Re: (Cindi) Free T-3's and 4's

[Guest guest]

Cindi, your post reminded me of something Dommisse in Arizona said

that has always stuck in the back of my mind. I think it will help

you:

" MS: How do you typically diagnose hypothyroidism in your patients?

JD: I diagnose primary hypothyroidism in the way indicated in my

first answer, above. Pituitary, hypothalamic and nonthyroidal-

illness hypothyroidism require a FT3 level, at least, if not the FT4

as well, to be below its 'normal range'. That raises the question of

what the normal range for FT3 really is. When I first started

treating hypothyroidism, in 1988/9, the national chain-lab that I

used most used a normal range for free-T3 of 280-540 (or 2.8-5.4,

depending on the size of the units). It later lowered that range to

comply with the ranges used at most other large chain-labs: 2.3-4.2

(or 230-420). I have often wondered whether that lab should have

stuck to its guns and stayed with the higher range, and I have

occasionally returned to that higher range in treating certain

patients who particularly seemed to cry out (not literally or

emotionally but in their symptoms and signs) for that higher range. "

It's that LAST sentence that strikes me in your case..... " certain

patients who particularly seemed to cry out in symptoms and signs

for that higher dose. " . And...like you said, you had done the test

after your final dose....when it would be peaking.

And even more important, your symptoms are returning on a lesser

dose. That speaks volumes. You are certainly one who needs to be

treated by symptoms, not by lab values. Treatment by symptoms was

SUCCESSFULLY done before the TSH and other labs came into existence

in 1975......

And, I do remember that on 3 grains, NO MATTER WHAT THE LABS LOOK

LIKE, your startle reflex stopped, your brain felt sharper...those

are important!

Janie

> Here's my problem. At 3 grains (2 in am, 1 in pm) my free T3 was

664 out of a range of 230 - 420.

> The doc wanted me to cut back to 1 1/2 in am, 1 in pm.

> There is no way I can get going with 1 1/2 in am.

> So...i'm trying 2 in am, 1/2 in pm.

> I AM MISERABLE. Symptoms are coming back.

> I'm thinking the Free T3 could have been high because it was taken

just 2

> hours after my usual pm dose, when it was peaking.

> WHAT DO I DO? How high is okay for Free T3?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/18/2004 4:46:28 AM Eastern Standard Time, usns@...

writes:

> And, I do remember that on 3 grains, NO MATTER WHAT THE LABS LOOK

> LIKE, your startle reflex stopped, your brain felt sharper...those

> are important!

>

Janie,

Thanks you so much for this post. I have this struggle going on inside of me

wanting to do what the doc thinks (and I do believe she has my best interests

at heart) versus what feel right to me and my body.

But last night, I was saying things like " I WILL NOT LIVE THIS WAY " ...and

that scares me. If 1/2 grain makes the difference between being happy and

feeling well mentally and physically, it's a no-brainer in my opinion.

Thanks you again. I'm printing out your post. I didn't know those ranges

had ever been changed. Also, I sometimes think that those who have been slighly

hypo for a long time (2 decades) might actually have some brain changes that

now require more T3 to function normally. No scientific basis for

that....it's just something I feel.

Cindi

[Guest guest]

> > My lab told me to leave off the Armour for 24 hours before the

blood draw...don't get the T3 peak then!

Hey Cindi!! It dawned on me that this would be a way for you

to " fool " your doc!! Stay off the Armour for 24 hours, do the lab,

then viola, in his LABS-ARE-GOD eyes, you are fine!!

And perhaps you could do the following right now: ask him for a lab

retest--that you are suspicious of such a high reading being an

error. Then, stay off the Armour for 24 hours. LOL.

The devious things we have to do to be adequately treated...........

Janie

> >

>

> Thank you for this info.

> Cindi

[Guest guest]

Cindi, GOOD for you!! It IS a no-brainer. When it comes to our

thyroid and our health, we HAVE to be willing and comfortable with

listening to our bodies even when a doc is NOT....and fight for what

we need.

Two years ago, docs were telling me I had a serious muscle disease

of some kind, and I had to live with it. Period. If I had listened

to them and resigned myself, I would not be where I am today!!

Instead, I listened to my gut, did LOTS of research, even while I

was VERY depressed and felt absolutely HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE. And

voila!! I found out about Armour. I found a doc who would prescribe

it. And my life is 360 degrees different than where it was 2 years

ago.

Janie

> Janie,

> Thanks you so much for this post. I have this struggle going on

inside of me

> wanting to do what the doc thinks (and I do believe she has my

best interests

> at heart) versus what feel right to me and my body.

>

> But last night, I was saying things like " I WILL NOT LIVE THIS

WAY " ...and

> that scares me. If 1/2 grain makes the difference between being

happy and

> feeling well mentally and physically, it's a no-brainer in my

opinion.

>

> Thanks you again. I'm printing out your post. I didn't know

those ranges

> had ever been changed. Also, I sometimes think that those who

have been slighly

> hypo for a long time (2 decades) might actually have some brain

changes that

> now require more T3 to function normally. No scientific basis for

> that....it's just something I feel.

> Cindi

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I was told that since I'm now taking 2 grains every day, I should not

take any for two days before labs. This of course being so that my

doc doesn't think I'm on too much Armour!

Debbie J.

> > > My lab told me to leave off the Armour for 24 hours before the

> blood draw...don't get the T3 peak then!

>

> Hey Cindi!! It dawned on me that this would be a way for you

> to " fool " your doc!! Stay off the Armour for 24 hours, do the lab,

> then viola, in his LABS-ARE-GOD eyes, you are fine!!

>

> And perhaps you could do the following right now: ask him for a lab

> retest--that you are suspicious of such a high reading being an

> error. Then, stay off the Armour for 24 hours. LOL.

>

> The devious things we have to do to be adequately treated...........

>

> Janie