Thyroid Issues, Iodine Replacement Therapy, & Bioidentical Hormones

Hi K.

I had thyroid cancer in 1998 and had to have my total thyroid removed so I know exactly how you are feeling. I have a wonderful endocrinologist in Plano, Mitchell Sorsby, who I have been seeing since this all began. He is very caring and listens, I don't know what I would have done with out him.

I have been taking Synthroid(not the generic form) since this all began. I do not use iodine but he told me to try Vitamin D3, 400IU, three times a day. I also use a botanically based balancing cream for my hormones. I would be more than happy to talk to you about what I have found works and doesn't work for me over the years. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to talk.

All the best
B.

I had thyroid cancer 11 years ago & have battled my weight ever since. I am solely on hormone replacement & cannot take generic! I've never tried iodine therapy; but would love to hear about it!! & would love to hear if you find a great dr.
Good Luck,
M.

In most cases, endos are the worst doctors for treating hypothyroidism because they're trained in treating end stage diseases. Many people do not do well on T4 alone because they're bodies are not efficient at converting T4 to T3. T3 is the active thyroid hormone and is what provides your body with energy. In general, one of the most effective replacement thyroid hormones is natural Armour thyroid, which is derived from procine thyroid tissue. It contains T4, T3 as well as T2 and T1. T2 gets into one's tissue far more effectively than even T3. Also, Armour contains calcitonin, which is essential for building bone. And, Armour is very inexpensive, in particularly compared to someone taking both synthetic T4 and synthetic T3.

Also, if the doctor is only testing your TSH, they are incompetent to treat thyroid patients. TSH is a pituitary hormone which tells your thyroid to produce more thyroid hormone (if it's elevated) or less thyroid hormone (when it's on the lower end of the range. What the doctor's MUST measure if you are on thyroid replacement hormone is Free T4 and Free T3 (note the "Free" and not "Total"). The "Free" is what is bioavailable.

Also, they should have previously tested your antibodies, which were likely the reason for the nodules. Research shows that folks with antibodies need replacement hormone such that the Pituitary isn't trying to tell the thyroid to produce much, since the thyroid is damaged and likely is producing inconsistent amounts, which is why one feels so bad and has so many other issues. Thus, if you have antibodies, you want your TSH near 1.0 (to keep your thyroid calm, if you well) and MOST people need their Free T3 above the midrange and Free T4 at midrange.

You really out to join the Texas Thyroid Yahoo group - you'll find lots of folks in the same situation and we maintain a list of doctors (the good and bad):
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Texas_Thyroid_Groups/
Unfortunately, the doctor I would recommend is closing her practice.

I will also note that any doctor that tells you that you just need to live with problem X is worthless. They're just too egotistical to acknowledge that they don't have the ability to figure out your problem, nor do their job to help the patient heal. The only good thing about him is that he didn't tell you that you just need an anti-depressant or anti-anxiety meds.

I would seek out a homeopathic doctor who can counsel you on alternative therapies. I think there is more than one way to address some issues. We've been very happy with Dr. Chalmers at Chalmers Wellness. (see www.chalmerswellness.org). He would be able to give you some natural supplements that could help you out.

You don't say where you are located but if you are in Tarrant County check out Dr. Joseph McWherter at the Fem Centre. He has locations in Fort Worth and Colleyville. See his website at www.femcentre.com. You might need to see his P.A. to get your foot in the door as it can take 6 months or more to get an appointment with Dr. McWherter.

I use a swab of iodine evry day, I also use Armour Thyroid, it is a natural thyroid, synthetic thyroid did not work for me. I have been battling my Thyroid for 8 years plus Menopause. I too had a Doctor who said that is how it is. NOT TRUE. When I finally got it under control I dropped 40 lbs and have energy to spare. There is a place in downtown Ft. Worth called the FEM Center they are experts in Hormone Therapy. Good Luck don't ever let a Doctor tell you that you have to feel bad.

I would strongly suggest you go to a certified nutritionist. I use one and she does all kinds of testing as well. She will get to the root of the problem and not have you prescription drugs. There are more natural things that you can do that are much safer than drugs. You also may have other things are are contributing to this problem that a regular medical won't know. She is Michelle Burris ###-###-####. Please tell her that T. O'Connor referred you. Please feel free to call me ###-###-####

Kimberley, I concur with Mary B on this - endocrinologists are terrible at thyroid.. I won't even start on my story otherwise I'll start fuming! The great news is I have a fabulous doctor just off 635 & MacArthur. He took quite a while to find & came highly recommended.. Not only has he sorted out my thyroid but he also fixed my hormones. For the first time in 3 years I remembered what it was to feel 20 (I'm 42)... I felt like a long forgotten light was switched on.. I could just keep going about how wonderful biodentical hormones have been for me. Also this doctor listens... so that he can get to the bottom of what the problem is. If you want his name email me privately. I know several people who go to him who are completely happy.

p.s. You certainly don't need a dcotor who isn't concerned about your well being...

p.p.s. yes I use lugals iodine & yes it clears my head and system.. I used it more before I got to the right doctor because I felt so awful still on synthyroid. Now I do it when I remember. I put it on the inside archs of my feet before going to bed.

K.,

I don't have an answer to your problem; but I did watch an Oprah a few weeks back about hormones.

Doctors always tell women to "just deal with it". That is BULL! Why should you have to deal with not feeling well?! Find a doctor who is willing to try alternative treatments with you!

I don't know where my doctor stands on this issue, but she listens to me and respects what I want to do with my own health. By her doing that, it has kept me off of SO many RX pills! I know that she fully supports herbal supplements for PMS and perimenopause.

You might want to call and find out where she stands on your issues.

Her name is Dr. Sharon Tucker, and she is at Baylor Family Health in Mesquite. Sorry, I don't have her number right now.

You DON'T have to feel this way! You should expect to feel great!!!!

You might want to check out a book called, "The Power of Your Subconscious Mind" by Dr. Joseph Murphy. This is the best book I have ever read. It can help you too.

I've taken Synthroid, Levoxyl, and levothyroxine. I felt lousy all the time. I felt as bad as if I weren't taking anything at all. Armour thyroid saved my life, and brought be back to normal again.

I had my thyroid removed because of nodules a few years ago. I have always taken Levothroid and have always felt just as I did when I had a thyroid. (I didn't have any thyroid issues other than the nodules.) My doctor is Stephen Aronoff at Endocrine Associates of Dallas. I think he's great - really smart, knowledgeable, and caring. Don't know anything about iodine or hormones though. Good luck!

I don't know anything about iodine therapy, but I was complaining of fatique and my endocrinologist tested my vitamin A levels. I was low. I now take a daily vitamin A and I have a lot more energy! Make sure you are NOT taking ANY vitamins within an hour & 1/2 of your thyroid medicine. good luck You might also try getting a 2nd opinion

Hi K.,

There is help for you, I use and work with a great Nutritional Food Supplements that can help you as it has for so many women with out any side effects. Let me know if you would like to no more and I will happy to share infromation and answer all your questions.

Blessings!

A.

I had the left lobe of my thyroid removed about a month ago. My doctor said they would only remove the entire thyroid if the pathology report came back positive for cancer (it didn't--everything's fine) but the goal was to leave half of the thyroid in place so that I wouldn't have to be on medication the rest of my life. Half a thyroid should be sufficient in most cases. So maybe you're not on the wrong medication. Maybe it's because you're on medication, period. Get a second opinion. My doctor is located in Rowlett. Feel free to contact me if you'd like his name.

Best of luck!

FWIW, I would seek out advice for this forum: mothering.com/discussions/index.php

or search mothering dot community
and in the forums section, search levoxyl; pay special attention to the threads in the Health and Healing section

HTH!

ENDOCRINOLOGIST is all about thyroid. I had thyroid cancer at the age of 22 - it is nothing to play around.
The thyroid is the endocrine system and anyone who plays with herbal or holistic remedies is not of sane thinking you can do more harm than good.

The thyroid controls your metabolism and therefore can cause weight gain or loss. Your Endo. will get your meds where they need to be to keep you from being too low or too high but it is up to you to maintain your weight - it can be done with effort.
Try using brand name meds - the generic is not the same.

My mother-in-law uses Dr. Yeates in Denton. Sorry don't have the number handy. She tells me she is pretty good.

K.,

I think it is time you received a 2nd opinion on the medication. Have you tried a different brand of thyroid med. I had to go through several when I was first diagnosed with a low thyroid(heredity). I can only take one brand unithroid - as all others cause heart palpatations. Fatigue is a symptom of low thyroid. If your dr is not willing to change meds or dosage find someone else who will keep digging until you find the soulution.

Take Care and God Bless!

If you're not feeling "right" then you're not getting enough thyroid hormone from your pill, so either you need a different dosage or a different brand at the dosage you're already on. Also, I'd think about finding another endocrinologist too. Good luck.

Hi K.,
I had the same thing happen to me. I found a doctor who would switch me to Armor thyroid and I immediately felt better. My doctor is Audrey Miklius with Dallas Endocrine associates.
Sorry, I don't know anything about the other therapies. I use Shaklee supplements to balance my hormones (http://shaklee.net/healthforlife)
Hope you feel better soon.
Victoria

I had the same issue when I was 23. I had a 1 yr old and 3 month old. I went to the dr (GP) for a sore throat and hard to swallow symptoms and that's when the golf ball size lump was discovered. I had 1/2 my thyroid removed. For the next 15 yrs I complained of being tired. I was told my tsh levels were 'normal'. My husband kept telling me to exercise more, etc. I was told I was a hypocondriac. My daughter at age 5 had a bulging neck and the dr said she was ok. By the time she was 10, I knew something really wasn't right. I took her to an endocrinologist. He said she was extremely hypothyroid. I looked at the booklet he gave me and read that I had all the symptoms. I had myself tested and still I was 'normal'. He listened to me and agreed to put me on synthyroid and kept me on it as long as I stayed within the normal range. In a week I felt like a new person.His name is William Fears and is in the Duncanville area. ###-###-####. I have moved away and have to 'fight' with endocrinologist to keep me on synthroid. I'm at a lower dose than I need but my dr won't listen to me. I function at least better than without any. Best of luck to you..... See www.endocrineweb.com/hypo1.html