[Anonymous]

#1127295

Hi Donnalynn. This is a very tricky subject, and it’s hard to know how to help you much. If your new doctor is the kind who will listen and work with you to find the answers to your symptoms, you will probably do well. If not, nothing you say to him will probably help.

You might ask this doctor straight out if he is willing to work with you to find a TSH and replacment hormone that are right for you. It wouldn’t hurt to ask about trying replacement hormone with both T4 and T3. If you have little thyroid tissue left, you aren’t getting any of the T3 your own thyroid made, and some people never do feel well without it (I’m one of them). If this doctor isn’t responsive, don’t waste your time. It can be rather hard to find a doctor who will work with you, but it’s worth the effort.

If my math is right, you are only in your early thirties, but since it is possible to have problems with female hormones even at your age, you might ask about having those levels checked as well, especially since you’ve noticed your periods getting lighter and further apart. My understanding is that it’s usually the opposite with hypothyroidism, though anything is possible.

I was able to get total relief from all the symptoms you describe by taking Armour thyroid twice a day (to keep the T3 levels more even). Even so, my TSH has risen to around 2 and the old symptoms are all back. I see my endo the day after tomorrow, and he takes my symptoms seriously, so I know he’ll raise my Armour enough to make my TSH around 0.5 where I feel healthy.

I hope it goes well for you with the new doctor. Let us know!

Dianne W
NGDF Asst. Online Facilitator

[Anonymous]

#1039261

HELP! I’m going to a new doctor on Thursday because the endo that I saw last month pretty much blew me off. I was diagnosed with Graves 19 years ago (age 13)…it’s hereditary traced back 5 generations. I went into remission at age 20; at age 21 went into thyroid storm, and a doctor treated me with PTU, Enderal, and then 6 months later I did RAI to delete my thyroid. There is NO evidence that I have any thyroid tissue left. I have been on .125 mg/day of synthroid since 1991. At around age 30 my levels began to shift and I started feeling more hypo. Now I’m almost 33 and I’m showing LOTS of signs of being hypo. However, my tests still show me in the “normal range” (2.0 for TSH). From what I’ve read in here, the normal range is way too large and not many people feel good at that level. I’m miserable! The last endo did diagnose the arrhythmia, and in the last 2 weeks I’ve started having chest pains. I remember getting them as a pre-teen when all of this started. My periods are less frequent and shorter, my memory isn’t too good, I’m gaining weight although I don’t have much of an appetite, I’m requiring way too much sleep, I can’t concentrate, I’m feeling depressed…and on and on. I need to know what info I can take this new doctor (an internist…no endos where I live) that will help her to know more about Graves. I didn’t have many choices of doctors and although I hear she’s a wonderful doctor I don’t know how much she knows about Graves. ANY help would be appreciated!!! THANKS!!!

Donnalynn

[Author]

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