Re: Serum Cortisol a bit over range

[Guest guest]

Just wanted to add he wants to do a Dexamethazone suppression test. For now,

I've said no. I think I need someone else to help me with this.

Margaret Christensen delivered my first child...she is not on insurance, of

course, but I thought I'd throw her name out there again. Does it sound like I

need an...ENDO? ACK.

[Guest guest]

Most of us need a certain amount of T3 and a certain amount of T4. According to the labs below, your T4 is quite low in its range. Your Free T3 is also low in its range. You do not look like a good candidate for T3 only. I would suggest that you ask for some synthetic levothyroxine added to a reduced dose of the ERFA.

Quite a few of us see Spurlock. He likes a T3 only protocol for folks with a Reverse T3 problem. But he is willing to work with you.

Is your blood pressure also high at home? I am inclined to white coat hypertension, but mainly with certain docs.

>> Hello everyone. I haven't posted in awhile. I'm really not doing well on my journey to health.> > To recap, in October I started Armour thyroid replacement, but could not seem to tolerate it because of side effects. Then, I switched to ERFA, but couldn't raise above 2 grains without increase in pulse and b/p.> > Long story short, my D.O., who keeps my spine/pelvis in line, checked my b/p one visit and was not happy with the 140/90 and increased pulse rate (98bpm). I told him about thyroid issues and how b/p was up since starting treatment, and he was adamant it was not right way to go for me. > > He told me to drop the ERFA, start on Cytomel, 25mcg, which I have been trying, split am/pm. He also put me on beta blocker for pulse, and norvasc to lower b/p. I've been uncomfortable with doing this, because I have only had b/p higher during pregnancies, and I think because my weight is up because of thyroid, it is higher again. I am struggling to lose at least 40 or more pounds, and just can't.> > Anyway, during a recent blood test, my morning Serum Cortisol was 22 at 10:30 a.m. (Labcorp range 3-19). However, most labs say the range is 3-25. Anyway, this 22 alarmed him, and he is already thinking it is a pituitary tumor or adrenal tumor. He ordered an ACTH test, one blood draw, and it came back 34.6 (Range 20-80) He wanted it to be 40.> > He thinks I "look" Cushing's 'ish, if that is a word. I admit I'm round...heavy around middle. My blood sugar has been right around 99-101 fasting, but calms down during the day.> > I think my anxiety is very high, but I've had a very stressful 3 years, but things are better now. He also is pushing anti-depressants, which I'm refusing. > > My bottom line question is...I feel like fleeing this D.O. He does great back adjustments, but I need someone who understands adrenals to help me now.> > He says the T3 only is working fine...I haven't seen the labwork, but he did a "T3 uptake" and results 134/180 (I'm going by what I heard over phone, waiting for faxed copy). I have never heard of this test being helpful. > > I used to go to S. Elmore, who ran the Ft3, Ft4, etc. but I was being under replaced with her (see her lab results below...she said I was fine). Now, I'm wondering if I should have just stuck it out with her?> > Anyone know of a good Dallas area doctor with adrenal knowledge? Could the T3 only be hurting me? I can't really tell a difference since stopping ERFA, except the first 10 days or so I felt a lot better, then since then, not so much. > > Any thoughts would be appreciated.> > Spoon> > (Labs as of 1/12/11 before T3 only treatment...on 1.5 grains ERFA)> A1c 5.5> Free T4 0.90 (.82-1.77)> Free T3 2.8 (2.0-4.4)> DHEA 165> > I don't have any other thyroid labs since then except the one mentioned above. > > Thanks in advance for your input. I sincerely appreciate it.>

[Guest guest]

I almost never recommend an endo for anyone. With a few notable exceptions, our best thyroid/adrenal docs are not endos.

>> Just wanted to add he wants to do a Dexamethazone suppression test. For now, I've said no. I think I need someone else to help me with this. > > Margaret Christensen delivered my first child...she is not on insurance, of course, but I thought I'd throw her name out there again. Does it sound like I need an...ENDO? ACK.>

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much for your help. I made an appointment with Spurlock

today...have to wait until July, but I am sure he is worth it.

I tried to stick with the docs on insurance plan, but it is just making no sense

at this point to do so. I think it is causing more stress...which I don't need!

Thank you again.

K

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> I almost never recommend an endo for anyone. With a few notable

> exceptions, our best thyroid/adrenal docs are not endos.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

He is willing to send you to a lab which may be in-network with your insurance: Quest, Labcorp, or CPL.

> >> > > > I almost never recommend an endo for anyone. With a few notable> > exceptions, our best thyroid/adrenal docs are not endos.> > > > > >>

[Guest guest]

Yes! I was so happy when I checked with United Healthcare...they will pay for

out of network if he uses Labcorp. That will help my poor husband who just found

out today we will have TWO boys at once in braces.

Hope Spurlock will help with adrenals. Thank again for your help.

>

>

> He is willing to send you to a lab which may be in-network with your

> insurance: Quest, Labcorp, or CPL.

>

>

[Guest guest]

I was wondering if you could answer a question on today's symptoms. I have

called Spurlock's office to see if he could work me in sooner, because I'm

really worried that this T3 ONLY therapy is not working for me, and I don't want

to call the D.O. who prescribed it. I really want to get into Spurlock, but know

it may not happen.

Anyway, I started T3 only therapy April 2, 2011. I had been on Armour, then

ERFA, trying to raise to 2 grains. Just to recap My labs in January were:

Free T4 0.90 (.82-1.77)

Free T3 2.8 (2.0-4.4)

Today my usually normal pulse went to 110, I had high anxiety and my b/p shot

up. I don't know if anyone knows about Rt3, I've never been tested, but read a

bit that if you " clear " on T3 only treatment, you can go hyper.

I didn't take my second 12.5 of T3 this afternoon, and just took some b/p

medicine to lower b/p. My pulse is still fast, and I'm very discouraged.

I feel like I'm just on the brink of finding answers, but since I'm " between "

doctors because of my doctorectomy, I'm not sure what is going on.

Could it be my Ft4 was too low to start with, and now, seven weeks into

treatment, I'm falling apart?

If anyone has any ideas, I'd be grateful. at Dr. Spurlock's was very kind

to say she would try to work me in next week.

I'm wondering if T4 bottoms out, if that could cause anxiety/high pulse/high

b/p?

Thank you,

k

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> Most of us need a certain amount of T3 and a certain amount of T4.

> According to the labs below, your T4 is quite low in its range. Your

> Free T3 is also low in its range. You do not look like a good candidate

> for T3 only. I would suggest that you ask for some synthetic

> levothyroxine added to a reduced dose of the ERFA.

>

>