midwest1

Sorry to say the webpage I wanted to direct you to is an unapproved link... But I can paraphrase what Dr. Teitelbaum said there.

The reasons for poor conversion are much like those Meep outlined in your earlier "Readings and combo meds" thread. (Trust Meep's information to be as good as any doctor you can find.) Any kind of severe physical or mental stress can cause poor conversion, because the body wants to conserve energy by turning active T3 into 'reverse T3'. Even once the stress is relieved, the inability to convert may persist. Dr. T says that if the problem is with the thyroid gland itself, Synthroid can work fine, but that if the problem is poor conversion, treating with Synthroid alone usually makes the condition even worse. For what it's worth, I have read - I forgot who - that most people have some degree of conversion problem. No one does it perfectly... That's why Armour works best for most people.

Dr. T also refers to Dr. John Lowe... a noted fibromyalgia and thyroid expert... who says fibro patients usually need much higher-than-standard doses of T3 to feel well. You might want to look up his work for more information.

I have read Dr. T's first book From Fatigued to Fantastic. The focus of the book is on CFS and FMS, but there is a lot of information about the connection between those conditions and hypoT. I understand he also has a new book, which I haven't read, and don't know how it might or might not apply to you.

Like you, I had to start treatment very slowly and progress like a snail. I had a horrid reaction to Synthroid... couldn't take it... which might corraborate Dr. T's theory about poor converters needing Armour.