In the quest to find out why I'm so fatigued all the time, I had more thyroid tests done at my last NaPro appointment. I keep hoping we find something wrong because I feel like there is a missing link. If we find that missing link, I think I'll have a healthy, full-term pregnancy.
I've thought for awhile that I might have a thyroid problem because my waking temperatures are low pre-ovulation (96.9-97.4) as well as post-ovulation (98.7-98.2). I am fatigued quite often and am extremely sensitive to the cold.
Back in March 2009, I had tests done and here's how they came back:
TSH: 1.320 (range 0.47-4.68)
Free T4: 1.23 (range 0.78-2.19)
Free T3: 3.0 (range 2.4-4.2)
Everything was in range. Maybe all of the symptoms were in my head. Try not to think about it anymore. Get our first BFP September 2009. Missed miscarriage.
Still persist with the fatigue. March 2010 I have my vitamin D tested as well as my TSH again. TSH is 0.878 (range 0.47-4.68). Vitamin D is low at 21 (range 30-80). Yeah, low Vitamin D. Maybe that was the problem. I started on 2,000 units of a Vitamin D supplement daily. I retested the Vit. D level in May 2010 and it was only up to 34. Increase to 4,000 units daily. Retested again in August 2010 and it was at 47. NaPro Dr. still not happy with the number. Increase to 6,000 units daily. Will retest levels again soon.
Had a 2nd miscarriage in September 2010. In December 2010, I insisted on more testing because I really think there is still something wrong. Dr. started me on 5mg of timed-release Cortisol because my morning level was slightly high back in August 2009. At that time he said it was fine. It was 25 with a range of (5-23).
I'm still tired every day, however, and my body temps seem to indicate a problem as they still are low. I continue to show my dr. my temperature charts.
Here's my latest results as of December 2010:
TSH: 1.9 (range 0.47-4.68)
Free T3: 3.4 (range 2.4-4.2)
Total T3: 111 (range 80-200)
Reverse T3: 287 (range 90-350)
Help ladies! Anyone have experience in this area? I'm still waiting to hear from my NaPro Dr. about his thoughts on the T3 reverse numbers, but I also know he doesn't have a lot of experience with thyroid patients (even though he's been practicing NaPro for years). I'm really desperate for answers or more tests to suggest to my doctor. I like my NaPro doctor, but I also want to get to the bottom of why I'm so tired. I just feel like something is wrong and don't think I'll have a healthy pregnancy until we discover what that is. Plus, I could hardly imagine caring for a newborn when I'm as tired as I am every day. There's no way I could be a mom with this level of fatigue. Off to drink a cup of black tea as it's 4:00 and I need to make it through work and the night tonight. Ugh.
I'm on this like white on rice... checking in with the catholic IF blog "experts," will get back to ya!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Praise God. Can't wait to hear what you find. I know you're somewhat of an expert yourself, TCIE. I've learned a lot from lurking around your blog the past year.
ReplyDeleteUmmm yes sounds like you have a thyroid issue that isn't being treated-go figure. ;)
ReplyDeleteSo the Free T3 and Free T4 are the numbers you need to go by to "treat" the thyroid but you have two major symptoms that would warrant thyroid medication.
I also highly suspect that your miscarriages could be the cause of a thyroid issue. I also had a miscarriage and I KNEW it had to be something because I was SO TIRED and fatigued, freezing cold etc...My blog goes into more detail the HELL I have been through so I will spare you here...
I would definitely look around for more help away from an endocrinologist and possibly oustide of napro for some thyroid help if he doesn't give you any meds or look into this more aggressively.......
Have you had a surgery by chance?
stopthethyroidmadness.com is a great resource for learning thyroid...
Have you had your B12 and ferritin checked as well? Your Vit D numbers are really low and if I'm not mistaken those low vitamins go hand in hand with a thyroid issue.
Do you live anywhere near Carlisle Pennsylvania?
Also you want your Free T3 to be in the upper part of the range....You can look great on paper and be within range but have symptoms that scream otherwise........
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments, Sew. You're like a pioneer in the IF blogging world, so it's an honor that you would take time out of being a mom to help wee little me. I have followed your story some on your blog, which is why I continue to advocate for more tests to get to the bottom of my health issues.
ReplyDeleteI live in the west, definitely not close to PA. Is that where your dr. is that you flew to visit? I seem to remember you doing that.
I haven't had surgery, though my napro dr said we may want to go that route to see if I have endo. Haven't had B12 or ferritin checked either, though they are on my list to ask dr about next month.
I think I remember reading about wanting the numbers in the upper one-third on TCIE's blog. Is there any place where that's documented? I did mention that to my dr and he said he was going to look into it more.
And yes, I've wondered if there's a connection between miscarriage and whatever else is going on in my body.
Thanks for your comments. Your story inspires me to continue pursuing my health for the long-term benefit of it and then hopefully a healthy pregnancy. I just wish it didn't feel like time was moving so quickly.
Thank you so much for your positive comment on my blog post. As I read this post I was thinking "this is a Sew question" and here she is already in your comment box :)
ReplyDeletePleased to meet you! I have many of your issues though I am doing reproductive immunology treatment instead of Napro. I hope you find your answers! Prayers for you!
Hi there! TCIE beckoned me!
ReplyDeleteFrom my sources your revers T3 is showing a problem. Reverse T3 will be too high for various reasons, one is adrenal fatigue, another is low vitamins causing stress on the body. The most important vitamins in relation to thyroid are , Vit D, Ferritin (iron storage) B12 and magesium.
http://forums.realthyroidhelp.com/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=3596
Your Free's could be higher, also your cortisol test is suspicious. Were you only tested once in the day, and in blood? You need a test that tests the cortisol rhythm, and that is 4 xs in a day. A saliva test is the easiest way to test this, you can get a saliva test from canary club at:
www.canaryclub.org
you want the test that only tests cortisol. If you need help finding it let me know.
You sound very adrenal to me. If you adrenals are off that could cause your thyroid to look better than it is.The reason I asked about your cortisol being tested only once and in the morning is, your cortisol can be "high" in the morning and the drop like a rock for the rest of the day.
Also slow release cortisol is a waste of time, most of us with some kind of thyroid issue will have digestive issues as well, this causes us to get barely anything from slow release pills of any sort.
Where do you live? I can see if any good thyroid Drs are near you!
Hi!
ReplyDeleteI have been fighting fatigue for several years now. could not wake up in the morning, could not think straight and was overwhelmed by life in general.
I did a mix of things and found that it really helped. I was doing great for a few months and I got pregnant there. I lost my footing after my miscarriage, but I am slowly getting back on the TTC horse!
I would suggest that you read the book : Feeling fat, fuzzy or frazzeled by Dr. Shames. It really, really gives a good explanation how reproductive hormones, thyroid and cortisol are all related.
You can find the questionnaire here:
http://www.feelingfff.com/
Now on the thyroid part. you can support the medicines given to you by napro doctors with herbals and vitamins. Gingseng is one very good one as well as ashwanda. The book tells you what you can and cannot. The doctor is Harvard trained although the site does not precisely show this (its a bad site but great book and easy to read).
When I read it almost every second paragraph I would stop and say:THEY ARE DESCRIBING ME!!!
B12 and D3 are very important and you should try to get them in line. You can try for D3 also to increase your time in the sun without sunscreen, but not in midday.
Cortisol. you can go up to 20 mgs a day very safely. Ask your doctor if he can increase the dosage. This can be God sent.
Diet is very very important. You need to really look into it. It is something that we sometimes forget. But its key.
If you can find a functional medicine nutritionist. they do a lot of what Shames says and also can help tremendouslu with energy when giving the right vitamins.
For example., Magnesiumn citrate that helps with sleep.
Send me an email and I can share with you my books and other things!
¡Hola! completly forgot. You could read also:
ReplyDeletefrom Fatigued to Fantastic by Jacob Teitelbaum.
It focuses on chronic fatigue but gives tons of nice info. =)
I mixed advice from both books and found a middle point where I could heal myself together with Napro.
http://www.amazon.com/Fatigued-Fantastic-Jacob-Teitelbaum/dp/1583332898/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1295646908&sr=8-1
My Vit D was 32 recently, and I had noooo energy at all. Depressed, cranky, short with the hubs and my kids, etc. The Vit D pills are helping, as is more natural sunlight and exercise. I keep thinking there are thyroid problems (low basal temp, as well), but the tests don't show that. Good luck!!!
ReplyDeleteWow ladies! I'm blown away by your support and knowledge. I knew this online community was amazing. Why did I wait so long to join it?
ReplyDeleteYou guys have left me with so many questions to ask my Napro dr and continue exploring.
Barbie- adrenal fatigue and low vitamins are on my list of questions for my dr next month. The cortisol was only a blood draw in the morning. The digestive issues is also something to ponder.
A Mary...thanks for the book recommendation. I'm going to look into that and I will be emailing you soon for more info.
Now it's time to try and process all this new information. Ever feel like health issues can be a full-time job?