hornblower

[HSmomof2]

:(

 

I'm not liking these reports. I need to get 1/2 my thyroid removed and there's a very small chance I will need supplementing. (Of course if they end up having to take the 2nd half, that will make supplementation mandatory)

 

As a vegan, synthroid is all I really want to consider so I'm "lalalal I can't hear you" about the other possibilities....

Many people do perfectly fine on synthroid, so don't worry if that's your only option.

[HSmomof2]

I started cytomel in Jan. By Mar I had serious heart palpitations. I kept cutting it in half b/c I did feel more energetic on it. But I was not well and finally quit it. Been a month and my heart palpitations have gone away. It was scary there for awhile.

When I first started on Cytomel, I had palpitations. Endo reduced my dose by 3/4, and lowered my synthroid dose a little as well and no more palpitations.

[Ellie]

You know, I can't remember the numbers exactly way back when, but I believe it was the same as about 112 of synthroid.

I did get labs recently for free t3, 4 and reverse t3.

That's the reason. She is putting me on t3 meds, which I am thankful for. :)

 

It seems like a very rare thing to be put on t3.

 

Anyone have a story of using t3 medication and it making a difference?

 

That's less than two grains, which is no where near a "high" dose. I take 4 3/4 grains of NatureThroid (one grain of NatureThroid is 65mg). Most people will need *at least* two grains, many people need three to five grains.

 

Read this from Stop the Thyroid Madness.

 

Some people are happy with a T4-only (e.g. synthroid) and added T3. But you should always know what your Free T3, Free T4 (they must be the Frees) and Reverse T3 numbers are, and you should always push for an increase if you're still feeling bad.

 

Also, the big number of people who have thyroid issues actually have Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease. Those folks should consider following the Autoimmune Protocol to help reduce the inflammation in their bodies.

 

Another thing could be adrenals, which can only accurately be tested with a 24-hr saliva test.

Edited June 23, 2016 by Ellie

[rdj2027]

 

ETA I have been doing a lot of reading about thyroid lately and can't wrap my brain around 90+% of MDs treating only to labs and ignoring continuing clinical symptoms of hypothyroidism

 

It's okay, it took 5 years and 7 doctors to diagnose my vitamin D deficiency.  :ohmy:

[Pawz4me]

:(

 

I'm not liking these reports. I need to get 1/2 my thyroid removed and there's a very small chance I will need supplementing. (Of course if they end up having to take the 2nd half, that will make supplementation mandatory)

 

As a vegan, synthroid is all I really want to consider so I'm "lalalal I can't hear you" about the other possibilities....

 

 

I think many of us do just fine on Synthroid (knock wood). We just don't have any reason to post about doing fine, you know?

[gardenmom5]

That's less than two grains, which is no where near a "high" dose. I take 4 3/4 grains of NatureThroid (one grain of NatureThroid is 65mg). Most people will need *at least* two grains, many people need three to five grains.

 

Read this from Stop the Thyroid Madness.

 

Some people are happy with a T4-only (e.g. synthroid) and added T3. But you should always know what your Free T3, Free T4 (they must be the Frees) and Reverse T3 numbers are, and you should always push for an increase if you're still feeling bad.

 

Also, the big number of people who have thyroid issues actually have Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease. Those folks should consider following the Autoimmune Protocol to help reduce the inflammation in their bodies.

 

Another thing could be adrenals, which can only accurately be tested with a 24-hr saliva test.

 

 1 1/2 grains (re; 3 30 or 32 mg pils per day) is practically a starting dose - it is most certainly not a high dose.  those "comparison charts" simply don't work.

 

and adrenals  - that's what the cortisol saliva test measures.  1dd's thyroid numbers were so-so/tolerable/okish, but her cortisol  . . . . just for her cortisol levels she is now on a low dose of armour.

 

oh - her ND also has her taking 25,000 ius of d3 for a month to try and get her  d3 numbers above 60.  (her ND would be happy with them as high as 80.)

one more thing that can affect how you are doing on ndt - d3 levels.

 

OP - have your d3 levels been checked?  the oil used as a suspension will affect how well d3 is absorbed.  and drops with vitamin  k added are general better absorbed.

 

 

eta: ndt brands - armour is the brand name, so their tablets are 30mgs.  naturethroid & wp are non-brands, so their doseage is 32.5mg per tablet.

nt and wp are made by the same company, but wp has fewer additives.  go figure.  my nd wanted me on wp, but it seems most pharmacies don't stock it (but can order it.)  I'll try it and see if it makes a difference.

I've found chewing the nt tablets gives better absorption of the hormones.

Edited June 23, 2016 by gardenmom5

[Soror]

It is not rare to need T3 it is just rare to get it prescribed by typical endos and the tale of thyroid treatment in this country is a sad one, tests and meds that aren't very useful have been pushed instead of what had always worked. Many of us cannot convert T4 well for lots of different reasons. I started out mostly NDT w/ a bit of cyto and now take 1 grain NDT and 55 mcg Cyto(generic liothyronine- which is the equivalent of 2 grains + 1/5 grain) so 3. 1/5 grain total my last thyroid labs were finally optimal, TSH should be suppressed on NDT it says so on the package insert but a lot of dr.'s freak out about it still. 

My dad switched to Armour maybe a year ago. It helped his energy, but he eventually began to get irritable. Now he does a lower dose of Armour at night and Synthroid in the morning (or vice versa).

 

FWIW Armour was reformulated and a lot of people have reported it not working as well, he might need to switch to a different brand of NDT- there is Naturethoid, WP Thyroid for example. 

For me, I am facing an uphill battle finding a doctor who will work with me to try ndt or T3 supplementation in my not so big town with mostly in the box doctors.

I do have a dr. that prescribes NDT and T3 but if I didnt' I'd be ordering it myself and ordering my own labs.

[Soror]

:(

 

I'm not liking these reports. I need to get 1/2 my thyroid removed and there's a very small chance I will need supplementing. (Of course if they end up having to take the 2nd half, that will make supplementation mandatory)

 

As a vegan, synthroid is all I really want to consider so I'm "lalalal I can't hear you" about the other possibilities....

You can also do just T3, you have to start low and slow with it but please look into it if you don't feel 100% on Synhroid. 

[JumpyTheFrog]

I was on liquid T3 two separate time periods. I will come back and write about it later today.

[TranquilMind]

Okay, so my Dr just called me in some t3 meds to go along with my t4 synthroid I have been taking for years.

I am still having hypothyroid issues / symptoms so we are hopeful this will help.

 

I am wanting to hear from anyone who has added this to their regiment , and what affect you saw on your energy, and over all health.

 

I have tried the natural thyroid before, and my tsh went through the the roof, even though I was on a high does.

 

Any stories or experience about how everything bad went away, and now they feel perfect?( okay, not really, but I'm hopeful and would love to hear something encouraging right now) 😜

That is really strange that the natural thyroid didn't help you since it contains T3? What is your TSH? It should be in the low 1 range.

 

Anyway, I hope you get your answers and feel fantastic.

Edited June 23, 2016 by TranquilMind

[Peaceful Isle]

Thank you everyone for all your comments.

Sometimes I feel so alone with feeling so terrible . My thyroid has been off since I was 15. My tsh was a 5 when it started, and back then they would not give you meds till 7. In my mid twenties I hit a low, with weight gain, hair loss, extreme joint pain, and fatigue. My dr finally diagnosed me. I feel a ton better now, than my whole teenage life, but I still have all those symptoms, just on a lesser scale.

I see my dd following my footsteps and it makes me so sad. At least I can keep tabs on her.

My father used to make fun of my weight and depression. So glad I can be there for my kids, and not treat their ailments with the scoff I got.

 

Anyways, thanks for the help, comments and links. I will be looking into all your comments, and hopefully feeling better in the future :)

[JumpyTheFrog]

I was on liquid T3 drops the first time for maybe a year or so and the second time for a month or two. (I actually started with capsules but kept having to change the dose to find a dose low enough that I could sleep at night, but high enough to give me more energy. My doctor suggested I switched to liquid drops so I could change the dose more easily than dumping powder out of the capsules.)

 

I have never been technically hypothyroid; my TSH, free t3, and free t4 have always been in range (no antibodies either). I was, however, functionally hypothyroid because the ratio between free T3 and RT3 (the inactivated form of free T3) was way off. My doctor said the excess of RT3 was "clogging" up the receptor sites on the cells, leaving fewer of them available fore free T3 to plug into. The liquid T3 was used to treat this because it caused suppression of my natural production of T4 (which can convert to both T3 and RT3) in order to give the body time to clear the excess RT3.

 

After about a year (I think) of the drops, I spent a few months weaning off of them. My ratio had improved some, but more significantly, I kept having to lower my dose in order to be able to sleep at night. A year or two later I tried the drops again because my ratio had worsened, but I gave up within a month or two because it was making the insomnia worse.

 

I haven't tested my ratio in a few years or been on either since then.

[JumpyTheFrog]

I should add that T3 has a short half-life in the body, only several hours (if I remember correctly). T4 has a half-life of several weeks. If you try T3 only, you may need to take it twice a day because it wears off so quickly.

[Ellie]

 1 1/2 grains (re; 3 30 or 32 mg pils per day) is practically a starting dose - it is most certainly not a high dose.  those "comparison charts" simply don't work.

 

and adrenals  - that's what the cortisol saliva test measures.  1dd's thyroid numbers were so-so/tolerable/okish, but her cortisol  . . . . just for her cortisol levels she is now on a low dose of armour.

 

oh - her ND also has her taking 25,000 ius of d3 for a month to try and get her  d3 numbers above 60.  (her ND would be happy with them as high as 80.)

one more thing that can affect how you are doing on ndt - d3 levels.

 

OP - have your d3 levels been checked?  the oil used as a suspension will affect how well d3 is absorbed.  and drops with vitamin  k added are general better absorbed.

 

 

eta: ndt brands - armour is the brand name, so their tablets are 30mgs.  naturethroid & wp are non-brands, so their doseage is 32.5mg per tablet.

nt and wp are made by the same company, but wp has fewer additives.  go figure.  my nd wanted me on wp, but it seems most pharmacies don't stock it (but can order it.)  I'll try it and see if it makes a difference.

I've found chewing the nt tablets gives better absorption of the hormones.

 

Yup, that's what I said (about her dose). Ditto about adrenals and saliva test. :D

 

How are NatureThroid and WP Thyroid "non-brands"? :confused1:

[Peaceful Isle]

I should add that T3 has a short half-life in the body, only several hours (if I remember correctly). T4 has a half-life of several weeks. If you try T3 only, you may need to take it twice a day because it wears off so quickly.

Did the t3 give you more energy, stop hair loss, and help with overall fatigue? I assume it helped the fatigue because you said you suffered from insomnia . :)

Just curious what the help was from it.

[JumpyTheFrog]

Did the t3 give you more energy, stop hair loss, and help with overall fatigue? I assume it helped the fatigue because you said you suffered from insomnia . :)

Just curious what the help was from it.

 

I never had hair loss. It did help some with energy, but not completely because I've had so many other hormonal problems over the last nine years. At once point I was being treated for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but I consider myself to have "leveled up" out of that a few years ago.

 

I still struggle with sleep problems, but I have made some real progress this year with various symptoms.

[HSmomof2]

Did the t3 give you more energy, stop hair loss, and help with overall fatigue? I assume it helped the fatigue because you said you suffered from insomnia . :)

Just curious what the help was from it.

T3 has given me more energy and less fatigue. What has really helped with hair loss is getting my ferritin to a good level with an iron supplement. It's also helped with fatigue.

[gardenmom5]

Yup, that's what I said (about her dose). Ditto about adrenals and saliva test. :D

 

How are NatureThroid and WP Thyroid "non-brands"? :confused1:

 

this is what my ND told me.

technically - armour is the brand in the US for natural  porcine desiccated thyroid. standard tablet is 30mgs.

when naturethroid came out, it was as an alternative 'generic'.  it had to add fillers, and be a different dose in order to market itself as competition.  it's  32.5mg.  I don't know the background on starting WP - but it has far fewer fillers than NT, but is also the 32.5mg.

[Ellie]

Thank you everyone for all your comments.

Sometimes I feel so alone with feeling so terrible . My thyroid has been off since I was 15. My tsh was a 5 when it started, and back then they would not give you meds till 7. In my mid twenties I hit a low, with weight gain, hair loss, extreme joint pain, and fatigue. My dr finally diagnosed me. I feel a ton better now, than my whole teenage life, but I still have all those symptoms, just on a lesser scale.

I see my dd following my footsteps and it makes me so sad. At least I can keep tabs on her.

My father used to make fun of my weight and depression. So glad I can be there for my kids, and not treat their ailments with the scoff I got.

 

Anyways, thanks for the help, comments and links. I will be looking into all your comments, and hopefully feeling better in the future :)

 

You should look for a doctor who will NOT treat you based on TSH but on Free T3, Free T4, and Reverse T3.

[Tree Frog]

I'm not near my computer and don't know how to subscribe without replying on my phone.

 

Dd15 has been having some varying symptoms that could all be explained by increasing her synthroid, so I'm reading all the responses. We had tsh, free t3 and t4 tests run.

[Soror]

Fwiw I didn't know I had hair loss until it started to grow back, I have all these little short hairs around the crown of my head and little bits poking up everywhere (I keep wondering if I should do bangs there is so much of it). It seemed to really happen after we worked on increasing my meds. I never did Synthroid. I started on NDT, then added t3 in increasing amounts. This year I finally pushed upping it doing appts. and tests every month. 

[Ellie]

I'm not near my computer and don't know how to subscribe without replying on my phone.

 

Dd15 has been having some varying symptoms that could all be explained by increasing her synthroid, so I'm reading all the responses. We had tsh, free t3 and t4 tests run.

 

Was it T4 or Free T4? Do you know what her levels were?

[hornblower]

Does anyone know:

Is it normal for TSH to fluctuate a lot over the course of 6 months - but still be in the supposed lab range -  if you're not on meds? 
 

[JumpyTheFrog]

Does anyone know:

 

Is it normal for TSH to fluctuate a lot over the course of 6 months - but still be in the supposed lab range -  if you're not on meds? 

 

If I remember correctly, it varies by time of day. My doctor always wanted thyroid labs done before noon.

[Soror]

Does anyone know:

 

Is it normal for TSH to fluctuate a lot over the course of 6 months - but still be in the supposed lab range -  if you're not on meds? 

 

I know some fluctuation is normal, it even changes according to the time of day. Big changes up and down are hallmarks of Hashimotos, which is why dr.'s will often fight treating it. Also, MANY dr.'s don't even use the up to date ranges. Officially anything over 3 in TSH is considered hypothyroid. However, if you look at the levels of normal people's it is around 1. As a vegan with thyroid issues you should look into the effect of soy on the thyroid as well.

[hornblower]

hm. Pretty sure my tsh tests were all done within the same 2h period so that's maybe a bit odd then. 

My issues are not with function. I have goiter & nodules, one of which came back suspicious after a number of biopsies; I will have 1/2 the thyroid removed. 

All my function tests come back fine & I have no thyroid symptoms. It was just the tsh variance that looks a bit odd.  I think my lab reports in different units so I can't really easily compare numbers with what you guys talk about. My endo and my surgeon know I'm vegan & we discussed this. My issues probably stem from being raised in Eastern Europe & possible iodine deficiency in childhood. 

[Soror]

hm. Pretty sure my tsh tests were all done within the same 2h period so that's maybe a bit odd then. 

 

My issues are not with function. I have goiter & nodules, one of which came back suspicious after a number of biopsies; I will have 1/2 the thyroid removed. 

 

All my function tests come back fine & I have no thyroid symptoms. It was just the tsh variance that looks a bit odd.  I think my lab reports in different units so I can't really easily compare numbers with what you guys talk about. My endo and my surgeon know I'm vegan & we discussed this. My issues probably stem from being raised in Eastern Europe & possible iodine deficiency in childhood. 

Have they checked your iodine levels? I'd want an antibody level done as well just to rule it out, Hashi's causes nodules as well(I have some although lest checked were not big enough to be problematic).

[hornblower]

Yeah, my nodules were large enough to warrant biopsy.

 

I don't think anyone checked iodine but I'll have to dig through the tests again. Our salt is iodized here & I've lived her since 77 so I think now it's not likely but rather is just residual from childhood deficiency.  

 

I've had a number of thyroid antibody tests done & everything is fine there.

 (sorry for font weirdness - I'm cutting & pasting). 

TSH receptor AB 
Thyroperoxidase Ab
Thyroid Receptor Ab
 

 I think everyone was really hoping to find anomalies in the numbers because goiters & nodules + odd labs seem easier to treat. The fact that all my labs came back fine over & over again apparently means malignancy is more possible. My surgeon was actually involved in a study trying to find genetic markers which would help id malignancy or not but apparently we're still 5-10 yrs away from having that knowledge. 

 

 

[Peaceful Isle]

Op here. Update :)

 

I have been taking the t3 thyroid meds this past week, and oh my goodness, it is making such a difference. My brain fog is going away, my body pain is getting better, and I have more energy. I hope this keeps up and stays this way.

I am so glad I insisted on seeing a naturopath dr and left the regular MDs behind.

I realized now, that when I tried the natural thyroid, I wasn't on near enough and if I had been, I would have gotten t3 naturally. I might try that way out later, but I am so happy with my results so far.

Thank you all for your comments and posts. Very helpful.

[gardenmom5]

I know some fluctuation is normal, it even changes according to the time of day. Big changes up and down are hallmarks of Hashimotos, which is why dr.'s will often fight treating it. Also, MANY dr.'s don't even use the up to date ranges. Officially anything over 3 in TSH is considered hypothyroid. However, if you look at the levels of normal people's it is around 1. As a vegan with thyroid issues you should look into the effect of soy on the thyroid as well.

most drs do NOT treat  to "optimum".  they should also be basing treatment on free t3, free t4, reverse t3  NOT on tsh.  (optimum tsh is below 1.5).

you can have plenty of t3 and not get it into your cells - which is why you must have reverse t3.  synthetic thyroid meds are t4 - but not everyone will adequately convert t4 to t3.  

 

I'm  one of many who have found natural whole desiccated thyroid is more effective than the synthetics.

 

hm. Pretty sure my tsh tests were all done within the same 2h period so that's maybe a bit odd then. 

 

My issues are not with function. I have goiter & nodules, one of which came back suspicious after a number of biopsies; I will have 1/2 the thyroid removed. 

 

All my function tests come back fine & I have no thyroid symptoms. It was just the tsh variance that looks a bit odd.  I think my lab reports in different units so I can't really easily compare numbers with what you guys talk about. My endo and my surgeon know I'm vegan & we discussed this. My issues probably stem from being raised in Eastern Europe & possible iodine deficiency in childhood. 

 

there are many things that can suppress thyroid.  raw broccoli is another that will suppress thyroid.  if it's been blanched it should be ok.

[Peaceful Isle]

Another day of feeling great on this t3. My dr also gave me natural supplements to take that are helping as well.

 

Please please, if you don't feel well on your current thyroid meds, seek a different route, or a different Doctor.

 

I have suffered since I was a teen, and I'm 38. I'm finally getting better. I have seen dr after dr after dr. I almost quit and resided myself to feeling sick all the time.

Don't stop searching till you find help. So worth it.

[imagine.more]

I switched from synthroid to armour and it made an amazing difference. Even through a pregnancy my levels stayed decent with no med increase. Now I'm having a relapse and am scheduling an appt but for 2 years things were fantastic with no dosage adjustments needed.

[Ellie]

Does anyone know:

 

Is it normal for TSH to fluctuate a lot over the course of 6 months - but still be in the supposed lab range -  if you're not on meds? 

 

 

Sure there will be fluctuations, because bodily function. :-) But truly, truly, truly, your concern--and your doctor's concern--should be regarding Free T3, Free T4, and Reverse T3, not TSH. And never, ever be sidetracked by any of those numbers being "in the supposed lab range." Your numbers must be *optimal,* which is within those ranges but where you actually feel well: FT3 should be in the upper fourth of your lab's ranges, FT4 should be in the upper half, TSH should be in the lower fourth. RT3 confuses me so I don't know what those ranges are, lol, but as long as both FTs are optimal, RT3 is not an issue; it's only an issue when one is optimal and one is not.

[gardenmom5]

also remember that iron and cortisol problems can be revealed as you're treated for thyroid.  getting those optimal along with thyroid #s can go a long way to making you feel good - and functional.