A few assorted facts …
I thought I’d just do a “quick review” entry of a few basic facts about hypothyroidism and the treatments for it, based on my own research. Mind you (once again) I am not a doctor. But I figure if multiple reputable sources all agree on a certain point, it’s most likely true.
- The current “normal” range for TSH tests is NOT 0.5–5.5. In November of 2002, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists updated the “normal” range to 0.3–3.04. In “real life” people without thyroid problems generally have a TSH around 1.0 or lower.
- Thyroid hormone medication is not a “drug” with dangerous side effects, even if you are pregnant. Synthroid, Armour, Cytomel, Thyrolar and their generic/off-brand equivalents function by replacing thyroid hormones your body is not producing. So—especially if you are pregnant, or in some other physically “high stress” situation—it is important to get your thyroid levels up where they should be, so your body’s metabolism is functioning properly.
- There is no single best thyroid medication for everyone. Some people say they feel better on “natural” medication like Armour, some people say they feel better using synthetic hormone replacements like levothyroxin. Some people need T3 in their medication to feel their best, some people do better on T4 only treatment. Some people can’t tell the difference.
Armour: Update & a new Rx
Well, so. I’ve been on Armour for about 8 weeks now, and went in for my follow up bloodwork this week. Just got back from the Dr’s office with a shiny new prescription to drop off at the pharmacy…
See, when last we spoke, I was on levothyroxin (generic) @ 150mcg, and my TSH was a lovely, low .85. My T4 was at the high end of normal and my T3 was at the low end… and I said, “Nope, not good enough. Still feeling a little fuzzy-headed. Still want to try Armour.” So I was sent off with a 90mg scrip, and instructions to take half a pill morning and night.
As the weeks went by, it seemed like my cognitive symptoms were improving. Not so fuzzy-headed anymore. Not so forgetful (procrastinating like a bastard, sure, but not fuzzy-headed-ly). In little, hard to quantify ways I was definitely feeling better in the head… but I noticed one BIG relapse: I can not wake up in the morning. I wake up baggy-eyed, and exhausted, and I roll over and fall back asleep. Just like the old days. Ugh. In the short time I’d turned into an early-riser, I really got to like that extra hour or two of puttering around in the morning… and this morning, I woke up at 7:30, said to myself I’d get up at 8, rolled over and the next thing I knew it was 9… and I was still as exhausted as I was at 7:30. Feh. And my achy joints were acting up again too. Waking up exhausted with a sore neck is no fun.
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Unexpected side-effects?
Well, after more than 6 months on medication, I have decided the following “issues” are definitely effects of my thyroid medication…
- Greasy hair. I used to be able to get away with a shower twice a week. Now if I don’t wash my hair every other day, it gets all greasy and stringy-looking. If this eventually leads to fewer split ends, it may be worth it, but dammit, I use expensive shampoo!
- Blemishes. People. This is just not cool. I didn’t break out when I was a teenager for goodness sake! (I’m inclined to blame this specifically on the Armour too, because I’ve only noticed it for the last month or so… I’ve actually had — the horror! — two pimples at once!!)