I visited my ND today to discuss my latest blood test results. She wasn't concerned about my low WBC because it was still in the normal range. She did suggest that I get another CBC after 3 months, to check whether my wbc is still in range. We both decided against LDN, because it exacerbates the effect of thyroid supplements. Finding an effective thyroid dose took me a year. So I don't want to mess with that. However, she agreed that I could take IAG (arabinogalactans) again to fight and prevent colds. I've had 2 colds since returning from Maui in late October and might be getting my husband's cold, which he got from a coworker. I gave him a dose of IAG as soon as I got home, because hesbeen home sick for the past 2 days.
After looking at my toenails, my doc suspected I may need to continue treatment for 6 months. She previously recommended treating my chronic toenail fungus with oil of geranium mixed with DMSO 2x daily for 3 months. However, considering I had that problem for many years, 6 months of treatmet is more realistic. SIGH
The really good news was my blood pressure (120/75), pulse (85) and temperature (98.8). Those were my first really normal readings ever. However, I suspect those were a tad inflated because I had just eaten lunch before my appointment. Nevertheless, those reading show that my thyroid supplement is finally the right amount and type (T3 only) to resolved my hypothyroid symptoms.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Blood Test Results
I received my lab test results. My vitamin D3 level decreased a bit, but is still within the 'normal range' according to the lab range. However, I know that's not optimal and could explain my frequent respiratory infections (2 colds in the last month). So I increased my daily supplements from 1000 to 2000mg of D3.
My CBC had few surprises. Everything was normal, except my WBC, which dropped even more during the past year, and my MCHC which slipped below normal again. My WBC level was right at the bottom of the normal range.
The surprise was the TB blood test (IGRA or interferon gamma release assay). That was negative for the tb bacteria. I was surprised that I could get a negative blood test result after getting 2 positive skin tests as a child and another positive blood test when I was in my early 20s. However, I'm happy that I won't have to take long term antibiotics (6-9 months) to treat latent tb. Also I can't explain my low WBC with latent tb. However, I did take vancomycin (to treat c-diff) for several months. Vancomycin can sometimes cause neutropenia (low neutrophils) which lowers the WBC. I never had low WBC until after I took Vancomycin for an extended period. Nevertheless, I don't understand why my WBC would continue to drop 3 years after I took vanco and also was treated with LDN (to raise WBC) for several months. I need to talk to my ND about my decreasing WBC.
My CBC had few surprises. Everything was normal, except my WBC, which dropped even more during the past year, and my MCHC which slipped below normal again. My WBC level was right at the bottom of the normal range.
The surprise was the TB blood test (IGRA or interferon gamma release assay). That was negative for the tb bacteria. I was surprised that I could get a negative blood test result after getting 2 positive skin tests as a child and another positive blood test when I was in my early 20s. However, I'm happy that I won't have to take long term antibiotics (6-9 months) to treat latent tb. Also I can't explain my low WBC with latent tb. However, I did take vancomycin (to treat c-diff) for several months. Vancomycin can sometimes cause neutropenia (low neutrophils) which lowers the WBC. I never had low WBC until after I took Vancomycin for an extended period. Nevertheless, I don't understand why my WBC would continue to drop 3 years after I took vanco and also was treated with LDN (to raise WBC) for several months. I need to talk to my ND about my decreasing WBC.
Monday, November 5, 2012
November Update
Several months have past since my last blog. So I'll try to update all the issues I mentioned in previous blog posts:
Since early August I've taken the same thyroid supplement dose (55mg of liothyronine or T3) daily in 4 divided doses (17.5, 12.5, 12.5, 12.5). I previously thought 4 divided doses would be challenging. However, I actually felt better with doses spaced every 3-4 hours during the day. My energy and mental focus were more stable with 4 doses, than 3 doses, which I tried a few times at the 55mg dose. I have experienced no hypothyroid symptoms since I stabilized at that dose over the past 3 months. Best of all, I have normal energy, body temperature and regularity every day. Finally!!
On Labor Day I bought new car after keeping my old Toyota Van for almost 25 years. My husband actually wanted to sell his 1990 Plymouth Voyager and get a smaller communter car. He assumed I always wanted to keep my van, which I used for my watercolor painting business (a/c fairs, juried show and gallery deliveries, hauling supplies, etc.) for 15 years. However, prior to getting the van, I owned/loved my Mazda GLC, but lost it in a divorce settlement after 10 years. So after my husband looked at and didn't like his first 2 choices (Toyota Prius and Honda Fit), I suggested we look at Mazda 2's. I told him that I would trade in my van, if we got the right car (what I really wanted LOL). Long story short: We bought a new red Mazda 2 together (each of us paid 1/2). We advertised my van online and heard from a buyer the next day. Within 24 hours I sold the van. However, my husband wasn't sure he wanted to sell his older car. He also saw how much I loved the new car. I decided to pay him back what he paid for the Mazda so that I would own it outright. I drive it at least 3x a week, compared to maybe driving my van once a month after I retired from my watercolor business about 10 years ago. It's so nice to have a small car that fits me (I'm only 5'3.5" and about 100#), rather than a big van.
After year of attending (and even joining) a local church, which had Baptist roots, but purported to be a 'community' church with no denomination, I tired of the constant shame and sin focussed sermons. We also served every Sunday cleaning up the sanctuary as well as attending a membership class, but still didn't know many people or feel even slightly connected. My husband tired of hearing my dissatisfaction with the church's consistently negativemessage, which differed from what I had recently read (books by Wayne Dyer, Anita Moorjani, the Dalai Lama and others). So we agreed to try Seattle Unity after a long absence from Unity. (We were married by a Unity minister on Maui and then attended Bellevue Unity for a year before moving twice and ending up at a Seattle church for many years before trying a more local church.) I was sooo impressed by the love and acceptance I felt from Unity members on the first Sunday. I was also interested in the many activities offered during the week. We tried a midweek service, which I loved. However, I was more impressed with a study group for A Course in Miracles. I read that book (669 pages of heavy text) in 2 months and now continue to attend the study group once a week. Briefly, ACIM changed me emotionally, spiritually and somewhat physically.
In October we again flew to Maui (7th? trip) and stayed for a week, which was not long enough to really unwind and enjoy. We had to follow a schedule to do everything we wanted to do in a week. We even skipped a few favorite activities. We did see Ulalena (musical about the origin and history of Maui). After a week however, I was happy to return home to my new car and ACIM group. (I brought macadamia nuts for all the members!)
Unfortunately I also brought back a bad cold (despite taking DHEA every day) from Maui. After we returned (and I was very sick), my husband read an article which explained latent tb (which I've had since childhood). Although the tb bacteria doesn't infect the lungs in latent tb, the bacteria are alive and multiplying. Only because macrophages and white blood cells surround and keep tb bacteria in check, tb is considered 'latent'. However, I've had low white blood cell counts for the past several (4?) year, despite my ND's efforts to improve my immunity through increased vitamin D, thyroid supplements, betaine hydrochloride supplements (for digestion), DHEA supplementation and even 3 months of low dose naltrexone (LDN), which was the only treatment that actually raised my WBC count from 3.0 (below normal) to 6.2 (mid normal range. However after 3 months w/o LDN, my WBC dropped back to 4.2. That was a year ago. So I asked my doc to order another WBC and a TB blood test. (I had positive skin tests during childhood, after I was exposed to my aunt's active TB.) I had the blood draw for those tests just this morning. So I won't know the results for a week.
Our garden is almost finished for the season. We still have some grapes, brocolli, carrots and leeks. I'd like to resume sewing. I still have fabric and lots ideas. However, I want to clean up the flower and garden beds before the weather turns too cold and rainy which may happen next weekend. Since I mentioned an unresolved issue (TB and CBC tests), I'll most likely post again this month or next month. I can't imagine posting more often than once a month though. I'm just too busy living to have time to post.
Since early August I've taken the same thyroid supplement dose (55mg of liothyronine or T3) daily in 4 divided doses (17.5, 12.5, 12.5, 12.5). I previously thought 4 divided doses would be challenging. However, I actually felt better with doses spaced every 3-4 hours during the day. My energy and mental focus were more stable with 4 doses, than 3 doses, which I tried a few times at the 55mg dose. I have experienced no hypothyroid symptoms since I stabilized at that dose over the past 3 months. Best of all, I have normal energy, body temperature and regularity every day. Finally!!
On Labor Day I bought new car after keeping my old Toyota Van for almost 25 years. My husband actually wanted to sell his 1990 Plymouth Voyager and get a smaller communter car. He assumed I always wanted to keep my van, which I used for my watercolor painting business (a/c fairs, juried show and gallery deliveries, hauling supplies, etc.) for 15 years. However, prior to getting the van, I owned/loved my Mazda GLC, but lost it in a divorce settlement after 10 years. So after my husband looked at and didn't like his first 2 choices (Toyota Prius and Honda Fit), I suggested we look at Mazda 2's. I told him that I would trade in my van, if we got the right car (what I really wanted LOL). Long story short: We bought a new red Mazda 2 together (each of us paid 1/2). We advertised my van online and heard from a buyer the next day. Within 24 hours I sold the van. However, my husband wasn't sure he wanted to sell his older car. He also saw how much I loved the new car. I decided to pay him back what he paid for the Mazda so that I would own it outright. I drive it at least 3x a week, compared to maybe driving my van once a month after I retired from my watercolor business about 10 years ago. It's so nice to have a small car that fits me (I'm only 5'3.5" and about 100#), rather than a big van.
After year of attending (and even joining) a local church, which had Baptist roots, but purported to be a 'community' church with no denomination, I tired of the constant shame and sin focussed sermons. We also served every Sunday cleaning up the sanctuary as well as attending a membership class, but still didn't know many people or feel even slightly connected. My husband tired of hearing my dissatisfaction with the church's consistently negativemessage, which differed from what I had recently read (books by Wayne Dyer, Anita Moorjani, the Dalai Lama and others). So we agreed to try Seattle Unity after a long absence from Unity. (We were married by a Unity minister on Maui and then attended Bellevue Unity for a year before moving twice and ending up at a Seattle church for many years before trying a more local church.) I was sooo impressed by the love and acceptance I felt from Unity members on the first Sunday. I was also interested in the many activities offered during the week. We tried a midweek service, which I loved. However, I was more impressed with a study group for A Course in Miracles. I read that book (669 pages of heavy text) in 2 months and now continue to attend the study group once a week. Briefly, ACIM changed me emotionally, spiritually and somewhat physically.
In October we again flew to Maui (7th? trip) and stayed for a week, which was not long enough to really unwind and enjoy. We had to follow a schedule to do everything we wanted to do in a week. We even skipped a few favorite activities. We did see Ulalena (musical about the origin and history of Maui). After a week however, I was happy to return home to my new car and ACIM group. (I brought macadamia nuts for all the members!)
Unfortunately I also brought back a bad cold (despite taking DHEA every day) from Maui. After we returned (and I was very sick), my husband read an article which explained latent tb (which I've had since childhood). Although the tb bacteria doesn't infect the lungs in latent tb, the bacteria are alive and multiplying. Only because macrophages and white blood cells surround and keep tb bacteria in check, tb is considered 'latent'. However, I've had low white blood cell counts for the past several (4?) year, despite my ND's efforts to improve my immunity through increased vitamin D, thyroid supplements, betaine hydrochloride supplements (for digestion), DHEA supplementation and even 3 months of low dose naltrexone (LDN), which was the only treatment that actually raised my WBC count from 3.0 (below normal) to 6.2 (mid normal range. However after 3 months w/o LDN, my WBC dropped back to 4.2. That was a year ago. So I asked my doc to order another WBC and a TB blood test. (I had positive skin tests during childhood, after I was exposed to my aunt's active TB.) I had the blood draw for those tests just this morning. So I won't know the results for a week.
Our garden is almost finished for the season. We still have some grapes, brocolli, carrots and leeks. I'd like to resume sewing. I still have fabric and lots ideas. However, I want to clean up the flower and garden beds before the weather turns too cold and rainy which may happen next weekend. Since I mentioned an unresolved issue (TB and CBC tests), I'll most likely post again this month or next month. I can't imagine posting more often than once a month though. I'm just too busy living to have time to post.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Summer Update
I haven't posted for awhile. So I'll update my hypothyroid recovery progress and add some day to day news.
After abstaining from DHEA for several weeks, my hypothyroid symptoms decreased while taking 52.5 mcg of T3. When I began to experience cold symptoms (sore throat, sinus pain, etc.), I took a 2.5 mg sublingual DHEA dose at least an hour after my T3 dose or late at night. The DHEA gave me immediate relief from cold symptoms. So I use it when needed, rather than taking a daily 2.5 mg sublingual dose. That seems to work well, because 52.5 mg of T3 daily has eliminated hypo symptoms for almost 3 weeks now, even while taking the 5 mcg tablets (which supposedly have too much absorption blocking cellulose). I will use my last 5mcg tablet tomorrow. So I'll try using 50mcg doses with the 25 mcg tablets. (I can easily split the 25s into halves, but have more difficulty cutting those into quarters to make up 50mcg total daily dose with 3 smaller divided doses.)
I've enjoyed the warm summer weather which helped all our garden crops (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, grapes, brocolli, beans, lettuce, leeks, carrots, tomatoes). I played tennis, enjoyed walking around our local lake and taken some day trips. We usually plan a vacation in the fall, but enjoy local activities during the summer. I also continued to sew summer tops, but plan to begin some sun dresses after I finish some alterations.
I plan to see my doctor either after I stablize on my T3 dose or just before I run through my current prescriptions, whichever comes first. I'll give her a copy of Paul Robinson's book "Recovering with T3", which taught me how to use T3 only to eliminate my hypothyroid symptoms after T4 only and T4 plus T3 didn't work.
Monday, May 28, 2012
DHEA Blocks T3 Absorption
During the past few weeks I experienced more constipation, which is my most obvious symptom of hypothyroidism. Since I had been taking 50mcg of T3, I hesitated to raise my dose again. Instead I scanned "Recovering with T3". Miraculously I read about the author's experience with drugs which can block T3 absorption. Those drugs include hydrocortisone, DHEA, alcohol, and some antibiotics.
I began taking DHEA sublingually last December (almost 6 months ago). When I refilled my prescription in late March, I told the pharmacist that I still had immunity problems (cold symptoms). So the pharmacist suggested that I raise my DHEA dose to improve immunity. After I raised my dose to 4.0mg in early April, I experience greatly improved immunity (no cold symptoms no matter what else I did). Perhaps I got more vitamin D on sunnier days.
However, I also began to have more hypothyroid symptoms during April. So I raised my dose of T3 over a 6 week period from 42.5mcg to 50mcg. I experienced temporary relief (from constipation, low body temperature and fatigue) with each increase. However relief was short lived. After 2 weeks on 50mcg I began having more severe constipation, which was not relieved even by extra magnesium. (I already followed all the usual 'regularity' rules of fluids, fiber, exercise, etc. for years but nothing consistently resolved irregularity until I began T3 thyroid supplement therapy.)
After reading about drugs which block T3 absorption, I decided to abstain from DHEA to see what happens. The very first day without DHEA, I had relief from irregularity. If the DHEA increase blocked my T3 absorption, while I slowly increased the T3 dose, I wonder whether my current T3 dose (50mcg) may prove to be too high. I need to watch for hyperthyroid symptoms, while I'll abstain from DHEA until I notice immunity problems.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Good Results with 50mcg T3
I've finally adjusted to 50mcg of T3 (liothyronine) only each day. After back and forthing between 47.5 and 50 total mcg of T3, I finally experienced hypothyroid symptom relief without incurring hyperthyroid symptoms. I tried 3 divided doses of 50mcg for a week. However, I still had low energy between my 2nd and 3rd doses each day. So I began experimenting with 4 daily doses again. That works well as long as I can space my doses either 1/2 hour before or 1 hour after meals. Even when I take the last dose after 8pm, I still sleep soundly. Best of all that total (50mcg) dose completely resolved my irregularity problem.
So I can finally stick with one prescription (25mcg tablets), rather than needing a 25mcg and a 5mcg prescription to get the appropriate sized doses. I'm splitting 25mcg pills in half and taking 4 halves daily 3-1/2 to 4 hours apart. That keeps me evenly warm and energetic, but doesn't cause heart palpitations. I hope I can stick with this dose for awhile. I've taken T3 only for 19 weeks now (almost 5 months). So I suspect my natural T4 very suppressed (as well as my TSH) and all the synthetic T4 cleared from my body 2 months ago.
I plan to see my doctor in late June or early July after a month or so on the 50mcg dose. By that time I should know whether I've stabilized (complete symptom relief, but especially normal regularity) on the 50mcg dose. Then I'll request a new prescription of 25mcg tablets (2 daily). I just hope I don't need to increase again (and need those litte 5mcg tablets to get the necessary amount). Maybe I should 'manifest' (ala Wayne Dyer's approach) 50mcg in 4 divided doses is my longterm stable T3 dose. Of course I'll give my doc a copy of "Recovering with T3' to convince her that I don't need T4 (as well as my history since early January of taking T3 only).
Friday, April 27, 2012
Liothyronine Dosage Changes
After doing well with 42.5 mcg of liothyronine (T3) in 3 divided daily doses for 5 weeks, I noticed obvious hypothyroid symptoms (my usual constipation, fatigue and low body temperature). So I tried increasing to 45mcg (in 3 divided doses) for 9 days, but still didn't experience complete symptom relief. Then I tried 47.5mcg (in 3 divided doses) for 3 days.
I have always wanted to try 4 divided doses with 25mcg tablets, which would eliminate the necessity of 2 prescriptions (one for 25mcg tablets and one for 5mcg tablets). So after only 3 days on the 47.5mcg level, I decided to try 50mcg in 4 divided daily doses. Unfortunately I slept in the first day and took my first pill late, which moved all my subsequent doses later. I took my last dose about 8pm and didn't sleep well last night. However, I suspect reflux from a high fat with onions dinner challenged my sleep more than feeling too warm or hyper from the late t3 dose.
Nevertheless, I tried another day of 4 divided doses for a total of 50mcg today. Perhaps because I didn't sleep well last night, I didn't feel more energetic with 4 divided doses. I also suspect the doses are actually too small to provide symptom relief. Trying to schedule 4 divided doses around eating meals and taking supplements (especially magnesium) is more difficult than my 3 divided doses which I've taken for almost 4 months now.
Sooooo ... I'll backpedal tomorrow and return to 3 divided doses of 47.5 mcg, which I really didn't give a fair trial. Coincidentally I started having more hypo symptoms after 13-14 weeks on t3 only. That makes me suspect that T4 has completely cleared from my body and I rely only on my T3 supplement for thyroid hormones. That makes me wonder whether I will eventually need as much as 50mcg daily. I also could try the circadium method of taking my first t3 dose a few hours before I normally get up. I've tried that method a few times, but I usually don't return to sound sleep. I need sound sleep as well as thyroid supplements to feel energetic the next day. However, for now, I'll return to 47.5mcg in 3 divided doses and give that a week before I consider another increase.
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