Posted by anneL on April 22, 2005, at 2:03:36 [reposted on April 23, 2005, at 14:25:07 | original URL]
In reply to Hashimoto's and antidepres.. Input please!, posted by florence on April 21, 2005, at 18:17:25
Hi Florence,
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease that affects the thyroid gland. My thyroid disease was discoverd within 6 to 9 months after the birth of my first child. She is now turning 21! I had a thyroid scan to rule out any other problems and have been taking thyroid replacement
(Levothyroxine - a generic T4 replacement) ever since. I have been stable at 0.15 mg. (150 mcg) daily for the last 10 years. I get a thyroid panel T3, T-uptake, T4 and TSH twice a year. My antibody levels are well over 900 which my endocrinologist indicates that my autoimmune process is still very much active. Thankfully, I have been stable. I don't know much about Armour thyroid except that it is a natural product (dessicated pig's thyroid glands?), but that it is difficult to get the right dosing down. Some people do well with T3 (Cytomel) and T4 (Levothyroxine, Synthroid - all synthetics).Important thing to know is that most women feel best with a TSH below 2.0, even though high-normal is considered to be 5.55. I felt like a slug with levels greater than 3.5 It is a common disorder, particularly in women, the cause is unknown, other than it is autoimmune (Hashimoto's Thyroiditis)process. Diligence, proper follow-up and taking your medication every single morning on an empty stomach and never taking your thyroid replacement with soy products (at the same time) are essential. Soy products bind T4 and reduce your T4 levels. I take my med first thing in the morning with my coffee then have my breakfast an hour later. So far, so good. Take Care, anneL
poster:anneL
thread:488370
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20050411/msgs/488370.html