Hello all. I haven't been on this board for some time since I've been feeling fine. However lately I haven't been feeling fine, so I went ahead and ordered online TSH, FT4 & FT3 tests since I am in the process of finding a new doc. I was very surprised to see my results and how high my free numbers were.
I'm on 120mg(60mg in the morning and 60 in the afternoon) of Armour, and 62.5mcg of Levoxyl. These tests were taken before my first dose in the morning.
The funny thing is that I really don't have any signs of being hyper, just a strange feeling of fatique and sometimes my heart skipping a beat. I am going to be making an appointment with a new doc very soon, but I want to decrease my Armour dose but not sure by how much.
I'm on 120mg(60mg in the morning and 60 in the afternoon) of Armour, and 62.5mcg of Levoxyl.
want to decrease my Armour dose but not sure by how much.
I'd cut ONE Armour dose to 30mg's & see how your labs look with 90mg's Armour plus your Levoxyl. <<~ Frankly, I'm quite JEALOUS of your T4's
Personally, I'm taking Armour 120 mgs & Cytomel 12.5 mcg's. My T4's were still low, but maybe they'll change since my last increase. If NOT, I'm thinking of asking for some Levoxyl to go with Armour and dumping Cytomel altogether. how long have you been HAPPY w/ that combo??
Yes I am cutting one Armour dose in half. I've been on this dose before, but my numbers were never this high. One of these days my numbers will be stable! lol!!
Maybe you could use a change to add a T4 med to get your number up. Armour and Cytomel lots of T3 and not enough T4.
TSH-.006 (.350-5.5) - Ignoring this.. because it will be suppressed by the T3 in the Armour.
FT4- 1.65 (.61-1.76) - 90.43% This is above optimal range.. I am thinking you are pushing hyperT.. it can cause the fatigue you mention just as easily as hypoT can.
FT3- 4.4 (2.3-4.2) - 110.5% This is even higher. You definitely need to go down a bit in meds.
Droping the Armour would e the best choice.. because your T3 levels are 20% higher than the T4 levels. Also you should get your pituitary and adrenal function tested. You may have the beginning stages of adrenal insufficiency going on. This is picked up as high ACTH and low cortisol.. or low ACTH and low cortisol.. depending on if it is primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency. Do you have Hashimoto's per chance?
Sincerely,
MG
__________________
If we learn by our mistakes, I am working on one hell of an education.
Yes I dropped the Armour 30mg ( a little scary to have the T3 so high). I have Hashimotos and a thyroid nodule on my left side. I have in the past had my adrenals tested in 2006.
Results:
ACTH 23 (6-48)
Cortisol 8.6 (4.3-22.4)
Aldosterone <1.0 (7-30)
Renin 544 (70-330)
DHEA 88 (19-210)
Ferritin 49 (11-307)
I also got my Aldosterone and renin retested (later in 2006)
Aldosterone 5.2 (4-31)
Renin 2 (.5-4)
I have the same symptoms, especially fatigue, if I'm undermedicated or if I'm overmedicated. I've had my T3 through the roof before because I was on 240 mg of Armour and my doctor didn't know what he was doing.
Yes there is an autoimmune antibody the specifically targets the adrenals. I think it is ACA.. let me do some digging. Yeap ACA. It is the code name for the 21-hydroxylase (21-OH) antibody that is the main cause of AI adrenal attack.
MG
__________________
If we learn by our mistakes, I am working on one hell of an education.
I found this interesting information:
Women with spontaneous Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) are at increased risk of developing adrenal insufficiency. The last Endo that I saw suspected I had POF since I went through menopause very early. So all the more reason to have the adrenal antibody test.
You are also hypoaldosterone.. Have they got you on florinef? You must replace your aldosterone or you will continue to suffer. You were below range once and at Aldosterone 5.2 (4-31) - you only are at 4.4%. This is way too low. You should at least be on the minimal aldosterone replaccement dosage.
MG
__________________
If we learn by our mistakes, I am working on one hell of an education.
I am not on florinef. The Endo I am seeing now will not treat my adrenals. So I have found a new Endo (he doesn't take insurance) that I need to make a appointment with. I am hoping that he will work with my new GP so I can get tests done through my insurance. The doctor issue has been a frustration.
w/ that combo??
