Phentermine.com - Weight loss support forums - View Single Post - Problem with Thyroid Meds-

Jasp · December 1st, 2009, 08:24 PM

First you need to rethink what is normal. Normal is a setting on a dryer not with ones chemical profile. If your speaking of what the lab range is for TSH that depends on the lab's range. The new Endocrine society states that 0.3-3.0 is the new range. But TSH is not a thyroid hormone. TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone) is a pituitary hormone this is why Free T3/T4 levels need to be ran. Free levels are those that are available to the body to be used and is unbound. I don't trust any doctor that relies solely on TSH. Estrogen can bind thyroid hormone so even though you have enough in the blood stream your body can not use it. Many believe in the medical community that anyone with a TSH over 2 should be strongly suspected that they have hypo.

Case in point. When I started meds my TSH was. 2.65 well within range and that should of been that but, My total T4 was 5.2 (4.5-12.0) at the very bottom. When my Free levels were tested for my lab ranges my FT4 was 0.8 (0.8-1-8) My FT3 was 239 (230-420) As you can see I'm sub clinical. Now my first doctor put me on Levoxyl .25 mcg's which is a very tiny dose but his thinking was I was only out of wack a little bit...LOL. Well 7 yrs later I now take 2 grains of Armour (120 mgs) and .25mcgs of Levoxyl. The combine dose is equal to taking 225 mcg's. As you can see a far cry from the very small dose I was put on in the beginning. I explained why taking 1/2 the dose will not work in a prior post.

My labs are now:

TSH <0.001 Supressed (0.3-3.0)
FT3 379 (230-420)
FT4 1.4 (0.8-1.8)

As you can see if you went by my TSH I would be considered hyper but look at my other numbers. I'm not. My BP is 110/70 and I have been for years. We looked at labs but also with symptoms and weight gain was the least of my worries. I also have hypo reflexes. If I was hyper I would have hyper reflexes. My temps are low and I had 20 different symptoms. I have greatly improved with meds. I'm due to go for new blood work next week.

Next time you are at the doctors ask them if they feel that the TSH is the "Gold Standard" for testing thyroid what did they do prior to 1972 when they didn't have TSH. Doctor's used other tools to aid them in correctly diagnosing thyroid problems. Many will stumble with this question.

Also I can't say this enough. GET COPIES OF ALL LABS AND KEEP THEM IN A FILE FOR YOURSELF. This way you can see what's going on with your own body. I keep a file and write on the labs how I am feeling and what is going on at the time. If you expect a doctor to be your hero then you are going to stay sick. Very few will go the extra mile to get you to feel great. All they need to do is get you to feel OK and that's good enough.

I posted links that will help you answer a lot of the questions that you have. Be your own advocate. The links are on a prior post.

Good Luck.

December 1st, 2009, 08:24 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jasp Silver Phenster Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 444 Lost Weight: 54.2 I'm almost there! Current Weight: 142.8 Goal Weight: 140 Then we will see. Jasp's Photos	First you need to rethink what is normal. Normal is a setting on a dryer not with ones chemical profile. If your speaking of what the lab range is for TSH that depends on the lab's range. The new Endocrine society states that 0.3-3.0 is the new range. But TSH is not a thyroid hormone. TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone) is a pituitary hormone this is why Free T3/T4 levels need to be ran. Free levels are those that are available to the body to be used and is unbound. I don't trust any doctor that relies solely on TSH. Estrogen can bind thyroid hormone so even though you have enough in the blood stream your body can not use it. Many believe in the medical community that anyone with a TSH over 2 should be strongly suspected that they have hypo. Case in point. When I started meds my TSH was. 2.65 well within range and that should of been that but, My total T4 was 5.2 (4.5-12.0) at the very bottom. When my Free levels were tested for my lab ranges my FT4 was 0.8 (0.8-1-8) My FT3 was 239 (230-420) As you can see I'm sub clinical. Now my first doctor put me on Levoxyl .25 mcg's which is a very tiny dose but his thinking was I was only out of wack a little bit...LOL. Well 7 yrs later I now take 2 grains of Armour (120 mgs) and .25mcgs of Levoxyl. The combine dose is equal to taking 225 mcg's. As you can see a far cry from the very small dose I was put on in the beginning. I explained why taking 1/2 the dose will not work in a prior post. My labs are now: TSH <0.001 Supressed (0.3-3.0) FT3 379 (230-420) FT4 1.4 (0.8-1.8) As you can see if you went by my TSH I would be considered hyper but look at my other numbers. I'm not. My BP is 110/70 and I have been for years. We looked at labs but also with symptoms and weight gain was the least of my worries. I also have hypo reflexes. If I was hyper I would have hyper reflexes. My temps are low and I had 20 different symptoms. I have greatly improved with meds. I'm due to go for new blood work next week. Next time you are at the doctors ask them if they feel that the TSH is the "Gold Standard" for testing thyroid what did they do prior to 1972 when they didn't have TSH. Doctor's used other tools to aid them in correctly diagnosing thyroid problems. Many will stumble with this question. Also I can't say this enough. GET COPIES OF ALL LABS AND KEEP THEM IN A FILE FOR YOURSELF. This way you can see what's going on with your own body. I keep a file and write on the labs how I am feeling and what is going on at the time. If you expect a doctor to be your hero then you are going to stay sick. Very few will go the extra mile to get you to feel great. All they need to do is get you to feel OK and that's good enough. I posted links that will help you answer a lot of the questions that you have. Be your own advocate. The links are on a prior post. Good Luck.