Wanted to start a log to help keep track of things. This first post will have TMI for those interested in reading =)
DOSING PAST: So I switched from Nature-throid to T4/T3 (generic) synthetic on Monday, 6/16/14. Started with 56.25mcg of T4 and 12.5mcg of T3. 2 weeks later started getting VERY depressed, haven't felt this bad in years. So on 7/21/14 (exactly 5 weeks later) I lowered the T4 dose to 46.8mcg. Depression went away pretty much that day.
On 8/2/14, I switched from synthetic T4 to cynomel for 3 days, same dose of 12.5mcg (from online pharm)-- Felt horrible for those 3 days. Muscles really tight and painful, a little loopy, and what felt like a caffeine withdrawal headache. Temp went up to 99.7 at one point, and oddly, my pulse went down to 82 pretty consistently. Had to switch back to generic T3 on 8/5/14. Felt better immediately. But this means I'll have to rely on Dr for Rx and can't order online. I also lowered my T3 dose down to 10mcg on 8/5/14. I did this because I suspected that the cynomel was more potent (extreme muscle tightness, headaches, etc... maybe indicated was pushing me too hard and I needed more minerals). I had slight muscle tension and caffeine headache on the 12.5mcg of the generic T3, so that's why I lowered dose.
DEPRESSED/DOSE: On 8/8/14, felt really depressed in the afternoon. It's almost 2 weeks after lowering my T4 to 46.8mcg... wondering if I should lower T4 even more. However, I also lowered T3 a few days ago from 12.5mcg to 10mcg. Maybe I just need more T3. Decisions- ack! Hair also shedding a bit more for past 3 days or so (need more T3?) Had the loose stools today 8/8/14 (see below) so maybe the depression was from sudden loss of minerals, and not the T4/T3 meds.
TEMP/PULSE: Ever since going on cynomel for a few days, my pulse has had occasions of being much lower than usual, even now that I'm back on the generic T3 for a few days. For past 3 years, my pulse is pretty much always at 90. But since cynomel, there are several times where it's around 82. And temp was really high on cynomel (though it was just before menstruation). Not sure if this means my metabolism is dropping as my body adjusts to the T3. Or maybe it is a good sign, that the T3 is finally lowering my stress hormones so my pulse doesn't have to be so high. Hard to say. I haven't been checking temp as much past few days.
Been getting extra hot, though this probably started with the B1 in spring, even before switching to T4/T3. When on cynomel for those 3 days, I would get hot, sweat it out, and then get cold-- meds pushing me too hard? Had a few times of cold hands since switching back to generic T3 as well.
Wondering if the excessive sweating I've been having is really a cortisol problem, and not a good warm from thyroid. How do I tell the difference?
PERIOD: came on Day 27 (8/6/14)-- miraculous because it's usually been a bit late (day 30-32 for past several months). And no fake spotting or cramping first-- just came and stayed-- wa hoo! Did have a slightly lighter Day on Day 1, and then morning of Day 2 and into day had some mild cramping, but pretty easily controllable with food and aspirin. A bit tired, on Day 2, but not excessively. Because period came on Day 27, I think my body seems to like the T4/T3 instead of the natural desiccated. (If I stay on lower dose of T3 at 10mcg, check when period comes next month to make sure dose is sufficient)
MAGNESIUM: Can't take full baths at the moment, so I've been doing some epsom foot baths. Also spray with magnesium oil approx 2x/day. I thought it wasn't enough so I made some magnesium bicarbonate (milk of mag plus seltzer)-- about 1.5 weeks ago I took a small dose 2 nights in a row- about 120mg. I slept really hard those nights and was still sleepy next morning-- but I think it irritated my stomach- gassy/scratchy intestines. I took some more again last night to try it (didn't measure, but about 70-100mg). Slept hard again... stomach was fine in the morning, but had loose stools in the afternoon and stomach uncomfortable after. To note: the depression came on after those loose stools (when magnesium left my body?)
I've been noticing a bit more odor from my underarms the past 8 weeks or so. Maybe the T4/T3 is pushing my metabolism, meaning I need more minerals. Adding magnesium has often helped with body odor in past. Interestingly, I had no underarm odor today... until after the loose stools this afternoon. Does magnesium leave my body in the stools? Frustrating that it does seem to help with body odor and sleep, but then messes with my stomach. The epsom foot baths and mag oil on skin don't seem to be potent enough. Maybe I'll look into ordering some mag glycinate and see how my tummy handles that.
Things to think about adding in:
-Magnesium glycinate
-Niacinamide
-More regular aspirin?
-zinc
-Vit B6
-B12?
-chromium
DOSING PAST: So I switched from Nature-throid to T4/T3 (generic) synthetic on Monday, 6/16/14. Started with 56.25mcg of T4 and 12.5mcg of T3. 2 weeks later started getting VERY depressed, haven't felt this bad in years. So on 7/21/14 (exactly 5 weeks later) I lowered the T4 dose to 46.8mcg. Depression went away pretty much that day.
On 8/2/14, I switched from synthetic T4 to cynomel for 3 days, same dose of 12.5mcg (from online pharm)-- Felt horrible for those 3 days. Muscles really tight and painful, a little loopy, and what felt like a caffeine withdrawal headache. Temp went up to 99.7 at one point, and oddly, my pulse went down to 82 pretty consistently. Had to switch back to generic T3 on 8/5/14. Felt better immediately. But this means I'll have to rely on Dr for Rx and can't order online. I also lowered my T3 dose down to 10mcg on 8/5/14. I did this because I suspected that the cynomel was more potent (extreme muscle tightness, headaches, etc... maybe indicated was pushing me too hard and I needed more minerals). I had slight muscle tension and caffeine headache on the 12.5mcg of the generic T3, so that's why I lowered dose.
DEPRESSED/DOSE: On 8/8/14, felt really depressed in the afternoon. It's almost 2 weeks after lowering my T4 to 46.8mcg... wondering if I should lower T4 even more. However, I also lowered T3 a few days ago from 12.5mcg to 10mcg. Maybe I just need more T3. Decisions- ack! Hair also shedding a bit more for past 3 days or so (need more T3?) Had the loose stools today 8/8/14 (see below) so maybe the depression was from sudden loss of minerals, and not the T4/T3 meds.
TEMP/PULSE: Ever since going on cynomel for a few days, my pulse has had occasions of being much lower than usual, even now that I'm back on the generic T3 for a few days. For past 3 years, my pulse is pretty much always at 90. But since cynomel, there are several times where it's around 82. And temp was really high on cynomel (though it was just before menstruation). Not sure if this means my metabolism is dropping as my body adjusts to the T3. Or maybe it is a good sign, that the T3 is finally lowering my stress hormones so my pulse doesn't have to be so high. Hard to say. I haven't been checking temp as much past few days.
Been getting extra hot, though this probably started with the B1 in spring, even before switching to T4/T3. When on cynomel for those 3 days, I would get hot, sweat it out, and then get cold-- meds pushing me too hard? Had a few times of cold hands since switching back to generic T3 as well.
Wondering if the excessive sweating I've been having is really a cortisol problem, and not a good warm from thyroid. How do I tell the difference?
PERIOD: came on Day 27 (8/6/14)-- miraculous because it's usually been a bit late (day 30-32 for past several months). And no fake spotting or cramping first-- just came and stayed-- wa hoo! Did have a slightly lighter Day on Day 1, and then morning of Day 2 and into day had some mild cramping, but pretty easily controllable with food and aspirin. A bit tired, on Day 2, but not excessively. Because period came on Day 27, I think my body seems to like the T4/T3 instead of the natural desiccated. (If I stay on lower dose of T3 at 10mcg, check when period comes next month to make sure dose is sufficient)
MAGNESIUM: Can't take full baths at the moment, so I've been doing some epsom foot baths. Also spray with magnesium oil approx 2x/day. I thought it wasn't enough so I made some magnesium bicarbonate (milk of mag plus seltzer)-- about 1.5 weeks ago I took a small dose 2 nights in a row- about 120mg. I slept really hard those nights and was still sleepy next morning-- but I think it irritated my stomach- gassy/scratchy intestines. I took some more again last night to try it (didn't measure, but about 70-100mg). Slept hard again... stomach was fine in the morning, but had loose stools in the afternoon and stomach uncomfortable after. To note: the depression came on after those loose stools (when magnesium left my body?)
I've been noticing a bit more odor from my underarms the past 8 weeks or so. Maybe the T4/T3 is pushing my metabolism, meaning I need more minerals. Adding magnesium has often helped with body odor in past. Interestingly, I had no underarm odor today... until after the loose stools this afternoon. Does magnesium leave my body in the stools? Frustrating that it does seem to help with body odor and sleep, but then messes with my stomach. The epsom foot baths and mag oil on skin don't seem to be potent enough. Maybe I'll look into ordering some mag glycinate and see how my tummy handles that.
Things to think about adding in:
-Magnesium glycinate
-Niacinamide
-More regular aspirin?
-zinc
-Vit B6
-B12?
-chromium