Anyone here on Synthroid?

[maillotpois]

FYI, you do expect your absolute snythyroid dosage to go down as you lose weight, not because of increased fitness, but becasue dosage is really per unit of body weight. My dosage also went down as I lost weight, but only proportional to my weight loss (although it sounds like yours went down more than that).

Exactly - my weight fluctuates regularly depending on how much I ride and how much attention I pay to what I eat. My dosage goes up and down in kind.

[Triskeliongirl]

Yes. Its best to think about dosage as an amount of synthroid per unit of body weight. So, the absolute dosage stays the same, even if the amount of each daily pill varies with body weight.

This is true for all medications, but usually dosage isn't as sensitive so it doesn't get adjusted (there is just a child dose or adult dose). Sticking to the same brand of thryoid medication is also important, not because one brand is 'better' but because even the fillers that different manufacturers use can effect absorption rates, and because our bodies are so sensitive to fluctuations if you work out your dose with one brand and then change brands the dose may be off.

But none of this is meant to scare you. Thyroid meds work great, you just need to find the right dosage, and if just synthroid, or combo therapy is right for you. You need to be patient, because it takes about 3 months to really see the effects of a change. My best advice is to work with an endocrinologist with a good reputation in your area. I started with my internist, but needed an endo to get it right (because of my need for combo therapy).

[skinimini]

Thanks everyone for all the great information. It makes me feel a lot better getting first-hand info about your experiences with thyroid replacement hormone. I have an appointment next week with a different endocrinologist for a second opinion. I've done about every test possible, and the consensus so far, is that the thyroid needs to come out. Maybe I'll throw in a little neck lift while they're there!

[ZenSojourner]

To clarify the previous post, I agree that many of us need combo therapy, and that while armour is one way to get both T4 and T3, you should know that you can also take synthetic versions of both T4 and T3 (the T4 I take is called synthroid and the T3 is called cytomel). What is nice about the synthetics, is that you can titrate the dosages of each hormone separately, and end up with very consistent dosing.

Just a note, you get a very consistent dose of both the T3 and the T4 in the Armour, too, it's just not ADJUSTABLE, LOL! Some people find it's a tad bit too much T3. I tolerate it just fine, but if you take Armour and need to get less T3, you would reduce the Armour and add a little bit of synthetic T4.

Also, a few years ago $ynthroid was taken off the market for a time because of repeated problems with inconsistent dosage. They were warned several times over an 8 to 10 year period to improve dosage consistency and ignored the FDA, until finally the FDA pulled it from the market. So it's $ynthroid, not Armour, that has had problems with consistency.

My doctor wanted to put me on synthetics, but the cytomel is pretty expensive (or was back then). Armour is a much MUCH cheaper option for me.

[Triskeliongirl]

By consistency, I mean that armour is made from the dessicated thyroid glands of pigs, so the variablity from animal to animal is going to be greater than a preparation of purified chemicals produced in a laboratory.

And, as you said, the ability to titrate the dosages separately of the T4 and T3 is easier with synthetics. That doesn't mean that armour isn't a good option for some, but for me, I like my synthroid/cytomel combo. In terms of cost, for me my insurance has the same co-pay regardless of which drug I am on so its the same.

[tctrek]

FYI, you do expect your absolute snythyroid dosage to go down as you lose weight, not because of increased fitness, but becasue dosage is really per unit of body weight. My dosage also went down as I lost weight, but only proportional to my weight loss (although it sounds like yours went down more than that).

My dosage went down even though my weight stayed the same. I've been at a steady weight for about a year now, but dosage has continued to go down as I got more fit. Go figure....

[Dogmama]

Lupus messed with my thyroid. Synthroid has never been a problem. My doc checks my levels regularly & my dosage has never changed.

Glad you're getting second opinion. I don't see why the doc can't take a little extra skin for that neck lift. Heck, what the insurance company doesn't know won't hurt them!

[ZenSojourner]

By consistency, I mean that armour is made from the dessicated thyroid glands of pigs, so the variablity from animal to animal is going to be greater than a preparation of purified chemicals produced in a laboratory.

Whatever variation there may be from one animal to the next is handled by the processing of the raw substances into the final drug. That processing IS a process of titration and purification.

One batch of Armour has the exact same proportion of T3 and T4 as every other batch. That's what is meant by consistency.

And people should take what works for them. Unfortunately many many people are never given the option of natural thyroid hormone, or even a synthetic T4 with an additional dose of T3. Partly this is due to misconceptions on the part of doctors and pharmacists as to the consistency (or the alleged lack thereof) of the natural products, coupled with an additional misconception that T3 is not necessary.

Some people do fine without it. Some people get by, but could improve their situation even more with a bit of T3. And some people can't do without the additional T3. There's just no one solution for everyone.

[lisathew8lifter]

hello there,
i have been on thyroid meds since 2004. at first i lost weight and i was able to pretty much eat anything and keep it off. i admit, i took that for granted and when i started school as an adult learner working full time, i got lazy and the work outs took a back seat.

i continued to take generic synthroid for the four years i was going to school and the weight kept creeping up. i gained about 30 pounds over four years (luckily that was only one pants size, no joke) and after graduating last fall, i focused my efforts on resuming my active lifestyle and losing that weight.

after working out for three months sometimes three times per day (my work has a fitness center and i was taking classes at lunch and at night), i learned that i gained weight at my yearly exam. i about flipped!!!! i went back to my endocrinologist who gave me every test known to wo/man and we learned my TSH had crept up to where it was when i first started taking meds.

fast forward: i am now on a mild appetite suppressant and i am on 12 mcg higher dosage of non generic synthroid. since february, i have lost 11 pounds. while i'm happy with this loss, i have realized that this will be a struggle for the REST of my life and i always must WATCH everything i eat and everything i do. i require far fewer calories than the average person and the only way i see results is by increasing the exercise (sometimes two and one half hours per day) and decreasing the food intake.

so, my point is:
generic thyroid meds are frowned upon by my medical professional
you must always be on top of your TSH and make sure you monitor that
you likely will feel better by being on the meds but the price you will pay is that it may be harder for you to maintain your desired weight.

i hope this helps!??!

[surgtech1956]

what is the mild appetite suppressant? I'm just starting my Synthyroid.

[lisathew8lifter]

what is the mild appetite suppressant? I'm just starting my Synthyroid.

It is a prescription drug called phentermine

[maillotpois]

Wasn't that part of Phen - phen that was linked to heart wall degradation?

[snapdragen]

Wasn't that part of Phen - phen that was linked to heart wall degradation?

Yup, it was. It's considered a controlled substance.

[lisathew8lifter]

Yup, it was. It's considered a controlled substance.

WHAT?!? Can someone provide a link to this info?

[snapdragen]

WHAT?!? Can someone provide a link to this info?

http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/sc.../schedules.htm

Schedule IV