Posted by Troubled1 on February 10, 2005, at 20:39:09
In reply to Anyone had success on Effexor XR? , posted by jp on October 24, 1999, at 14:59:14
Hey all. I was reluctant to get into any more detail yesterday as my post was already incredibly long. I fear that this one will be as well but is important enough to write. I am not an MD but have been told that the thyroid is like the control centre for the body. If it isn't functioning properly, many other things, seemingly unrelated, can go wrong. I was diagnosed as hypothyroid in 1996. In 1995, I was noticing fatigue and just a general feeling of not being myself. I used to have energy to spare. I would jump out of bed in the morning and start vacuuming. I was also a real social butterfly. The change occurred too suddenly for me to be comfortable with. I did not feel stressed out or depressed; just simply really tired. If I rented a movie, I would fall asleep trying to watch it. I went to my GP who tested my TSH and said it was a bit high so had me go back for a different, supposedly more sensitive, test. I was told that it came back okay so the first test must have been wrong. WRONG! After another full year of feeling crappy, my gynecologist ran a full blood panel and, surprise, surprise, I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and referred to an endocrinologist who I continue to see to date. I have been on Synthroid since that time. My TSH levels fluctuate but have remained in the so-called normal range. It wasn't until this horrible debilitating depression set in that I really started to research hypothyroidism. Everything seemed to fall into place. I discovered that physical problems that I have suffered from and am being treated by various specialists for (IBS, IC, chronic sinusitis, migraines, endometriosis, adult acne, etc.)are all common in those with hypothyroidism. I guess some people do great on Synthroid and the other common meds used to stabilize TSH, T4 levels, however, despite my levels always being within the "normal" range, I have consistently reported feeling fatigued and not quite like I was prior to the condition developing. I began a crusade to find out more. I want to be sure that the primary cause of my problems is being treated properly rather than the symptoms all separately. I came across some interested stuff on the internet re T3 levels. Most doctors do not test T3. When your body is performing as it should, it will take the T4 you get from Synthroid, etc. and convert it into T3. T3 is actually the more powerful hormone and is responsible for many things. Most doctors assume that your body is doing the conversion for you, therefore, they only feel the need to supplement your T4. If your T4 tests say that your TSH is within the normal range, they expect you to feel great. Recent studies, however, have shown that this is not the case with a large percentage of hypothyroid patients. When these patients participated in a blind, controlled study in which they were actually given T3 and T4 for a period of time, and just T4 for the same length of time (not knowing which they were on each time), a huge majority of them reported feeling better when T3 was given as well. The reason I mention this study here is that the study was done to measure mood more than anything else. The participants filled out questionaires after each period of treatment. Those who had T3 & T4 first, reported improved mood during that period and poorer moods when on T4 only. Those who had T4 only first, rated moods as poor during first period and improved during second (T3 added). Unfortunately, a lot of doctors are hesitant to add T3 to T4 as these studies are new, therefore, have not been repeated numerous times yet. This frustrates me as they are not the ones who feel like crap. I have decided to discuss this with my endocrinologist next week and ask him to add T3 to my treatment. If he refuses, I will look for a new doctor who will. There are testimonials on the internet from those whose doctors were open-minded and agreed to try the T3 treatment. These patients report feeling so much better now. It's worth a try. The worst that can happen is that it doesn't make a difference for me. At least I will have tried and will not be wondering if I could feel so much better if only had a doc who was willing to try with me. Hope this info is helpful to those of you who are hypothyroid. Will keep in touch and be here for everyone. Take care.
Karen
poster:Troubled1
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050207/msgs/456075.html