Re: My Test Results from doc

[Guest guest]

>>Couldn't be working that fast, could it? <<

The half life for T3 in your system is about 4 hours, so yes you could be

feeling that tiny bit of T3 already.

*Artistic Grooming * Hurricane, WV

Fat cat? Diabetes? Listowner for overweight or hypothyroid cats

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hypokitties/

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[Guest guest]

> In a message dated 11/2/2004 9:42:16 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> krisalba@e... writes:

>

> > !! and I

> > want off this Prozac that doc has me on too.

> >

>

> how much are you on now? don't cut by 50% in tapering..that's too

much...cut

> by 25% initially.

> cindi

>

>

I am only on 20 mg, but really don't want it at all.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info. I actually did receive my faxed copy of the labs

today. I'll post it with their " normal " ranges.

Free T4 direct (.61 - 1.76)

TSH 1.105 (.35 - 5.5 )

Thyroxine (T4) 10.1 (4.5 - 12.0)

T3 uptake 29 (24 - 39)

Free Thyroxine index 2.9 (1.2 - 4.9)

Trilodothyronine (T3) 168 (85 - 205)

So what do you think? They didn't do antibodies as asked (or is one

iof these actually that?)

Doc says I am normal and just keep taking 75 synthroid.

My question is, as I do feel some better, will I continue to improve

on synthroid? Do some people actually do well on it? I have ordered

the Armour and actually plan to start taking it, but my DH thinks I

should give this longer. Of course, he hasn't done any research on

any of this.

> >

> > My doctor's office called today to tell me that my thyroid

panel

> > results were " normal " . I pushed to know the numbers and this is

> what

> > she gave me.

> >

> > TSH 1.105 (had been 8.5 4 weeks before)

> > T3 uptake 29

> > t4 free 1.33

> >

> > I had specifically asked for free t3 and antibodies to be

checked,

> > but as she gave no results for those, I don't believe they

were. I

> > did call back, but had to leave a message. I asked that copy of

> labs

> > be faxed to me. Let's see if that happens.

> >

> > She said that I am doing so much better and just need to stay

on

> my

> > 75 synthroid. However, as I told her last week, I do have some

> > improvement but am still tired, low energy, achey joints

especially

> > in the mornings, etc.

> >

> > So what do you all think? I forgot the recommended ranges for

T4

> and

> > 3. What would you do if you were me? I am strongly considering

> > ordering the armour tonight. Thanks!

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Trilodothyronine (T3) 168 (85 - 205)

This is LOW!!! You may feel OK on Synthroid for a while, at least better

than with nothing, but eventually you will get where the rest of us have and

need some T3 which is in Armour. Your doctor is going by the TSH which will

keep you undermedicated for life.

*Artistic Grooming * Hurricane, WV

Fat cat? Diabetes? Listowner for overweight or hypothyroid cats

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hypokitties/

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[Guest guest]

Should be interesting to see how I feel after I take the l l/2 grains later this

evening then. Hope it doesn't keep me awake.

Re: Re: My Test Results from doc

>>Couldn't be working that fast, could it? <<

The half life for T3 in your system is about 4 hours, so yes you could be

feeling that tiny bit of T3 already.

[Guest guest]

>>Hope it doesn't keep me awake. <<

Oddly enough most of us it helps to sleep! I think because of the pain we

all lived with being lessened. I know it is that for me as I used to could

only go to sleep with taking cold meds with aspirin or just plain old

aspirin.

*Artistic Grooming * Hurricane, WV

Fat cat? Diabetes? Listowner for overweight or hypothyroid cats

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hypokitties/

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[Guest guest]

Caroline

Did I miss something here? Did you just get these results? What were they?

Re: My Test Results from doc

>

> Well my FT3 was tested & the doctor said it was still " normal " as were the

TSH & FT4 yet my symptoms are worsening anyway. Well I'll see if the Armour

this new dr. prescribed will help.

[Guest guest]

Caroline,

Here is the link to Armours FAQ page which has dosing info:

http://www.armourthyroid.com/faq.html

Keep in mind these numbers are on the low end of what you will

probably end up taking.

..100 Synthroid = 1 grain/60 mg Armour.

..025 Synthroid = 1/4/15 mg Armour.

According to the info from Forest 1 1/4 grains = .125 Synthroid. It

looks like your Dr doesn't know much about Armour and/or didn't

research it before they prescribed it.

Louise

>

> But I called the dr's office & asked what the dosage of Armour was

that she prescribed. It was 15 mg Armour. I thought that was her

conversion equivalent of 125 mcg Synthroid I've been taking. So I

decided to take 1/4 grain (prox. 15 mg) time-Caps thyroid this

morning BEFORE breakfast on an empty stomach. I left it at that for

the day since it's impossible to cut up the pills to take l/8 grain

twice a day.

>

> Caroline

[Guest guest]

Caroline wrote:

> But I called the dr's office & asked what the dosage of Armour was

> that she prescribed. It was 15 mg Armour. I thought that was her

> conversion equivalent of 125 mcg Synthroid I've been taking. So I

> decided to take 1/4 grain (prox. 15 mg) time-Caps thyroid this morning

> BEFORE breakfast on an empty stomach. I left it at that for the day

> since it's impossible to cut up the pills to take l/8 grain twice a day.

>

> So are you now saying that the 15 mg of Armour she prescribed isn't

> enough to equate to 125 mcg Synthroid? That she should have prescribed

> 90 mg Armour & not only 15 mg? And that I should be taking MORE of the

> Time-Caps thyroid or even more of the Armour after I get that

> prescription?

Caroline,

That (90 mg Armour to replace 125 mcg Synthroid) sounds about right.

Here's a chart:

http://www.drumlib.com/dp/000016.htm

Now, the standard way to start on Armour when first diagnosed is 15 mg,

going up by 15 mg every two weeks. Sounds like your doctor is treating

you like someone who has never used supplemental thyroid. You need to

talk to her personally and remind her how much Synthroid you're already

taking, and ask for the equivalent dose of Armour. You can't get any

good out of yhis doctor if you're not both on the same page.

> Okay then, to get me onto the right track here, since I took l/4 grain

> Time-Caps thyroid this morning, should I take l l/4 grain later this

> evening or afternoon? If I did that I'd be taking the 90 mg you're

> suggesting I need for equating that to the 125 mcg Synthroid, wouldn't

> I? Then tomorrow morning AFTER breakfast I could take the l l/4 grain

> & later take the l/2 grain in the afternoon. Have I got that right now?

I'd just get 90 mg tablets, cut them in half, and take half in the

morning and half in the afternoon.

[Guest guest]

Ty Louise. I saw that conversion chart. Don't think my dr. knows what the heck

she's doing either. I think the doctors make me sicker than the hypoT has been.

I'm going to take l/2 grain twice a day starting tomorrow. Then up that to l l/2

grains in a week or so if I have no problems. Thanx again,

Caroline.

Re: My Test Results from doc

Caroline,

Here is the link to Armours FAQ page which has dosing info:

http://www.armourthyroid.com/faq.html

Keep in mind these numbers are on the low end of what you will

probably end up taking.

.100 Synthroid = 1 grain/60 mg Armour.

.025 Synthroid = 1/4/15 mg Armour.

According to the info from Forest 1 1/4 grains = .125 Synthroid. It

looks like your Dr doesn't know much about Armour and/or didn't

research it before they prescribed it.

Louise

[Guest guest]

Thanx, , I already checked the conversion chart & my doctor was wrong. She

said she would give me the equivalent of 125 mcg Synthroid but she didn't. She

only gave me 15 mg Armour, the drug store told me. You see she didn't give me a

written script to take to the drug store. She faxed the prescription in to the

store. So I never saw it & didn't know how much she prescribed. I was amazed she

prescribed such a low dose!! I'm going to take l/2 grain natural thyroid I have

here 2x day starting tomorrow. Then gradually increase that. I've got 65 mg/1

grain tablets here of the Time-Caps thyroid so I'll just cut them in l/2.

Caroline

Re: Re: My Test Results from doc

Caroline wrote:

> But I called the dr's office & asked what the dosage of Armour was

> that she prescribed. It was 15 mg Armour. I thought that was her

> conversion equivalent of 125 mcg Synthroid I've been taking. So I

> decided to take 1/4 grain (prox. 15 mg) time-Caps thyroid this morning

> BEFORE breakfast on an empty stomach. I left it at that for the day

> since it's impossible to cut up the pills to take l/8 grain twice a day.

>

> So are you now saying that the 15 mg of Armour she prescribed isn't

> enough to equate to 125 mcg Synthroid? That she should have prescribed

> 90 mg Armour & not only 15 mg? And that I should be taking MORE of the

> Time-Caps thyroid or even more of the Armour after I get that

> prescription?

Caroline,

That (90 mg Armour to replace 125 mcg Synthroid) sounds about right.

Here's a chart:

http://www.drumlib.com/dp/000016.htm

Now, the standard way to start on Armour when first diagnosed is 15 mg,

going up by 15 mg every two weeks. Sounds like your doctor is treating

you like someone who has never used supplemental thyroid. You need to

talk to her personally and remind her how much Synthroid you're already

taking, and ask for the equivalent dose of Armour. You can't get any

good out of yhis doctor if you're not both on the same page.

> Okay then, to get me onto the right track here, since I took l/4 grain

> Time-Caps thyroid this morning, should I take l l/4 grain later this

> evening or afternoon? If I did that I'd be taking the 90 mg you're

> suggesting I need for equating that to the 125 mcg Synthroid, wouldn't

> I? Then tomorrow morning AFTER breakfast I could take the l l/4 grain

> & later take the l/2 grain in the afternoon. Have I got that right now?

I'd just get 90 mg tablets, cut them in half, and take half in the

morning and half in the afternoon.

[Guest guest]

The next time you see her give her that and the actual prescribing

information. It could be that she honestly doesn't know but is

willing to learn. It's not the same thing but my doggie's vet doesn't

mind at all if I do research into his meds. As he said they love

paranoid mommies!!! Give your Dr the benefit of the doubt. Who knows

it might work in your favour.

While you are taking the time caps are you still taking Synthroid or

have you stopped taking that or are you cutting your dose of

Synthroid while adding the Time Caps? You don't want to take a full

dose of both at the same time. T4 is the storage hormone so if you

are taking too much you won't feel it for 4 - 8 weeks.

Louise

> Ty Louise. I saw that conversion chart. Don't think my dr. knows

what the heck she's doing either. I think the doctors make me sicker

than the hypoT has been.

>

> I'm going to take l/2 grain twice a day starting tomorrow. Then up

that to l l/2 grains in a week or so if I have no problems. Thanx

again,

> Caroline.

> Re: My Test Results from doc

> Caroline,

> Here is the link to Armours FAQ page which has dosing info:

> http://www.armourthyroid.com/faq.html

>

> Keep in mind these numbers are on the low end of what you will

> probably end up taking.

> .100 Synthroid = 1 grain/60 mg Armour.

> .025 Synthroid = 1/4/15 mg Armour.

>

> According to the info from Forest 1 1/4 grains = .125 Synthroid.

It

> looks like your Dr doesn't know much about Armour and/or didn't

> research it before they prescribed it.

>

> Louise

>

>

[Guest guest]

Yes I guess you missed it. I wondered why you hadn't commented after I posted

them. So these are the results my older doctor said were " normal " about a month

ago. I haven't a clue if she's correct or not. But since she said they were

normal despite my multiple symptoms & wanted to keep me on 125 mcg Synthroid, I

fired her & decided to find another doctor. These results are about month old

now:

T3 (free) - 31.7 uptake - (no ranges given)

T4 (free) - 1.7 (ranges 0.75-2.0 )

TSH - 1.71 (ranges 0.25-5.50)

My newer doctor, last week, who said she'd prescribe Armour for me, gave me an

order for lab tests I haven't been able to get a blood draw for yet. I asked her

to order T3 (free) & Free- T4 when I noticed she hadn't. But T3Free isn't even

listed as an option on the order. Free-T4 is but she didn't check that box. When

I asked her why she hadn't checked those to order them, she said she wouldn't be

needing them & then hastily changed the subject.

(Doctors do that...move from thing to another so fast it makes my head spin &

with my brain fog I can't keep up with them or stop them to argue or insist on

anything as well as I used to). Anyway here's what DID order: T4, & TSH - Ultra

sensitive.

ly I haven't a clue why she would even need the T4 & TSH because she's

going to be getting my medical records from my former doctor with the above test

results included as ordered & diagnosed by my former doctor a month ago. I asked

her to switch me over from the 125 mcg Synthroid to Armour. She said she would,

agreeing that " Some people do better on the Armour " & faxed the Armour

prescription to my drug store. But when I called the drug store on Monday, Nov.

1st, after the weekend, to find out what dosage of Armour she had prescribed,

they said they never got it so never filled it.

I haven't had a car so couldn't go to the drug store to get that Armour

prescrition anyway & still haven't got it. But I called that doctor's office to

ask what the dosage was. They told me she ordered 15 mg Armour. That's a way low

dosage & isn't the equal conversion to the 125mcg Synthroid I've been on for

five years according to the conversion table in this group's files.

So the gals on this list, mostly Sandy, & Cindi who've been so very

helpful, were amazed she only prescribed 15mg Armour for me. The consensus,

which was my thoughts too, was that the dr. had deliberatly prescribed the low

Armour dosage so when I took it & go back to her in a month as she suggested,

I'd tell her it wasn't working & my symptoms were just as bad or worse, then

she'd say " See, you need to stay on the Synthroid because the Armour isn't

working " . I think that's exactly what she planned to do. So I guess I'll have to

fire her too. This will be the 4th doctor I'm disgusted with since I found out

the Synthroid is bad for me to keep taking & making me worse.

So, since I had previously ordered Time-Caps natural thyroid of 1 grain (65mg)

tablets & have those here, the ladies suggested I start taking at least 30

mg/day @ 15 mg 2x/day. I agree that's about right after looking at the

conversion tables in the files which state for 111-150 mcg Synthroid = 1 l/2

grains Armour. So as of yesterday I've been taking the 30 mg/day to start & plan

to increase that dosage in two weeks by 15 mg & so forth & see how I do on it.

I'm getting a new car tomorrow evening so I plan to get the 15 mg Armour dosage

the dr. prescribed on Saturday. I'm not sure what to do with it at this point in

time tho. I thought I'd use it for taking 15 mg Armour she prescribed & add 15

mg Time-Caps thyroid for a twice a day 30 mg total dosage.

I'd like to read your comments tho & appreciate all input on this. Hope this

hasn't been too confusing to read & understand. I'm doing the best I can here

being such a dummy about all this just newly learning it all as I am.

Caroline

Re: My Test Results from doc

Caroline

Did I miss something here? Did you just get these results? What were they?

----- Original Message -----

> Well my FT3 was tested & the doctor said it was still " normal " as were the

TSH & FT4 yet my symptoms are worsening anyway. Well I'll see if the Armour

this new dr. prescribed will help.

[Guest guest]

Ok...good idea. I'll print the conversion table & give it to her next time I see

her which is supposed to be in month.

I just quit taking the Synthroid altogether & am only taking l/2 grain 2x/day of

Time-Caps as of yesterday. My dr. didn't say whether to quit the Synthroid or

what to do. She just said she'd prescribe the Armour for me instead. So I'm

taking the natural thyroid instead.

I'm beginning to hate the idea of having taken the Synthroid for five years &

getting worse on it anyway. So am well rid of it.

Caroline

Re: My Test Results from doc

The next time you see her give her that and the actual prescribing

information. It could be that she honestly doesn't know but is

willing to learn. It's not the same thing but my doggie's vet doesn't

mind at all if I do research into his meds. As he said they love

paranoid mommies!!! Give your Dr the benefit of the doubt. Who knows

it might work in your favour.

While you are taking the time caps are you still taking Synthroid or

have you stopped taking that or are you cutting your dose of

Synthroid while adding the Time Caps? You don't want to take a full

dose of both at the same time. T4 is the storage hormone so if you

are taking too much you won't feel it for 4 - 8 weeks.

Louise

[Guest guest]

Hi Caroline,

I agree about starting at a higher dose and going up from there, but I

also think you ought to give your doctor a chance to correct her error.

It could be a simple oversight on her part, especially since she told

you she was giving you the equivalent dose. Why don't you call and try

to straighten it out with her? If she's not cooperative, well you're all

set up to self-medicate anyway. But if she is cooperative, she could be

a valuable ally.

Caroline wrote:

> Thanx, , I already checked the conversion chart & my doctor was

> wrong. She said she would give me the equivalent of 125 mcg Synthroid

> but she didn't. She only gave me 15 mg Armour, the drug store told me.

> You see she didn't give me a written script to take to the drug store.

> She faxed the prescription in to the store. So I never saw it & didn't

> know how much she prescribed. I was amazed she prescribed such a low

> dose!! I'm going to take l/2 grain natural thyroid I have here 2x day

> starting tomorrow. Then gradually increase that. I've got 65 mg/1

> grain tablets here of the Time-Caps thyroid so I'll just cut them in l/2.

[Guest guest]

I'll give her a chance yet, yes.

C

Re: Re: My Test Results from doc

Hi Caroline,

I agree about starting at a higher dose and going up from there, but I

also think you ought to give your doctor a chance to correct her error.

It could be a simple oversight on her part, especially since she told

you she was giving you the equivalent dose. Why don't you call and try

to straighten it out with her? If she's not cooperative, well you're all

set up to self-medicate anyway. But if she is cooperative, she could be

a valuable ally.