Well Shoot - I've Been Trying To Stay Out Of This, But . . .

[tex]

Hi Joanna,

I didn't actually feel bad before, but I definitely feel better now. I have a lot more energy, and a lot more "ambition" to do things. Probably the two worst symptoms I had, were weight gain, and increased cholesterol, (which my doctor referred to as "probably hereditary"). The bad cholesterol was up, and the good cholesterol was down. I'm betting that will change on my next blood test.

Love,
Tex

[harvest_table]

Tex!

Good things happen here when people share their experiences and so glad to you have tapped into some newfound energy. You farmers need all the gumption you can muster, in more ways than one.

It will be interesting to see what improvements show in your next blood work.

Love,
Joanna

[artteacher]

Hi Tex,

I've been away for a while, so haven't been reading posts. If I'm sharing wsomething that's already been shared, sorry. My stomach issues have settle down so much it's hard to believe. The only things I can relate it to are
#1 I began taking a bigger dose of levothyroxine (1.12) (upped from .75)

#2 menopause hit Oct 2006

Either my changing hormones have affected the digestive tract in a good way, or it's the increased thyroid rx.

Do you have any explanation?

Missed you all, Marsha

[tex]

Hi Marsha,

Welcome back - been wondering where you were. It's good to "hear" that your GI tract issues have improved so much.

I can't think of an easy explanation for your improvement. Menopause certainly shouldn't make that big a difference, unless you have intestinal endometriosis, and hypothyroidism is normally linked with C, not D. IOW, increased thyroid hormone should cause more bowel movements, not fewer.

Beats the heck out of me, but you are obviously doing something right.

Hey, we missed you, too.

Tex

[artteacher]

Hey Tex,

That's what I thought . . I need to read more about adrenal glands and what happens to them during the menopausal process.

Don't you think anyone who has elevated cholesterol should have a thyroid test? Mine was up to 265, the doctor tried to get me to take medicine to bring the numbers down. Magically, the count went down to 200 as soon as I took enough levothyroxin. Those cholesterol drugs are expensive, too! Hopefully exercise has taken it down even more.

It's nice to talk to you, Marsha

[tex]

Hey Marsha,

I'm in complete agreement with you about doctors failing to make the connection between thyroid function and cholesterol, especially LDL. My cholesterol was never a consideration, until recently, when it showed up at the 223 level, (reference 140-200), and my LDL was 157, (reference 65-130), while my HDL was at the lower end of the range, at 36, (reference 30-70). When I asked my doctor about it, he blamed it on heredity. <sigh>

After I enumerated a long list of hypothyroid symptoms, he suggested we either do some more blood tests, or try a "starter" dose of Synthroid, to see how I respond. (I chose the hormone supplement.) Frankly, I don't think the cholesterol connection ever registered with him, because he mentioned that if my cholesterol numbers don't improve in a few months, we need to consider a cholesterol drug. <sigh>

So yes, I definitely agree that thyroid function should be carefully considered, for anyone with a problem with their cholesterol numbers.

Okay, I have a question: I notice that you are taking the generic form of thyroxine, (Levothyroxin). So am I. My doctor prescribed Synthroid, and then mentioned how expensive it was. When the pharmacist asked if I wanted a generic form, without thinking, I answered "yes". After I returned home, I researched this a bit, and found that many patients claim that the generic form either does not help them, or does not help them nearly as much as a name brand, and the consensus of opinion is to not switch brands, without careful testing.

Theoretically, it's the same stuff, and a lot of experts seem to agree. Do you have any thoughts on this? Have you tried a name brand? When my 30 day supply runs out, I'm probably going to try Synthroid for the refill, to see if I can tell any difference, but I think I'll ask my doc about it first, since it may change the way the 60-day trial turns out.

Thanks for the information.
Wayne

[Reggie]

My cholesterol has gone up as my energy has gone down as well. Hmm.

I'm on armour thyroid, cortef, dhea and testosterone as of yesterday. I'll do a full post when I get a little more energy. I'm still digesting all my test results.

[artteacher]

Hi Tex, and Reggie, too,

Reggie: you're digesting your test results. That cracks me up. . digesting.

Tex, I don't notice a difference between Synthroid and levothyroxin. I switched to Armour for a 2-3 month period a few years ago (hearing it might be better) with the oversight of my doctor, and didn't do well with it. My eyelashes fell out in chunks. Some say that's a sign of too much thyroid medicine, others say it's a symptom you can get any time you change your dosage.
By the way taking too much thyroid medicine of any kind can cause D, but also frequent urination (esp at night), and hot flashes at night.

Taking thryroid medicine has never done what it promised, no matter what the type (Armour, levothyroxin or synthroid). My hands & feet are better, but still cold, I still have alligator skin on my shins, cracked hands/heels, etc.

Having Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and possible adrenal deficiency might make all my input invalid.

I'm going to catch up on all the post I've missed.

Missed you all, Marsha

[bobh]

Taking thryroid medicine has never done what it promised, no matter what the type (Armour, levothyroxin or synthroid). My hands & feet are better, but still cold, I still have alligator skin on my shins, cracked hands/heels, etc.

I think your low cortisol is preventing the thyroid from entering the cells. My skin used to split open and bleed, especially at the heels, knuckles and cuticles. After 4 months on cortef and Armours it is all smooth, and started really clearing up about 2 months ago.

cortisol helps skin repair and it does it during the night hours. Low thyroid causes all kinds of skin problems

My extremities are no longer cold, that used to be a big problem, and it started getting better in February when the weather was still cold

[artteacher]

Hi Bob,
I really appreciate your comments. I'm three weeks from seening the doc about adrenal testing now.
Do you think it's adrenal that makes my skin so weird? I have really really oily skin, except for my hands, shins and feet (and they're extremely dry and cracked, no matter how much lotion I use).
Marsha

[bobh]

I'm three weeks from seening the doc about adrenal testing now.

I don't know if your doc is a holistic oriented doc, or more narrow minded MD that only recognizes Addisons disease before agreeing there is a problem with adrenals, but I would order this test and have the results within 3 weeks http://thecanaryclub.org/content/view/196/52/ it will cost $141 but you do it yourself without waiting for MD and this is the best lab.
It has a "normal" range that is realistic, much better than some of the other labs out there like Genova (formerly GSDL) that has a huge normal range & doesn't show the problems.

Do you think it's adrenal that makes my skin so weird?
...my hands, shins and feet (and they're extremely dry and cracked, no matter how much lotion I use).

I suppose there could be many causes. I just know for me, my skin would get so dry it would split and bleed, like this photo in 2005

And it all cleared up when I fixed my very low levels of cortisol, and thyroid. You helped educate me on Hashimoto's antibodies, I tested positive for it - and am taking Armours. I GRADUALLY worked up, from 1 grain, now up to 3 1/4 grains over a period of 4 months.

But the T3 won't get into the cells if the cortisol is too low. Some people have very high cortisol, which prevents the T4 (storage form) from converting to the T3 (active form). Cortisol levels vary a lot during the day, which is why blood tests often fail to show what is going on.

You do saliva samples at 4 points in the day. Some people have trouble coming up with adequate saliva for the test, if you open a pickle jar and smell it (or relish) you will have plenty.[/quote]

[Reggie]

Pickles! Where was this little fact when I needed it? It took a full hour to fill one of those spit tubes.

So if I carry a pickle with me at all times and sniff regularly, the 'rampant decay' my periodontist saw will be slowed down and my dry mouth will be a thing of the past???

[Pat]

Reggie,
Have your dentist give you a prescription for Prevident. It is really good for helping prevent decay. It is toothpaste with a whole lot of fluoride. And then (or before) go get all the Biotene ( OTC) products for the dry mouth and be diligent about using them. There is a toothpaste, mouth rinse, gum, spray, and gel. Thats all I can think of now. They may have more products than that. Dry mouth is usually caused by medication. I know a little about this, I am a dental hygienist. Good luck.
Pat

P.S. Sorry, I just had to jump in on this, I know you didn't ask.