Causes of Hypothyroidism: Congenital Causes
Posted on: June 11, 2006 | Posted in: Medical Information
Some people are born with hypothyroidism, for a variety of reasons. Infants with untreated congenital hypothyroidism can develop a number of serious developmental problems as they mature, including mental retardation and stunted growth—a condition once known as “cretinism” (think of that next time you want to call someone a “cretin”, eh? I don’t think I’ve used that particular insult in months, for just that reason!).
Some cases of congenital hypothyroidism seem to stem from developmental issues during pregnancy. The child’s thyroid gland may be underdeveloped or may no have descended to its proper location. In another condition, known as Thyroid Dyshormonogenesis, the infant’s thyroid gland simply fails to produce adequate hormone output, although it appears normal. In cases where the thyroid gland is abnormal, treatment will most likely last the rest of the child’s life.
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TSH: One size does NOT fit all
Posted on: June 10, 2006 | Posted in: Medical Information
As I’ve mentioned here before, in 2003 the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists recommended that the “normal” range of TSH be changed from 0.5–5.0 to 0.3–3.04. However, for those of you who still feel crummy anywhere above 2.0, there’s still hope to convince your doctor: Way back in 2002, the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry suggested the ceiling for “normal” TSH be lowered to 2.5, “because >95% of rigorously screened normal euthyroid volunteers have serum TSH values between 0.4 and 2.5 mIU/L.”
So, my repeated comments here that folks without thyroid problems generally have a TSH around or below 1 is somewhat incorrect. There is a wider range of truly “normal” TSH values than I had heard, but a narrower range of normal TSH than most doctors use when evaluating their patients’ test results. In fact, the NACB stated that, “A serum TSH result between 0.5 and 2.0 mIU/L is generally considered the therapeutic target for a standard L-T4 replacement dose for primary hypothyroidism.”
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Armour Troubleshooting & New Supplements
Posted on: June 8, 2006 | Posted in: My Story
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.
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A few assorted facts …
Posted on: May 31, 2006 | Posted in: Medical Information
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
Posted on: May 12, 2006 | Posted in: My Story
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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