Thyroid deteriorating

[podgy]

I have found out my thyroid is deteriorating and could hardly be found on the ultrasound. My last TSH was 3.3. I'm wondering how Synthroid can help if you don't have a good thyroid. Also how does the loss of thyroid gland affect other body systems?

I have been feeling very weak and tired for a long time now.

[Marz]

Sounds as if you may have Hashimotos - have you had your anti-bodies tested ? It could be that your thyroid has been under attack by the anti-bodies - am only speculating. There could of course be other reasons. What does your Doc say ?

T4 will work in the system in place of the T4 secreted by the thyroid. This should convert into the Active hormone T3 and with good vitamins and supplements all should be well. It may be helpful for you to have more testing - FT4 FT3 and Anti-TPO Anti-Tg....

[podgy in reply to Marz]

Thanks so much. I am going to my primary doc Monday. If he doesn't help me, I will go somewhere else.

[Heloise]

Hi podgy, did they put you on Synthroid or are you just asking about it? In the UK it seems they put everyone on the cheaper generic version, levothyroxine.

Both are T4 which is what your own hormone makes along with other componants. They use a few blood tests to measure TSH, free T4, and if you're lucky, free T3 which would give a better picture of how your treatment may be working. Everyone has a different dose according to their own conditions. If your thyroid is partially working, then you have to take a dose of thyroid hormone to make up the difference. Really a desiccated thyroid from porcine is very close to human thyroid extract is usually superior but they are reluctant to prescribe it even though it has been used for decades before they made Synthroid in the lab. I guess the expense is involved and there is quite a difference among all three types. This will give you an idea of what to expect if you are diagnosed as hypothyroid. I do hope you will feel better.

stopthethyroidmadness.com/m...

[podgy in reply to Heloise]

Yes I've been on Synthroid for years. My doc doesn't give the generic. I don't think he knows a lot about the thyroid and makes excuses when I ask him about dessicated thyroid. My thyroid gland is disappearing usually due to aging I'm told. I am 70 y.o. but I am not ready to just sit all day in misery. I want to keep my health as long as I can.

[Heloise in reply to podgy]

That's probably true about the shrinking thyroid which may mean you need to increase your dose.....not give up. Try an increase and if it's not satisfactory, ask for the addition of a small amount of T3. I hate to say this but the aging process does interfere with so many hormones, we don't digest as well due to low acid, we don't use the sun to make our vitamin D efficiently and so on. But you can make up some of it by assisting with supplements.