Muddled spaced out feeling and feel a bit like a zombie.

[sandysnow]

Still trying to wort out my Armour and have gone back to 1/2 grain as felt slightly overwhelmed. I feel "not really here" at times; is this normal?

Thanks for your patience.

Ann

[Jackie]

Hi, Not really clear, did you have a thyroid function test before taking any armour and then before the increase? Armour, as I am sure you know, contains both T4 and T3. Not everyone, needs T3, it depends on the FT3 test and to some extent the T4 test. If the T4 is in top third of range ie not top of range, this is ideal, any higher could show that your body is probably not converting enough T4 to FT3, common. The FT3 test should be near the top of range but not over.The tiny dose ,I am sure would be fine, in this case, but you may not need so much T3, or possibly T4 ( unlikely). Too much T3 could cause lots of problems. Also armour does not suit everyone. Personally, If you are sure you need it, I would wait 6 weeks, then go up to 1 grain and retest after 6-8 weeks. The results before you started treatment, is very important, especially FT3.

I hope that helps. You should not feel like this

Best wishes,

Jackie.

[sandysnow in reply to Jackie]

Thanks Jackie, that is very informative. Unfortunately, I have not a clue what my t3 is and if I am honest, I am not feeling brilliant on Armour. However, I was having a lot of problems on Levo towards the back end of the second year. I was on 25mg two days and 50mg for one day. My blood pressure is elevating and I was falling asleep shortly after getting up and so breathless walking up hills. I then went to see Dr P who knows just about everything re thyroid; he concluded that I have adrenal fatigue and put me on nutri adrenal and nutri thyroid with just 25mg of levo. This was ok and I was sleeping better, but my energy levels were very low. However, I now don't sleep as well and I feel negative and apathetic about most things (not me at all). I do not have a gp who is in the least interested in T3 low adrenal or anything else that does not fit in his gold standard NHS box. My last blood test was about six months ago and showed T4/12 & TSH/7.9. It was at this point my doctor wanted to elevate my meds to 50mg.

I am really at my wits end. I know this condition can elevate bp and if treated properly, can right itself. The next drug my doctor will want me on will be diabetes. This is the pits and I am having to pay for all of my medication supportive or real and it is costing me most of my pension.

Many thanks

Ann

[bantam12 in reply to sandysnow]

Hi Ann

Going on your last bloods it looks like you just needed to up your Levo dose, 25mcg/50mcg is a tiny dose and your results plus symptoms show that it was not enough for you, why did you not want to raise your Levo dose ? I know a lot of people praise both Dr S and DR P but having read many many posts from people who see them they do both appear to treat everyone as if they all fit in the same box ( much as some GP's do ). Maybe you didn't need to go down the adrenal fatigue and Armour route, maybe a simple raise in Levo would have done the trick. I know quite a few from other forums who have not got on at all well with the nutri supps and ndt so have gone back to Levo only.

[Jackie in reply to sandysnow]

Hi Ann, More money , I am afraid , but you can have thyroid tests through the WEB, I use Blue Horizon ( difficult GP) and have TSH, t4 and Free T3, venous blood or finger prick. They are very well known Lab so no problem for a good doc to prescribe on them. if you quote TUK 10 you have a discount of £10 on any, I pay about £70 for the 3 venous blood.Results to you by e mail., with ranges .Normally an Endo does all the surrounding tests which can be significant and need treatment. My Endo, does not treat Adrenal problems until the thyroid is balanced as think often it is not needed. She will also only use the test, 24 hour urine collection, cortisone tablet at midnight and blood test 9am, she says it is the only reliable one.

Re diabetes,I am diabetic, quite severely., if borderline usually diet, however, if over range, the treatment can be quite complicated, at the start if not too bad, GP and if not an Endo. It does need the drugs to be given by a GP.Also careful monitoring.not just by yourself.Some of the drugs can cause Hypos too. If you see an Endo privately, as other consultants, all work in the NHS Too, they write to GP for the scripts to be provided as that is for safety, they only prescribe privately some thing the GP unable, or unwilling to prescribe.

You may have needed some T3 with your Levo.

I hope all this helps.

Best wishes,

Jackie

[sandysnow in reply to Jackie]

Thank you Jackie, that was very kind of you and the information is greatly appreciated. I have a lot of stress at the moment and I think it is definitely complicating matters. I will get a full range of bloods done and others have suggested that I might also be low in iron. Apparently, if you are low in iron, it can affect the way the thyroid behaves. Such a complicated thing the endocrine system.

[Jackie in reply to sandysnow]

Yes, Iron/ferritin, vit D, B12 + Foliates and Diabetes are all very relevant and important. B12 should be high in range and ferritin/iron well in range , D too.

Good luck with Wed.,

Jackie

[GilmoreTaransay]

I am sorry you are feeling unwell. A TSH of 7.9 is high and suggests you are not getting enough medication to resolve your thyroid issue. Also some forms of medication just do not suit some patients and the patient continues to feel unwell even when the blood test suggests the problem has been resolved. I would be inclined to talk to your GP about moving to a synthetic T4 and then look to increase the dose if your TSH does not improve. The generally accepted normal range for TSH is 0.5 - 3.0. My last blood test showed me at 0.05TSH and I feel OK on Eltroxin but when I am moved to generic Levothyroxine my bloods largely stay the same but I feel terrible, hence I always fight to stay on Eltroxin. There are also changes you can make to your diet which will help e.g. cutting out high carbs such as pasta, bread, potatoes as these types of good can make you tired when you are hypothyroid. I also found Mary Shomon's book "Living Well with Hypothyroidism' life changing so I would recommend you read this too. You will then be able to disucss your position with your GP form a more informed position. I found that was what changed my relationship with my GP as I often take my research in to show her.