thyroid, T3

[pretzel2008]

Anyone here suffer from hypothyroid?? I've tried EVERYTHING for it with no success--and my drs are little to no help! Not sure how much everyone knows about diagnosing hypo-hyperthyroid but it is HIGHLY subjective and most doctors only refer to a standard set of ranges to determine if you're "sick" regardless of your symptoms!! If I'm told one more time that I just have the blues or I'm tired or its menopause I will hit someone!!
anyway--I digress--I truly believe that I would benefit from T3 supplementation but drs here will not prescribe it. does anyone have any experience taking it? I've been on synthyroid and desicated thyroid--those weren't great. Just wondered if anyone had ever been on T3?

Thanks all!

[LeeAnn]

My daughter and mother both have it. My daughter has done extensive research about it and with a PhD from Columbia she knows how to do research. We all agree I probably have it also but the standard thyroid tests are normal. Her advise is to insist on a test for the “optimal range” not just the normal range since there are 2 different scales. So next week I am going to the doctor and will do as she says.

I don't think it will be a problem this time. I seem to be disintegrating. On 3 of my fingers, my fingernails are separating from the nail bed and since I do not have a fungus from plastic nail tips nor do I have psoriasis, the third cause of this condition is a thyroid disorder. I recently acquired a book called The thyroid Condition, a pretty intense technical book about the mind/body connection with thyroid. I am still slogging my way through it but after struggling with depression for most of my life, it sure addresses many similarities.

I have often considered trying to medicate my self with T3 but was afraid of growing hair on my fingernails. Now that they are falling off I may change my mind.
I do know that those people who do use and know about the supplements can be found on the forums for body builders.

[pretzel2008]

LeeAnn--I totally agree with your daughter about the "optimal range". People don't realize that the normal range numbers that doctors so often use aren't based off of the levels of healthy people--so those numbers aren't really normal or optimal!!! I still remember the nurse calling me back and telling me "Your numbers are all in the normal range." so then I asked her for all the levels and they were so far out of whack! If you are complaining of symptoms (hypothyroid or hyper) and your #s are at the very top or bottom end of the "range" then obviously something isn't right! Isn't each person an individual where a condition might affect him/her slightly differently?

I've never experienced the nail separation--but I feel ya with the depression! Who knew a little thyroid gland could control so much? There is also a great book (and FB site) called Stop the Thyroid Madness that offers a TON of info in very easy to read format.

Here's to hoping we both find something that helps!

[kavon169]

pretzel2008 - Yes I take T3 (or cytomel) a couple times a year in 6 week cycles to burn fat (see my post about taurine for cramping in this section). As I'm sure you're aware, T3 can be dangerous if you take too much or stay on too long. And the way I take it, cycle up from 25 mcg to 100 mcgs a day then cycle back down to taper off at the 6th week mark, is probably different than the way you'd take it for hypothyroid. I'm told that you can take 25 mcgs/day (some say up to 50/mcgs/day) for a much longer period of time without damaging your thyroid at lower doses like just mentioned. I can only speak to it's effectiveness as a fat-burner and tell you that it works very well for me for this purpose.