Add t4? Up Cytomel? Change t3? Idk what to do...

[TappedOut]

Hi, I'm "TappedOut". I am 38years old with Type I diabetes since age 5. At age 30 I was formally diagnosed with endometriosis stage 3, needless to say my ferritin, as a result, is low; as is my progesterone. My Type I has been in good control since diagnosis in 1984. However, Thyroid conditions very often appear in female type I diabetes patients after A few decades with the disease, and I have been no exception.

In the last two years I've noticed major and debilitating symptoms. Initially one by one, then all at once. It took me one year to find a doctor who would even test my FT3. All of my labs are consistent in at least one thing - low FT3.

My symptoms have been: distorted vision, pain behind the eye, myxedema, heart rate and blood pressure spikes, incredible fatigue, only able to sleep five hours at night, memory lapse/brain fog, significant hair loss, abdominal bloat and pressure, constipation, cold hands and feet, throat and/or neck pain.

I'm looking for any advise or suggestions of what might be a starting point with thyroid meds, as Nature Throid (1/4 grain), and Armour Thyroid (15mg), both at the lowest manufactured dose, caused within a short timeframe, chest pain, and shortness in breathe, respectively.

Any suggestions or thyroid red flags???

Most recent labs/ranges below:

Where you see --- that test wasn't done.

January 12,2017

*Never having had any thyroid meds prior to this date:

TSH ---

TT4 ---

FT4 1.09 (.82 - 1.77)

TT3 ---

FT3 ---

rT3 ---

TPOab 2 (0 - 34)

Tgab ---

February 23, 2017

TSH .332 (.45 - 4.5)

TT4 6.6 (4.5 - 12.0)

FT4 1.67 (.82 - 1.77)

TT3 ---

FT3 3.4 (2.0 - 4.4)

rT3 16.3 (9.2 - 24.0)

March 14,2017

TSH 1.890 (.45 - 4.5)

TT4 5.4 (4.5 - 12.0)

FT4 ---

TT3 ---

FT3 2.3 (2.0 - 4.4)

rT3 ---

TPOab 81 (0 - 34)

Tgab <1.0 (0.0 - 0.9)

April 28, 2017

TSH 1.48 (.45 - 4.50)

TT4 ---

FT4 1.2 (.82 - 1.77)

FT3 2.2 (2.0 - 4.4)

TT3 ---

rT3 23.5 (9.2 - 24.0)

May 14,2017

TSH 1.06 (.45 - 4.50)

TT4 5.2 (4.5 - 12.0)

FT4 ---

TT3 92 (71 - 180)

FT3 ---

rT3 ---

June 14, 2017

TSH 1.73 (.45 - 4.50)

TT4 5.6 (4.5 - 12.0)

FT4 1.13 (.82 - 1.77)

FT3 2.2 (2.0 - 4.4)

TT3 83 (71 - 180)

rT3 14.8 (9.2 - 24.0)

TPOab 15 (0-34)

Tgab <1.0 (0.0 - 0.9)

*also

Ferritin 15 (15 - 150)

Vit D 59 (70-100)

Thank you for reading. Currently I'm on 6.25mg a day of Cytomel (T3 only). The doc who started me on that, I had to beg for. He sent in the prescription but without instruction or refill. He told me he didn't feel comfortable treating me as he's not familiar enough with thyroid and Type I diabetes. However my diabetes is fine, but if I don't get help soon, it won't be. Autoimmunity works in groups. I need help.

Thank you, all.

[Clutter]

Hi Tappedout,

Email [e-mail] for a list of member recommended endos.

5mcg T3 is a very low dose. There is scope to increase to 10mcg to raise FT3 and lower TSH to improve symptoms.

TPOab and TgAb are negative for autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's).

Ferritin is optimal halfway through range to around 100. You can raise ferritin by supplementing iron which should be taken with 1,000mg vitamin C to aid absorption and minimise constipation. Iron should be taken 4 hours away from T3.

[TappedOut in reply to Clutter]

Oh thank you so very very much. I live in Houston Texas, USA... but I sill still look at the list, to see if any are linked to US docs. I've been having palpitations and rushed feelings with levered heart rate, like a sensation of fight or flight when Alena go off, or in asleep and my phones rings...I'm wondering if it I should increase the cytomel, change brands use timed release t3, or start t4/Synthroid. These symptoms reappeared in the last two days.

I will titrate up on the Cytomel first, to see. In afraid bc of that sensation I described. But I will try on an off day. So I can be home from work when I up the dosage. I thought 5 was low, but since i have those sporadic palpitations etc, I was wondering if it was a side effect of the Cytomel.

Thank you for your kind reply and time.! I appreciate this very much. It means a lot to me. Thank you.

[Clutter in reply to TappedOut]

TappedOut,

The recommended endos are in the UK only. See whether there is anyone on this list or contact Mary Shomon, Hypothyroidmom or STTM facebook accounts for recommendations for US doctors.

[TappedOut in reply to Clutter]

Will do. Thank you so very much. 😊

[Heloise]

Check the iron tests here. stopthethyroidmadness.com/l...

youtube.com/watch?v=2ZWnpQm...(Not working as expected?)

[TappedOut]

Thank you!!