Thyroid (and supplements) Question

fluffypoodle · Post by **fluffypoodle** » Wed May 15, 2013 1:48 pm

I've been suspecting a wonky thyroid for years now. You see, I was 7 years old and lived less than 100 miles from Chernobyl when the incident happened. I've seen a lot of thyroid issues in my loved ones in my life.

When my multiple symptoms started happening a few years ago (weight gain; inability to lose; complete intollerance to cold; super dry and itchy skin; falling out hair; leg cramps; debilitating fatique; brain fog; etc)--every doc I've seen jumped to test thyroid. ever since my blood results have been completely normal--my TSH is usually under 2 (hovering around 1.7 normally); and my T4 is normally on the lowest border of normal--but still in range. I test negative to thyroid antibodies. As I think i've mentioned before--the only blood test that ever comes out positive for me is my ANA.

I recently went through a series of cortisol tests because I got an elevated one. My adrenals have been declared healthy now. tomorrow i am having them look into my blood pressure; blood sugar and heart--because of these severe dizzy spells i've been getting.

But here is my real question--i see a lot of those 'natural' thyroid support supplements. I understand that they contain vitamins and even interesting things--like L-Tyrosine; Multi-Glandural complex and Thyroid (thyroxin-free). For all of you experts out there--is this something that is safe to take without a thyroid diagnosis? I am willing to try anything to get some energy because it is unbearable to function like this, but I don't want to hurt myself in any way.
Thoughts, please?

LindyLou · Post by **LindyLou** » Wed May 15, 2013 6:17 pm

Having just been diagnosed with Hashimoto's I've been doing a fair amount of reading I have come to the conclusion that most diagnosed with hypothyroidism need the TSH level close to 1 and their T3 and T4 in the 75% range for optimal feeling of wellness. If you are low in T4, I would suspect you're feeling pretty crappy. Have you had your T3 tested?

fluffypoodle · Post by **fluffypoodle** » Wed May 15, 2013 7:01 pm

I don't have access to my labs right now, but will get those tomorrow morning. I am not sure if the T3 was tested. I am feeling completely awful these days. It is like living in a honey jar, everything is just difficult.

Whatever my labs were, so far I have three doctors who aren't planning on treating me for anything thyroid related...

fluffypoodle · Post by **fluffypoodle** » Thu May 16, 2013 7:21 am

here are the most recent labs:

Anti thyroglobulin <10 (normal is <115)

Anti thyroid peroxidase <5 (<=34)

TSH 1.76 (0.274--4.2)

F T3 2.43 (2--4.4)

Free T4 0.95 (0.93--1.7)

So--would a Thyroid Support supplement help or hurt?

LindyLou · Post by **LindyLou** » Thu May 16, 2013 9:31 am

Your labs are low.......

I cannot answer whether a thyroid supplement would help as I have never self medicated however, here is a link for a thyroid support group where the moderators are very knowledgable.
http://www.thyroidboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=8 I hope they can provide you with the answers you are seeking.

Linda

fluffypoodle · Post by **fluffypoodle** » Thu May 16, 2013 10:07 am

thanks much, Linda! I will ask those nice people! since I am not getting doctor's help, i need to figure this out on my own--much like my MC! :)

Post by **tex** » Thu May 16, 2013 10:42 am

Fluffy,

You're lab results are similar to mine, except that my TSH and Free T4 are both usually lower, even though I take 60 mg of Armour daily. I've never tried the type of supplements that you mentioned, but I have tried doubling my dose of Armour for several months, as an experiment. I promptly lost over 10 pounds, which put me back to my normal long-term weight, and my low heart rate went back up to normal (previously it was too low on some days). My temperature was still a bit low, but it was a half to three-quarters of a degree closer to normal, and I had no ill effects or adverse markers that I could detect.

So I'm guessing that the type of supplements that you mentioned might be helpful, but the only way to find out for sure, is to try them.

Tex

fluffypoodle · Post by **fluffypoodle** » Thu May 16, 2013 2:00 pm

Tex, I bought the stuff and giving it a try! Can't hurt, I wouldn't think!

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Thu May 16, 2013 2:42 pm

Keep in mind,
separate to our bodies being delicate chemistry experiments (with or without the MC) and how our body reacts, with things like supplements or meds, we are all different. what works for one may not work for another

Most supplements need 6 - 8 weeks at a high dose and then you drop down to a maintenance dose. based on this it will be a few months before you know if it is working for you thyroid wise.

MC wise, I highly recommend starting out gradual and working up to the high dose. this way you can minimise inflammation D reaction to the new ingredients.

Post by **tex** » Thu May 16, 2013 3:40 pm

Tex

fluffypoodle · Post by **fluffypoodle** » Mon May 20, 2013 5:10 pm

Thanks very much for all the wise words! So far so good, MC wise anyway....