Quote Originally Posted by Triskeliongirl View Post
But, it wasn't cuz I was taking synthroid as you conclude, its because my hypothyroidism wasn't being adequately treated by synthroid alone. In some cases, you will have a low free T3, which right away tells you there is a conversion problem. By that I mean that synthroid is T4, which is an inactive precurser to T3, the active form of thryoid hormone. In that case its obvious you need to be on T3 (cytomel). In my case my T3 and TSH were both normal, so at that point I was referred to an endo who put me on T4/T3 combo therapy. At the same time we discovered I was hypoinsulinemic, so I was put on a low carb diet. THEN, and only then, I finally was able to lose 35 lb and get to a healthy normal weight.
Trisk -- I'm curious how you found a doctor that will work with you on T3/T4 strategies? I've had several endos over the years and they always look at only T4 and TSH, but not T3. Do you think that some doctors don't "believe" in T3 therapy?

Also, when you say "low carb" diet, how many grams of carbs do you eat and what kind of carbs? I tried low carb for a week - eating about 30 grams of carbs per day, but my only carbs were green vegetables. I really "felt" like crap and didn't have the energy to exercise or ride my bike. Does that level out? Or maybe I needed more than 30 grams of carbs?

I am so grouchy when I can't work out and found I was a real monster when I didn't have carbs + couldn't exercise.