Hi! I just found this site and have been reading for about 2 hours! I have been so amazed at what I've been reading! I have been on Armours Thyroid, 1 gr, for about 6 years. Never had my dosage changed because my lab tests always say I'm within normal ranges on TSH, T4 and T3. In fact, I just had new tests done in July and still normal, although I haven't actually seen the numbers. I will find out tomorrow (later today lol) because I'm curious after what I've read on here.

http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/confused.gif I've wondered more than once over the past 6 years if I should have my dosage increased just because of symptoms. We've moved once in that time and I've seen five different Drs in the same time, and even went to an endo. once 2 years ago. Most recently, in July, a Dr. suggested I start taking a low dose of Prozac because I have actually been experiencing mild depression for over a year. :( I haven't done it because I really don't feel good about doing that AT ALL! I also continue to have somewhat low body temperature, hair loss, insomnia, fatigue, although none of these are as bad as they were when I was first diagnosed.

Anyone care to make suggestions? Should I suggest (or demand :)) that we try increasing my dosage a little even though my levels are "normal"? I'll check back and let you know my actual test results whenever I can get a copy of them. Thanks for all your help and encouragement in what I've read already! This is a great message board! :)

Depending on what your lab results look like, it may be perfectly OK to ask for a dose increase, especially if your T3 and/or T4 are low in the range. You can phrase it something like this when you ask your doctor.

"I still have a few symptoms of hypothyroidism, even though my lab results are 'normal'. Would there be any harm in trying a small dose increase as long as we still keep my results in the normal range?"

When you mention that you have the symptoms, still, hand the doctor a list of your symptoms, or print out the checklist from the Information Archive thread (http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/Forum118/HTML/000005.html). A reasonable doctor would grant you that request, feeling comfortable that you aren't planning on going overboard and that you are clearly interested in being as healthy as you can be.

I'm finally back to post my blood test results. Anyone who wants to comment on them, feel free. I'm not sure I understand what they all are for. Here goes:
T4 level was 6.2 -- range 4.5 to 12.0
T3 uptake was 0.92 -- range 0.72 to 1.24
FTI (what is this?) was 6.7 -- range 5 to 12
TSH level was 1.60 -- range 0.49 to 4.67
T4 Free level was 0.8 -- range 0.7 to 2.2

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Welcome, SongOfJoy. It looks like your test results were as Meep suspected -- your Free T4 is on the low end of the lab's reference range, and your TSH is a little higher than optimal. Recent studies have shown that many people, particularly women, feel best when their TSH is at or around 1.00 -- your value of 1.65 may be too high for your personal needs.

So it sounds like a small increase of your Armour may help you feel better. Glad you avoided taking the Prozac. If the depression is related thyroid levels, it should be corrected when you are balanced, and the Prozac may not have helped in that case.

There is a post in the Information Archive thread that helps explain the various blood tests and what they mean (Page 1, 12/31/01). You may find it helpful in interpreting this and future tests.
http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/Forum118/HTML/000005.html

Well, I went to my Dr. on Friday (he's a Family Practitioner) to discuss my hypo-thyroidism with him. I told him some of the things I've been reading about here on these boards, the symptoms I'm still having, the mild depression (and the Prozac recomendation), etc. Then I asked about increasing my dosage of Armours Thyroid to see if maybe it would help me feel better. At first he was hesitant and just wanted to send me to an endocrinologist. But then he thought about it and said "why not?"

So, starting Friday, we upped my dosage from 60 mg to 90 mg, and he went ahead and scheduled an appointment for me to see an endocrinologist in late October. We'll do blood work again about a week before that appointment, and he said if I am feeling better and my levels are still within normal ranges, I can cancel the appointment if I want to. Then we'll do blood tests again in another two months just to see if my levels remain stabilized. I'm encouraged that he was willing, and I hope I'll begin feeling better in a few weeks. I'll post an update when I notice the changes I hope are forthcoming. Thanks for the encouragement you have been for me. This message board was really a God-send for me!

Good for you, and good for your doctor! Bless him for booking you an appointment with an Endo (and for not waiting to prescribe the trial increase while you wait).

Let us know how it goes. Sounds like you're in excellent hands, and that's truly half the battle.

It's been a month since my last post, so just thought I'd give a quick update on my condition. I'm no longer feeling depressed! YEAH! Stressed, yes, lol, but the depression has lifted. I also am sleeping better. Still a few other symptoms but in general, I am feeling much better. I go in for blood work again on Oct. 16th, so it will be interesting to see if my levels have changed any. Then I go see an Endo. on the 22nd. I'll check back then.

Sounds good. glad to hear it. I would be interested in seeing your blood results when you have them done.

Hi SongofJoy,
It is good to still see the endo.
You still may need a dose increase, and may need adjustments over time, so get regular check-ups, and note your symptoms.

Be sure to always get the lab result copies.

[This message has been edited by Tree Frog (edited 10-09-2002).]

OK, I'm really confused now. I got new blood test results today, and the TSH level is WAY BELOW normal. Could this be a mistake? http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/confused.gif Here are the results I got. These tests were done by a different lab than did my tests back in July, which is actually a pain in the seat :) Makes comparing the results a bit tricky. If anyone cares to comment, feel free.
T-3 uptake level was 30% -- range 22-35
Free T-4 was 1.0 -- range 0.8-1.8
T-4 total was 5.9 -- range 4.5-12.5
Free T-4 Index (or T7) was 1.8 -- range 1.4-3.8
TSH was 0.06 -- range 0.4-5.5
Here are my comparisons: Free T-4 came up just a little. I can't really compare the T-3 results because this one is a percent. Anyone seen that kind of interpretation before? My Total T-4 came down just a little -- from 6.2 to 5.9. And then there is the bizarre TSH reading. Wouldn't I be feeling really horrible and having all kind of wierd symptoms if this is actually the result -- 0.06? It was 1.6 back in July. I have an appt. with an endo. tomorrow (10/22) so it will be very interesting to see what he has to say. I'll check back and let you know.

Hi SongofJoy,
You may have hashimoto's, which makes the thyroid level fluctuate.
Did the doctyor test the thryoid antibodies?
Sorry, I can't make myself go back and read through to see if you had that test.

Thanks for your reply, Treefrog. I don't think they tested thyroid antibodies in any of my tests. I went to see the endo. today, and he ordered another set of tests which I will have done tomorrow. He said the TSH result (0.06) may be a mistake, but if not, then I need to go back to a lesser dose of meds. I wasn't real impressed with him for various reasons, but at least he seemed to do a thorough exam to determine if my thyroid is functioning normally or not. He said without the blood test results, he would say that my thyroid function is completely normal, but he cannot discount the results, so he ordered another test. He also said he detests Armour Thyroid as a medication, and I got the impression that he almost exclusively prescribes Synthroid for his patients -- although he did not ask me to switch brands. He did say that 90 mg, which I am currently taking, is the most common doseage of the Armour's, and that if I have taken the same dose of 60 mg for about 6 years, it is perfectly normal that I might require a dose increase. Another comment he made was that he relies almost exclusively on the TSH levels, and that the other tests (T4 and T3) don't help much. So, although he seemed quite knowledgeable, he also seemed pretty closed-minded. Anyway, now I just wait for another set of blood test results. Sorry this is long, and I hope it makes sense.

HI, I am new to this stuff, too. Sorry you are going through all this. I am waiting on test results right now with antibodies. If it comes back positive then they are sending me to an endo and I already dread it because my doctor told me that he has no personality. I have heard many on this page describe them as cold.
I think you made the right decision to go this route rather than go with the Prozac. (whatever my opinion is worth) I have been on psych. meds for years. In fact, Lithium caused my thyroid problems. They are great for some people, but often there is an underlying medical problem that goes undiagnosed and gets covered up with antidepressants.
Good luck with your new doctor and please try to stand firm and get advice from the people here to manage your healthcare whether it be with this doctor or even if you have to find another one.

Hi. This site is what the med schools need to incorporate into the training! We can take our lists to the doctor but we can not make them understand it. I have found that the more educated we get,the more defensive the med staff is getting. I have heard these same stories so often that I know the doctors must hear them too! My husband sees the connection of symptoms and Hypo-T,he can not figure why the doctors don't see it! I just keep reading on Hypo-T and now this site is a great place to find more help! I have read that a low dose T3(Cytomel) helps with depression. It appears that no matter what a patient comes in with,the first test done should be a full thyroid panal! Think about the time and money you would save!!!

I just got on this site for the first time and have been reading all the posted messages about hypothyroidism and such. I am 38 years old and have a pretty odd health history, but am writing because I too am at my wits end about my weight gain.
In 1999 I was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. I had a bi-lateral mastectomy, chemo and then was on Tamoxifen and injections to keep me in a chemically induced menopause. In 2001 I was diagnosed with Hashimotos because I had gained 18 pounds in three months depsite no change in diet and hours of exercise every day. I was put on Synthroid, went on LA Weight Loss and eventually the weight came off. However, in 2003 I was diagnosed with Thyroid cancer and had my thyroid completely removed. I did a round of radioactive iodine treatment just to be safe. They then added Cytomel to my medications.
Withing a few weeks of the operation, my hair began to thin and the weight began to come back on. My endocrinologist insisted that the hair would come back - she said the loss was cyclical and I should give it 6 months. Needless to say, I literally have half the hair I used to have. It is very thin and shows no signs of getting any thicker. My weight has steadily increased despite calorie reduction, exercise, etc. I have gained 15 pounds in the last year and nothing I have done can take it off or stop it from getting worse.
Additionally, I am now off of the Tamoxifen and injections and all my doctors believe that I will come out of menopause -- they said it can take anywhere from 3 months to a year. I'm still menopausal.
I constantly scour the internet for any information that could possibly help me. I am thoroughly depressed and am not functioning fully due to my sadness when I see myself in the mirror. I am only 5 feet tall and as of today weigh 124 pounds. Does anyone have any advice? Between the hair loss and the weight gain I'm ready to jump out the window.
Also, I saw another endocrinologist for a second opinion, thinking he would surely up my medication. He told me that I was way overmedicated and cut my Cytomel in half. He said it was dangerous for the heart and bones. Once I cut it in half, I didn't have any more hand tremors (something my first Dr. said was normal because they had to keep me a bit on the hyper side) and I was able to tolerate caffeine much easier. However, like all the others, he had no answers for the weight gain.
Sorry to be so long winded but I'm desperate here!