madhattersbash

I am a 64 year-old female, married for 39+ years. No doctor would believe that I was hypothyroid, as my labs always came in 'low normal'. I was finally... read more

I am a 64 year-old female, married for 39+ years. No doctor would believe that I was hypothyroid, as my labs always came in 'low normal'. I was finally diagnosed with Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency in '92, then over-medicated with dexamethasone until my adrenals just shut down completely for over a year. Finally was referred to a 'good' doctor who brought me back and put me on hydrocortisone instead (a generic, and very cheap, and easier on your body)--but by then the damage was already done. In '94 I had a complete hysterectomy, as they thought I had cancer. Turned out I didn't, but they still removed everything, so that now I must remain on HRT indefinitely. (I think all the steroids I was on gave a false positive on my PAP reading--so be careful and get a second opinion before agreeing to surgery too quickly!!) Was not finally diagnosed as Hypothyroid until 2001. Within a week of being put on Armour Thyroid most ALL of my joint, ligament and muscle pain just disappeared (except for my pre-existing cervical stenosis). It was like a miracle!! I had been tested for RA, Lyme, CFS and finally Fibromyalgia (when the docs can't think of what else to do!), and nothing could be confirmed. I now have a new Internist who has a second degree in FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE. This specialty treats the WHOLE body, and how everything interacts. He has FINALLY gotten me on the correct doses and TYPES of my meds: Bio-identical, custom compounded T3/T4 (similar to Armour thyroid---but without the animal product added in), compounded DHEA, bio-identical Progesterone--plus a 'regular' prescription of Prometrium--which is also progesterone, but in a much higher dose, Hydrocortisone, plus a blood pressure med. and flush-free Niacin (to help treat my high lipids). This is the first time since 1989 that I feel like I am 'in balance'. I had tried many of the above previously, but nothing seemed to help. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT that you find the right TYPE of each medication for YOUR body---and that your doctor knows how to give you the correct dose of each one! THIS doc LOWERED my Hydrocortisone (for my adrenals), DOUBLED my T3/T4, added in the DHEA and Progesterone (which I had been told that I didn't need at all---since I had had a complete hysterectomy), and changed my Estrogen from a patch (which I wasn't absorbing) to injectible Estradiol (which I had been on many years earlier--but had been taken off of by a subsequent doctor!). I also take Soma at bedtime as a muscle relaxant and to help me sleep. So, everyone, hang in there, and DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH on your conditions--so that you can talk intelligently to your health care providers--and so that you will know when THEY don't know what they are talking about!! ****And, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, write down your questions for your doctor BEFORE your visit, then TAKE NOTES on what he/she says to you. If you have trouble writing, then ask if you can record the session---or take a spouse or friend with you to help out. Best wishes to everyone here. March, 2011 (updated March 2012) PS: If you have hypothyroidism, PLEASE get Mary Shomon's book on the subject---it is the best that I have ever read! She even has lists in the back of doctors, etc. I believe she also has another book on Auto-immune diseases---but the Thyroid book goes into the interactions with your Adrenals, etc. *****VERY IMPORTANT: MAKE A LIST OF ALL THE BLOOD TESTS THAT SHE SUGGESTS YOU HAVE DONE IF YOU SUSPECT YOU ARE HYPOTHYROID---otherwise, your doc might just do a TSH test---and that is NOT enough (that test always seem to come back saying that you are 'low normal' and then the doctors won't look any further--or put you on thyroid replacement meds! I suffered from 1989 to 2001 because of this! 4/19/12: just saw my doc, and he is going to add in Pregnenolone to my compounded DHEA. He just came back from a Hormone seminar in San Francisco---he's always learning! I just LOVE this man!!!!!