[zkat]

I started Synthroid 3 weeks ago. Since I have had intermittant hives that keep getting worse. At first I thought it might be because of the hypothyrodism, but I am beginning to wonder if it is a reaction to Synthroid. I am also retaining water pretty bad and when the hives act am, my mood gets real emotional/crabby. (Could just be from the constant itching) I am heading back to my Doctor on Thurs, but don't have the biggest trust in Doctors.

Kat.

[georgie]

This is the data sheet. http://rxabbott.com/pdf/synthroid.pdf See what the Dr says on Thursday. Perhaps Armour may suit you better ???

[zkat]

UPDATE:

Normally I see the Nurse Pract., but something this serious I went wanted to talk to the Dr. My blood pressure was 188/92 (normally 120/80) and he didn't like me on the Synthroid, so he switched me to Armour Thyroid, which I am happy about b/c what I have read, the Synthroid would not help me much. He also gave me the numbers from my panel. Antibodies were 31,000, TSH was very high-can't remember the number, I was floored by the antibodies and T4 was very low. Did not test T3.

I also talked to him about Celiac's. I have not been tested, but have had excellent dietary response. He told me that was all he needed. Between the pernicious anemia, Hashimoto's and positve dietary response it is good enough for him. He also understood why I don't want to do the gluten challenge.

I feel so much better. I thought I would have to fight to get off the Synthroid.

Kat.

[georgie]

Great news Kat. That Dr sounds perfect Now to 2x check - you are familiar with how to dose Armour ? http://www.stoptheth...we-have-learned

Those Antibodies are bad! I don't recall seeing such a high number! Ideally they should be 0. Are you on a good maitainance schedule for your PA ? Have you been checked for adrenal problems ?

[zkat]

He felt the Synthroid dose was not high enough (He didn't prescribe the dose, his NP did)-it the was the smallest dose available, so he doubled the Armour dose comparatively.

I don't know much about the PA-just that it is low B12 and that is about it. I was going to tackle the thyroid first and then start on it. The Thyroid stuff has been horrible, almost as bad as celiac when I wasn't gluten free.

I do take a 100 mg of B complex daily and folic acid, but I want to look into sublingual because I think I will do better on it, for obvious reasons. Do you have any handy websites on Stop the Pernicious Anemia Madness? (That is a great site BTW-it really helped a lot) I don't trust so many supplements because if you don't get good quality-you are just throwing your money away. Do you have any recommendations?

Thank you for all your help. It has been a life saver.

[Nancym]

Are you thinking you have pernicious anemia because your MCV is high?

I just learned (due to my own high MCV) that it can also be caused by hypothyroid. My B12 and folate levels were dandy but my MCV was big. I just got my doctor to increase my thyroid dose so I am hoping that the MCV will fall.

[zkat]

Nancym, on Jun 15 2007, 12:46 PM, said:

Are you thinking you have pernicious anemia because your MCV is high?

I just learned (due to my own high MCV) that it can also be caused by hypothyroid. My B12 and folate levels were dandy but my MCV was big. I just got my doctor to increase my thyroid dose so I am hoping that the MCV will fall.

No, I really have Pernicious Anemia. I tested low on B12 and folic acid in 2000, as well as the hypo thyroid and was told by my then dr. that it didn't matter, unless I was trying to get pregnant . After I get the thyroid meds leveled out, I will go back and get exact levels on B12 and folic acid.

I can say that today I feel so much better than yesterday-after just one day on the armour. My heart rate is back to normal, which is a relief since I have a soccer game tonight. I can't wait to see how well I progress in the coming weeks.

[georgie]

Quote

Do you have any handy websites on Stop the Pernicious Anemia Madness?

Catchy ! I like it

OK - try this site. http://forums.wrongd...read.php?t=9948 Sally Pacholok has written a book with an MD, and its destined to be a classic. 'Could it Be B12'. Buy the book !!!! Read the link !!! Sally plans to have a web site soon. Read the web site !

Pernicious Anemia is greatly misunderstood. Left untreated PA will kill you. It will leave you in a wheel chair. Make you lose your eye sight. It takes a while .....but by the time the Drs work out what is wrong .... the damage can be so severe that it is life threatening. My auntie spent 30 years sick , and ended up with a type of MS that wasn't ..and died ... It started as a B12 deficiency ....

DO NOT TAKE FOLIC ACID SUPPLEMENTS if you are not also taking B12 shots ... Folic Acid supps can mask the severe neuro symptoms of PA.

B12 sublinguals don't appear to work for many people. They don't for me - I know that for sure! Sally says the same - and she has seen 1000s of cases ...

DO NOT TAKE B12 tablets or sublinguals before a blood test. It will throw a false high and confuse you and your Dr.And this could be weeks , months , before the test ...so be aware of that.

Its NEVER normal to have a B12 below 400. It should be near 1000 in a healthy adult. If it below 400 ( even if lab says its normal) you need B12 shots to restore the #. Neuro symptoms can start if your # falls below 400. Some people don't get nerve damage until it gets below 200 - some start to get it if its below 400.

MCV only shows as abnormal sometimes. Its not always high in PA. Its not a good way to dx PA. If its high - yes. But folks with PA can still have normal MCV ( size of red blood cells )

Its NEVER a good idea to wait for the nerve damage to come. Treat at the first low blood test - not wait and see what happens.

The correct treatment for low B12 ( below 400) is IM B12 shots. You need hydroxo 1000mcg.

Loading Dose . Alternate days for a week.
Weekly for 8 weeks.

Maintainance Dose . Monthly.

This is how PA and low B12 should be treated. !!

Sally explains it better than me ..

[Cat5]

I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease in 1991 and they started me out on Synthroid which my heart decided I was not going to be able to tolerate. I had heart palpitaions galore while on that stuff.
After almost of Year of being on Synthroid and suffering through many odd things, my Endo. switched me to Levothroid. YAY, no problems ever since.
There was some sort of Class Action Lawsuit involving Synthroid a few years ago as I recall, but since I wasn't taking it anymore I didn't pay much attention to it, but it might be worth Googling to see what all that hoopla was about just for your own safety's sake.
Good Luck and welcome to the Dead Thyroid Club.