Hypothyroidism

[Cherie]

[quote name='JoyfulLife' timestamp='1312913521' post='2284912']
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[size=2] Cherie... So, according to him, you may want to try Levoxyl (T4) and/or Cytomel (T3). I would advise against Armour, Nature-Throid, etc. because of the bad new re-formulation. If you go to dessicated, ask for NP Thyroid by Acella. Some researching shows it works best for many out there. And note how he says that TSH will be suppressed; meaning to test the Free T3/T4, not TSH anymore.[/size]

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Thank you very much! I also just spoke with my mom (a nurse who has suffered severe hypothyroidism for years) this weekend, and she is very much in agreement with you about the levels being 0.5 to 3, not 5 like some doctors still use. She is very firm about that, and actually thinks people with hypothyroidism should be treated to keep their TSH numbers WELL below what they usually keep them at, even to the point of slightly [i]hyper[/i]thyroidism, because a body with hyperthyroidism needs an extra boost. I believe a while ago, perhaps in the beginning, she used something along with Synthroid to help the T3 and T4 but it didn't have any effect for her; she did recommend that it might work for me, though.

I appreciate the info!!! Let me know how things are working out with you and all this!

[Sarah147]

[quote name='CherieMadame' timestamp='1312947137' post='2285330']

Thank you very much! I also just spoke with my mom (a nurse who has suffered severe hypothyroidism for years) this weekend, and she is very much in agreement with you about the levels being 0.5 to 3, not 5 like some doctors still use. She is very firm about that, and actually thinks people with hypothyroidism should be treated to keep their TSH numbers WELL below what they usually keep them at, even to the point of slightly [i]hyper[/i]thyroidism, because a body with hyperthyroidism needs an extra boost. I believe a while ago, perhaps in the beginning, she used something along with Synthroid to help the T3 and T4 but it didn't have any effect for her; she did recommend that it might work for me, though.

I appreciate the info!!! Let me know how things are working out with you and all this!
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It sure helps to know others are dealing with this, as at least it's something I'm investigating, and might have.

I just got the lab to get a TRH Challenge Test, which can be better at spotting a thyroid condition. Now the problem is with finding a lab or hopital than has the drug to do the test. My local hospital can't do it.

I think the TRH test is the one that CatherineM had; I can't seem to figure anything else that fits what she said. It's also the test they used to use some years ago before relying on the TSH so much.

I'm also screening an intern and she'll be getting answers back to me about how she treats hypothyroidism and what she would do with me.

I also know two other doctors with focus on alternative but incorporating hormonal treatment that would be open to a trial, so they are a last resort.

I'm determined to at least get a trial. I am really hoping to get the TRH test and get a diagnosis through it so all doctors in my life will see if I have the condition.

When I was at the lab today, one of the women that worked at the desk shared that she is hypo and not doing well with symptoms on synthroid. So, I asked if she tried Levoxyl, and she asked what it was. So, I told her it was another T4 med and that some do better on other T4 meds, and that some need T3, too. So, she was interested. I love spreading the word. There are so many people I've come across that are on poor treatment, and don't know they can actually feel good if they experiment with meds and dosage.

Edited August 13, 2011 by JoyfulLife

[Sarah147]

Man, has anyone here had the TRH Challenge test? I'm having an awful time trying to find a place that can do it and get the medicine through their pharmacy.

If I can't get this test, I'm stuck hoping a doctor will agree my regular test results are hypo.

Edited August 15, 2011 by JoyfulLife

[Sarah147]

Well, it looks like I won't be able to get that test. No place has the medicine, and no lab I've talked to can do it, mainly due to the medicine issue.

So, it looks like I'm going to have to try the intern (she turned around, not answering my questions, and instead suggested a first appointment to discuss.) Or, try one of the alternative-focused people that are definately open to cortisol and thyroid, should I need them. I'm hoping to see the alternative-MD, as I really trust that he will get me feeling great. He's just a long drive and charges a bit more than most, but he does accept my insurance.

Please pray for guidance in what to do now.

[Skinzo]

Maybe you already know this but I read at Mary Shomon's site that the drug needed for the TRH test is no longer manufactured. It also seems to imply one had better be sure of having a healthy pituitary gland prior to testing:

"At present, it is almost impossible to get a TRH test. The drug needed for the test, protirelin, is no longer manufactured. The only protirelin that is apparently available is via compounding pharmacies. Whether or not that protirelin is of sufficient quality to conduct the test is a question that some practitioners have raised. If you find a practitioner who does do the TRH test, however, keep in mind that the TRH Stimulation Test and protirelin TRH should be used with caution in anyone with:[list]
[*]Asthma
[*]Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
[*]Heart disease caused by inadequate blood flow to the heart
[*]Reduced activity of the pituitary gland (hypopituitarism)
[*]Pregnancy"
[/list]
http://thyroid.about.com/od/gettestedanddiagnosed/a/trhtest.htm

[Sarah147]

Yeah, just as well. It sure would have been great to have a definite test, though.

There was a post from 2009 online from someone in a nearby state, and he said he had the TRH test. I checked a major hospital in that area, and the doctor didn't think they do it anymore. So, I don't know what to think about that guy.

[Skinzo]

The only suggestion I can make is to ask a pharmacist if there is any way of locating a supply of the medication. If you really want this done and have some money then you might want to consult a doctor who is outside of your health plan, the kind that does not take insurance. They tend to be more flexible but also expensive.

S.

[Sarah147]

I asked my hospital if I could bring the medicine in from somewhere and they said they wouldn't feel comfortable doing that.

I'm hoping to see this alternative-MD doctor. Apparently he is out-of-network. Does anyone know how much Anthem covers for that?

[Sarah147]

I recently had my first appointment with the MD/alternative doctor.

It went super great!

He's a very warm, caring, kind doctor and he is very passionate about health and getting better. Several times in my visit he said we'll get me better. I felt very cared about and like we were finally going to make some progress. He was very thorough with my medical papers and symptom intake, etc. He also carried out a physical exam more thorough than other doctors have done.

He looked over my past thyroid labs and mentioned that according to the new range by the endocrine association, I've been over 3.0 a number of times, showing hypothroid. And he said that even normal range people can be hypothyroid, especially if the dysfunction is with a gland in the brain (hypothalamus, pituitary, etc.) He also looked at my past adrenal testing, and said the morning range is actually 15-25 or 30, and my cortisol was at 10 once, 12 something, and then 8.0, plus he took my blood pressure three times and it kept dropping! It went from 104, to 98, to 90. He thinks that's an adrenal issue. He also took into account all my other symptoms and problems I've been having, and really thinks I've got a thyroid, adrenal and iron problem. He ordered lots of testing to check everything again and other new things. He said my magnesium looked okay last time, and he wants to see where my magnesium and vitamin D are currently, as the D was low.

So, today I had 10 vials of blood drawn. He's having me check my temperature every morning for 5 mornings. Plus I have to do an at-home, 24 hour thyroid urine test and fed ex it.

He wants to see me in a few weeks and he said he'd have the labs back but not the urine one yet, but it should be enough to get started on medicine. He said we'll go slow, and it can take a few months before I start feeling better, but some notice improvement sooner.

I vented to him my frustration about how the other doctors say "you're fine" and he said "normal" is a wide range. There is a wide gap between dead and okay. He believes in treating the mild conditions that most doctors ignore. He said they tend to only do something if it's really serious or life-threatening. He really wants to get me functioning more normally. He even said that, after telling him how I get tired trying to jog, that we should get me to where I can run (not that I should run, but just to be healthy to have the ability).

I'm totally happy and counting my blessings!