nimbeth
01-14-2005, 01:10 PM
Hi,
Does your FT3 and FT4 need to optimal at 70 percent target in order to lose weight? I am getting very depressed at my inability to lose weight and I am getting very frustrated. Ever since I started Armour about 3 1/2 months ago, I seemed to have gained a few pounds. Has this happened to anyone else when the started their meds.
I am just so frustrated. I had a metabolism test a while back and it said that in order to lose weight I needed to eat between 1000- 1100 calories a day.Arrghh! I just feel like screaming!!! Today I am trying to aim for that calorie level to lose. We will see what happens.
I just needed to vent
Thanks
Beth
Does your FT3 and FT4 need to optimal at 70 percent target in order to lose weight? I am getting very depressed at my inability to lose weight and I am getting very frustrated. Ever since I started Armour about 3 1/2 months ago, I seemed to have gained a few pounds. Has this happened to anyone else when the started their meds.
I am just so frustrated. I had a metabolism test a while back and it said that in order to lose weight I needed to eat between 1000- 1100 calories a day.Arrghh! I just feel like screaming!!! Today I am trying to aim for that calorie level to lose. We will see what happens.
I just needed to vent
Thanks
Beth
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zekat
01-14-2005, 02:16 PM
I've struggled with weight gain and the inability to lose weight since I went hypo after having RAI done to treat Graves disease. I finally got some lab results back in September that looked ok. My Free T3 was finally up (it was 280 on a range of 230-420 - I would not say optimal, but up) and my Free T4 was optimal (1.6 on a .8-1.8 range). The day I got those results I decided my thyroid was no loner hindering my weight loss & I signed up for Weight Watchers. I started out at 244 on 09/18/04 and I now weight 208 & I plan to continue losing. I waited for that "normal" lab because I had started diet & exercise routines previously and couldn't budge a freaking pound!
nimbeth
01-14-2005, 02:49 PM
So would say that once your numbers were optimal you lost weight, and how long before your numbers go optimal level?
Also, how do you feel now.
Its funny my latest FT3 was 279 (same as yours) and FT4 was 1.0 with same ref. range as yours.
Hope you dont mind my asking!
Thanks
Beth
Also, how do you feel now.
Its funny my latest FT3 was 279 (same as yours) and FT4 was 1.0 with same ref. range as yours.
Hope you dont mind my asking!
Thanks
Beth
nimbeth
01-15-2005, 08:08 PM
Anyone have any thoughts-
Does FT3 and FT4 need to be in upper 1/3 of the lab range in order to be successful in losing weight?
Please, I just need some hope!
Does FT3 and FT4 need to be in upper 1/3 of the lab range in order to be successful in losing weight?
Please, I just need some hope!
soccerspeed
01-15-2005, 09:29 PM
um, my ft3 as of last week was still in the middle range and i've lost all my thyroid weight. for me, it was only when i was in the myxdema phase (ugh) that the weight came on and wouldn't budge. within the first few weeks of medication, i got back to normal calorie burning mode.
i'd encourage proper nutrition and exercise any which way for so many other reasons.
good luck :D
i'd encourage proper nutrition and exercise any which way for so many other reasons.
good luck :D
nimbeth
01-15-2005, 11:33 PM
What do you mean when you say myxdema phase? How long have you been medicated. I bet you lose weight fairly easily it sounds like. HOw long till your FT3 and FT4 were optimal. I just need a little hope.
I hold on to so much water especially in my hips and rear. The weight I was 2 yrs. ago. is what I weigh now, but the weight seems to take up more space, I am kinda thinking that it is water weight. It gets me very depressed.
I am so glad to hear that your feeling good!
I hold on to so much water especially in my hips and rear. The weight I was 2 yrs. ago. is what I weigh now, but the weight seems to take up more space, I am kinda thinking that it is water weight. It gets me very depressed.
I am so glad to hear that your feeling good!
softcrush
01-16-2005, 01:24 AM
Nimby:
You don't say what your levels currently are, but to answer your question...yes. The T3 is very sensitive. Even if its a little under the upper third of the range, you'll have issues.
I'm only half way right now with mine...and I still have edema (about six pounds worth). You need some more Armour is all...and so do I.:)
~S:)
You don't say what your levels currently are, but to answer your question...yes. The T3 is very sensitive. Even if its a little under the upper third of the range, you'll have issues.
I'm only half way right now with mine...and I still have edema (about six pounds worth). You need some more Armour is all...and so do I.:)
~S:)
nimbeth
01-16-2005, 09:30 AM
Softcruch my levels are as follows:
TSH 1.45
FT4 1.0 (0.8-1.8)
FT3 279 (230-420)
What kind of thryoid did you have, how long were you on meds before you had some weightloss? How many calories do you eat?
I ask these questions because I want to know if I should be doing something different. I just need a little hope!
Thanks
TSH 1.45
FT4 1.0 (0.8-1.8)
FT3 279 (230-420)
What kind of thryoid did you have, how long were you on meds before you had some weightloss? How many calories do you eat?
I ask these questions because I want to know if I should be doing something different. I just need a little hope!
Thanks
KBT's mom
01-16-2005, 09:50 AM
HI Nimbeth- I have been wondering the same thing. My daughter started on Armour last week, she lost 5 lbs. almost instantly but has put 2 lbs of it back on already. She is on a half grain. I know she will probably need a dose increase but it stinks to have to wait 6 weeks to get the blood work done to prove it. Does anyone know if it takes Armour 4-6 weeks to optimize like they say it does when on pure T4? Nimbeth, your FT4 and FT3 still look pretty low to me. What dosage are you taking? Best of luck!
nimbeth
01-16-2005, 10:59 AM
I am taking 1 Grain Armour. I started at 1/4 grain and increased monthly to my current dosage. I feel like my body is doing its own thing. I think today in order to get water off my body I need to drink alot of water. and I will try to eat about 1100 calories. I feel like I blowing up like a balloon. And its not like I am eating crazy. I just feel like I am about to scream!!!!!!!!
How old is your daughter?
Thanks
How old is your daughter?
Thanks
soccerspeed
01-16-2005, 01:06 PM
nimbeth,
sorry, i shoulda been more clear. what i meant by the myxdema phase was that all my thyroid issues hit me within 2-3 weeks, and when i went to the ER due to them, i was told i was in a myxdema coma bc my thyroid tested so low, and i was so symtomatic. i stayed in the hospital for a few days while i was treated. i guess they have to medicate you pretty slowly in that phase. anyhow, once i was out of the hospital and then within about 1 or so weeks (i apologize as my time reference is all googly!) i got on synthroid and cytomel, and shortly after my energy and brain returned to about 70 percent and then slowly is reaching 100. the weight came of quickly with it, although i am pretty sure it was largely h20.
i lose weight quickly, i guess. but i also run a lot (captain of my track team) and play semi-pro soccer. in other words, i am pretty much on the go 24/7 :) plus i am pretty young. i think i've got that on my side :D
don't lose hope, my friend. plus, there's more to a person than weight.
sorry, i shoulda been more clear. what i meant by the myxdema phase was that all my thyroid issues hit me within 2-3 weeks, and when i went to the ER due to them, i was told i was in a myxdema coma bc my thyroid tested so low, and i was so symtomatic. i stayed in the hospital for a few days while i was treated. i guess they have to medicate you pretty slowly in that phase. anyhow, once i was out of the hospital and then within about 1 or so weeks (i apologize as my time reference is all googly!) i got on synthroid and cytomel, and shortly after my energy and brain returned to about 70 percent and then slowly is reaching 100. the weight came of quickly with it, although i am pretty sure it was largely h20.
i lose weight quickly, i guess. but i also run a lot (captain of my track team) and play semi-pro soccer. in other words, i am pretty much on the go 24/7 :) plus i am pretty young. i think i've got that on my side :D
don't lose hope, my friend. plus, there's more to a person than weight.
KBT's mom
01-16-2005, 02:08 PM
Well Nimbeth I'm not an expert but it looks like maybe you just have to be patient and continue to increase your meds untill you find the right level. Your t4 and t3 is still pretty low so hopefully when they get to where they need to be the weight will come off. My daughter is nine. I am hoping the same for her. She needs to lose about thirty pounds. It's really hard to be patient, but unfortunatly I think it's our only choice. I try to think of the things that I am at least thankful for like having a doc that is willing to prescribe Armour and for that matter willing to treat her. I just keep praying that we are on the right track and that everything will eventually be "normal". Please keep me posted- it sounds like we are both wishing for the same results!
nimbeth
01-16-2005, 04:51 PM
Thanks everybody-
Soccorspeed, glad to hear everything is starting to work properly, and that you feel good!
KBmom- Yes, you are lucky that yound a doctor to treat her, especially with Armour. How did you discover she had a thyroid problem? And I am sure she will be fine, once her levels even out.
I just feel like my numbers will never get better, but I have to keep faith that they will. Its very encouraging to here others that have thyroid disorder, and have had the same despair, but once they were treated and their numbers were optimal that everything got better!
Soccorspeed, glad to hear everything is starting to work properly, and that you feel good!
KBmom- Yes, you are lucky that yound a doctor to treat her, especially with Armour. How did you discover she had a thyroid problem? And I am sure she will be fine, once her levels even out.
I just feel like my numbers will never get better, but I have to keep faith that they will. Its very encouraging to here others that have thyroid disorder, and have had the same despair, but once they were treated and their numbers were optimal that everything got better!
softcrush
01-16-2005, 09:35 PM
Nimbeth:
Your numbers are low and as you know, you do need increase. My Tsh is .04...and I still need more Armour. That should tell you something right there. My T3 is only half way up the range, so that is further proof I need more.
My normal weight is less than 100lbs...and when you have water weight on...there is no getting rid of it, unless you do a low carb diet...or you get the med/levels thing right.
Right now...since I know my edema is all about the meds not being right, I eat whatever I want. When the levels get right...I'll eat whatever I want and won't be able to gain a single pound. That is normla for me. I've always been bird-bone thin, so the doctors mistaken my weight gain as a GOOD sign...when I know its an anomoly.
I like to lift weights to bulk up. It brings me up to about 105lbs or so and looks healthy.
Thyroid effects metabolism. Many people assume if a person is chubby it has to do with eating habits every time. Its simply not so.
Armour has special matabolites(t2s) in it that should help shed the water weight.
Some people may find that testing every three months is a good time frame....I think Meep has it correct when he says when measuring T3, you could do weekly tests. The life of t3 is just a few hours...so why wait three months?
~S:)
~S:)
Your numbers are low and as you know, you do need increase. My Tsh is .04...and I still need more Armour. That should tell you something right there. My T3 is only half way up the range, so that is further proof I need more.
My normal weight is less than 100lbs...and when you have water weight on...there is no getting rid of it, unless you do a low carb diet...or you get the med/levels thing right.
Right now...since I know my edema is all about the meds not being right, I eat whatever I want. When the levels get right...I'll eat whatever I want and won't be able to gain a single pound. That is normla for me. I've always been bird-bone thin, so the doctors mistaken my weight gain as a GOOD sign...when I know its an anomoly.
I like to lift weights to bulk up. It brings me up to about 105lbs or so and looks healthy.
Thyroid effects metabolism. Many people assume if a person is chubby it has to do with eating habits every time. Its simply not so.
Armour has special matabolites(t2s) in it that should help shed the water weight.
Some people may find that testing every three months is a good time frame....I think Meep has it correct when he says when measuring T3, you could do weekly tests. The life of t3 is just a few hours...so why wait three months?
~S:)
~S:)
nimbeth
01-16-2005, 09:56 PM
Thanks softcrush.
I have been going monthly for labs. I think with this dose increase of 1 grain Armour I will wait about 6 weeks till I get my labs done again. My Basal body temp. has been rising-its 98.0-98.3 in the am (but I dont know if its only due to cycle), so I feel a little more engergitic. But obviously by my labs, the still have to move up. The reason I chose Armour because I read about hte diruectic effect it had, but it hasnt worked on me, or do I need to give more time its been 3 1/2 months. I weigh about 156 and I am 5'5". So all I want to lose is about 20lbs.
It so amazing to me that the very 1st endo I saw, looked at my labs and said I was fine-perfectly heathly. I here I am now already on 1 grain armour, and probably needing more of it.- I wonder how many people are out there with the same symptoms, not being listened to!
Anyway, how long have been on meds? Did it take long for your numbers to come up? YOu naturally must have good metabolism?
Thanks for you help!
I have been going monthly for labs. I think with this dose increase of 1 grain Armour I will wait about 6 weeks till I get my labs done again. My Basal body temp. has been rising-its 98.0-98.3 in the am (but I dont know if its only due to cycle), so I feel a little more engergitic. But obviously by my labs, the still have to move up. The reason I chose Armour because I read about hte diruectic effect it had, but it hasnt worked on me, or do I need to give more time its been 3 1/2 months. I weigh about 156 and I am 5'5". So all I want to lose is about 20lbs.
It so amazing to me that the very 1st endo I saw, looked at my labs and said I was fine-perfectly heathly. I here I am now already on 1 grain armour, and probably needing more of it.- I wonder how many people are out there with the same symptoms, not being listened to!
Anyway, how long have been on meds? Did it take long for your numbers to come up? YOu naturally must have good metabolism?
Thanks for you help!
KBT's mom
01-17-2005, 10:19 AM
I was just curious about how you take your meds. I know people here say to take them twice a day in the morning and at dinner time, but I have been letting my daughter take hers at night. She never had a lack of energy (I guess because she is so young) and taking them at night is soo much easier for us. It's hard to try to take them during the day on an empty stomach (school, sports, going to friends houses, etc...) She is still sleeping fine but I wanted to make sure that it wouldn't have an effect on the results of the Armour. Nimbeth- I discovered my daughter had a thyroid problem mostly because of her weight. At one time she actually gained 10 lbs in one week. She doesn't eat very much and my husband and I are both pretty thin people. I knew something wasn't right. Unfortunatly, like many others here, we were also told that everything was fine and that she was healthy-just eating too much. So, long story short, after a lot of research and determination I finally found a doc (2 hrs away) that knew about the new AACE guidelines and started treatment. She started her on Levoxyl and after a lot of persuassion on my part finally agreed to try Armour. I hope getting her to give dose increases isn't going to also be a battle. Best of Luck!!
Also, after researching the side effects of hypo I discovered that my daughter had many other symptoms such as dry skin, moodiness, muscle aches- just never realized they were associated with a health problem.
Also, after researching the side effects of hypo I discovered that my daughter had many other symptoms such as dry skin, moodiness, muscle aches- just never realized they were associated with a health problem.
nimbeth
01-17-2005, 03:51 PM
Hi,
I take my meds in the morning, I usually eat about 45 min after I take them. I know that they say to eat after 1 full hour after you take your thyroid meds, but I read somewhere to take them consistently at the same time, and if you eat to try and least wait a 1/2 hour. This works for me. Good luck with your daughter!
I take my meds in the morning, I usually eat about 45 min after I take them. I know that they say to eat after 1 full hour after you take your thyroid meds, but I read somewhere to take them consistently at the same time, and if you eat to try and least wait a 1/2 hour. This works for me. Good luck with your daughter!
softcrush
01-18-2005, 05:33 PM
Nimby:
I have been kicking round this board for over a year. I had the t-t back in April and its taken a lot of dilligence on my part to learn all I can, while brainless. Not so easy when you can't retain what you just read.:) The good folks here in this virtual board have been extremely helpful and put up with me...even when I was nuts.:)
Now that I've got a working game plan...I expect in two...three months tops...I should be feeling fine again. My birthday is next month...and I'd dearly love to go out.:)
KTB's MOM...I don't know about that taking Armour at night thing you have going on there. The t3 in Armour is kinda rambunctious and can keep a person awake. To guard against this, many people take it in split doses first thing then again before 2pm.:)
~S:)
I have been kicking round this board for over a year. I had the t-t back in April and its taken a lot of dilligence on my part to learn all I can, while brainless. Not so easy when you can't retain what you just read.:) The good folks here in this virtual board have been extremely helpful and put up with me...even when I was nuts.:)
Now that I've got a working game plan...I expect in two...three months tops...I should be feeling fine again. My birthday is next month...and I'd dearly love to go out.:)
KTB's MOM...I don't know about that taking Armour at night thing you have going on there. The t3 in Armour is kinda rambunctious and can keep a person awake. To guard against this, many people take it in split doses first thing then again before 2pm.:)
~S:)
KBT's mom
01-18-2005, 07:36 PM
I know that is the norm but it is almost impossible for us. We just don't have the time in the morning to take it on an empty stomach and she is in school at 2:00. For right now it isn't having any effect on how she is sleeping at night. She still falls right to sleep and sleeps about 10 hours every night. I figured as long as she is sleeping fine I would continue the meds at night because it works well for us. Once her meds are increased to where they need to be this routine may not work and I'll have to figure something else out. Guess I'll deal with it then.