General Medicine

» u25000 - synthroid and Pred

Elaine wondering if you can tell me if Prednisone interferes w/Lt4, like iron and calcium and food?

-- posted by u25000

» acaryjohnson - latest labs

Hi Elaine, I hope you are well. It's been 2-3 months since I last wrote, so I've got my new labs. Per your recommendation I've been down to 25mg PTU/day, but to be honest, most of the days in this last month I've actually taken 12.5mg/day. My latest labs are: TSH: 1.41uIU/ML, FT4: 0.7ng/dL, FT3: 3.0pg/mL. I believe this shows I'm still slightly hypo, does it not? I'm not sure if I can cut the pills up much smaller, but I can try. Or should I go off it altogether? It's frustrating that my doctor, despite the fact that I told him I've been on a lower dose, just offered to put me on a one-a-day (tapazole I think) so that I don't 'forget' to take my full dose rather than actually officially lower my dose. Thanks so much for your advice!
By the way, I'm on facebook now and in a graves disease group and have been referring people to this site to get advice from you.
Amy

-- posted by acaryjohnson

» nurseheatherone - New Labs!

In response to New Labs! posted by nurseheatherone:

Hi Elaine, I am super excited Mary Shoman's DR. ( the one I mentioned a while back) called me and said that they have an opening for tomorrow! I was not able to get a appointment with her until the end of February! I am really hoping she can help!
especially with all of these supplements!
Thanks, Heather

-- posted by nurseheatherone

» Elaine Moore - New Labs!

In response to New Labs! posted by nurseheatherone:

Hi Heather,
Carnitine is helpful for everyone; it helps the cellular mitochondria produce more energy and overall helps with your nutrient assimilation. I agree that exercise would probably help you a great deal. Best, Elaine

» Elaine Moore - latest labs

In response to latest labs posted by acaryjohnson:

Hi Amy,
Thanks for sending people my way.
I agree that with your 0.7 FT4 you'd be considered hypothyroid. I'd try taking the 1.25 mg every other day. If after 6 weeks or so you're secreting TSH normally like with levels between 0.3 and 1.0, you could consider stopping meds as this would indicate remission. Best to you, Elaine

» Elaine Moore - New Labs!

In response to New Labs! posted by nurseheatherone:

Hi Heather,
That's great news. Be sure to let us know how your appointment goes. Take care, Elaine

» aviano - Internal Racing Feeling

Dear Elaine:
Thank you so much for your help on past issues. I wanted to talk to you today about a very uncomfortable symptom which may be related to my Graves/Hashi's, which happens when I add in estrogen/some nutrients, or when I am having "allergic" symptoms..Quite simply, I feel like I am on speed, or have had a triple espresso on an empty stomach. Very wired, very uncomfortable. It seemed to kick in this am about an hour after 1/2 gr of Armour. When this first started in '04, my free T4 levels were higher than normal (1.65), Free T3 was a little higher than normal and TOTAL T3 was seriously elevated (222, scale of 85-205; after decreasing Armour from 1 1/2 grains to 1 1/4 for over a week).
As I've posted many times, TSI/free testosterone were elevated as well, so I'm not sure what to blame for the problem. I think I've also posted that sometimes I can have this "feeling" transiently when Free T4/T3 levels at least APPEAR to look okay (my doc won't check total T3 unless I ask).
What are you thoughts on this and what to do about it? They psy docs want to call this mania, but there seems to be a clear pattern to this. I am also working with an ENT (who incidentally is the one who told me to read your book) that I'm sure will heed your advice.
Thank you ever so much.
Avi

-- posted by aviano

» aviano - low dose naltrexone

Hi again Elaine:
Someone on the Graves support board posted that [I think] you had tried Naltrexone..Was that you or someone else? I've read your article on it and plan to read it again. Is it really worth a whirl?
Thanks!
Avi

-- posted by aviano

» aviano - Internal racing, also elevated ketones

Hi Elaine:
When this symptom first showed up, I also started to lose a ton of weight and had elevated ketone bodies.
Thanks,
Avi

-- posted by aviano

» Elaine Moore - Internal Racing Feeling

In response to Internal Racing Feeling posted by aviano:

Hi Avi,
When people first start Armour, they have symptoms similar to those you mention 30-60 min. after the dose even when their thryoid hormone levels are low. These symptoms typically resolve within a week or two although they return when the dose is increased even when levels are normal. However, if they persist or develop anew in someone on meds it's often from the dose being too high, especially when FT3 is too high. These symptoms can also occur in people taking their dose all at one time. It's best to take Armour in divided doses. I take 1 grain every 8 hrs.
You may want to cut the dose or try dividing the dose if you're taking it all at once, taking 1/2 of each dose every 12 hrs or even 1/3 of the dose every 8 hrs. This would provide more stable blood levels. Best, Elaine