Thyroid Test Results Back

[super-sally888]

Hi All,

Tried to go see my endo dr today. Was told he no longer works at the health clinic I usually go to. So now I have no doctor. Got to try find a new one I guess... that is going to be a drag....

I increased my thryoid meds 2 1/2 months ago (mixing armor and thyroxine). My latest test results are TSH - 0.039 (range 0.27-4.2), FT3 - 5.01 (2.8-7.1), and FT4 - 13.81 (range 12-22). The last 2 results are about the best ever (I am normally below range for both). But the TSH is very low. I know people's advice here doesn't replace a dr, but I do think people with thyroid issues can know as much or more than doctors....it is going to take a while to find a new dr - particulalrly one that will be happy to let me take the armor - the only drug available here is thyroxine .

Do I stick with the current dose of meds, or do I try to get the FT3 higher? Is it a concern that the TSH is so low?

I do need to find a new dr. Somehow would like to be checked for adrenal function. I am having incredible sugar cravings these days - bad bad bad! This is from a person who previously considered sugar like poison. Am worried about diabetes... though previous monitoring has always been normal..., and my energy levels and motivation for anything are kaput!!! Or maybe I am just naturally lazy and procrastinating. ... But again, I don't know that there is such an 'alternative' doctor available here.

Sally

[loraleena]

It is normal for your TSh to be low like that while on Armour. My doc says it is normal. Most typical docs would freak out, but don't listen. I work long distance with Dr. Gina Honeyman in Colorodo, and she works with my doctor at home. You can find her on the web by typing in her name I believe. Have you had your thyroid peroxidase antibodies checked. They should be under 20. If over that your body is making antibodies against your thyroid. It is called thyroid peroxidase antibodies. My doc is slowly raising doses based on her list of signs of overstimulation and how I feel, not based on TSH levels. I recomend getting your adrenals tested through saliva tests through GREat Smokies Labs. Adrenals and thryoid often go hand and hand. Are you feeling better on the ARmour?

Good luck! Also sugar cravings like that could be due to Candida overgrowth. If ou eat sugar do you feel bad?

[super-sally888]

Hi Loraleena.

Thanks for your reply. I live in Philippines (though I am australian). THe only drug available here is T4. T3 and armor are not available. I got my supply of armor last time I was in Australia - that is why I have had to increase by adding T4 instead of by adding more armor. I have not had testing for thyroid antibodies. When I asked about that I was told that they didn't test for that here!?!?!? The only adrenal testing they do here is serum cortisol.

Anyway, I am going to try to get referred to another dr. And will keep looking til I find someone good.

Am concerned about Candida. Actually am on inhaled steroids for asthma and as a result have white stuff growing on the side of my tongue. That is candida right? So guess am in trouble over that. Was also given a short course of high dose steriods recently due to an allergic reaction... am sure that also didn't help. Sugar helps temporarily with energy levels, and then I bottom out again.

Am relieved to hear that very low TSH can be normal... then I won't be scared to increase the meds until the FT3 and FT4 are mid to high normal... hopefully that will help with energy and moods. I check blood pressure and resting pulse regularly . Both are low normal and I assume that monitoring these will let me know if I am overdosing on anything.

Thanks Again.

Sally

[CarlaB]

Sally, I was going to mention candida after reading your first post ... the white tongue definately sounds like candida, so do the sugar cravings.

Get off the sugar, take probiotics, eat coconut oil. Those will all help with the candida, and you may feel worse before you feel better. There's a lot of good information on this message board regarding candida.

Try eating a protein and a carb together for energy rather than sugar. The carb (not a simple carb, but something like brown rice) will give immediate energy, but the protein will be longer lasting. Maybe eat several small meals a day to keep your energy levels up. Sugar can cause these energy swings.

I'm no doctor, but these are things that have worked for me.

[loraleena]

T4 is usually not helpful for Thryoid, even though it is routinely prescribed. Please read info on either Dr. Gina Honeyman website or Dr. Lowe.com. Armour or Cytomel is the best way to go. I also don't know how good it is to just switch from Armour to synthroid. You can probably do long distance consulting with Dr. Gina or Dr. Lowe. I do this. They put me on a natural adrenal supplement even though saliva was normal. They treated based on symptoms, and like thyroid, adrenal dysfunction does not always show up on tests. I hope you can find someone to treat you. How often do you go to Australia? Is that a routine trip? Can you find someone else there? I believe you can get Armour off the web from Canada also.

The tongue thing does sound like Candida. It is very common in people with gluten intolerance. Please read up about this on the web. I am struggling with this as well.

[super-sally888]

Thanks Carla B and Loraleena for your responses.

I get back to Australia usually once a year. But last year was back three times and this year don't know when or if. I am sure it is not good to combine... but no choice for now. Also can't import drugs to Philippines (pharmaceutical ones)... maybe can get cytomel sent to Hong Kong, I go there more often.

Ok. Have got to get off the sugar! I am convinced about candida problem. Everything is complicated by other food issues that I am still trying to workout. Skin testing said rice and chicken and mango allergy. Have been testing that - and seems they really do give me the itch reaction.... as apposed to the severe bloating, reflux, C followed by D, sudden weight gain response I get to gluten. But am not yet convinced there are other things that aren't causing problems. So now have to find non-gluten, non-rice food alternatives (in a not very advanced asian country). Hmmm... found a grain called TEFF in the healthy options store. Makes a nice porrige. Reminds me - will put some on to cook now in the slow cooker for breakfast tomorrow. Two am here - been catching up on some work.

Thanks again ... have a nice day.

S