Wife ready to give up on Thyroid Medication, ba... - Thyroid UK

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Wife ready to give up on Thyroid Medication, bad reactions like allergic to something in it.

FredDemeter profile image
4 Replies

My wife has been on Thyroid medication for 14 years but has been struggling the last 2 years when Nature ND thyroid had dosage problems. She is 59 140 lbs 5ft 5” My wife has started having serious side effects since our last Holistic Doctor’s visit, after being switched from Armour Thyroid 30 mg. to Tirosint 25 mcg (levothyroxine sodium) and L-thyronine Sodium 7.5 mcg

Before she went to see her Doctor blood work was done Feb 21st Thyroid Free T-3 2.8 range 2.3- 4.2 Free T-4 0.82 Low range 0.89-1.76 Total T-4 5.8 range 4.5-10.9 TSH 2.10 range 0.55-4.78 Thyroid Peroxidase 61 range less than 60.

First week in March was told to try just Tirosint 25 mcg for a few days to see if she could tolerate it. She got a burning scalp just two days after starting it but then added L-thyronine and the scalp burning issued was reduced. She then got very Anxious, Heart Palpitations, very jittery, no energy, sometimes difficult swallowing and flem build up in throat, brain surges, light headed, ringing in ears, blurred vision not able to drive since early March because of dizziness and panic attaches, hair loss. Doctor advised if having chest pain to go to emergency room, saying don’t think the thyroid medicine is causing this. After a week of taking this not feeling any better but worse she stopped taking it. She did not sleep more than 3 hours in 3 days, after stopping this medication for 3 days, so took her to ER. They ran a bunch of tests Scanned her brain but with no iodine because of reactions with iodine. EKG x-ray chest blood work. Nothing found. Just Thyroid numbers off slightly and it was only because we suggested testing for T-3 and T-4. Results Free T-3 2.1 pg/ml range 1.6-3.9 Free T-4 0.6 ng/dl range 0.7-1.5 TSH 5.23 range .35-4.94

Her last D3 level was up to 75 max is 100 B vitamin level was in the upper range 75%.

She got her Armour Thyroid refilled and side effects got worse, after two hours of taking it.

Doctor then sent her T3 6.25 mcg + T4 22 mcg First day taking it she felt better next day symptoms came back. She thinks her body was tricked for one day then it figured out it was taking Thyroid Meds and started to react to it again. Got to the point she has to sleep in a recliner cause of panic attach and dizziness, some nights. She has had the brain zap and throbbing sensation when low on Thyroid hair falling out a lot too, very dry looking. she is in the recliner 80% of the time, her throat is clogging and getting tight again now too.

Convinced her so called Holistic Doctor that she does not convert well we got them to compound Thyroid USP Porcine 30 mg. in the lab. Said it would be a clean very little filler used but must be cellulose. Was told to take one at 6am and after 2 pm. the second dose, she even slept that night This worked for one day as today now 2 hours after taking the first dose her symptoms returned. She is in the recliner 80% of the time, her throat is clogging and getting tight again now too. She gets the feeling that she is slowly dying, very depressed.

Any idea’s?

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FredDemeter
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PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator

Results

Free T-3 2.1 pg/ml range (1.6-3.9) 21%

Free T-4 0.6 ng/dl range (0.7-1.5) (-12. %)

TSH 5.23 range (.35-4.94)

Your wife is seems quite under medicated. The FT3 is only 21 % through range. Should be at least half way. Some don’t feel well unless FT3 is nearer 75% of range.

FT4:FT3 Conversion issues become apparent when someone who is on sufficient dose of T4 only is achieved (eg FT4 of 80% or range) but the body doesn’t adequately convert to FT3 and these are very low or below range.

As your wife has taken T3 in synthetic or naturally desiccated thyroid forms which contain T3 - conversion in the body isn’t as necessary so it’s very common that FT3 is high in range when FT4 is low and often TSH can often drop under range when FT3 is taken.

Most feel well if FT3 in top part of range and are not affected by low FT4 but some need both FT4 & FT3 to be in top part of range.

TSH should generally be under 2 nearer 1 if on a replacement hormone.

All the symptoms describe could be caused by low thyroid levels but by the sound of it they has been issues with dosage and changing types & brands.

If there is a reaction to a filler your wife may be reluctant increase dose but if one can be found which suits given the low levels I would increase dose slowly.

With LT4 alone the dose increases should not be altered by more that 25mcg per day and testing of 6-8 weeks after a dose alteration.

When T3 is involved the adjustment must also be gradual.

FredDemeter profile image
FredDemeter in reply to PurpleNails

Yes 3 years ago when she had a lots of energy and nearly normal, life she was in the upper T3 range, and TSH 0.5 it's just trying to get her back to that point that has been a problem. She had a bad batch 3 years ago of Nature thyroid and had extreme anxiety and hair falling out in by the hand full. The T-3 level was 150% of the range. Had to stop taking it she went 3 months on nothing until TSH was up to 5 she when back on Armour but that seemed different like they changed something in it and has only been able to handle a low dose just getting by with it. Even gained 20 lb. and does not eat very much always Gluten free and no grains. Might be something in the filler they say they only have cellulose in it. That's where we are at Doctor trying different meds to get here level back up based on what she can tolerate. So far it's not going well. Thanks for your input.

Brightness14 profile image
Brightness14

I am sorry to hear that your wife is feeling very ill. I am not an expert on this site let's hope someone with more knowledge can help her recover. Are all of here vitamins and minerals OK?

FredDemeter profile image
FredDemeter

Yes they are D3 76 range, 25 - 100 B12 70 range max is 100. Not sure about iron.The ringing in ears and pulsating she feels in her brain is her heart rate and keeps her up at night. She has felt this before when she is low on Thyroid medication. She will stick with 30mcg porcine thyroid med, then raise it in a weak to 45 , then try 60 after another week.

Thanks for your input.

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