Medical Records to Date
Here it is: the bare-bones history of my test results, vital stats and prescriptions since my first TSH test in September. In most cases, the prescription and vitals listed for a particular month were taken/written ~4 days after the blood tests were drawn, so I’ve just grouped them all together.
- September 2005
- Labs: (27 Sept.) TSH: 150.0 uIU/mL (normal: 0.350–5.500)
Vitals: T:98.5 BP:124/92 HR:68 W:199.25 - October 2005
- Labs: (06 Oct.) T4, Free (Direct): 0.36 ng/dL (normal 0.61–1.76)
Triiodothyronine, Free, Serum (T3): 1.5 pg/mL (normal: 2.3–4.2)
Vitals: T:98.3 BP:108/82 HR:70 W:198.5
Prescription: 125mcg levothyroxine (generic) - Thyromine (thyroid/adrenal glandular with supportive herbs and amino acids)
- TwinLab Women’s Ultra Daily Multivitamin (has a lot of herbal ingredients on top of a very complete multi-vit … including selenium and 100% iodine) [added: I read the back of the bottle, and realized the values on the label were for a dose of FOUR capsules. So I'm taking two, which is still more than 100% of most things.]
- NOW B-50 (I’m debating whether I need this … The TwinLab multi covers the same nutrients as the B-50. But I figure that just means it’s the equivalent of taking a B-100, right?)
- Schiff “Guided Mineral” Cal-Mag-Zinc (chelated, plus Vit. D for proper absorption) [added: You're supposed to take two of these as well. Eep!]
Went in for initial exam, had a gazillion blood tests ordered.
Returned for test results, was given initial prescription, and sent for more bloodwork.
My current regimen
Well, here’s what I’m going to be taking starting later this week (when my old vitamin packs run out):
Morning:
Mid afternoon: 30mg Armour
Late afternoon: 30mg Armour
Bedtime: 45mg Armour Read more
Update, finally! (more Armour adjustments)
So, I met with my PhA last week, and got a new prescription (yet AGAIN … AUGH!!!). Taking two 120mg of Armour per day pushed my TSH down to .035, while leaving my Free T’s not-very-different from the previous 90mg/day dose (which left my TSH at 2.4, as I recall?). But I’d been losing weight and feeling pretty good, so I practically begged to be left at the 120mg/day dose. No dice.
Now I am taking 1/2 of a 90mg pill at bed time, and a 60mg pill during the day. For the time being, I am splitting the 60mg into two 30mg doses, because I noticed serious drowsiness hitting at around 7-8pm (even before the new ’scrip). So, schedule is as follows: 45mg at bedtime, Thyromine/vitamins first thing in the morning, 30mg Armour around 2-3pm, 30mg Armour around 7-8pm.
I woke up at around 8am today, feeling more alert than I had in any recent mornings … so the lower dose may be an improvement? Lord, I hope so.
Read more
Armour Troubleshooting & New Supplements
Well, I’ve been on the higher dose of Armour for a bit now, and there’s no sign of my morning drowsiness going away. So, prompted by a comment from “Newbie” in another post, I’m going to try a little experiment. Thus far, I have taken half my Armour dose at 9am and the other half at 9pm, figuring that schedule would give the most stable T3 levels throughout the day. And I have yet to come close to the morning “get up and go” I had on levothyroxin. Which is a bummer. I feel better mentally, but I haven’t gotten out of bed before 9am in weeks, and it’s just not working.
So, starting tonight, I’m going to take my second dose when I go to bed (generally around midnight). We’ll see if that helps. Stay tuned for results. Hopefully, T3 being so fast acting, I’ll have a pretty good idea of whether it’s making a difference within a few days.
Read more
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.
Read more