Lots of members at metabolism.com with hypothyroidism ask what is their correct thyroid hormone dosage. For those who are still confused I am posting the latest Q and A addressing this issue.
Member ecchho received radioactive iodine for hyperthyroidism (over-active thyroid) and as commonly happens, developed hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid). Despite t4 levels which appear to be [...]
Mary…you’ve made my day! I am glad you found my suggestion about “how to talk to your endocrinologist”, helpful. I am absolutely serious about approaching your physician in this way, since it makes them aware valid new information is available explaining why some people need t3 to recover from symptoms of hypothyroidism. This [...]
Prosanta asks metabolism.com if her thyroid blood test results indicate that treatment with t4 is required. I suspect that she is also wondering if other forms of treatment might be better (Armour Thyroid for example).
Here is what Prosanta writes:
Iamsuffering from Diabetes type2.recently on routine Blood test—
FT3(ECLIA) 2.33pg/ml
FT4 1.07ng/ml
TSH 9.32microIU/ml
AntiThyroid Peroxidase 37.02IU/ml
Do I need to take [...]
Treatment of hypothyroidism (low thyroid function) is accomplished by administering thyroid hormone by mouth in sufficient amounts to restore levels back to normal. At first glance this might seem like a simple goal to achieve. The truth is hormone replacement therapy is complex because there exists two very different thyroid hormones and because levels of [...]
Good things can develop during a crisis situation. For me it was the eye opening experience I had this week by participating in The Thyroid Patient Community Call. The Thyroid Patient Community Call is a group internet telephone call hosted by Janie Bowthorpe, author of Stop The Thyroid Madness. During the 90 minute session [...]
Eric Pritchard brings great insight showing how, for years, the field of endocrinology failed to acknowledge growing evidence of the inadequacy of “t4 only” therapy for hypothyroidism. Eric puts together the historical clues that should have paved the way for acceptance of t4 plus t3 therapy . We are now seeing almost irrefutable evidence ** [...]
Do you wonder if you need t3 (Cytomel, triiodothyronine, liothyronine) added to your thyroid hormone treatment to feel normal again? The answer could be in your genes.
Recent discoveries reviewed by Antonio C. Bianco, M.D., Ph.D. at the recent American Thyroid Association meeting, reveal how genetic differences influence the effectiveness of thyroid hormone replacement. [...]
Lawrence Mallette, M.D., PhD, reports to us on how the Armour shortage has effected his practice, and shares with metabolism.com his advice on how to handle replacement therapy. We appreciate Dr. Mallette’s comments.
Dr. Mallette Writes:
The shortage of Armour Thyroid and other brands of thryoid extract has devastated my office. We have received [...]
Samantha, Nurse Practitioner in New York reports on the effect the national shortage of dessicated thyroid products is having on health care in her area. My own experience is that the situation is getting worse here in Florida, as well. Nature Thyroid and Westhroid which we had hoped would replace Armour in this [...]
Earlier, (http://www.metabolism.com/2009/01/21/dear-dr-repas/) I wrote a letter to Dr. Thomas Repas, explaining why I disagreed with his publication which opposes combination treatment for hypothyroidism (using t3 in addition to the traditional t4 therapy). I never received a reply to my letter. Somehow I wasn’t surprised.
His latest article appearing in the February 10, 2009 edition [...]
