Another update from me on my journey with Armour Thyroid...

[Clarebear]

I have generally been feeling much better on 2.5 grains, although it has taken me over a year to get to this level. Unfortunately, however, for the last couple of weeks (ever since my last blood test in fact), things have been going gradually down hill again

As is often the case with me, I was unsure if my symptoms might be from over-medication or under-medication. My recent blood tests on 2.5 grains (whilst feeling very well), showed mid range fT4 of 16 (12-22) and good fT3 of 5.8 (3.1-6.8).

However, since this blood test, I have gradually started to have more headaches, a bit of dizziness, dead arms during the night, anxiety and a small increase in my pulse rate.

Last week I decided to try missing a 1/4 grain dose to see if this helped. I felt Ok on the day but 24 hours later I felt quite hypo ... So this week I decided to try a 1/4 of a grain increase instead ...

I started this on Thursday by adding the extra 1/4 of a grain to my mid morning dose. I had a headache for the rest of the day. On Friday I decided to try adding the extra 1/4 to my 5pm dose. It gave me a bit of a headache and some mild anxiety. On Saturday I tried taking the extra 1/4 first thing with my CT3M dose, but over slept and ended it up taking it at 6.20am, instead of my usual 5am. I had a mild headache all day, but felt generally better and able to cope with 13 people round for dinner (American supper, so everyone brought a dish), and 3 people to stay the night Today I managed to take the extra 1/4 of a grain at 5am, the usual time for my CT3M dose and I am feeling so much better. Fingers crossed that things will settle down again now (for a while at least)...

I thought I had reached the end of my Armour journey, but it seems not. Maybe I will finally make it to the dizzy heights of 3 grains that the STTM book suggest as the minimum for the average person... ? I had a second interview this week for quite a demanding job, and am slightly disappointed not to get it, but also rather relieved I don't think I was quite ready for it, and will continue with my current self-employed status, whilst looking around.

Thanks everyone for all of your help Bye for now and hope you have all had a good weekend. xxx

[nobodysdriving]

another YAY for you

you are becoming rather skilled in this

[Clarebear in reply to nobodysdriving]

Thanks nbd - I am getting a bit bolder about trying things out - hopefully this is going to work out xx

[Jacksatlast]

Glad to see that maybe that CT3M dose increase will stick. Writining things down like this is so helpful to others on a similar journey with any of the Thyroid meds.

Thanks for sharing your progress once again.

I can vouch for small changes too. I find just 2.5mcgs of T3 will have a massive impact especially when added or removed from that first CM dose of the day.

Essential advice for some, small changes, big impacts.

Hope Monday morning finds things still going well Clarebear

[Clarebear in reply to Jacksatlast]

Thanks jacksatlast No headache today but a bit dizzy - hopefully moving in the right direction. Yes small changes have a huge impact for me too. Paul R has asked to use my story with CT3M as a case study in his new book - I feel quite honoured xx

[Jackie]

HI Did you have another re test , when you started to feel unwell? I have been stable for many years but sometimes,I can go hyper. I notice your T4 is lowish, has any one suggested a tiny bit of T4, and the lower dose of armour. Or maybe, like me, you cannot take T4., on it`s own.Incidentally, I doubt this applies but severe liver disease can put the thyroid bloods right up. Just going for a test now, because of my other conditions I have 2 to 6 weekly tests, so very aware of what is happening. Liver, after problems for years, very bad now, put up all my bloods especially thyroid, Hashimoto to Hyper and diabetes ( before the pancreas) , Potassium and coagulation, hard to guess. I cannot live at the Lab, any way expensive.

Also make sure you are drinking enough, water best. Dehydration frequent cause of headaches, along with lots of things, of course.

Best wishes,

Jackie

[Clarebear in reply to Jackie]

Thanks Jackie I do wonder about trying a bit of T4 instead of increasing the Armour, but am concerned that earlier blood tests showed I wasn't converting it to T3 very well. After I started thyroxine my FT4 went up but my FT3 actually went down. Also I think I had a problem with reverse T3... I do drink quite a lot of peppermint tea and water, so i don't think I am dehydrated. I had a LFT when first diagnosed and it was fine then, so don't think it's my liver. xx

[Jackie in reply to Clarebear]

Hi I take armour and T3 as my natural FT3 extremely low. I keep it in range, just., my tSH has always been immeasurable.Did you originally try T4 and T3.? That is my endo`s first choice, she is very good. Second choice, armour etc , with or without T3 as needed, to feel OK and not out of range, third choice is just T3, I am allergic to T4 ( levo) so not an option for me.I have Hashimoto but when I was first diagnosed, and for many years, only known disease was Hypo or Hyper, treated accordingly. I am normally stable ,in spite of all my conditions. What about the other tests, especially thinking of iron/ Ferritin, B12 and Folic acid, vit D ( hormonal) and especially diabetes, autoimmune and hormonal ,to start with same symptoms more or less to thyroid disease, I am very underweight but still severe diabetes. The only real guide is Hb 1Ac, but some GP `s will only do glucose What about U`s and E`s,very useful? I have to have them several times a week. but they can effect everything. What about magnesium? You need a test, tiny range, electrolyte, before taking it, but OK in food..it can also put up the Potassium. I have the lot on a script which is why I have so many tests.The other thing ,have you had an ultra sound of the thyroid/ Useful, especially if autoimmune.?My voice is terrible now,as fairly deaf, great fun Swallowing any thing a night mare, enlargement and nodules.A good endo does all this and more if needed on the first visit.

I hope that gives you more ideas. It does take ages to get right, as I am sure you know, However, eventually will be better.

Best wishes,

Jackie

[Clarebear in reply to Jackie]

Thanks. No I haven't tried synthetic T3 at all but am keeping it in reserve. My ferritin was below range but I have been taking iron for over a year and the last result was 98 I haven't had B12 tested recently, so may start supplementing that too. I haven't had potassium or magnesium tested either, or had a scan of my thyroid - my endo offered me a brain MRI which i had - that was fine. Things are definitely moving in the right direction, but slowly xx

[Jackie in reply to Clarebear]

Hi I hope you are soon feeling better and sorted!

Best wishes,

Jackie

[shaws Administrator]

I am pleased that you are improving slowly and feeling much better. Just think, most GP's believe that taking 1 dose of levo per day solves all our symptoms and our health is back to normal within a short period - according to the TSH.

[Clarebear in reply to shaws]

Thanks Shaws Thank goodness my endo isn't adjusting dose by TSH xx

[theezoo]

I am on a mission to spread the word about B12 deficiency. I was diagnosed hypothyroid and my blood levels were "normal" according to the doctors but I could not stop crying, I couldn't get out of bed in the morning, I couldn't clean my house or make a grocery list. The doctors told me I was depressed and needed to talk to someone. Turns out I had a B12 deficiency and within 3 days of taking a 1000 Mcg supplement my symptoms were 90% better. Dead arms and dizziness are signs of B12 deficiency. Please get it checked or just start taking it. If you are deficient you will notice a big difference in a few days. People with thyroid issues have a greater risk of being B12 deficient.

[Clarebear in reply to theezoo]

I do take a multivitamin with B12 but maybe this is not enough? I think my B12 before supplementation was 275 and then with the multivitamin it went up to 500 ish, but don't know how reliable this test is. I would like to have the Active B12 test . What B12 supplementation would you suggest? Thanks xx

[Hidden]

You are doing really well!!! x

[Clarebear in reply to Hidden]

As you may remember I couldn't tolerate 2.75 grains back in February, so we will see what happens this time... xx

[Hidden in reply to Clarebear]

I do remember. It's good that you are willing to try again as it is easy to become disheartened.

I think that in the first year or so it is as if the body just drinks in those hormones and needs more and more to replace what has been deficient for so long. It's weird with me that all these years later (15 in fact) I don't seem to need so much armour anymore.Perhaps it's because my menopause is well and truly finished and my child rearing is over!

Self employment is a really good thing for people like us -I am self employed and have always worked when I'm well and rested at other times. Sorry you didn't get the job, but perhaps it is for the best, for now. x

[Clarebear in reply to Hidden]

Thank you - yes I think you are right about the job - I think it was probably a lucky escape Fingers crossed that this increase will do the trick. xxx