My most recent TSH level was 2.65 . At my first endocrinology appt. the doc decided to up my meds by 50%. I'm reading here that normal levels are as high as 4.0. Should I take the higher dose? I had still been experiencing hair loss and funky nails from this condition but I don't know what will happen if I over-medicate. Im currently (prior to the upped dosage) on 30mg of armor thyroid (natural thyroid). I couldn't tolerate the synthroid.
I'm frequently fatigued (but also am a type 2 diabetic and under a lot of stress due to a serious family issue) so I don't know where the fatigue is coming from (probably a combination of things). My sugar is under control enough that I am not yet on meds. My A1C was 6.2 and my blood glucose averages at about 112 -with some ups and downs but nothing drastic in either direction.
The TSH at which you feel best is different for each person. I was still having symptoms at a TSH of 2.5-3, and I've started to feel better with an increased dose. My last TSH was .37 but I feel so much better, not overmedicated. A lot of people do feel better with TSH at least below 2. However, some people might feel overmedicated with that TSH...so you really have to listen to your body along with monitoring TSH and free Ts. You should talk to your endo about it and voice your concerns. If your dose is increased slowly and you know what to look for in terms of going hyper, you should be ok. I realize it's a little harder if you don't know exactly what to attribute all your symptoms to. Maybe it would help to keep a symptom log for a few weeks?
I'm assuming your in the US? I'm in the UK and TSH levels are a lot higher here before starting any medication.
Last August my TSH level was 4.14 ... My doctor classed it as borderline. I had another test last month and it has risen to 5.43. I was told to have another test in 3 months and it was still classed as borderline.
Anyway because I have been symptomatic for a while and Hypothyroidsm is in my family, my GP started me on 25mg of Levothyroxine. After 9 days of taking it, I had to stop. I ended up in A&E. I felt a bit out of breath, then I had a sort of pressure in my chest, sweating, trembling, palpitations and diarrhoea. I had a paramedic check me over and he suggested I go to A&E to be checked out. So an Ambulance was called.
Anyway I had bloods taken and ECG's etc done and fortunately all was ok. But they think it maybe the Levothyroxine that had caused this.
I would take the dose recommended by the endocrinologist. If you start to feel weird you can always stop but if you don't try it you'll never know. In what way were you unable to tolerate the synthroid? Palpitations? If so then that could be a sign of overmedication. Is the dose of natural thyroid lower than the synthroid dose you were taking?
The natural thyroid and synthroid are completely different so yes, the dosage is different. I just felt very off and sickly on the synthroid and my hair fell out massively. Now it's still falling out a little now and then but nothing like it was before and I feel 'normal' on the natural harmone. Less long-term affects with the natural harmone as well
My fiancee was on the same thing as you and I think the medication is not really good at curing you of this disease it's where the immune system attacks the thyroid gland that's what mashimottos disease is and could be the problem that excissts in your body se if going on a high protien diet helps you! Notice I said was?
I used to live in the uk but now live in the Philippines, the heat here is good for my joints and asthma!
I'm not sure where your information on a high protein diet helping hypothyroidism/Hashimoto's is from, but I would be cautious in recommending that diet is a cure-all. Certainly eating healthfully is a good idea no matter what, and there are some studies showing that a small percentage of people with Hashimoto's also have celiac disease and do much better going gluten-free, but I think there's a lot of info floating around that is not well-substantiated. I've thought a lot about this because I have wondered about an doing one of these anti-inflammatory diets (eliminating gluten, soy, and dairy) to see if that would help. I'm not sure that it wouldn't, I'm not sure that it would either. I just haven't heard about high protein helping hashimoto's. Also it's important to take thyroid hormone if you aren't feeling good! The medication does not cure the autoimmune attack, but it does keep your body functioning properly
Rose, How long were I on the synthroid? How long have you been on Natural? 'm currently on Levo and being switched to the brand synthroid this week. I had my thyroid removed (3) weeks ago and I'm going through hell. I fell awful! I was normal until I started taking Levo 88mcg, it's poison. I need an alternative very quickly, i never felt this way in my entire life. I can't live like this, my head feels like it's on fire. I can't even sleep at night I guess I have insomnia thanks to Levo. My endo assured me that I'll be fine. I'm having very side affects such as; Hair loss, brain fog, fatigue, joint & muscle pain. It's a very powerful drug. I had no idea about the side effects prior to surgery. I asked my doctor For NDT OTC but she refused, she said it difficult to get the dosage right and she mentioned pig thyroid. I'm just so confused. I'm new to all,of this. I need some serious support and help. The doctors offer absolutely none. If you have any suggestions please share it with me. Thx so much.
Well there are ppl that have got cancer in their thyroid gland through having hypothyroidism and they don't live a very good life the things is as I said my fiancee HAD hypothyroidism and I cured it within 4-5 weeks with food it's not so much the food you eat it's also the food you don't eat to!
That's fine jeneffer if you don't want me to say anymore far be it for me to go any further, good bye everybody just look out for foods that heal???
Oh I did cure my fiancées high blood pressure and diabetes which I used to have to? I wish you all a good healthy life! I was only trying to help!!!!
I was only on synthroid a short time. I don't remember anymore exactly how long but maybe 2 months? I felt "woozy" and queasy and just an overall malaise. My hair was coming out in handfuls.
I am very happy with the pig thyroid. However, I do have a thyroid. I'm assuming it would still help you but I'm not a doctor, of course. I would try to get your doctor to let you give it a try and if he/she is not willing, I'd want to know why and I'd get a second opinion or do some research.
I wish you well. This coupled with my type 2 diabetes gives me a great challenge to manage my condition in as natural a manner as possible.
Sounds similar to my symptoms. I don't remember palpitations but it's possible i'm forgetting--it's been awhile. Pressure in chest 'woozy' feeling I do remember. Thanks for the info
Rose, I would love to try the pig thyroid, from what I've read it's the best choice for most. However; my Endo will not consider it. I even asked for combo T3 T4 still no luck. Did you experience any major side effects from the pig thyroid? How long have you been taking it? It's only been (3) weeks for me so she says please give it a chance. Actually, a second opinion is probably best for me. My Endo live & die by Levo she says it's the best and all of her patients does well on it, which I find very difficult to believe. This stuff is poison. Ive read so many horror stories regarding Levo until it's very sicken. And, I'm experiencing more horror than ever. I was actually pretty healthy prior to taking it. If you have any other resourceful info to share please do not hesitate to do so. Thx so much for your support!
I've been very fortunate in that my primary care physician and my endo are supportive of me using the armour thyroid. I have no side effects at all with the pig thyroid. I don't believe these doctors either (when they say they have no patients that are having difficulties ) because I know a lot of people who had trouble. I've been on the armour for about 3 years now. Could you try a different endo?
Yes, I'm going to find another Endo. I'm in the process of finding another one now. My Endo don't want bend any, she wants me to stick with Synthroid and only synthoid. I really don't think it'll ever work for me. Everyone that I come across on this site gives the same positive feedback regarding the pig thyroid. Are you in the US, Canada or UK? I'm in the US.
No I don't have the extra funds, I wish I did. I know that the holistic health care is very costly. I'm researching info now regard their treatments. If I ever hit the lottery big, I'll definitely find one in my city. In the meantime Im stuck with a regular Endo & blue cross & blue shield. Thx dear!
Don't give up...i started out with a naturopath who was an MD and he prescribed nature-throid. Turns out he wasn't so good at listening to me about dosing and symptoms though, so I found an Endo who is much better and fine with me staying on the nature-throid. So maybe you could find a naturopath who is an MD as well so it would be covered, or keep looking for an Endo who is willing to prescribe pig thyroid. They are out there!