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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jerryTRD on August 2, 2010, at 17:40:47
So my doc put me on Synthroid 50mcg because they finally found my TSH and T4 were really low. However after starting the Synthroid I became incredibly depressed, had tightness in my chest and was extremely lethargic. Just saw my doc today and she said to stop taking it. The other choice was Cytomel but she didn't want to start me on anything else until the Synthroid was out of my system. Now she has decided she wants me to see an Endocrinologist because my Testosterone levels are a bit low as well.
Anyone ever heard of such a bad reaction to Synthroid?
Jerry
Posted by Phillipa on August 2, 2010, at 18:03:17
In reply to Horrible reaction to Synthroid, posted by jerryTRD on August 2, 2010, at 17:40:47
Jerry do you know what at least your TSH is as I see an endo and he has me on synthroid and I hate it. I feel when my numbers were higher had more energy and felt better. Exactly the opposite of what's supposed to be. I've heard cytomel only treats t3. See if you can go the natural route with armour thyroid. Might want to join Mary Shomans newsletter online she the thyroid expert. Phillipa ps there was a shortage of armour and quite a few pharmacies were or are compounding their own. Good Luck keep up posted
Posted by jerryTRD on August 2, 2010, at 18:30:07
In reply to Re: Horrible reaction to Synthroid » jerryTRD, posted by Phillipa on August 2, 2010, at 18:03:17
> Jerry do you know what at least your TSH is as I see an endo and he has me on synthroid and I hate it. I feel when my numbers were higher had more energy and felt better. Exactly the opposite of what's supposed to be. I've heard cytomel only treats t3. See if you can go the natural route with armour thyroid. Might want to join Mary Shomans newsletter online she the thyroid expert. Phillipa ps there was a shortage of armour and quite a few pharmacies were or are compounding their own. Good Luck keep up posted
My TSH was 6.75 where the normal range was .3-3.75. My doctor mentioned amour thyroid but she said she didn't favor it because it was more difficult to deal with somehow.
Posted by Maxime on August 2, 2010, at 19:31:29
In reply to Horrible reaction to Synthroid, posted by jerryTRD on August 2, 2010, at 17:40:47
I'm sorry that you had that reaction to the med. I am on both Synthroid and Cytomel because I have Hashimotos. I think it's good idea that you see an endocrinolist. Maybe they will start you on a lower dose. It's usually the Cytomel that cause the reaction you had to it. Very strange. I hope you find an answer soon.
Posted by bleauberry on August 2, 2010, at 19:42:04
In reply to Horrible reaction to Synthroid, posted by jerryTRD on August 2, 2010, at 17:40:47
When it comes to treating thyroid, I think it is also important you are impacting the adrenals as well, since both are intricately linked together. If you beef up the thyroid but have weak adrenals, it is going to feel bad and will take a few months for the adrenals to catch up. And visa versa if treating adrenals.
From my own experience, and from others I have read about at other forums, for some people it is critical to start at extremely micro doses. A common starting dose from a doctor can well be a megadose for some people. I mean, literally some people have to start with mere crumbs, maybe 1/10th of the dose the doctor prescribed, and slowly work up.
Posted by jerryTRD on August 2, 2010, at 21:11:42
In reply to Re: Horrible reaction to Synthroid, posted by bleauberry on August 2, 2010, at 19:42:04
> When it comes to treating thyroid, I think it is also important you are impacting the adrenals as well, since both are intricately linked together. If you beef up the thyroid but have weak adrenals, it is going to feel bad and will take a few months for the adrenals to catch up. And visa versa if treating adrenals.
>
> From my own experience, and from others I have read about at other forums, for some people it is critical to start at extremely micro doses. A common starting dose from a doctor can well be a megadose for some people. I mean, literally some people have to start with mere crumbs, maybe 1/10th of the dose the doctor prescribed, and slowly work up.My doc says she has hundreds of patients on Synthroid and was mystified by my reaction. Previous to starting it she said I'd feel better in a week, etc. I don't understand how the Synthroid could interfere with my asthma and make my chest feel so tight? What do you mean about the other adrenals?
thanks
Jerry
Posted by Phillipa on August 2, 2010, at 21:44:14
In reply to Re: Horrible reaction to Synthroid » bleauberry, posted by jerryTRD on August 2, 2010, at 21:11:42
I don't have asthma but when thyroid first failing could hardly take a deep breath chest hurt so bad. I somehow had a doc cause of increased anxiety check thyroid and it was elevated. Started on.25mcg and on day l0 ears felt like they popped open and felt alive again. Now at the time wasn't really familiar with thyroid or numbers. Mine is l.5 now the endo likes this as mine says between l-2 is good. But don't feel well on it anyway. I see the hormone doc for labs first for female and testosterone usually includes a thyroid also. Might just switch to where hormones are compounded for me to the armour as they are doing it there. Reason I suspect your doc doesn't like it is source is pig and it can vary from batch to batch. Phillipa
Posted by morgan miller on August 2, 2010, at 23:54:47
In reply to Re: Horrible reaction to Synthroid, posted by bleauberry on August 2, 2010, at 19:42:04
I would consider Armour or Nature-Throid. Check out this website:
There are natural things you can try like:
Gugul
Ashwagandha-may also help with adrenals
Betain HCL
Coconut Oil-also good for cholesterol, fat loss, energy, brain health
Tyrosine-boosts thyroid function and dopamine and norepinephrine
Kelp or Bladderwack-iodine source-sometimes if we aren't getting enough iodine our thyroid does not function well
Coleus ForskohliiGAIA Herbs and Megafood make good thyroid formulations with several of the above listed ingredients.
Also, stay away from eating too much soy. Soy can have a negative effect on thyroid function.
In the meantime, you may want to check out my posting about Schisandra on the Alternative board. Something like Schisandra may really help you get your energy back through improving your adrenal function. Other herbs to consider for this use are Rhodiola and Holy Basil. GAIA makes a Rhodiola and Holy Basil combination with a little Schisandra and Ashwagandha added to it. New Chapter's makes an excellent Rhodiola and Holy Basil as well.
I would consider Schisandra, Holy Basil, and Rhodiola to assist in adrenal function, possibly making thyroid treatment work better and faster.
Here is a good Schisandra product that I am considering after reading of a few people's positive experiences with it.
I really am not sure why more people here on Psycho-Babble are not taking things like this and Holy Basil and Rhodiola as adjuncts to their pharmaceutical treatment. Chronic Depression and Anxiety can wipe out adrenals.
Posted by manic666 on August 3, 2010, at 6:31:47
In reply to Re: Horrible reaction to Synthroid » jerryTRD, posted by Phillipa on August 2, 2010, at 21:44:14
i take 100 mcg thyriod med is that a lot. colesterol tabs i take them but never inquire sooner die than miss out on favorit food.
Posted by jerryTRD on August 3, 2010, at 12:56:03
In reply to Re: Horrible reaction to Synthroid, posted by manic666 on August 3, 2010, at 6:31:47
> i take 100 mcg thyriod med is that a lot. colesterol tabs i take them but never inquire sooner die than miss out on favorit food.
My doc says she has patients on 300-350mcg and she said 50mcg is a baby dose. So I don't think 100mcg is that bad.
Posted by manic666 on August 3, 2010, at 13:08:26
In reply to Re: Horrible reaction to Synthroid » manic666, posted by jerryTRD on August 3, 2010, at 12:56:03
Posted by morgan miller on August 3, 2010, at 15:39:39
In reply to Re: Horrible reaction to Synthroid » manic666, posted by jerryTRD on August 3, 2010, at 12:56:03
Thought I would also share that a friend of mine's mother started taking gugul(or guggul) and ashwagandha and was able to significantly lower here Synthroid dosage. Plus, she has felt better since adding both these than when she was just taking synthroid alone.
Posted by bleauberry on August 3, 2010, at 18:13:48
In reply to Horrible reaction to Synthroid, posted by jerryTRD on August 2, 2010, at 17:40:47
IMO it is foolish to base medication choice or dose choice based on a group of other patients. You are not them.
I like the previous mention of Armour thyroid.
Posted by Maxime on August 4, 2010, at 17:46:27
In reply to Re: Horrible reaction to Synthroid » bleauberry, posted by jerryTRD on August 2, 2010, at 21:11:42
Previous to starting it she said I'd feel better in a week, etc. I don't understand how the Synthroid could interfere with my asthma and make my chest feel so tight? What do you mean about the other adrenals?
>
> thanks
> JerryActually it takes about 3 weeks for Synthroid to make you feel better. Cytomel on the other hand, is immediate with a stimulating action.
I hope you get it all taken care of soon.
Posted by Phillipa on August 4, 2010, at 21:34:10
In reply to Re: Horrible reaction to Synthroid » jerryTRD, posted by Maxime on August 4, 2010, at 17:46:27
I do feel it varies with the person it must as it kicked in at about a week l0 days. Tried cytomel once and was like coffee to me. Activating. And it was only 5mg. Phillipa
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