Another request for help. First let me say thank you to all of you and your valuable input concerning my health. This is a community of knowledgeable, sincere and generous people.
I’ve been so focused on my TRT that I have abandoned my Thyroid. I just wanted to run some temperatures readings and blood tests to see anybody might be able to point me in the right direction.
My GP has been treating me for Hypothyroid since August of 2012. They started with Synthroid which caused me to freak the f#*k out. Next we tried Armour which has been fine. Most of my symptoms are gone. I’m still sensitive to cold and want to be sure that my metabolism is functioning optimally.
Looking at my TSH things look pretty good. At my last appointment I requested ft3, ft4. Those results coupled with always being cold has made me think that perhaps I should dig a little deeper.
I have been on a diet for six months. I only mention this because the sticky cited it as a possible reason. I don’t feel that it has much to do with it since it’s been an ongoing thing for some time.
My salt history is shaky. My wife had been feeding me Kosher and sea salt with no Iodine. About six months ago I switched back to Ionized salt for every meal. No Iodine supplements so far.
I don’t take my Armour on test mornings.
I started with 30mg and they bumped it to 60mg and that’s where I have been.
These are all of the blood tests with dates done since the doc found the problem.
8/9/2012 Fasting 9:00 a.m.
TSH 6.25 (.45-4.5)
12/02/2012 17:48
TSH 5.49 (.45-4.5)
1/11/13
TSH 4.55 (.45-4.5)
T4 6.2 (4.5-12.0)
T3 Uptake (24-39)
Free Thyroxine Index 34 (1.2-4.9)
11/12/13 Fasting 17.18
TSH 2.63
Thyroid Peroxidase 8 (0-34) I requested these tests
Thyroglobulin, Antibody <1.0 (0.0-0.9)
Iodine has several roles in the body. But not well understood. The big example is that women store iodine in breast tissues. With low iodine, you re also vulnerable to absorption of bromines. Your thyroid meds to contain some iodine that is helpful.
Is your thyroid enlarged, lumpy or asymmetrical? Iodine deficiency can do that and if there are nodules, this can progress to hypothyroidism. This is very serious stuff that is mostly overlooked. Everyone in your house is affected.
Make sure your thermometer is good, can someone else hit 98.6? Your wife might not be good choice as she is also iodine deficient. If her temps are low …
Please read the thyroid basics sticky.
You can use body temps to adjust thyroid dosing. This way you can see whats going on hour per hour instead of when you get labs done.
Your TSH is still too high and makes sense VS your body temperatures.
You did not do well on Rx T4 because some are not good at converting T4–>T3. Armour has T3 in it and then you started to get benefits.
Your fT3 should allow for normal body temperatures. At this point we can suspect that elevated rt3 is blocking your fT3. fT3 can be elevated from starvation, chronic infection or inflammation, stress etc.
Read the above sticky and re-read the advice for new guys sticky noting comments re fT3, stress, adrenal fatigue.
As you restore iodine, perhaps your thyroid may take up the slack and you will need less meds - as indicated by body temperatures.
This gets a little weird but I’ll mention it just in case. As far as I can tell and according to my doctor the thyroid is normal. No lumps or swelling or anything. I do however have a mystery fatty feeling lump on the left side of my neck right where my trap meets my neck. When I get stressed it will get harder like pressure for an hour or two. I had an ultrasound and they didn’t find anything. Have had it for about two years. Most of the time you wouldn’t notice it but every now and again you wouldn’t miss it.
I’ve been all ionized salt at home for several months.
I have had my wife and son try the thermometer and it is good. No temp issues with either of them.
I have read the stickies several times and will re-read today. Checked out Wilson’s website, will get and read the book.
Makes sense on the Synthroid.
I have been through some really bad stuff with my mouth over the last few years. Lots of infections, a few bone plate surgeries, surgery to remove wisdom teeth twenty years late. All kinds of crazy orthodontic appliances currently. University of Texas is doing it, first one, they are writing a few books on it. I have suspected this as an explanation for my low T and Hypothyroidism.