Tag Archives: hair loss

Can a Blood Test Identify Those Who Need T3 for Proper Treatment of Hypothyroidism?


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Dr. Gary Pepper and Dr. Paul Aoun discuss recent findings about thyroid hormone treatment at the 15th International Thyroid Congress

Dr. Gary Pepper and Dr. Paul Aoun discuss recent findings about thyroid hormone treatment at the 15th International Thyroid Congress

According to experts, 10 to 20% of hypothyroid individuals fail to respond completely to T4-only (levothyroxine, Synthroid) treatment. Dr. Anthony Bianco, the president of the American Thyroid Association, and his associates believe this is due to genetic variations in the way thyroid hormone is converted in the body from T4 into T3. T3 is the much more potent form of thyroid hormone and unless the cells of the body receive enough T3, normal function cannot be achieved and symptoms of low thyroid such as fatigue, mental fogginess, constipation, muscle aches etc, persist. Based on the research conducted by Dr. Bianco and colleagues it is thought that in those with the genetic trait making T4 treatment ineffective, blood tests would show low T3 levels. Continue reading →

Indycat Shares Her Experience with Thyroid Hormone Treatment


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Finding the best replacement dose of thyroid hormone can be a frustrating experience for many people. Symptoms of fatigue, hair loss, itchy skin, bloating, hot or cold intolerance etc. can resist numerous attempts to correct them by changing dosages and even the type of thyroid medication used. Indycat shares her experience here with metabolism.com and wonders what next?

Indycat writes:

I tried a couple of endocrinologists and was constantly heckled about my point blank refusal to not come off of the Armour. In the end I simply went back to my GP who now run the relevant blood work and prescribes my meds. I cannot compare Armour with Synthroid because I refused to take it from the beginning but I did a lot of research and I have other complications that I did not need compounded.

I am not sure I am on the correct dosage however, it seems to get lowered everytime I have bloodwork and I am now just taking one grain (60mg) but still have some symptoms. Increasing my dose makes my hair fall out more and so does decreasing it so I am caught between a rock and a hard place!

I was diagnosed back in 2001 and the one main thing I wish I could fix would be my libido… That seems to have left the building.

I tried a couple of endocrinologists and was constantly heckled about my point blank refusal to not come off of the Armour. In the end I simply went back to my GP who now run the relevant blood work and prescribes my meds. I cannot compare Armour with Synthroid because I refused to take it from the beginning but I did a lot of research and I have other complications that I did not need compounded.

I am not sure I am on the correct dosage however, it seems to get lowered everytime I have bloodwork and I am now just taking one grain (60mg) but still have some symptoms. Increasing my dose makes my hair fall out more and so does decreasing it so I am caught between a rock and a hard place!

I was diagnosed back in 2001 and the one main thing I wish I could fix would be my libido… That seems to have left the building.
indycat@cfl.rr.com