Any thoughts on my before and after labs would be GREATLY appreciated...
I was borderline low on and off for years, which I managed with iodine and selenium...
This time I WAS SO FATIGUED I had trouble making up the stairs to my office, so I gave in to trying Armour 60mg. I started to feel better, but now I am hot and feeling more anxiety then usual... so I tested again and as you can see in my results below the free T3 improved but a few others dropped. I'm puzzled and tempted to get off the armour...
Written by
loutomaio
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Perfectly normal. The TSH is supposed to drop - although it wasn't very high to begin with. The FT4 will also drop when taking T3. But, you've got nothing to compare the FT3 with because it wasn't tested the first time.
The only useful tests are TSH, FT4 and FT3. The Totals and the uptakes, and all the rest don't give much useful information.
But, lay off the iodine! It is not a treatment for under-active thyroid, and can make things ten times worse. You say you 'controlled' your hypo with iodine, but what you actually did was stimulate your thyroid. And whilst that may make you feel a bit better in the short-term, in the long-term it will just hasten the demise of your thyroid. The worst thing you can do to a sick gland is stimulate it.
Thank you Greygoose, that makes sense when you put it that way!
When it first showed up on a test that I was hypo, i decided to check iodine levels and they were so low even the WHO thought i was deficient, and my Bromine was very high too, so with everything I read i figured iodine and selenium were the answer...
I think I provoked the problem by swimming in a brominated pool... it was irritating my skin and with in a few months I was really bottoming out, fatigue was extreme for me...
Your iodine may have been low, but just supplementing it is not the answer. It's not like B12 or magnesium, it's far more complicated than that, and you need an expert to guide you if you're not going to do yourself more harm than good. And, experts are very difficult to come by.
Yes, I realize not too many are familiar with iodine, let alone well versed... I was doing Amy Yasko's protocol at the time. That is a very intense regimen, i couldn't keep up with all the lab tests and supplements, although i do believe she knows her stuff and is helping many.
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. If on Armour (or any NDT) make sure to take last dose 12 hours prior to test
If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .
As greygoose say iodine is best avoided unless tested and found to be deficient, ESPECIALLY if you have Hashimoto's
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
The TSH is supposed to drop - although it wasn't very high to begin with. The FT4 will also drop when taking T3. But, you've got nothing to compare the FT3 with because it wasn't tested the first time. 
question to those on Armour Thyroid
Help for Armour advise
Sty on the eye and acne - on Armour
