I don't know what to do...I thought that with Synthroid I would at least MAINTAIN my weight, but I have gained another ten pounds in the past 5 weeks. My dandruff has gotten a lot better but I'm still not menstruating and my weight just keeps going up.
I have an appointment with the doctor on monday. Am I better off adding Cytomel to my synthroid or should I ask about getting Naturethroid?
I don't know how to tell him to give me Naturethroid considering the shortage. I just don't want him to just up the dosage of Synthroid because I feel like it will do nothing. I'm currently taking 50 mcg.
You need some new labs done to see what your free T3 and Free T4 levels are, you are still hypo from the sound of it. 50mcg is still a very low dose.
You do have treatment options. You can stick with the T4 med and raise it to see if you feel better, you can add some cytomel or you can go over to the natural desiccated thyroid, which can be Naturethroid or Westhroid or Erfa Thyroid from Canada, which is more plentiful and can be ordered with a US Dr's prescription. Either way, you need to get your levels up until you are relieved of your symptoms.
Thanks for the reply!
I'm pushing on getting Naturethroid. I know 50 mcg is still a very low dose but I have heard of a lot of people having more success with natural desiccated thyroid. I reeeally hope my doctor listens to me and lets me try this!
Good luck to you. Bear in mind you do have a choice of medical providers if your treatment request is refused by your current doc. Many providers don't believe in natural thyroid treatment, per their training... largely funded by the major pharaceutical companies, and makers of synthetics...
Ugh yeah it's frustrating isn't it?
But this doctor said he would be willing to try Armour on me...except I'll ask for Naturethroid since Armour got reformulated...
If you have troubles finding Naturethroid, which is still backordered through November in many areas, look for some posts here about a Canadian variety called Erfa Thyroid.
I actually found a pharmacy that has it and my doctor is going to give it a try!!
I'm so excited!
He was going to go solely by TSH but I asked him to check my free's too.
One quick question though, my energy level is ok. Does that mean my t3 levels are ok? I just dont want to get t3 and find that wasn't the problem at all. Maybe I'm over thinking this.
The only way to know is to get your free T3 and free T4 levels tested, it's a good idea before starting on the new medication anyway in order to get a baseline. Generally we look to have our T3 levels up in the top third of range or, for some, right at the top of range.
