Thyroid Labs back, Shenacat I need your input

Rosie1028 · 11-13-2008, 07:00 PM

I have Hashi's and I had been on Armour for the past 5 yrs or so. My doctor wasn't happy with my numbers so we switched to Levoxyl 100 mcg.

In Sept, my numbers were and I was on a 1 and 1/4 grain of armour

TSH 2.55 (0.34-4.82)
T 3 Total 182 (100-215)
Free T4 0.65 (.59-1.17)

Now my number are on Levoxyl are

TSH 2.46

T3 1.65 (100-165)

Free T4 1.25 (0.59-1.17)

She said to keep on my current dose of levoxyl and that my T-4 was high, but that was okay. She feels that it is due to the med switch and that are headed in the right direction and to recheck in 6-8 weeks.

What are your thoughts?? Any input?? My hair is starting to thin in the front and I have these weird fuzzy pieces. I generally feel good. Every now and then, my neck feels sensitive and sore, like I can't stand for anything to touch it and it feels swollen.

Somewhat Damaged · 11-13-2008, 10:09 PM

I am obviously not Shenacat, but I wanted to reply.

How were you feeling when you were on the Armour? Is the thinning hair new or worse since starting Levoxyl?

With Hashi's, the goal is to be on enough thyroid replacement that your body's natural production of thyroid hormone is completely suppressed so you can avoid the hyper/hypo swings (this is called block and replace, I believe). I doubt 1 1/4 grain of Armour was enough to do that for you, and your labs back that theory up. Many people need to be on at least 3 grains, with their TSH suppressed to under 1.0 and FT3 and FT4 towards the top of the range, to feel 'good'. It looks like your doctor drew total T3, not free T3, so it's hard to get a good picture of what your thyroid is doing.

If you haven't already, check out the forums at http://www.realthyroidhelp.com for more info on labs, Armour, and how to optimize your treatment and advocate for yourself. There is a ton of valuable information on the forum.

Rosie1028 · 11-14-2008, 11:49 AM

Thank you Somewhat damaged. I feel so overwhelmed by the whole thyroid issue. I feel like every doctor I go to has a different theory. My doctor wants to recheck my numbers again in 6-8 weeks.

The thinning fuzzy hair that is at my temples became worse when I quit taking spiro. Should I go to an Endo?

Black Lilly · 11-16-2008, 03:54 AM

Rosie - I know how you feel! I am in the middle of thyroid hell myself. I was on T4 meds for 10 years and only now have I switched to Armour. It's been really bad.

Definitely see an endo, but I have to say I do not like Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothroid on their own. These medications (prescribed by most doctors) are T4 hormone replacements. T4 is a storage hormone in your thyroid. With the Armour, you were getting replacement of all of the thyroid hormones your body naturally makes.

It is a very complicated issue, and there is so much to learn.

Also, learn to go by how you feel and not the lab results. Numbers mean nothing if you still feel like poop.

Like Somewhat Damaged said, visit that web site and you will find some great help!