I've been reading a very well-written book: Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness, by the late Dr. Broda Barnes (male) about being Hypothyroid. He lists lots of descriptive case histories and I've come to recognize my mother, her brother, and her sister (all deceased) as having all been Hypothyroids.
I'm also certain that my Father's sister was autoimmune/Hypo because she couldn't have children.
I wish that I knew then what I know now. I had pneumonia as an infant-the first sign! Frequent upper resperatory ailments as a child-the second sign! Nickel allergy when I had my ears pierced-the third sign! Depression, miscarriage, suicide ideation are more signs that have followed me as I age with this disease.
I've been on a new dose of Armour 90mgs for 14 days and I've already got my depression back. I need to go up, but how soon do I beg my Doc to raise my dosage? And why do we have to beg?
Thanks for listening. I really do love this group of supportive people.
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connyankee
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Why do we have to beg? Because they haven't a clue what they're doing but like to behave as if they do.
Yes, I'm pretty certain that most of my family, on both sides, were un-diagnosed hypo - even the ones I never got to meet. But I've seen the photos: large ladies - and a couple of men - with thin hair and baggy eyes. But as a general rule, no-one in my family, for generations back, ever consulted a doctor unless they were about to give birth!
I also have a copy of that excellent (old - 1976) book....bought it second hand from Amazon .....liif anyone is interested
Yes! I'm almost certain both my parents were hypo....and my maternal grandmother
It's taken years of learning and research to join up the dots but it all points to the same conclusion....hypothyroidism
Having said that I'm now 79. my parents both died when I was aged 29 ( heart problems!) so no hope now of proving my thoughts.....beyond looking at a number of remembered symptoms
Have you had your FT3 and FT4 tested at the same time? Both should be approaching 75% through their respective ranges
One grain of Armour equals about 60 mg. And 60 mg (one grain) of Armour Thyroid contains about 38 mcg of T4 and 9 mcg of T3.
So your dose of 90mg Armour = 57mcg T4 and 13.5mcg T3 which is not a particularly large dose
A dose increase might help.
BUT....wait at least 6 weeks after starting 90mg Armour before deciding if you need an increase. A new dose takes this time to settle in the body....you may find after 6 weeks that 90mg helps. If not, depending on your labs, ask for an increase to 3/4 or 1 grain.
Unfortunately there is no quick fix, but with time there usually is a fix
It's hard, but we must be patient.
Depression is a symptom of undermedication
Any other symptoms?
You are absolutely correct, we should not have to beg for the medication that helps us....hopefully your doctor will understand without the need to beg!
I sent Dr. Broda Barnes' book to my doctor. Hopefully he'll read it and find it useful to his practice. I was doing so good last week on my 90 mgs. I had a very clear head. I could understand information that was being spoken to me and actually think ahead as I used to do when I was well. (Was I ever well?) I had great word retrieval. Now, besides the return of the depression, my eyesight is a little blurry, and my face is like a mask. Suicide ideation. Cold chills. It's a very cloudy day and we in the USA are on "daylight savings time" which means that it's very dark by 5pm. My moods are affected by the lack of sunlight. I could never live in a place Norway or Alaska. Thanks for listening Dippy!
It is quite common to feel good after an increase then to have symptoms return....put basically it's the body signalling that it still needs more hormone.
Sit out the 6 weeks following the increase, see how you feel then. If still symptomatic then you likely need a further increase.
Have you considered taking a vitamin D and vitamin K2 combo to help deal with lack of daylight.
Don't beg with a doctor, that potentially gives them power.!!..Stay on their level and explain you would like to trial a further increase because....then list your reasons
Doctors are just flawed human beings like the rest of us!!
Well, I never realised that having a nickel allergy can lead to thyroid issues. Nor did I ever associate nickel allergy with contact dermatitis. Likely that's the reason I cannot resolve my dry skin/dermatitis on my hands. Thanks for sharing
The Nickel allergy is the Hashi's part, but in Dr. Barnes' book there are all kinds of cases that he worked on: people with skin lesions, boils, Scarlett Fever (it's an old book), a wife who drove everyone of her family members away from her she was so difficult to live with, etc. Armour Thyroid (the drug of choice at the time) solved her issues. The book is highly recommended.
I have nickel allergy but I dont have Hashis, cheap fashion earrings caused my earlobes to puff up and weep as a teenager and I have to cover the back of watches with tape to stop my skin becoming unbearably itchy and sore.
my mom had a large goitre in her neck and thyroid cancer. She had surgery to remove some of the thyroid and parathyroid and was put on levo and calcium. Does this mean she was hypothyroid? She was always sleeping
Goiters mean Hyperthyroidism, but we all swing between the two. "Always" sleeping is definitely a Hypothyroid symptom. Your poor mom. My poor mom always had ear aches--another big red flag.
My mother was diagnosed and treated for hypothyroidism. And I suspect her mother and sister were too, but don't know for certain.
I wonder if my younger sister might be hypothyroid too or might become so in the future, but she has had the good fortune to be the healthiest female I can think of in my fairly close family, although she does have the family curse of not being able to hang on to iron.
I don't know any hypothyroid males in my extended family - but since we don't communicate with each other very much I can't be sure.
I have uncommunicative siblings, so it's very hard to share information, but I know that at least my sister and one brother are Hypo's. Untreated, too.
My maternal grandmother had hypothyroidism. My mother was diagnosed as borderline during her 40s. And we all know what that actually means. I wish I’d known then what I know now. Unfortunately, she was told her symptoms couldn’t be thyroid related.
My maternal grandma had her thyroid removed , my mother underactive, my cousin on my mothers side, myself and my younger sister all affected and taking thyroxine me T3 aswell, and my niece daughter of my younger sister definitely showing signs.
Regarding nickel allergy - it appears to be a hapten issue.
Nickel Allergy
Colton R. Rishor-Olney; David M. Gnugnoli.
Author Information and Affiliations
Last Update: July 22, 2023.
Nickel allergy is a type of contact dermatitis caused by direct contact with nickel. It is the most common identifiable cause of metal-related contact dermatitis and may be encountered in a variety of healthcare settings, from primary care clinics to emergency departments. This activity reviews the evaluation and treatment of nickel allergy and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in managing patients with this condition.
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Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Hope she finds us
tsh 2.41, FT4 10.8
Hardening of the arteries OR is it something else?
Hashimoto's, Thyroxine and Pregnancy
Ultrasound scan results, help please, Dr's appointment today. 
