For Those W/ Hypothyroid Experience

[Nevadan]

After experiencing some hypothyroid symptoms I did some research on ways to measure/dx this and turned up several labs that do saliva testing. Does anyone have experience (positive or negative) with this type testing versus the more conventional blood tests with respect to thyroid issues? Thanks.

George

[georgie]

I have always used blood tests for thyroid and saliva tests for hormones and adrenals. I have heard good and bad reports re thyroid saliva testing. Regardless of the test there are always false negatives and positives - so other symptoms such as body temps and extreme fatigue should also be taken into consideration. You need a Dr that looks at the total picture - not just a lab report.

[Nevadan]

  georgie said:

You need a Dr that looks at the total picture - not just a lab report.

Thanks for the reply. So far my dr is proceeding with treating my symptoms by prescribing a very low dose of Armour Thyroid (15 mg/ day) just to see if any of my symptoms (low body temp, cold sensitivity, thinning hair, and slow recovery after exercise) respond. [My TSH, free T3 & free T4 are within the "normal" range but tend toward the lower quartile.] After doing quite a bit of web research, I'm beginning to suspect an adrenal problem as well (body temps are very variable from day to day). After the first 3-4 days of meds, even with this small dosage, my average afternoon temp has increased about one degree - I was running in the 95's; now I'm in the 96's.

I'm mostly trying to get prepared for my next dr appt later this month so I know which type testing to prefer. I expect he will order more tests, so I would like to get the most reliable results. I've found stopthethyroidmadness.com website and they have a preference for saliva testing for adrenal function. The two labs doing saliva testing that I've explored are DiagnosTech and ZRT. The first one appears to also sell supplements based on their testing results which I find to be a conflict of interest. That leaves ZRT. There are probably others.

Since this is all new to me, it's a bit bewildering. All feedback is much appreciated!

Thanks again.

[georgie]

I followed sttm guidelines for dosing Armour and adrenal, and found it quite good. Its all come from old text books and Drs - so is an easy guide if you can't get to read dozens of books and research papers. I think that 15mg is a baby dose and is meant to be increased every 15 mg when symptoms return. In the early stages that may mean every week or so. The ave Armour dose is 120mg - 180mg, and multi dosed, but it should be dosed until symptoms go away not just by labs. As you get to that dose you increase` more slowly every month or so. Hope your Dr knows this But you will need adrenal testing. www.canaryclub.org is another I think. 4 saliva tests a day is the most accurate. Do you know how to do the temp graphs ? www.drrind.com