That thyroid is a fickle sucker!!!!!

[Maria3667]

When I first started in nursing we used a lot of the dessicated thyroid extract as I think it was called. It was made by Armour from thyroids of pigs. I have heard it said that some people swear that their body has a different odor when on this med. I never heard anyone "oink" though.

I never noticed the smell or the oinks - but lately I noticed my pony tail becoming more curly...  

[Cheryl]

Thanks to all of you for the laughs!     Best wishes for improved thyroid function!
Cheryl

[Linda196]

Well, one thing is apparent...thyroid dysfunction doesn't effect sense of humor!

The biggest difference between synthetics like Synthroid and naturals like Armour, (other than source and possible perfume) is the presence of T3 in the natural compound which is missing in the synthetic. T3 increases the bioavailability of T4, and if it's low, no matter how "normal" our T4 level and TSH, we may just not be able to use the T4, and the body, sensing a normal amount, doesn't call for more (TSH is "thyroid sensing hormone" and if it senses a normal amount, it stays in normal range).

Irish, there is synthetic T3 supplementation available, if your doctor is married to the idea of synthetics (and theres a practical reason for this, as the naturals can cause sensitization in some people, much like beef and/or pork insulin used to do). I realize you probably already know this stuff, Irish, but I'm the type that, when my thyroid levels fluctuate one of the first casualties is my functioning knowledge of nursing pharm, and it can all bear repeating once in a while.

[irish]

Thanks Linda, I just called my immunologist also as I am wondering if he has anything to add to this mix. I did talk to the triage nurse about going back to the Synthroid as I was told years ago to never take anything but Synthroid. However, the insurance companies like to tell us what to use, thus my change to the levothyroxin.

Yeah, I know about the brain going!!!! Mine is always gone when I am sicker than the norm. I really hate that cause one can't make any important decisions, etc when your brain gets like this.

By important decision I mean, should I make sloppy Joes or meat loaf from my hamburger!!!!!! Any decision becomes mind boggling and very hard to understand. Thanks Linda. I wish I could see the curl in Maria's ponytail!!!! Irish

[Calli66]

What do you guys think of the dessicated thyroid help sites like http://forums.realthyroidhelp.com/ and http://www.thyroidboards.com/index.php and http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/causes-of-hypo/?

I have been on synthetic for 3 years, but my mother takes the dessicated. I'm beginning to realize the synthetic is not working well for me. I did OK at first, but all my hypo symptoms are returning, despite increase in dosage.

I am learning a lot from those forums---especially that none of these meds are simple "fixes" and must be approached with knowledge, caution, and patience.

My doctor keeps telling me that "Oh, the synthetic hormone is preferable because it is more exact dosage-wise." That's about the extent of her comments. But what's different is our body's uptake and conversion. I read that having gastrointestinal problems can interfere with hormone conversion----GI issues---THAT is definitely me. It's a "chicken or the egg" thing----when I get hypo, I can't digest anything---or maybe when my GI problems get bad, I go hypo. Who knows?

Calli

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

Usually the difference between the synthetic and the animal thyroid is that the synthetic does not include T3 unles it's added. Some people find it hard to convert T4 (Synthroid/thyroxine/levothyroxine) into T3 which is what we need to do to function.

Selenium - either a supplement or eating brazil nuts (high in selenium) can help that conversion but some people just don't convert - and need additional T3 to be able to.

Correct dosage for the thyroid does not seem to be an exact science. Even experts diagree on an optimal TSH range - and I'm not expert enough to know whether they disagree about optimal T4 T3 and free T3 and T4.

Take care - Scottie 

[Carebear]

Hi Irish,

Sorry to hear you're feeling like "crap" these days. 

I know how you feel because my TSH goes up and down like a roller coaster...grant it, it's a slow roller coaster.    This has only been in the last fours years.  For the twenty years prior, my TSH had been relatively stable.  These days I have to change the dosage two or three times annually. 

Any thoughts on the cause?

[irish]

carebear, I don't have a clue as to the cause of this. It seems to go in streaks and usually I can just decrease or increase the one time and seems to be the answer. This time I have felt so darn terrible. I can lost my temper at the drop of a pin and have to really work hard to maintain equilibrium.

When I did a search for the symptoms of over medicating which causes the hyperthyroid symptoms I had every single symptoms that was listed.

I think that someone mentioned the absorption of the medication and that really makes sense. Especially when one takes meds for GERD. I hope someone can come up with a more specific explaination. Thanks Irish

[Tinker]

Everybody already said it.....you are the bomb, my dear.   I know many things can throw the readings off.  Take it easy and just know that we love you and send you our hugs and kisses to feel better asap.  We need you!   

[BonusMom]

Hats off to all of you who not only fight the brain fog of SjS, but then the fickle thyroid.  With this blonde, I would be living up to every stereotype there is....and then some!  I don't know how you remember what you do or decipher what you're told, but W0W!  My brain is tired just reading about it.  I think I'd better go take a nap.