What kind of tests to ask for?

Bemm4 · 11-16-2007, 08:13 PM

I hope someone can help me. I had my thyroid removed in October 2005. I have not been able to get leveled out on my meds. I go from extreme hypo to Hyper phase. Two weeks ago I ended up in the ER with severe hyper symptoms. (fast heart, high blood pressure, no sleep, and full body tremors that valium couldn't even touch) I started out on Synthroid and was switched to Levoxyl. My body was not absorbing the Synthroid. I am now on Levoxyl .125mcg.

What type of blood tests should I be asking for? I do see an Endo but she even said I am a difficult case. I go see her in 2 weeks and I want to go in knowing what I am talking about. All she tests is the TSH and treats the symptoms. Thanks for reading.

Elaine

mkgbrook · 11-16-2007, 10:47 PM

If you are having issues with the synthetics.. will your Endo consider Armour? Compounded natural thyroid may work better for you because it doesn't have the artificial fillers and inert ingredients in it. Some people do not work well on the synthetics and others need T3 as well as T4 to feel right. This may not be of help, but it is worth looking into.

Good luck.
MG

Bemm4 · 11-16-2007, 11:03 PM

The Endo has never mentioned Armour to me. Thank you mkgbrook for your input. I will have to ask her about it. I am so frustrated right now. Two years and I have never had a normal level. Sometimes I wish I never had this removed.

Elaine

midwest1 · 11-17-2007, 11:06 AM

Elaine, I am one who couldn't take Synthroid without becoming hyperthyroid/overmedicated. Because that's all my then-MD would prescribe, I had to find answers elsewhere. The next MD I saw put me on Armour, and I never had a problem with medication after that. It seems to work more "gently" for me, not causing spikes that make levels unstable. Armour is a natural combination of T4/T3... not only the T4 that you take now. Only a minority of MDs (the smart ones

) are willing to prescribe it, even though millions of patients feel best with some T3 added to the mix.

At the very least, your MD should be trying all the brand names of T4 available in the arsenal. Besides Synthroid and Levoxyl, the other T4 drugs available in the US are Unithroid, Levothroid, and Levo-T. There are many generics, too. Any one of those might work better than the two you've tried so far, because there can be huge differences in the way any particular body makes use of the chemical makeup differences that comprise them.

Bemm4 · 11-17-2007, 11:50 AM

Thank you Midwest for your reply. I am going to read up on Armour and then mention to the doctor.

Elaine