Bio-identical hormones

[vlad]

Bio-identical hormones

About 3 years ago I was diagnosed with thyrotoxicosis (over active thyroid) which was treated with carbimazole over a period of 18 months.

[Tiny]

Bio-identical hormones

I believe that many of us on this site are low blood sugar and if your read Potatoes Not Porzac the first thing the author says is "It's not your fault" ... hiw we choose to manage it well that is another story... right now I am barely managing... UGH!!!!

[LVT25]

Bio-identical hormones

Doggygirl;358819 wrote: Oh - and FWIW, I have not taken any L-Tryptophan (or GABA or any other mood enhancer kind of stuff) since Friday, and my moods seem to be stabilizing. I still have more energy in the AM than the afternoon / evening, but this last adjustment seemed to make it better and I would imagine it will continue to improve with future adjustments.

DG

I am really interested in your progress in the "mood" area. I have just started taking the True Calm, 5HTP, extra Tryptophan and EPO. I'd rather just get my hormones leveled out.

I realize it (your progress) will take time, but I'm more patient these days! Are you?:H

Hope you're feeling great, I think I will probably have trouble finding a doctor that "does" the bioidentical hormones, but I'm determined to check it out!

[Doggygirl]

Bio-identical hormones

LVT25;360363 wrote: I am really interested in your progress in the "mood" area. I have just started taking the True Calm, 5HTP, extra Tryptophan and EPO. I'd rather just get my hormones leveled out.

I realize it (your progress) will take time, but I'm more patient these days! Are you?:H

Hope you're feeling great, I think I will probably have trouble finding a doctor that "does" the bioidentical hormones, but I'm determined to check it out!

If you would like help finding a doc that is good with bio-identicals, here are a couple of things you can try:

Resources This is the compounding pharmacy my doc orders my progesterone and estrogen from. The page I linked to suggests that have a physician listing of some sort.

Physician Locate Docs who are listed that prescribe Armour Thyroid MIGHT also be knowledgeable about the other bio-identical hormone stuff. All doctors that prescribe Armour are NOT on their locator list - mine is not. But it's a place to hunt around.

If you want to PM me your town and state, I can check with a women who actively helps people with Thyroid problems on the internet - she has been collecting her own list of good hormone doctors all over the world to at least be able to give people names to try.

You can call your local pharmacies and ask which doctors in the area prescribe Armour. You can always pretend you just moved there, and need to find a local doc so you can continue your treatment...prescriptions, etc. (sneaky sneaky)

I'm hopeful that the first link to the compounding pharmacy might be the most useful for you. You might have to drive a ways.....unfortunatley it seems that lots of people have to. IMO, I would drive a whole lot farther than I currently have to in order to get the treatment I am getting.

LOL - I admit to taking an L-Tryptophan around noon today - it's been a rather stressful week with my Dad in the hospital and of course every other piddly irritating thing that can possibly happen, happens when you are dealing with a sick relative!! This morning our power was fine with I left the house at 6:45. I got home around 9:30 to no power, and a VEREE snotty voice mail from Mr. Doggy - you woulda thought I sabbatoged the power myself from that message!! Still no power - thank goodness we have generators otherwise we would have no computer use in addition to a whole lot of spoiled food!! Anyway...... It think I deserve a little mood enhancement and probably an AF beer to go with it.

Actually, I am feeling pretty good. I'm due for another "tune up" next week and I'm guessing we are either at the top of where we want to be on the estrogen, or maybe back down just a teeny tad. How do I know??? I dunno. I'm guessing progesterone may go up a little on the evening dose and/or a noon dose of Armour thyroid will be added.

By the way for anyone on prescription drugs...I have to pay for my hormones out of pocket - including Armour thyroid. Disgusting that a relatively inexpensive NATURAL thyroid pill is NOT covered by my insurance, but if the doc put me on Synthetics, that would be. Where is the "my eyeballs are rolling SO far back in my head!!...." smiley.

Anyway...I filled my first 2 Armour prescriptions at Walgreens. 60 30mg pills was $16.99 and 30 15mg pills was $12.99. ??????

Anyway, the Sam's Club by me has a pharmacy now and I was there yesterday and there was no line at the window. So I asked if they could do a price check and they complied with a smile. 60 30mg pills at Sam's???? $6.88. THAT'S RIGHT FOLKS. Less than half the price. And I double checked that it's the name brand Armour - not some other brand or generic, etc.

So....that was an eye opener and others might be wanting to do some price checking at Sam's or Walmart too.

Whew. Another Novel. Where's my advance check???

Have a great weekend everyone. May your hormones be good to you.

DG

[LVT25]

Bio-identical hormones

Hi DG,
Thanks for the links. I requested an info packet! I brought up the Armour thyroid issue with my sister last weekend. I think she is tired of the battle. She had surgery last fall for Cushings disease, and the endocrinologists just keep telling her it will take time for her to feel better, that her "tests" are all normal. I just have this feeling they did nothing for her--because she still has almost all of the symptoms, except she is sleeping at night. She has gotten really heavy, has this round face, and has extreme fatigue. I can't do it for her, and I know there's not a lot she can do if her doctors won't. Frustrating.
I know my mood is worse with PMS. At times my dh and kids drive me nuts! I get sooo sensitive, but yet I still feel sometimes it's not all me (if you know what I mean)!

Well, gotta go. I hope your dad is doing better--I've been reading a little about it on the other thread. Talk about stress!:h

[Doggygirl]

Bio-identical hormones

LVT, I'm still new to all this..but it sure does seem like the only option if you don't think your doc is up on the latest info is to hunt down another doc. Lots of work, and potentially lots of inconvenience if there isn't one nearby. Potentially $$$ too. I feel bad for your sister.

Did you also grab this link? Stop The Thyroid Madness ? Index Page

I am due for my 2 week Armour dosing discussion with doc this Friday. Will let you know the outcome!

DG

[Tiny]

Bio-identical hormones

DG -- be patient with your Armour as it takes a awhile for our bodies to adjust (as most of us already know that when giving up alcohol) ... the key is once your are extablished on Armour are blood tests done very six months to be certain that you are balanced...

Keep up the great work Doggie!!!!!!!

[Doggygirl]

Bio-identical hormones

OK - finally got the two week Armour dose news. Up by another .25 grain (15mg) and this time in the afternoon. That makes sense since the half life of T3 is only about 4 hours, and T3 conversion seems to be more of a problem for me than availability of T4 to convert. So....hopefully this is another positive step down the road to a properly functioning metabolism!

For those who are looking for info on adrenals AND Thyroid and how they inter-relate, this is an interesting site. Dr. Rind Home Page He really summarizes a lot of good information that normally you have to go through whole books to figure out. I like his temperature taking method and printable charts. Also his recommendations for Thyroid tests align well with other advice I've found, and what my own enlightened doc is doing with me. His chart to aid in interpretting standard Thyroid tests (TSH, FT3, FT4) is helpful.

I can't remember if I already posted this link - but it's a discussion community devoted to this hormone stuff. Real Thyroid Help

Hope some of you find these additional resources helpful!!

DG

[Doggygirl]

Bio-identical hormones

Here is a summary of the happenings at my check up yesterday with doc.

Today was an awesome meeting with the doc. LOL it DOES feel more like a "meeting" than a "doctor appointment" as she has questions for me, and I have questions for her, and we discuss in a "two way" fashion. I could stay in her office all day talking with her if I could only afford it. (although I was in her office 40 extra minutes beyond our scheduled time, and she only charged me for 10!!!)

Here is a long summary (oxymoron anyone?? ) of the things we covered in case there is interest. Of course I welcome any feedback an/or "challenges" - that will help me develop my questions for my next appointment.

Thyroid: Based on symptoms everything is sounding good where we are. She drew blood for another TSH / FT3 / FT4 look. That might indicate needed adjustments, or it might just tell us where we are so if we like this place, we'll know what we are shooting for if things go out of whack in the future. (I'm on Armour at .75 grain in the AM and .25 grain in the early afternoon, both taken sublinqually).

This is hard to describe, but as we titrated up from 1/2 grain to start, I somehow felt like I needed more at the times we added more. Right now, I don't feel like I need more. Isn't that weird??? I don't even really know what I'm "feeling" for.

Anyway, they will fax my results to me next week and they will let me know (or I can let them know) if I want an appointment to discuss it. (I like the fact that there is not another "automatic" appointment I have to pay for just to see the results - especially if we don't need to meet)

I asked her opinion about taking Armour sublingually. She has no problem with it, so long as you don't get a "rush" feeling (i.e. sweats or rapid heart beat, etc.) from it entering your blood stream so fast.

I gave her a copy of the Molly Shomon (sp) article about her conversation with a rep from Armour about availability of Armour. She scripted me 90 days worth so I can have a supply in case Armour runs short at Sam's before the production issues (according to what Armour told Molly) with the higher grain doses are resolved. (sounded like some BS to me, and I think to Molly, but whatever...I guess the rumors persist about Armour availability...I'm glad I'm covered for awhile!)

Estrogen, Progesterone, Testosterone: I will be moving to an oil based form for the estrogen which will save me money, now that we have the dose where we like it - at least for another 2 months. So many of my symptoms are improved - but the sex drive is still pretty non-existent. (If I can't get excited over a Johnny Depp fantasy...um...that's my standard - then something is WRONG!! ) So...she will be adding bit of testosterone to the estrogen compound.

Progesterone will stay the same - in the cream - as the dose is so different AM v. PM. I'm cool with that.

Our next scheduled follow up is October 3 at which time we will be doing another saliva test to see officially where we are on esterogen (3 types), progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, and cortisol.

Supplements: We actually spent quite a bit of time on this topic. In my previous visits, we've touched on some supplements in a bit of a scattershot way - one at a time. She is a big believer in the health benefits of several things - some not specifically related to thyroid. Her top picks are:

Probiotics - I've been taking and will continue to take the physician grade that she sells. I've not seen a hint of anything looking like a yeast issue in a couple of months, and I've battled that off and on for quite awhile.

D3 - she's big on this. She talks about significant (recent) research showing major benefits in things like fighting / preventing cancer. I've been taking the one she sells.
>Omega Oils - I take the one she sells.

B-Vitamins - she highly recommends and sells one.

COQ10 - she is a BIG fan based on recent research. But there are two types out there (I'll have to look up the exact words later so I can provide that) but one type that is commonly available in the health food stores is "barely better than a placebo" (her words not mine) and the other type is the effective one - major benefits to the heart and also aiding cellular level absorption of nutrients, THYROID MEDICATION, etc.

On Selenium, she had a caution to make sure not to exceed 200 mcg per day - so if you take a multi, check to see what selenium it contains before taking additional selenium.

She also switched me to a better quality Cal/Mag.

***before anyone comes back saying this woman is shistering in the supplement business, I will tell you that she is selling what SHE TAKES PERSONALLY, where she believes the grade available to her as a physician is noticeably higher in quality than what is typically sold at Walgreens, GNC, etc. I will be happy to provide the brand names and other details if anyone is interested in exactly what she's got me on.

So there you have it for whatever it's worth. I'm finally sleeping MUCH MUCH better (without taking any melatonin or valerian, etc.) My energy is great in the morning, but is also now good through the afternoon - I really "faded" until we added .25 Grain of Armour in the early PM. I'm seeing results from my diet and exercise efforts!!

Life is good.

DG

[LVT25]

Bio-identical hormones

Hi DG--

Thanks for keeping us updated. While I was working yesterday, I ran across a hormone panel my client had had done. I only glanced at it, but I asked her if we could talk about it sometime when she has time. Kinda weird it's never come up before as we are friends, but she is a busy lady! I'm still taking lots of "feel good" supps, but can't help but think my hormones are a little out of whack. I got the info packet from the website you gave me the link to. Maybe I'll get that out this weekend and read it more thoroughly--lots of good infor there! :h

:thanks:

[fickle]

Bio-identical hormones

Thanks for all the info DG & everyone.. I am going to research this more. So glad to have the links.

The Doc's here in Australia are hopeless - so far only my homeopath has recognised I must have hormone/thyroid issues and he is treating me with homeopathy & acupuncture.

I can't even buy L-Tryptophan in this country without being prescribed it by a naturopath and after about 30 phonecalls I still can't find one that knows or wants to know anything about amino-acids! I am going to order some supps from here, can anyone suggest where to buy LTryp online that will ship to Aus?
I tried the site Beatle uses but got this rediculous response:
"Hello,we cannot ship into Australia but we can ship into theUS.UK,andJapan if you know anybody there.Bio-Recovery"

Wish me luck finding a Dr that will help me.:upset:

[fickle]

Bio-identical hormones

Sorry, I've asked this question elsewhere and just found my answer from Panadol in another thread:

Hey Fickle
according to a drug website I looked up it states that 5-htp and tryptophan can be bought over the counter in Queensland I dont know where you are, I'm west oz. Its also widely available in New zealand - Postage maybe cheaper than ordering from the States. Hope this helps.Pan

Many thanks Pan!!

[fickle]

Bio-identical hormones

OK, I am going to see a doctor and taking all the info with me. I spoke to a nurse in the endocrinologist department at the hospital and she told me to get tests done and get a referral.

[Doggygirl]

Bio-identical hormones

Hi fickle and everyone else - I just now noticed the recent posts.

Fickle, do you know what test your endo is recommending?

These hormone issues can be a quagmire to get through. But it sure feels good once a solution is in place. At least I feel good!

Best wishes to you...

DG

[fickle]

Bio-identical hormones

Hi DG,

I took some info from this Aus website to my doc:
Underactive Thyroid: The Hidden Epidemic

He says we will do some tests.. but I'm not sure what yet or how long it will take. It is still all looking like a foreign language to me. Any advice is most welcome before I go back to begin the process.

You know this thread is very helpful to me because up until now I thought my moods were 'me'. I realise now that this made me to hate myself and made it easier to drink more because I thought I was making myself more 'bearable' to others. Now I realise there may be a way for me to fix my moods!

They are just 'moods' and not ME.

I'm starting AF again with renewed hope!!
Thanks DG, Beatle & all!!