Armour Thyroid for over 20 years

[NanaV54]

I have been taking Armour thyroid since 2000... Have had my current Dr for at least 20. When I had COVID last time (about 2 years ago .. very mild case) I noticed my TSH was up (over 3...very high for me and on Armour). I mentioned it to my Dr and she suggested waiting, it could be temporary. In the mean time, I joined an online group and began really educating myself. It's when I realized my T4 has been BELOW normal for 4 years. FT3 is in the lower 20 percentile. I've done everything I can optimize... Started D3+Vit K2. Added iron, as I've been anemic off and on my whole life. Take calcium, magnesium and zinc. Always on take Armour on empty stomach. My TSH came down but my FT3 and FT4 haven't budged. So last week I asked her to increase and she informed me that she couldn't because I was diagnosed with osteopenia at the site of my 2 lumbar fusions. She was worried T3 would make it worse. I am so angry. I've developed severe osteoarthritis in my hands in the last 3 years, IBS with constipation (after having it under control for 20 years except for occasion IBS diarrhea) and osteopenia. My eyebrows are almost gone, I'm 69 and I've aged 10 years in the past 4. I'm having a hard time with anger at myself for not educating myself sooner. New studies have proven that calcitonin is reduced when T3 is low and interrupts the bone modeling cycle. It also causes more active osteoarthritis. And brittle bones. Armour has calcitonin in it. I guess I will up my dose on my own.

[FancyPants54]

I would. You won't get far with the NHS and Armour increases now. Doctor's don't know enough about any of it. And they don't connect the dots between different conditions. So many of us have to self-treat to get anywhere.

[NanaV54 in reply to FancyPants54]

I'm in the US but my daughter in law is from the UK and she's told me many stories of growing up there and as a young adult. But, it can be hard in the US too... Especially once you turn 65 and are forced on Medicare. Much more restrictive, even if you have private insurance, they will only cover what medicare approves. Medicare won't cover an iron panel unless you have a medical diagnosis and need it. I hate it. This all started when I turn 65... My Dr is now worried about following Medicare and American Thyroid association requirements... Even though the ATA studies used for there guidelines have actually been pointed out and refuted. So... It's the only way I feel I can get my health back... I guess she will find out with my next labs in 6 months... If I'm still going to her. She's a wonderful woman... But the medical group that is buying up all the practices are calling the shots now, so she doesn't have the flexibility she once had. I might try a couple PAs that started their own clinic. Or go the the rheumatologist that is also a naturopath. I don't really care... As long as I can feel good like I did 5 years ago.

[FancyPants54 in reply to NanaV54]

It must be horrible to feel that you are deteriorating and that the medical establishment is making it worse. I've never got back to feeling like I did before this terrible disease struck. I'm self treating and self testing now. The NHS can't help me. They don't understand it very well at all.