Thyroid Update, Part ??
Recently I received a request from a reader to discuss the latest happenings with my thyroid. It has been several months since I last mentioned it, so it’s high time I provide an update for those of you who are interested.
So, where was I? Oh yes. My last post on this topic was about 5 months ago after a very disappointing visit with my endocrinologist. The Synthroid medication clearly was not working, so he prescribed me a different medication called Armour. I’ve been taking 90mg tablets 2x per day.
The first week with the medication was a little rocky. I had been warned by my doctor that the Armour medication may cause insomnia for the first few days—and he was right. For the first three nights after taking the medication, I felt like I had a rapid heart rate and pent up anxiety. Such symptoms are totally atypical for me—I usually sleep like a log. Fortunately, those side effects subsided shortly, and my body adjusted.
As for the effectiveness, the new medication seems to be working. I returned to the doctor last December and was delighted to find that I had lost six pounds! That’s a weight loss of two pounds per month—slow but steady.
My doctor and I discussed the possibility of increasing my dosage a tad since I was tolerating the medication so well. However, once I got my lab results from that visit, my hormone levels (T3/T4) were on the high side, so the endocrinologist decided it was best to stay on my current dosage.
Since that December appointment, I’ve lost another four pounds, which brings me to about 15 pounds above my normal weight. I can’t say for certain whether that weight loss is due to the medication or the fact that I’ve been particularly vigilant about my running regimen recently. Regardless, I am pleased that my body seems to be responding to something.
Because my last check-up went so well, I don’t need to go back to the doctor until June. Here’s hoping that things keep going in the same direction…
Thanks for all your support throughout this process!
Filed under: Health News
Caroline Cohen, MS
Hi!!
I’m taking Synthroid right now but why wasn’t it working (In your case)?
Glad to hear you are feeling better and something is working for you!
That’s great to hear Caroline! So glad you found something that is working and you are starting to feel better
I am 27 and I think it’s been 8 or 9 years now that I have a underative thyroid like you. I take 75 ml just once a day and half that on weekends. It may not be as strong as yours but I did want to let you know that I have been able to maintain my weight and I think it will get easier now that they have you at your correct dosage, I don’t know if you know this but many, many woman have some kind of thyroid issue that goes undiagnosed. I only discovered mine because for years when I was younger, I had no period. It just stopped after 4 years, nothing related to the thyroid. I have it back now but I would have never of been diagnosed. How did you find out about yours?
BroccoliHut Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 5:22 pm
Interestingly enough, I discovered my underactive thyroid in the same way. I had amenorrhea for four years, so I sought out a gynecologist who also happened to be a endocrinologist. She tests thyroid hormones as a matter of routine, and she noticed that my levels were abnormal. That was about three and a half years ago.
I am continually surprised by just how many women do have thyroid issues–no wonder Synthroid is one of the most commonly prescribed medications!
Caroline, just remember that you are perfect and beautiful exactly as you are. To the extent that there are issues with your chemistry, of course you want those addressed. You eat and exercise better than anyone I know, so,stick with that and, hopefully, the Armour will handle the thyroid malfunction. Has the fatigue dissipated? XOX
BroccoliHut Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 5:24 pm
“Caroline, just remember that you are perfect and beautiful exactly as you are.”
Spoken like a true mother. Thanks, Mom.
As for the fatigue, I still need my 8+ hours of sleep every night, but I think it’s improving. It’s hard to tell today since I’m not feeling 100%.
thank you!!!!;-)
BroccoliHut Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 5:24 pm
You’re so very welcome
glad to hear your new regimen seems to be working! I’ve never heard of armour but maybe i’ll ask my doctor about it. my current GP is disinclined to do anything about my increasing TSH – up from about 1 to about 3 in 3 months. i guess i might have to get an endocrinologist on board with getting that number to go down instead of up!
BroccoliHut Reply:
February 11th, 2013 at 5:25 pm
I would recommend seeing someone who deals with thyroid disorders on a regular basis (i.e., an endocrinologist). I had a hard time getting the care I needed from the doctor who diagnosed me because she is primarily a gynecologist.
I’m glad to hear your body is responding well to the medicine after the rocky adjustment time, Caroline. Hope you’ll continue getting better!
So glad to hear there’s some good news on that front! You, of course, do not need to be as thin as you were before. But you obviously need all your levels to be correct so I’m glad to hear the news meds work well for you.
So glad to hear things have been going better! Sorry about the insomnia… that’s a stress in and of itself. Happy it’s passed!