Guest guest Posted September 22, 2004 Report Share Posted September 22, 2004 At 49 you are most likely in perimenopause when your cycles are going to be all over the place. For that I would call your Dr to see if they want you to come in. Louise PS The change before the change by Dr Corio is a fantastic book!! She goes over perimenipause and the changes your body is going through. > Unfortunately, I have gained back the five pounds plus added four > more. I also haven't had a menstrual cycle for over 40 days > coinciding with the thyroid (two negative pregnancy tests, age 49). > > I'm seriously considering quitting the thyroid. Any advice? > > Toni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 22, 2004 Report Share Posted September 22, 2004 At 49 you are most likely in perimenopause when your cycles are going to be all over the place. For that I would call your Dr to see if they want you to come in. Louise PS The change before the change by Dr Corio is a fantastic book!! She goes over perimenipause and the changes your body is going through. > Unfortunately, I have gained back the five pounds plus added four > more. I also haven't had a menstrual cycle for over 40 days > coinciding with the thyroid (two negative pregnancy tests, age 49). > > I'm seriously considering quitting the thyroid. Any advice? > > Toni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 Hi there Toni, Have you also measured your Ft4 and Ft3 levels? I guess you should try to find out why you are having hypo symptoms. TSH is not holy enough for diagnosis. Margreet. > After receiving a normal TSH test (1.95), but recognizing LOTS of > low thyroid symptoms including low basal temps and uncontrollable > weight gain, I decided to try Nutri-Meds non-prescription adrenals > and thyroid. > > After just two weeks on the adrenals alone, I lost 5 pounds. I then > slowly started adding Nutri-Meds Thyroid, and am up to three 130 mg > doses per day. > > Unfortunately, I have gained back the five pounds plus added four > more. I also haven't had a menstrual cycle for over 40 days > coinciding with the thyroid (two negative pregnancy tests, age 49). > > I'm seriously considering quitting the thyroid. Any advice? > > Toni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 Hi there Toni, Have you also measured your Ft4 and Ft3 levels? I guess you should try to find out why you are having hypo symptoms. TSH is not holy enough for diagnosis. Margreet. > After receiving a normal TSH test (1.95), but recognizing LOTS of > low thyroid symptoms including low basal temps and uncontrollable > weight gain, I decided to try Nutri-Meds non-prescription adrenals > and thyroid. > > After just two weeks on the adrenals alone, I lost 5 pounds. I then > slowly started adding Nutri-Meds Thyroid, and am up to three 130 mg > doses per day. > > Unfortunately, I have gained back the five pounds plus added four > more. I also haven't had a menstrual cycle for over 40 days > coinciding with the thyroid (two negative pregnancy tests, age 49). > > I'm seriously considering quitting the thyroid. Any advice? > > Toni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 Hi there Toni, Have you also measured your Ft4 and Ft3 levels? I guess you should try to find out why you are having hypo symptoms. TSH is not holy enough for diagnosis. Margreet. > After receiving a normal TSH test (1.95), but recognizing LOTS of > low thyroid symptoms including low basal temps and uncontrollable > weight gain, I decided to try Nutri-Meds non-prescription adrenals > and thyroid. > > After just two weeks on the adrenals alone, I lost 5 pounds. I then > slowly started adding Nutri-Meds Thyroid, and am up to three 130 mg > doses per day. > > Unfortunately, I have gained back the five pounds plus added four > more. I also haven't had a menstrual cycle for over 40 days > coinciding with the thyroid (two negative pregnancy tests, age 49). > > I'm seriously considering quitting the thyroid. Any advice? > > Toni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 > I'm seriously considering quitting the thyroid. Any advice? > > Toni ________________________ You may be one of those with adrenal problems that are causing low thryoid. If adrenal output is low, thyroid will also eventually drop production. that is because they are tied together in a feedback loop. A TSH of 1.98 is not really normal. Life Extension Magazine did a survey of recent research and found that TSH tests at or above 2.0 meant that there was some impairment of thyroid function. You are very close to 2.0 and within the error range of the test. So, I don't think you can definitively rule out mild low thyroid function. But, it could be caused by low adrenal output only. Your weight gain could be the result of the 2 grains of thyroid you are taking are overly suppressing TSH and the result is that it is making you slightly more hypo. It depends on when you had the TSH, before thyroid therapy or after. If you had the TSH test before therapy, then pituitary dysfunction might be causing your problem. The healthy human thyroid makes 4-1/2 to 5 grains of thyroid a day. If a healthy person takes thyroid, they will not notice any effects. This is because in a healthy person, the pituitary senses how much thyroid is being taken and will adjust TSH to make the thyroid only make what is needed to keep blood levels right or at or below 4-1/2 to 5 grains. So, there should be no effect on you of taking thyroid if you don't need it. However, if you have pituitary dysfunction as is the case in 40% of thyroid patients, taking small amounts of thyroid can overly suppress your pituitary output of TSH. This will cause your thyroid not to make up the difference between what you are taking in a pill and what the body needs, or 4-1/2 to 5 grains. The result is that you can become more hypothyroid from low doses of thyroid hormone. Anything below 3 grains is definitely enough to cause this problem. You are taking just over 2 grains. So, I would not say you need to stop thyroid untill you have gone up to at least 3 grains and seen whether this fixed the problem. If this is happening, you need to get thyroid up enough to overcome the problem. This is at least 3 grains for most people. The other thing you can do to find out if you need thyroid is to stop the thyroid and just take the adrenal for a month or so. Then have a Free T4 and Free T3 test and maybe TSH. If you have hypothryoidism, it will show up then. Taking adrenal causes the increased use of thyroid hormone. If you have low thyroid capacity and you take adrenal, it will eventually make you more hypothyroid. This is because the extra adrenal will deplete thyroid hormone and your thyroid will not be able to keep up with demand. So, blood levels of T4 especailly will drop. Your T4 might go to the bottom of the range. This is a clear indication that your thyroid has lost it's reserve and cannot keep up and you do need it. Your TSH should also rise a little if you have pituitary dysfunction and it will rise a lot more if you don't in hypothyroidism. If you only have an adrenal problem, thyroid levels will not drop and TSH won't rise when you just take adrenal support. Tish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 > I'm seriously considering quitting the thyroid. Any advice? > > Toni ________________________ You may be one of those with adrenal problems that are causing low thryoid. If adrenal output is low, thyroid will also eventually drop production. that is because they are tied together in a feedback loop. A TSH of 1.98 is not really normal. Life Extension Magazine did a survey of recent research and found that TSH tests at or above 2.0 meant that there was some impairment of thyroid function. You are very close to 2.0 and within the error range of the test. So, I don't think you can definitively rule out mild low thyroid function. But, it could be caused by low adrenal output only. Your weight gain could be the result of the 2 grains of thyroid you are taking are overly suppressing TSH and the result is that it is making you slightly more hypo. It depends on when you had the TSH, before thyroid therapy or after. If you had the TSH test before therapy, then pituitary dysfunction might be causing your problem. The healthy human thyroid makes 4-1/2 to 5 grains of thyroid a day. If a healthy person takes thyroid, they will not notice any effects. This is because in a healthy person, the pituitary senses how much thyroid is being taken and will adjust TSH to make the thyroid only make what is needed to keep blood levels right or at or below 4-1/2 to 5 grains. So, there should be no effect on you of taking thyroid if you don't need it. However, if you have pituitary dysfunction as is the case in 40% of thyroid patients, taking small amounts of thyroid can overly suppress your pituitary output of TSH. This will cause your thyroid not to make up the difference between what you are taking in a pill and what the body needs, or 4-1/2 to 5 grains. The result is that you can become more hypothyroid from low doses of thyroid hormone. Anything below 3 grains is definitely enough to cause this problem. You are taking just over 2 grains. So, I would not say you need to stop thyroid untill you have gone up to at least 3 grains and seen whether this fixed the problem. If this is happening, you need to get thyroid up enough to overcome the problem. This is at least 3 grains for most people. The other thing you can do to find out if you need thyroid is to stop the thyroid and just take the adrenal for a month or so. Then have a Free T4 and Free T3 test and maybe TSH. If you have hypothryoidism, it will show up then. Taking adrenal causes the increased use of thyroid hormone. If you have low thyroid capacity and you take adrenal, it will eventually make you more hypothyroid. This is because the extra adrenal will deplete thyroid hormone and your thyroid will not be able to keep up with demand. So, blood levels of T4 especailly will drop. Your T4 might go to the bottom of the range. This is a clear indication that your thyroid has lost it's reserve and cannot keep up and you do need it. Your TSH should also rise a little if you have pituitary dysfunction and it will rise a lot more if you don't in hypothyroidism. If you only have an adrenal problem, thyroid levels will not drop and TSH won't rise when you just take adrenal support. Tish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 > I'm seriously considering quitting the thyroid. Any advice? > > Toni ________________________ You may be one of those with adrenal problems that are causing low thryoid. If adrenal output is low, thyroid will also eventually drop production. that is because they are tied together in a feedback loop. A TSH of 1.98 is not really normal. Life Extension Magazine did a survey of recent research and found that TSH tests at or above 2.0 meant that there was some impairment of thyroid function. You are very close to 2.0 and within the error range of the test. So, I don't think you can definitively rule out mild low thyroid function. But, it could be caused by low adrenal output only. Your weight gain could be the result of the 2 grains of thyroid you are taking are overly suppressing TSH and the result is that it is making you slightly more hypo. It depends on when you had the TSH, before thyroid therapy or after. If you had the TSH test before therapy, then pituitary dysfunction might be causing your problem. The healthy human thyroid makes 4-1/2 to 5 grains of thyroid a day. If a healthy person takes thyroid, they will not notice any effects. This is because in a healthy person, the pituitary senses how much thyroid is being taken and will adjust TSH to make the thyroid only make what is needed to keep blood levels right or at or below 4-1/2 to 5 grains. So, there should be no effect on you of taking thyroid if you don't need it. However, if you have pituitary dysfunction as is the case in 40% of thyroid patients, taking small amounts of thyroid can overly suppress your pituitary output of TSH. This will cause your thyroid not to make up the difference between what you are taking in a pill and what the body needs, or 4-1/2 to 5 grains. The result is that you can become more hypothyroid from low doses of thyroid hormone. Anything below 3 grains is definitely enough to cause this problem. You are taking just over 2 grains. So, I would not say you need to stop thyroid untill you have gone up to at least 3 grains and seen whether this fixed the problem. If this is happening, you need to get thyroid up enough to overcome the problem. This is at least 3 grains for most people. The other thing you can do to find out if you need thyroid is to stop the thyroid and just take the adrenal for a month or so. Then have a Free T4 and Free T3 test and maybe TSH. If you have hypothryoidism, it will show up then. Taking adrenal causes the increased use of thyroid hormone. If you have low thyroid capacity and you take adrenal, it will eventually make you more hypothyroid. This is because the extra adrenal will deplete thyroid hormone and your thyroid will not be able to keep up with demand. So, blood levels of T4 especailly will drop. Your T4 might go to the bottom of the range. This is a clear indication that your thyroid has lost it's reserve and cannot keep up and you do need it. Your TSH should also rise a little if you have pituitary dysfunction and it will rise a lot more if you don't in hypothyroidism. If you only have an adrenal problem, thyroid levels will not drop and TSH won't rise when you just take adrenal support. Tish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 what about patients after RAI? the thyroid is no longer functional so tsh output will have no effect on the thyroid at all. how does this fit into your theory? i had RAI and i have only been on about .125 mcg synthroid (now a concoction of t4 + armour) for years and i have not felt undermedicated (re: 4-5 grains) until recently (postpartum). shana > > > I'm seriously considering quitting the thyroid. Any advice? > > > > Toni > ________________________ > > You may be one of those with adrenal problems that are causing low > thryoid. If adrenal output is low, thyroid will also eventually drop > production. that is because they are tied together in a feedback > loop. > > A TSH of 1.98 is not really normal. Life Extension Magazine did a > survey of recent research and found that TSH tests at or above 2.0 > meant that there was some impairment of thyroid function. You are > very close to 2.0 and within the error range of the test. So, I > don't think you can definitively rule out mild low thyroid function. > But, it could be caused by low adrenal output only. > > Your weight gain could be the result of the 2 grains of thyroid you > are taking are overly suppressing TSH and the result is that it is > making you slightly more hypo. It depends on when you had the TSH, > before thyroid therapy or after. If you had the TSH test before > therapy, then pituitary dysfunction might be causing your problem. > The healthy human thyroid makes 4-1/2 to 5 grains of thyroid a day. > If a healthy person takes thyroid, they will not notice any effects. > This is because in a healthy person, the pituitary senses how much > thyroid is being taken and will adjust TSH to make the thyroid only > make what is needed to keep blood levels right or at or below 4- 1/2 > to 5 grains. So, there should be no effect on you of taking thyroid > if you don't need it. > > However, if you have pituitary dysfunction as is the case in 40% of > thyroid patients, taking small amounts of thyroid can overly > suppress your pituitary output of TSH. This will cause your thyroid > not to make up the difference between what you are taking in a pill > and what the body needs, or 4-1/2 to 5 grains. The result is that > you can become more hypothyroid from low doses of thyroid hormone. > Anything below 3 grains is definitely enough to cause this problem. > You are taking just over 2 grains. So, I would not say you need to > stop thyroid untill you have gone up to at least 3 grains and seen > whether this fixed the problem. If this is happening, you need to > get thyroid up enough to overcome the problem. This is at least 3 > grains for most people. > > The other thing you can do to find out if you need thyroid is to > stop the thyroid and just take the adrenal for a month or so. Then > have a Free T4 and Free T3 test and maybe TSH. If you have > hypothryoidism, it will show up then. Taking adrenal causes the > increased use of thyroid hormone. If you have low thyroid capacity > and you take adrenal, it will eventually make you more hypothyroid. > This is because the extra adrenal will deplete thyroid hormone and > your thyroid will not be able to keep up with demand. So, blood > levels of T4 especailly will drop. Your T4 might go to the bottom of > the range. This is a clear indication that your thyroid has lost > it's reserve and cannot keep up and you do need it. Your TSH should > also rise a little if you have pituitary dysfunction and it will > rise a lot more if you don't in hypothyroidism. > > If you only have an adrenal problem, thyroid levels will not drop > and TSH won't rise when you just take adrenal support. > > Tish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 what about patients after RAI? the thyroid is no longer functional so tsh output will have no effect on the thyroid at all. how does this fit into your theory? i had RAI and i have only been on about .125 mcg synthroid (now a concoction of t4 + armour) for years and i have not felt undermedicated (re: 4-5 grains) until recently (postpartum). shana > > > I'm seriously considering quitting the thyroid. Any advice? > > > > Toni > ________________________ > > You may be one of those with adrenal problems that are causing low > thryoid. If adrenal output is low, thyroid will also eventually drop > production. that is because they are tied together in a feedback > loop. > > A TSH of 1.98 is not really normal. Life Extension Magazine did a > survey of recent research and found that TSH tests at or above 2.0 > meant that there was some impairment of thyroid function. You are > very close to 2.0 and within the error range of the test. So, I > don't think you can definitively rule out mild low thyroid function. > But, it could be caused by low adrenal output only. > > Your weight gain could be the result of the 2 grains of thyroid you > are taking are overly suppressing TSH and the result is that it is > making you slightly more hypo. It depends on when you had the TSH, > before thyroid therapy or after. If you had the TSH test before > therapy, then pituitary dysfunction might be causing your problem. > The healthy human thyroid makes 4-1/2 to 5 grains of thyroid a day. > If a healthy person takes thyroid, they will not notice any effects. > This is because in a healthy person, the pituitary senses how much > thyroid is being taken and will adjust TSH to make the thyroid only > make what is needed to keep blood levels right or at or below 4- 1/2 > to 5 grains. So, there should be no effect on you of taking thyroid > if you don't need it. > > However, if you have pituitary dysfunction as is the case in 40% of > thyroid patients, taking small amounts of thyroid can overly > suppress your pituitary output of TSH. This will cause your thyroid > not to make up the difference between what you are taking in a pill > and what the body needs, or 4-1/2 to 5 grains. The result is that > you can become more hypothyroid from low doses of thyroid hormone. > Anything below 3 grains is definitely enough to cause this problem. > You are taking just over 2 grains. So, I would not say you need to > stop thyroid untill you have gone up to at least 3 grains and seen > whether this fixed the problem. If this is happening, you need to > get thyroid up enough to overcome the problem. This is at least 3 > grains for most people. > > The other thing you can do to find out if you need thyroid is to > stop the thyroid and just take the adrenal for a month or so. Then > have a Free T4 and Free T3 test and maybe TSH. If you have > hypothryoidism, it will show up then. Taking adrenal causes the > increased use of thyroid hormone. If you have low thyroid capacity > and you take adrenal, it will eventually make you more hypothyroid. > This is because the extra adrenal will deplete thyroid hormone and > your thyroid will not be able to keep up with demand. So, blood > levels of T4 especailly will drop. Your T4 might go to the bottom of > the range. This is a clear indication that your thyroid has lost > it's reserve and cannot keep up and you do need it. Your TSH should > also rise a little if you have pituitary dysfunction and it will > rise a lot more if you don't in hypothyroidism. > > If you only have an adrenal problem, thyroid levels will not drop > and TSH won't rise when you just take adrenal support. > > Tish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 what about patients after RAI? the thyroid is no longer functional so tsh output will have no effect on the thyroid at all. how does this fit into your theory? i had RAI and i have only been on about .125 mcg synthroid (now a concoction of t4 + armour) for years and i have not felt undermedicated (re: 4-5 grains) until recently (postpartum). shana > > > I'm seriously considering quitting the thyroid. Any advice? > > > > Toni > ________________________ > > You may be one of those with adrenal problems that are causing low > thryoid. If adrenal output is low, thyroid will also eventually drop > production. that is because they are tied together in a feedback > loop. > > A TSH of 1.98 is not really normal. Life Extension Magazine did a > survey of recent research and found that TSH tests at or above 2.0 > meant that there was some impairment of thyroid function. You are > very close to 2.0 and within the error range of the test. So, I > don't think you can definitively rule out mild low thyroid function. > But, it could be caused by low adrenal output only. > > Your weight gain could be the result of the 2 grains of thyroid you > are taking are overly suppressing TSH and the result is that it is > making you slightly more hypo. It depends on when you had the TSH, > before thyroid therapy or after. If you had the TSH test before > therapy, then pituitary dysfunction might be causing your problem. > The healthy human thyroid makes 4-1/2 to 5 grains of thyroid a day. > If a healthy person takes thyroid, they will not notice any effects. > This is because in a healthy person, the pituitary senses how much > thyroid is being taken and will adjust TSH to make the thyroid only > make what is needed to keep blood levels right or at or below 4- 1/2 > to 5 grains. So, there should be no effect on you of taking thyroid > if you don't need it. > > However, if you have pituitary dysfunction as is the case in 40% of > thyroid patients, taking small amounts of thyroid can overly > suppress your pituitary output of TSH. This will cause your thyroid > not to make up the difference between what you are taking in a pill > and what the body needs, or 4-1/2 to 5 grains. The result is that > you can become more hypothyroid from low doses of thyroid hormone. > Anything below 3 grains is definitely enough to cause this problem. > You are taking just over 2 grains. So, I would not say you need to > stop thyroid untill you have gone up to at least 3 grains and seen > whether this fixed the problem. If this is happening, you need to > get thyroid up enough to overcome the problem. This is at least 3 > grains for most people. > > The other thing you can do to find out if you need thyroid is to > stop the thyroid and just take the adrenal for a month or so. Then > have a Free T4 and Free T3 test and maybe TSH. If you have > hypothryoidism, it will show up then. Taking adrenal causes the > increased use of thyroid hormone. If you have low thyroid capacity > and you take adrenal, it will eventually make you more hypothyroid. > This is because the extra adrenal will deplete thyroid hormone and > your thyroid will not be able to keep up with demand. So, blood > levels of T4 especailly will drop. Your T4 might go to the bottom of > the range. This is a clear indication that your thyroid has lost > it's reserve and cannot keep up and you do need it. Your TSH should > also rise a little if you have pituitary dysfunction and it will > rise a lot more if you don't in hypothyroidism. > > If you only have an adrenal problem, thyroid levels will not drop > and TSH won't rise when you just take adrenal support. > > Tish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 I have a client that had rai. He takes 2 grains Armour and ferels great. He still makes some thyroid it appears. > >Reply-To: NaturalThyroidHormones >To: NaturalThyroidHormones >Subject: Re: Should I quit? >Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2004 15:58:21 -0000 >what about patients after RAI? the thyroid is no longer functional so tsh output will have no effect on the thyroid at all. how does this fit into your theory? i had RAI and i have only been on about .125 mcg synthroid (now a concoction of t4 + armour) for years and i have not felt undermedicated (re: 4-5 grains) until recently (postpartum). shana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 I have a client that had rai. He takes 2 grains Armour and ferels great. He still makes some thyroid it appears. > >Reply-To: NaturalThyroidHormones >To: NaturalThyroidHormones >Subject: Re: Should I quit? >Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2004 15:58:21 -0000 >what about patients after RAI? the thyroid is no longer functional so tsh output will have no effect on the thyroid at all. how does this fit into your theory? i had RAI and i have only been on about .125 mcg synthroid (now a concoction of t4 + armour) for years and i have not felt undermedicated (re: 4-5 grains) until recently (postpartum). shana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 what do you do for a living? > I have a client that had rai. He takes 2 grains Armour and ferels great. He > still makes some thyroid it appears. > > > >From: " ptahia " <ptahia@y...> > >Reply-To: NaturalThyroidHormones > >To: NaturalThyroidHormones > >Subject: Re: Should I quit? > >Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2004 15:58:21 -0000 > >what about patients after RAI? the thyroid is no longer functional > so tsh output will have no effect on the thyroid at all. how does > this fit into your theory? i had RAI and i have only been on > about .125 mcg synthroid (now a concoction of t4 + armour) for years > and i have not felt undermedicated (re: 4-5 grains) until recently > (postpartum). > shana > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 what do you do for a living? > I have a client that had rai. He takes 2 grains Armour and ferels great. He > still makes some thyroid it appears. > > > >From: " ptahia " <ptahia@y...> > >Reply-To: NaturalThyroidHormones > >To: NaturalThyroidHormones > >Subject: Re: Should I quit? > >Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2004 15:58:21 -0000 > >what about patients after RAI? the thyroid is no longer functional > so tsh output will have no effect on the thyroid at all. how does > this fit into your theory? i had RAI and i have only been on > about .125 mcg synthroid (now a concoction of t4 + armour) for years > and i have not felt undermedicated (re: 4-5 grains) until recently > (postpartum). > shana > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 what do you do for a living? > I have a client that had rai. He takes 2 grains Armour and ferels great. He > still makes some thyroid it appears. > > > >From: " ptahia " <ptahia@y...> > >Reply-To: NaturalThyroidHormones > >To: NaturalThyroidHormones > >Subject: Re: Should I quit? > >Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2004 15:58:21 -0000 > >what about patients after RAI? the thyroid is no longer functional > so tsh output will have no effect on the thyroid at all. how does > this fit into your theory? i had RAI and i have only been on > about .125 mcg synthroid (now a concoction of t4 + armour) for years > and i have not felt undermedicated (re: 4-5 grains) until recently > (postpartum). > shana > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 Dear Margaret, Thank you for the advice. I tried to get my doctor to do more than test TSH, but he refused. I cajoled, and he continued to refuse. In this day and age of HMOs, I really have no choice until open enrollment comes round again and we can change health plans. As an update, I've been cutting back on my Thyroid doses, and today have taken none. I actually feel great, so I'm starting to think that the TSH might have been right. Again, thanks for the suggestions. I wish my doctor were more open to testing further. This is what drove me to self-medicate. Toni > > After receiving a normal TSH test (1.95), but recognizing LOTS of > > low thyroid symptoms including low basal temps and uncontrollable > > weight gain, I decided to try Nutri-Meds non-prescription adrenals > > and thyroid. > > > > After just two weeks on the adrenals alone, I lost 5 pounds. I > then > > slowly started adding Nutri-Meds Thyroid, and am up to three 130 > mg > > doses per day. > > > > Unfortunately, I have gained back the five pounds plus added four > > more. I also haven't had a menstrual cycle for over 40 days > > coinciding with the thyroid (two negative pregnancy tests, age 49). > > > > I'm seriously considering quitting the thyroid. Any advice? > > > > Toni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 Dear Margaret, Thank you for the advice. I tried to get my doctor to do more than test TSH, but he refused. I cajoled, and he continued to refuse. In this day and age of HMOs, I really have no choice until open enrollment comes round again and we can change health plans. As an update, I've been cutting back on my Thyroid doses, and today have taken none. I actually feel great, so I'm starting to think that the TSH might have been right. Again, thanks for the suggestions. I wish my doctor were more open to testing further. This is what drove me to self-medicate. Toni > > After receiving a normal TSH test (1.95), but recognizing LOTS of > > low thyroid symptoms including low basal temps and uncontrollable > > weight gain, I decided to try Nutri-Meds non-prescription adrenals > > and thyroid. > > > > After just two weeks on the adrenals alone, I lost 5 pounds. I > then > > slowly started adding Nutri-Meds Thyroid, and am up to three 130 > mg > > doses per day. > > > > Unfortunately, I have gained back the five pounds plus added four > > more. I also haven't had a menstrual cycle for over 40 days > > coinciding with the thyroid (two negative pregnancy tests, age 49). > > > > I'm seriously considering quitting the thyroid. Any advice? > > > > Toni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 Dear Tish, Thank you for such a wonderfully detailed reply. I have weaned myself off the thyroid supplements and am feeling great. I'm going to continue with the adrenal support, but thanks to your message I will be aware that my thyroid levels could go nutty. I will monitor my body's reactions, especially in the timeframes you've outlined. By the way, do you know how to translate Nutrimed's " 130 mg " capsules into " grains " ? Many thanks, Toni > > > I'm seriously considering quitting the thyroid. Any advice? > > > > Toni > ________________________ > > You may be one of those with adrenal problems that are causing low > thryoid. If adrenal output is low, thyroid will also eventually drop > production. that is because they are tied together in a feedback > loop. > > A TSH of 1.98 is not really normal. Life Extension Magazine did a > survey of recent research and found that TSH tests at or above 2.0 > meant that there was some impairment of thyroid function. You are > very close to 2.0 and within the error range of the test. So, I > don't think you can definitively rule out mild low thyroid function. > But, it could be caused by low adrenal output only. > > Your weight gain could be the result of the 2 grains of thyroid you > are taking are overly suppressing TSH and the result is that it is > making you slightly more hypo. It depends on when you had the TSH, > before thyroid therapy or after. If you had the TSH test before > therapy, then pituitary dysfunction might be causing your problem. > The healthy human thyroid makes 4-1/2 to 5 grains of thyroid a day. > If a healthy person takes thyroid, they will not notice any effects. > This is because in a healthy person, the pituitary senses how much > thyroid is being taken and will adjust TSH to make the thyroid only > make what is needed to keep blood levels right or at or below 4- 1/2 > to 5 grains. So, there should be no effect on you of taking thyroid > if you don't need it. > > However, if you have pituitary dysfunction as is the case in 40% of > thyroid patients, taking small amounts of thyroid can overly > suppress your pituitary output of TSH. This will cause your thyroid > not to make up the difference between what you are taking in a pill > and what the body needs, or 4-1/2 to 5 grains. The result is that > you can become more hypothyroid from low doses of thyroid hormone. > Anything below 3 grains is definitely enough to cause this problem. > You are taking just over 2 grains. So, I would not say you need to > stop thyroid untill you have gone up to at least 3 grains and seen > whether this fixed the problem. If this is happening, you need to > get thyroid up enough to overcome the problem. This is at least 3 > grains for most people. > > The other thing you can do to find out if you need thyroid is to > stop the thyroid and just take the adrenal for a month or so. Then > have a Free T4 and Free T3 test and maybe TSH. If you have > hypothryoidism, it will show up then. Taking adrenal causes the > increased use of thyroid hormone. If you have low thyroid capacity > and you take adrenal, it will eventually make you more hypothyroid. > This is because the extra adrenal will deplete thyroid hormone and > your thyroid will not be able to keep up with demand. So, blood > levels of T4 especailly will drop. Your T4 might go to the bottom of > the range. This is a clear indication that your thyroid has lost > it's reserve and cannot keep up and you do need it. Your TSH should > also rise a little if you have pituitary dysfunction and it will > rise a lot more if you don't in hypothyroidism. > > If you only have an adrenal problem, thyroid levels will not drop > and TSH won't rise when you just take adrenal support. > > Tish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 Dear Tish, Thank you for such a wonderfully detailed reply. I have weaned myself off the thyroid supplements and am feeling great. I'm going to continue with the adrenal support, but thanks to your message I will be aware that my thyroid levels could go nutty. I will monitor my body's reactions, especially in the timeframes you've outlined. By the way, do you know how to translate Nutrimed's " 130 mg " capsules into " grains " ? Many thanks, Toni > > > I'm seriously considering quitting the thyroid. Any advice? > > > > Toni > ________________________ > > You may be one of those with adrenal problems that are causing low > thryoid. If adrenal output is low, thyroid will also eventually drop > production. that is because they are tied together in a feedback > loop. > > A TSH of 1.98 is not really normal. Life Extension Magazine did a > survey of recent research and found that TSH tests at or above 2.0 > meant that there was some impairment of thyroid function. You are > very close to 2.0 and within the error range of the test. So, I > don't think you can definitively rule out mild low thyroid function. > But, it could be caused by low adrenal output only. > > Your weight gain could be the result of the 2 grains of thyroid you > are taking are overly suppressing TSH and the result is that it is > making you slightly more hypo. It depends on when you had the TSH, > before thyroid therapy or after. If you had the TSH test before > therapy, then pituitary dysfunction might be causing your problem. > The healthy human thyroid makes 4-1/2 to 5 grains of thyroid a day. > If a healthy person takes thyroid, they will not notice any effects. > This is because in a healthy person, the pituitary senses how much > thyroid is being taken and will adjust TSH to make the thyroid only > make what is needed to keep blood levels right or at or below 4- 1/2 > to 5 grains. So, there should be no effect on you of taking thyroid > if you don't need it. > > However, if you have pituitary dysfunction as is the case in 40% of > thyroid patients, taking small amounts of thyroid can overly > suppress your pituitary output of TSH. This will cause your thyroid > not to make up the difference between what you are taking in a pill > and what the body needs, or 4-1/2 to 5 grains. The result is that > you can become more hypothyroid from low doses of thyroid hormone. > Anything below 3 grains is definitely enough to cause this problem. > You are taking just over 2 grains. So, I would not say you need to > stop thyroid untill you have gone up to at least 3 grains and seen > whether this fixed the problem. If this is happening, you need to > get thyroid up enough to overcome the problem. This is at least 3 > grains for most people. > > The other thing you can do to find out if you need thyroid is to > stop the thyroid and just take the adrenal for a month or so. Then > have a Free T4 and Free T3 test and maybe TSH. If you have > hypothryoidism, it will show up then. Taking adrenal causes the > increased use of thyroid hormone. If you have low thyroid capacity > and you take adrenal, it will eventually make you more hypothyroid. > This is because the extra adrenal will deplete thyroid hormone and > your thyroid will not be able to keep up with demand. So, blood > levels of T4 especailly will drop. Your T4 might go to the bottom of > the range. This is a clear indication that your thyroid has lost > it's reserve and cannot keep up and you do need it. Your TSH should > also rise a little if you have pituitary dysfunction and it will > rise a lot more if you don't in hypothyroidism. > > If you only have an adrenal problem, thyroid levels will not drop > and TSH won't rise when you just take adrenal support. > > Tish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 Toni, you can get your own labs done through www.healthcheckusa.com . There is a throid panel II for about 75.00 which covers TSH, FT3 and FT4. SandyE~HOuston Re: Should I quit? Dear Margaret, Thank you for the advice. I tried to get my doctor to do more than test TSH, but he refused. I cajoled, and he continued to refuse. In this day and age of HMOs, I really have no choice until open enrollment comes round again and we can change health plans. As an update, I've been cutting back on my Thyroid doses, and today have taken none. I actually feel great, so I'm starting to think that the TSH might have been right. Again, thanks for the suggestions. I wish my doctor were more open to testing further. This is what drove me to self-medicate. Toni > > After receiving a normal TSH test (1.95), but recognizing LOTS of > > low thyroid symptoms including low basal temps and uncontrollable > > weight gain, I decided to try Nutri-Meds non-prescription adrenals > > and thyroid. > > > > After just two weeks on the adrenals alone, I lost 5 pounds. I > then > > slowly started adding Nutri-Meds Thyroid, and am up to three 130 > mg > > doses per day. > > > > Unfortunately, I have gained back the five pounds plus added four > > more. I also haven't had a menstrual cycle for over 40 days > > coinciding with the thyroid (two negative pregnancy tests, age 49). > > > > I'm seriously considering quitting the thyroid. Any advice? > > > > Toni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 23, 2004 Report Share Posted September 23, 2004 Toni, you can get your own labs done through www.healthcheckusa.com . There is a throid panel II for about 75.00 which covers TSH, FT3 and FT4. SandyE~HOuston Re: Should I quit? Dear Margaret, Thank you for the advice. I tried to get my doctor to do more than test TSH, but he refused. I cajoled, and he continued to refuse. In this day and age of HMOs, I really have no choice until open enrollment comes round again and we can change health plans. As an update, I've been cutting back on my Thyroid doses, and today have taken none. I actually feel great, so I'm starting to think that the TSH might have been right. Again, thanks for the suggestions. I wish my doctor were more open to testing further. This is what drove me to self-medicate. Toni > > After receiving a normal TSH test (1.95), but recognizing LOTS of > > low thyroid symptoms including low basal temps and uncontrollable > > weight gain, I decided to try Nutri-Meds non-prescription adrenals > > and thyroid. > > > > After just two weeks on the adrenals alone, I lost 5 pounds. I > then > > slowly started adding Nutri-Meds Thyroid, and am up to three 130 > mg > > doses per day. > > > > Unfortunately, I have gained back the five pounds plus added four > > more. I also haven't had a menstrual cycle for over 40 days > > coinciding with the thyroid (two negative pregnancy tests, age 49). > > > > I'm seriously considering quitting the thyroid. Any advice? > > > > Toni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 24, 2004 Report Share Posted September 24, 2004 > what about patients after RAI? the thyroid is no longer functional > so tsh output will have no effect on the thyroid at all. __________________________ I don't understand. If you have no thyroid function and were doing well on 4 - 5 grains and now aren't, then it seems perfectly plausable to raise it until you feel good again. The body changes throughout your life and any thing that increases your daily demands means that you need more thyroid to meet them. A healthy person would produce more thyroid to meet increasing demands of excercise or activity or for taking care of a baby. Lack of sleep increases the need for more thyroid Also, as we age we are less abe to convert T4 to T3 and have greater resistance on the cellular level to thyroid. This would also increase the body's demand for more hormone to be healthy. Tish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 24, 2004 Report Share Posted September 24, 2004 > what about patients after RAI? the thyroid is no longer functional > so tsh output will have no effect on the thyroid at all. __________________________ I don't understand. If you have no thyroid function and were doing well on 4 - 5 grains and now aren't, then it seems perfectly plausable to raise it until you feel good again. The body changes throughout your life and any thing that increases your daily demands means that you need more thyroid to meet them. A healthy person would produce more thyroid to meet increasing demands of excercise or activity or for taking care of a baby. Lack of sleep increases the need for more thyroid Also, as we age we are less abe to convert T4 to T3 and have greater resistance on the cellular level to thyroid. This would also increase the body's demand for more hormone to be healthy. Tish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 24, 2004 Report Share Posted September 24, 2004 > what about patients after RAI? the thyroid is no longer functional > so tsh output will have no effect on the thyroid at all. __________________________ I don't understand. If you have no thyroid function and were doing well on 4 - 5 grains and now aren't, then it seems perfectly plausable to raise it until you feel good again. The body changes throughout your life and any thing that increases your daily demands means that you need more thyroid to meet them. A healthy person would produce more thyroid to meet increasing demands of excercise or activity or for taking care of a baby. Lack of sleep increases the need for more thyroid Also, as we age we are less abe to convert T4 to T3 and have greater resistance on the cellular level to thyroid. This would also increase the body's demand for more hormone to be healthy. Tish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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