Hi there,
Been quite unwell with anemia and possible heart problems. Am waiting for an Angiogram bur my iron levels are back to normal (for the moment). I was very breathless and thought it waa due to the anemia but although blood count OK still felt breathless. I have mild aeortic stenosis but that should not cause the breathing difficulties. Anyway I thought I ought to check some of the vitamins I was taking. I trawled the internet and found some info on Vitamin K which I had been taking along with vitamin D3. Apparently vitamin K can cause breathlessness in some people. Decided to stop taking it and increase green vegetables instead. My vitamin D3 levels are nearly optimal too so I have reduced dosage to that recommended as a maintenance dose. Breathing does seem to be improving (fingers crossed). Although I have mild aertic stenosis I decided to go ahead with replacing Levothyroxine with Cytomel. I am very conscious of how blood flow through the arteries could be compromised. Especially, as I have not had the angiogram but I cannot stand the pains in my joints and muscles any longer. So I take readings for high blood pressure, do meditation and have had private blood tests.
My doctor refuses to support me even though I have offered to pay for FT3 T3 blood tests and to buy T3 on private prescription. She is not refusing of any suspected heart problems, she refused to say why. On contacting Primary Care Trust I was told that she could request this form of treatment on a named patient basis and that I should change my GP to a more sympathetic one. My mobility is poor and I do not drive or have anyone who can drive me to a surgery on a fairly regular basis so I am a bit stuck really. As an aside, how do I find a sympathetic GP? Anyway, I have done masses of reading on the net and also read Paul Robson's excellent book so I decided to embark on change but in a very conservative way.
I cleared my system of Levo and immediately started to feel better. Was very surprised because obviously I thought I would feel worse. The 'brain fog' lifted and I felt less tired and ''overall ill' Tho' old problems with paristalsis kicked in though and I became very constipated and felt toxic. Oh well!
I started by taking 6mcgs Cytomel three times per day at 6,00am, 1.pm and 4pm. I felt like I had been reborn. I have arthritis in my lower spine and I put the severe pains I experienced down to it. Doubled 6am dose a week later. The pains have improved, not dramatically but enough to make the difference between crying because of pain and frustration and having a constant smile on my face. I am certainly more active. My heart rate has not increased and neither did I have any arrhythmia. Some days I woke up late and took first dose too late and felt a bit yucky. Three weeks later I have raised dosage to 18.5mcgs at 6am, 12.5mgs at 12noon and 6mgs still at 4.00pm. Wow, I think the greatest thing is that I feel happier and I do not feel so hungry. My body temperature is still a bit varied and tends to drop at night.
Not sure what the future holds really. Hope things keep improving. I know I will never be truly well but I do want to be more productive than I have been. It is all looking good though. I have just volunteered to co-ordinate a children's biscuit decoration and cake baking competition followed by a Tea party of Vintage Elegance (not shabby chic which is most passe). 'What fun.'
Next step is to up my T3 intake in two weeks time. I plan to take 25mcgs at 6.00am and 12.5 mcgs at 12.30 and 4.00 pm respectively. That will bring me up to 50mcgs daily and then another private T3/FT3 test.
Still reading about various bits of hypothyroid research with a view to re-entering the research field. Came across this and although I am sure it has been mentioned before I will post the link. According to Mary Shannon, hypothyroid patient advocate and campaigner. the participants are patients from the military or their beneficiaries. The study description does not make this clear but the study is being conducted at a military medical centre and they are recruiting patients, so I guess there is a military bias. Hm! not exactly a representative sample of the population and confounds the study design for other reasons such as participant compliance. We all know the military are trained to comply with orders!
Still good to see some attempt at comparison and if all things are equal and patient compliance plays a part then both treatments will be equally as good (or bad depending how bitter the patients are).
Desiccated Thyroid Extract and Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism Treatment. Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, November 2012
clinicaltrialsfeeds.org/cli...
Bye y'all