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I just went through the low temperature discussion with my (now former!) endocrinologist. He said there is no reason for my temps to be low; my TSH and T4 are normal; my 8 AM cortisol are normal (13). My PTH is OK as are my calcium, magnesium, potrtassium, etc etc. levels.
I'm sorry but body temps that fluctuate between 94 to 95.5 and that bring on severe diarrhea has a cause. (They may wander up towards 97 on a good day.) He was just too lazy to find a reason. Oh, he also said I had a full thyroid panel when I asked him for one - yes, a TSH and a T4 are a full panel in his mind.
Changing tactics, I asked about a possible hypothalamus problem. He said he didn't know how that would affect my temperature and to ask my GP - who sent me to see *him* to figure out the problem. Oy.
How do these people get board-certified or even graduate from medical school? He was really pissed that I asked some questions. I had gone in for a vitamin D issue -- low at 24 even while taking 2-4K units a day - but it turned into a frustrating and rather frightening visit.
I had a head MRI yesterday. God Bless my PCP.
The Pervasiveness Of Undertreated Hypothyroidism
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If he didn't even check Free T3 and Free T4, he must have found his certification in a box of Cracker Jacks. 
A body temperature that low almost has to be due to low metabolism, associated with insufficient T3.
That information might be in a different box of Cracker Jacks, and he hasn't come across it, yet. 
Tex
A body temperature that low almost has to be due to low metabolism, associated with insufficient T3.
Maybe he's never heard of the HPT-axis.mzh wrote:He said he didn't know how that would affect my temperature and to ask my GP
That information might be in a different box of Cracker Jacks, and he hasn't come across it, yet. Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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mzh
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Cracker jack box - I love it!
What I don't love is that he's apart of a large endocrinology group - one of the only groups in a radius of 75 miles. Sometimes a large group won't let a person switch docs. I hope my doc can talk them into making a switch if they're a practice like that. This fellow is good for obvious cases. His parting shot to my thyroid question was "I'm a thyroid expert! You had a panel." Nooooo!
What I don't love is that he's apart of a large endocrinology group - one of the only groups in a radius of 75 miles. Sometimes a large group won't let a person switch docs. I hope my doc can talk them into making a switch if they're a practice like that. This fellow is good for obvious cases. His parting shot to my thyroid question was "I'm a thyroid expert! You had a panel." Nooooo!
"I'm a thyroid expert! You had a panel."
I don't recall ever encountering a true expert who felt obligated to point out that he or she was an expert. Real expertise is so obvious that there is never any reason to doubt it. He's a wannabe, not the real deal. Sometimes the members of groups such as that are so protective of each other that they will stick up for one another no matter what happens, and they'll stonewall anyone who tries to rock their cozy little boat. If that's the case, you may have to go farther, to get help.
Good luck. I hope you can get the help you obviously need.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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MBombardier
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http://perfecthealthdiet.com/?p=4328
I have been reading this very interesting, confusing, and apparently somewhat controversial discussion about low carbs, polyunsaturated fats, T3, rT3, etc., etc. I'd be interested to know if you have any thoughts on this, Tex. I have mentioned my low T3/high rT3 issue before.
I learned that the recent flare up of my granuloma annulare may also be related to T3.
I did not know that Armour thyroid can be taken sublingually. I may try that...
It looks like I am being shepherded into a completely paleo/primal diet by my food intolerances and my thyroid issues. I have seen it mentioned that hypothyroidism symptoms are less noticeable with a paleo/primal diet. That would certainly be helpful.
I have been reading this very interesting, confusing, and apparently somewhat controversial discussion about low carbs, polyunsaturated fats, T3, rT3, etc., etc. I'd be interested to know if you have any thoughts on this, Tex. I have mentioned my low T3/high rT3 issue before.
I learned that the recent flare up of my granuloma annulare may also be related to T3.
I did not know that Armour thyroid can be taken sublingually. I may try that...
It looks like I am being shepherded into a completely paleo/primal diet by my food intolerances and my thyroid issues. I have seen it mentioned that hypothyroidism symptoms are less noticeable with a paleo/primal diet. That would certainly be helpful.
Marliss Bombardier
Dum spiro, spero -- While I breathe, I hope
Psoriasis - the dark ages
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Dec 2001
Collagenous Colitis - Sept 2010
Granuloma Annulare - June 2011
Dum spiro, spero -- While I breathe, I hope
Psoriasis - the dark ages
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Dec 2001
Collagenous Colitis - Sept 2010
Granuloma Annulare - June 2011
Marliss,
I'm certainly no diet expert, but I have to say that I totally agree with the author's logic in that article:
In the past, using Armour thyroid sublingually was certainly a valid option. I read somewhere that a year or so ago, when Armour was in short supply, Forest Pharmaceuticals reformulated their product, to facilitate production, and so now it may not be suitable for sublingual use. To be honest, I've never tried it this way, so I really don't know.
If I can remember to try that, I will, to see if it works, and to see if I can tell a difference, but I've been in the habit of just popping the little pill down the hatch for so many years, that I automatically do it every morning, without even thinking.
Tex
I'm certainly no diet expert, but I have to say that I totally agree with the author's logic in that article:
And I agree that your granuloma annulare issue could certainly be related to your T3 level.Conclusion
A diet with sufficient but not excess protein, moderate carbohydrate comprising a minority of calories, and high intake of saturated and monounsaturated fat but low intake of polyunsaturated fat would seem to be optimal for thyroid function. But this is the Perfect Health Diet!
In the past, using Armour thyroid sublingually was certainly a valid option. I read somewhere that a year or so ago, when Armour was in short supply, Forest Pharmaceuticals reformulated their product, to facilitate production, and so now it may not be suitable for sublingual use. To be honest, I've never tried it this way, so I really don't know.
If I can remember to try that, I will, to see if it works, and to see if I can tell a difference, but I've been in the habit of just popping the little pill down the hatch for so many years, that I automatically do it every morning, without even thinking. Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Marliss,
I tried dissolving an Armour tablet sublingually, this morning, and it didn't work. After several minutes under my tongue, it was still as good as new. Evidently the tabs now have a hard shell, so dissolving them under the tongue is no longer an option. Up until roughly 6 months or so ago, I was apparently still getting refills with old stock, because the tablets seemed to be kind of powdery, and easily damaged, so they would surely have dissolved under the tongue. They're much harder now, with a smooth, powder-free surface, so that would have to make them more difficult to absorb, (at least to some degree).
In view of that change, I believe I'm going to have to join the ranks of many others who claim that the decision by Forest Labs to reformulate their Armour thyroid supplement, is the reason why the product doesn't seem to work as well as it did in the past. The time frame appears to fit the timing of when I began to notice the most recent symptoms that I mentioned in my first post in this thread, (lower heart rate, worsening dyspnea, etc.).
So once again, a manufacturer has "improved" a product so that it doesn't work as well as it did originally.
Tex
I tried dissolving an Armour tablet sublingually, this morning, and it didn't work. After several minutes under my tongue, it was still as good as new. Evidently the tabs now have a hard shell, so dissolving them under the tongue is no longer an option. Up until roughly 6 months or so ago, I was apparently still getting refills with old stock, because the tablets seemed to be kind of powdery, and easily damaged, so they would surely have dissolved under the tongue. They're much harder now, with a smooth, powder-free surface, so that would have to make them more difficult to absorb, (at least to some degree).
In view of that change, I believe I'm going to have to join the ranks of many others who claim that the decision by Forest Labs to reformulate their Armour thyroid supplement, is the reason why the product doesn't seem to work as well as it did in the past. The time frame appears to fit the timing of when I began to notice the most recent symptoms that I mentioned in my first post in this thread, (lower heart rate, worsening dyspnea, etc.).
So once again, a manufacturer has "improved" a product so that it doesn't work as well as it did originally.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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MBombardier
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Interesting... I have never taken anything but the new formulation. I have read about the disapproval among many about the new formulation. My father has a strong gag reflex and crushes all his pills. 
I have thought about crushing the Armour tab between two spoons, but since I take it when I wake up an hour or two before I actually get up (so I can take my others when I get up), I am not sure I want to get that awake. Maybe the night before? But then would that lessen the potency? Doubtful. I will think on this...
I have thought about crushing the Armour tab between two spoons, but since I take it when I wake up an hour or two before I actually get up (so I can take my others when I get up), I am not sure I want to get that awake. Maybe the night before? But then would that lessen the potency? Doubtful. I will think on this...Marliss Bombardier
Dum spiro, spero -- While I breathe, I hope
Psoriasis - the dark ages
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Dec 2001
Collagenous Colitis - Sept 2010
Granuloma Annulare - June 2011
Dum spiro, spero -- While I breathe, I hope
Psoriasis - the dark ages
Hashimoto's Thyroiditis - Dec 2001
Collagenous Colitis - Sept 2010
Granuloma Annulare - June 2011
Well, apparently I've been taking the stuff incorrectly - I always just swallowed the tabs, because they seemed to be so fragile that they should dissolve easily in the stomach. According to the site at the link below, that's contraindicated for the new formulation, so I reckon I'm going to try chewing the pills, before I swallow them, to see if that makes them more effective, (I'm pretty sure it will).
As far as I'm aware, Armour thyroid is much more shelf-stable than the synthetic alternatives, as long as it's kept dry, so you could probably pulverize the pills the night before, a long as the humidity is low, or you otherwise keep it dry.
It's interesting that when such significant changes are made in a product, neither the manufacturer, nor the pharmacist, nor the prescribing doctor, feels the need to inform the patient that he or she will need to change the way they use the product. 
If I didn't know better, I might suspect that they really don't give a you-know-what.
Tex
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/mi ... ents-make/As of 2010, you will be making a mistake by swallowing either Armour and Naturethroid whole. The problem is the amount of cellulose in each, which binds the thyroid hormones. Both work better by chewing them up, or pulverizing them–both which helps break up the problematic cellulose. Some patients add either a touch of sugar or honey to the pulverized desiccated thyroid–helps with absorption.
As far as I'm aware, Armour thyroid is much more shelf-stable than the synthetic alternatives, as long as it's kept dry, so you could probably pulverize the pills the night before, a long as the humidity is low, or you otherwise keep it dry.
It's interesting that when such significant changes are made in a product, neither the manufacturer, nor the pharmacist, nor the prescribing doctor, feels the need to inform the patient that he or she will need to change the way they use the product.
If I didn't know better, I might suspect that they really don't give a you-know-what. Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
-
mzh
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Low body temperatures are gone
After years of temps ranging from 95.4 to 96.5 with an occasional 97.3 thrown in, it went up to 98.6 today. I don't know why, other than the diarrhea finally stopped and Norman is here. I thought the low temps were bringing on the diarrhea; apparently the alternating soft stool and diarrhea was bringing my temps down. This is a classic case of what came first: the chicken or the egg.
Too bad I need the expensive Entocort/budesonide to make this remission happen. Oh well, it's only 6 mg a day.
I had an MRI of my head but won't get the report on that until Wednesday. I wonder if it will show a funky hypothalumus anyway. We'll see.
Too bad I need the expensive Entocort/budesonide to make this remission happen. Oh well, it's only 6 mg a day.
I had an MRI of my head but won't get the report on that until Wednesday. I wonder if it will show a funky hypothalumus anyway. We'll see.
