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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bissie66 on January 23, 2001, at 13:03:45
Noa, I have been reading your various posts about hypothyroidism, and have check out your folder, and a website you recommended. I just wanted to thank you; thanks to the information I got here, when I went to an appointment with my priamry care doc yesterday, i talked to him about how research shows most people feel better with TSH levels between 1 and 2. I thought he'd disregard what i was saying but he said he's read new research on this too and thinks it's a good idea to try to lower my TSH level; he even said to below 1 (which I think is what you said you like). My current TSH level is 3.34 (as of last test in June '00) and I take 88 mcg of Synthroid a day. 3.34, as you know, is in the normal range, but after reading info. here I'm thinking it's a little high. I'm looking forward to seeing if this helps with my depression and lethergy. He drew blood yesterday.
thanks again!
Posted by Noa on January 24, 2001, at 12:10:13
In reply to Noa -- hypothyroidism, posted by bissie66 on January 23, 2001, at 13:03:45
Hey--good luck--I do hope it helps! Sounds like you have a good doctor!!
Posted by Noa on January 24, 2001, at 12:11:35
In reply to Noa -- hypothyroidism, posted by bissie66 on January 23, 2001, at 13:03:45
Also, you might want to talk to the doc about supplementing the synthroid with cytomel if the increased synthroid dose doesn't do the trick in making you feel better. But remember that cytomel is shorter acting and needs to be in split doses.
Posted by bissie66 on January 24, 2001, at 15:42:25
In reply to Re: Noa -- hypothyroidism-PS, posted by Noa on January 24, 2001, at 12:11:35
> Also, you might want to talk to the doc about supplementing the synthroid with cytomel if the increased synthroid dose doesn't do the trick in making you feel better. But remember that cytomel is shorter acting and needs to be in split doses.
Thank you very much for this tip, Noa. Can you tell me Cytomel is, or what it does? Do you take it? At what level do you try to keep your TSH?
Posted by Noa on January 28, 2001, at 15:16:14
In reply to Re: Noa -- hypothyroidism-PS, posted by bissie66 on January 24, 2001, at 15:42:25
Cytomel is one of the brands of T3, while synthroid is T4. T4 is thyroid with 4 iodine molecules (atoms? sorry--non-scientist here and I always get these mixed up) and cytomel has three iodines. T4 is more stable--this is the form that thyroid hormone is stored in the body. But T3 is the active form that the cells of the body use. It is less stable. Usually, the body converts T4 to T3 as needed, but some people don't convert enough of it. In psychiatry, especially, doctors have found that T3 helps to potentiate the effects of antidepressants.
BTW, with thyroid hormones, pick a brand, any brand, and stick with it. Generics are less reliable as to potency, and you want to stay with the same brand, whatever it is, for consistency.
Posted by bissie66 on January 29, 2001, at 14:34:57
In reply to Re: Noa -- hypothyroidism-PS, posted by Noa on January 28, 2001, at 15:16:14
> Cytomel is one of the brands of T3, while synthroid is T4. T4 is thyroid with 4 iodine molecules (atoms? sorry--non-scientist here and I always get these mixed up) and cytomel has three iodines. T4 is more stable--this is the form that thyroid hormone is stored in the body. But T3 is the active form that the cells of the body use. It is less stable. Usually, the body converts T4 to T3 as needed, but some people don't convert enough of it. In psychiatry, especially, doctors have found that T3 helps to potentiate the effects of antidepressants.
>
> BTW, with thyroid hormones, pick a brand, any brand, and stick with it. Generics are less reliable as to potency, and you want to stay with the same brand, whatever it is, for consistency.Thank you very much for the info. I just got my blood results back, and my TSH was 1.52, not too high, but my doctor is still raising my dose from .88 to 1 mcg. He wants to get me below 1. I'm so glad he's up on this research.
I take Levoxyl, and have since I was diagnosed about 3 years ago. That's generic synthroid. So you think it might not be as reliable as synthroid?
Posted by Noa on January 30, 2001, at 6:53:50
In reply to Re: Noa -- hypothyroidism-PS, posted by bissie66 on January 29, 2001, at 14:34:57
Is it GENERIC? I thought it was just another BRAND.
If it is generic, ask your pharmacist and doctor about whether the potential inconsistency in potency could be contributing to your not feeling so well.
Also, if you don't feel better with a TSH of below 1, perhaps you might consider asking your doc about reducing the levoxyl and adding a small amount of cytomel (broken into two doses). I am glad you have a doc who is up on the research.
This is the end of the thread.
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