>I have a few questions that I hope someone can answer for me before my
>doctor's appointment next month. I have Hypo and it hasn't been regulated
>for about five years. My current TSH was 3.75, which made me real happy
>because I am on the road to recovery. I am currently on .1 of Synthroid...
>Here are my questions:
>
First of all, I am no expert. But I do know that treating a TSH is in many
cases useless. TSH is a very innacurate test, though it is often used. In
my case I have a non-existant TSH....which 'should' indicate HIGH thyroid.
However both my free T3 and free T4 are quite low. It is these thyroid
hormones that govern how well your body functions....not the TSH which is
basically a sig
nal from the pituitary gland telling your thyroid how hard
to work. In general, a high TSH accompanies low thyroid hormones, while a
low TSH accompanies high thyroid hormones. I am not on any thyroid meds,
because so far I have not found a doctor who is willing to treat me because
they don't know the impact of further suppressing TSH. My thyroid hormone
levels are on a downward spiral.
>What kind of tests should I be requesting at my visit? I have read a lot
>of emails and I have never heard of anything except for a TSH. Also what
>kind of questions should I be asking? Are there alternative treatments
>out there instead of Synthroid?
I would inquire about a free T4 and free T3 test. IF you are not
feeling 'right' or not getting the energy you feel you should have, you can
have your morning cortisol levels checked and check for reverse T3. If
your body is under stress, you m
ay convert much of your T4 into reverse T3
(which is not useable).
As for alternative treatments, that depends on where you live. In Canada,
most everything, like Synthroid, contains only T4. (The idea is that your
body's T4 level should regulate then will convert into T3, which your body
uses and gives energy. There is one drug, called Thyroid (by Parke Davis)
that is a natural dessicated prescription medication. It contains both T4
and T3. Some people feel better with the combonation, some are fine on
only T4. In the U.S., Armour is a common natural supplement which also
contains both T3 and T4. Sometimes these help balance the levels better,
especially if you do not convert properly to useable T3. If you feel that
you are feeling normal and have the energy you should have, then you may be
fine with the Synthroid for now.
I'm sorry, I don't know about the effect of thyroid or
thyroid meds on the
monthly menses. However, I have a friend suddenly stopped completely since
beginning Synthroid. Has not had one for several months. Others here
might have more answers...
Good luck!
Andrea
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