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dlkk · 08-23-2004, 08:45 PM

Today I got a call from my doctor letting me know my lastest thyroid readings after 8wks on 30mg of Armour. The results are:
TSH 0.984(.3-5)
Free T4 0.91(.89-1.76)
Free T3 172(80-181)

I also had a bone density test done and I have Osteoperosis. My spine is at 70% and my hip at 84%, what ever those numbers mean.
I requested upping my dose of Armour, but since I have Osteoperosis my doctor refused to do so using that as an excuse. So now I am stuck at 30mg of Armour. Looking at my #'s I'm not sure what to do. Maybe I am fine on my current dose, but it looks like I am lacking in the Free T4 department. Any suggestions would be helpful. I'm not sure what my bone density should be. I am a 45 yrs old, post menopausal, not taking any HRT, but eat healthy and exercise 4-5 days a week. I don't smoke, don't drink sodas, or anything with caffeine. I don't eat junk food and have a healthy weight (115lbs and 5ft 3inches tall).

I am wondering if being on thyroid meds the past 3 1/2 yrs caused the decrease in my bones. This just seems to be one more thing in the way to getting my thyroid right. Now I am wondering if I should be on any thyroid meds.

Getting old stinks!

midwest1 · 08-24-2004, 06:12 AM

Here's the URL to the discussion we had about thyroid meds and osteoP a couple of weeks ago. It includes lots of medical references to studies that conclude there is no risk of osteo when TH is replaced in proper dosages. There is more risk of osteoP from un- or under-treated hypoT.
[url]http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?t=199476[/url]

I wouldn't doubt that undertreatment is contributing to your problem.

dlkk · 08-24-2004, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Osteoporosis is also caused by un- or undertreated hypoT.

Mid- I think that is a quote from you. I feel I have been undertreated for these past few years. But can't find a doctor to agree with me. My current labs show my free T4 very low, yet my doctor says my thyroid levels are optimal. Without being on any thyroid meds my free's are very low. And being on T4 only meds my free T3 is low. I haven't been able to get any of my levels optimal in my opinion. I am very frustrated right now. I know being a post menopausal women puts me at risk for bone loss, but I feel if someone had paid attention to my thyroid I wouldn't have gone through early menopause in the first place.

midwest1 · 08-24-2004, 09:24 AM

I totally agree with you about early meno caused by undertreated hypo.

Your doctor couldn't be more wrong. If he says the sky is fuschia, it isn't so just because he thinks it's so. Your levels are not optimal. You know it, I know it. You need a doctor that knows it. He doesn't even necessarily have to know it now, but he should be open-minded about new information and journal references that will expand his knowledge about thyroid.

Can you go to another... and another... and so on, if need be? Have you tried one with a holistic approach, like an osteopath or naturopath? (I realize that less-populated parts of the world don't have access to many different doctors or specialities. That can be difficult.)

dlkk · 08-24-2004, 09:48 AM

Quote:

I totally agree with you about early meno caused by undertreated hypo.

This seems to be a hard one for doctors to agree too. But the damage is already done.

I am going to have to go out of my insurance plan and find a doctor that can help me. You would think in a area as big as San Diego, CA that there would be one doctor that knows how to treat thyroid.

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