Lee's Journal

[WholeArmour]

Here is my treatment history that took me to a stable temperature:

6-24-08
Just increased to 1 grain Armour after building up over a period of a few months.
Average Temp = 98.1, spread = 0.5, no delta from previous day

6-25-08
Started HC at 2.5 mg
Average Temp = 98.7, spread = 0.4, delta = 0.6

6-26-08
Average Temp = 97.9, spread = 0.6, delta = 0.8

6-27-08
Average Temp = 97.5, spread = 1.0, delta = 0.4

6-28-08
Increased HC to 5 mg
Average Temp = 98.6, spread = 0.3, delta = 1.1

6-29-08
Average Temp = 98.1, spread = 0.4, delta = 0.5

6-30-08
Average Temp = 98.1, spread = 0.4, delta = 0.0

7-1-08
Increased HC to 7.5 mg
Average Temp = 97.8, spread = 0.5, delta = 0.3

7-2-08
Average Temp = 97.7, spread = 0.4, delta = 0.1

7-3-08
Average Temp = 97.8, spread = 1.1, delta = 0.1

7-4-08
Increased HC to 10 mg
Average Temp = 98.2, spread = 0.9, delta = 0.4

7-5-08
Average Temp = 98.5, spread = 0.1, delta = 0.3

7-6-08
Average Temp = 97.9, spread = 0.6, delta = 0.6

7-7-08
Increased HC to 15 mg
Average Temp = 97.7, spread = 0.8, delta = 0.2

7-8-08
Average Temp = 97.6, spread = 0.9, delta = 0.1

7-9-08
Average Temp = 97.5, spread = 0.4, delta = 0.1

7-10-08
Increased Armour to 1-1/4 grains, based on recommended protocol with HC increase
Average Temp = 98.1, spread = 0.2, delta = 0.6

7-11-08
Increased HC to 20 mg
Average Temp = 97.8, spread = 0.6, delta =0.3

7-12-08
Missed temps

7-13-08
Average Temp = 98.0, spread = 0.1, delta = 0.2

7-14-08
Average Temp = 98.0, spread = 0.2, delta = 0.0

7-15-08
Average Temp = 98.2, spread = 0.6, delta = 0.2

7-16-08
Average Temp = 98.0, spread = 0.1, delta = 0.2

7-17-08
Inreased Armour to 1-1/2 grains, based on 1 week increase schedule
Average Temp = 98.3, spread = 0.2, delta = 0.3

BROKE THERMOMETER
TIME ELAPSES

7-20-08
Added 1/2 tsp celtic sea salt in 1 cup of water, morning and night - eliminated leg pain and cramping and midnight headaches

7-22-08
Increased Armour to 1-3/4 grains, based on acne hypo symptoms

7-27-08
Increased Armour to 2 grains, based on acne hypo symptoms

8-1-08
Increased Armour to 2-1/4 grains, based on pain hypo symptoms

8-4-08
Average Temp = 98.2, spread = 0.3, delta (from 7-17) = 0.1

8-5-08
Average Temp = 98.1, spread = 0.4, delta = 0.1

8-6-08
Average Temp = 98.0, spread = 0.3, delta = 0.1

8-7-08
Average Temp = 98.4, spread = 1.1, delta = 0.4

[WholeArmour]

Review of my History
Confirmed Diagnosis: I am hypothyroid with skyrocketing TSH and positives on Anti-TPO and Anti-TG.
3 Years of Levothyroxine treatment made symptoms worse. Sustained Release T3 treatment did not relieve symptoms, and made IBS worse.

20-Sep-2006 Done at Mayo while I was on 112.5 mcg Synthroid.
TSH 2.0 (0.3-5.0)
Free T4 1.3 (0.8-1.8)
TPO Ab 150 (<=40)
Testosterone, Total 637 (240-950)
Testosterone, Bioavailable 102 (61-213)
Cortisol, noon 6.5
Cortisol, afternoon 5.6 (2-14)
Prolactin 3 (3-13) ***This should probably be this low for me, right?***
LH 2 (2-9) ***BORDERLINE LOW***
FSH 3 (1-18) ***NEAR LOW***
GH <0.1 (<=1.5)
IGF 165 (101-267)
Corticotropin(P) 11 (10-60) ***NEAR LOW***
Cotrosyn Stim Test
Cortisol Baseline 13
Cortisol 15 min 19 ***AH!***
Cortisol 30 min 17 ***AHHHH!***
Cortisol 45 min 15 ***AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!***

Jun-2008
Pre-HC and Celtic Sea Salt Treatment

Saliva Test:
Estradiol 1.0 (0.5-2.2)
Progesterone 32 (12-100)
Testosterone 58 (~50-100 based on age 43)
DHEAS 5.3 (~5-15 based on age 43)
Cortisol Morning 11.9 (3.7-9.5) ***HIGH***
Cortisol Noon 2.0 (1.2-3.0)
Cortisol Evening 1.0 (0.6-1.9)
Cortisol Night 0.3 (0.4-1.0) ***LOW***

Blood Tests:

Free T4, DIrect 0.91 (0.61-1.76)
Free T3, Serum 2.8 (2.3-4.2) ***LOW***
Reverse T3 194 (90-350) FT3/RT3 = 0.014 ***LOW***
TSH 7.207 (0.350-5.500) ***HIGH***

Renin, Plasma 1.44 (1.32-3.95 upright) ***near minimum***
Aldosterone 16.7 (4.0-31.0 adult upright)
Sodium, Serum 140 (135-145)
Potassium, Serum 3.9 (3.5-5.2)
Cortisol, AM 17.5 (4.3-22.4) ***near maximum***
ACTH not measured

Calcium, Serum 8.9 (8.5-10.6)
Albumin, Serum 3.7 (3.5-5.5) Corrected Calcium = 9.1
Calcium, Ionized, Serum not measured
25(OH)VitD 41.4 (32.0-100.0)
1,25(OH)VitD not measured
Calcitonin, serum not measured
PTH not measured
Alkaline Phophatase 76 (25-150) (optimal is 50-75)
Phosphorous not measured

Iron, Serum 124 (40-155)
Ferritin, Serum not measured
TIBC not measured
UIBC not measured
TSat not measured

22-JUL-2008

Free T4, DIrect 1.01 (0.61-1.76)
Free T3, Serum 3.2 (2.3-4.2)
Reverse T3 167 (90-350) FT3/RT3 = 0.019 ***YAY!!!****
TSH 5.915 (0.350-5.500) ***BEGINNING TO COME DOWN***

Iron, Serum 67 (40-155) ***dropped***
Ferritin, Serum 13 (22-322) ***LOW*** [Iron Disorders Institute recommends 25-75]
TIBC 367 (250-450)
UIBC 300 (150-375)
TSat 18 (15-55) ***near minimum*** [Iron Disorders Institute recommends 25-35]

Testosterone, Serum (Total) 419 (350-1030) [done by Esoterix Endocrinology]
Bioavailable Testosterone, Serum 97 (95-350) ***near minimum*** [done by Esoterix Endocrinology]
Bioavailable Testosterone, % 23.2 [done by Esoterix Endocrinology]
Testosterone, Free and Total 470 (241-827) [done by LabCorp]
Free Testosterone (Direct) 9.4 (6.8-21.5) [done by LabCorp]

29-JUL-2008

Calcium, Serum 9.1 (8.8-10.6)
Albumin, Serum 4.0 (3.5-5.5) Corrected Calcium = 9.1
Calcium, Ionized, Serum 4.9 (4.5-5.6) ***near min***
25(OH)VitD 26.7 (32.0-100.0) ***LOW***
1,25(OH)VitD 51.5 (15.9-55.6) ***near max*** ***HUH?***
Calcitonin, serum 5.5 (0.0-8.4) ***Probably due to taking Armour sublingually***
PTH 34 (12-65) ***This seems pretty low, considering how low my 25(OH)VitD is.***
Alkaline Phophatase not measured
Phosphorous 3.9 (2.5-4.5)

Renin, Plasma not measured
Aldosterone not measured
Sodium, Serum 139 (135-145)
Potassium, Serum 3.9 (3.5-5.2)
Cortisol, AM not measured
ACTH not measured

[WholeArmour]

Overall approach (compiled):

http://forums.realthyroidhelp.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8098&p=63631#p63631

Hashi's caused by bacterium:

http://forums.realthyroidhelp.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8033

Hair growth and aldosterone:

http://forums.realthyroidhelp.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7922

Malaborption Caused by Intestinal Parasites, Leading to Hormone Trouble

http://forums.realthyroidhelp.com/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7821

Supplementing Minerals

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0887/is_n3_v10/ai_10600750
http://www.ehow.com/how_4545_absorb-iron-supplements.html

Concerns with HC Treatment

http://forums.realthyroidhelp.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8049&p=63309#p63309

Oil Pulling

http://forums.realthyroidhelp.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=8090&p=64003#p64003

Autoimmune Hypophystitis (Pituitary)

http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/full/92/6/2038

Adrenals and Aldosterone

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=8562

http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/community/viewtopic.php?t=8244

Estriol Treatment to Stop Autoimmunity

http://forums.realthyroidhelp.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=9070

Low saliva IgA

http://forums.realthyroidhelp.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9043

Cross-Allergies and Oral Allergy Syndrome

http://forums.realthyroidhelp.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=9148

[WholeArmour]

1. Liver hemangiomas and lesions
Last ultrasound on 10/7/08. No change since October 2006. Everything stable. Last blood test 9/26/08 showed all liver parameters normal, including billirubin.

2. Possible Immunodeficeincy
Blood test on 9/15/2008 shows IgG sublcass4 deficiency, bottom of the range values for IgA and IgM. Immunodeficiency is confirmed.

3. Low HDL
Last blood test Sept 2008 showed HDL coming back up (at 35), with a total below 160 (hypocholesterolemia).

4. Low Testosterone

5. Vericose veins in left calf

[aprillv68]

Hi Lee. I didn't read your journal yet ( i intend to this week), I have Hashi's and suspected adrenal fatigue/insufficiency, now i'm wondering about hypopituitary. I ,too,sweat a lot and have tachycardia even when at rest, a heart murmur was detected by my dr early this year during an exam. Last year my GYN told me for sure i was in menopause because my periods are gone and i have sweating/hot flashes, i did believe her in the beginning but now i'm very skeptical (i learned that absent periods with thyroid disease involved is a symptom of Hashi's . I will post my hormone blood tests here if you'd like to see them)
I donnot expect you to give me the answers that i am looking for, but maybe we can share information. I just dumped my 3rd endo and am now seeking another GYN dr. For now i'm done with endos unless a really good, qualified one comes around, maybe when i least expect it (i can only hope, right?)

Thank you in advance.

[WholeArmour]

Based upon my experience, I have the following symptoms when I have the following conditions:

Losing Control This seems to happen when I do something to really upset my digestion
1. Poor Digestion symptoms
2. Hypocalcemia symptoms (probably due to malabsorption)
3. Internal shaking, feeling like I am low on cortisol (probably due to malabsorption of nutrients)

Poor Digestion probably due to removal of gall bladder, resulting in a constant drip of bile and poor flow of pancreas enzymes
1. Soft stool and diarrhea
2. Bloating and nausea
3. Occassional stabbing or burning pain in abdomen, with corresponding sympathetic nerve twinges at other locations in body
4. Upper-back pain (probably due to intestinal spasms)
5. Occasional reflux pain

Thyroiditis
1. Tight throat
2. Inflammation around thryoid in neck, accompanied with pain
3. Loss of singing range (can't sing high)
4. Dysphagia
5. Hyperthyroid symptoms (hot Flashes and arm/hand tremors) associated with hormone dump from antibody attack

Hypothyroid (low thyroid hormones)
1. Aching feet, especially the left foot
2. Twitching right eye, with a pulling or numb sensation on the right side of the head around the temple and ear
3. Aching fingers
4. Aching left arm and shoulder
5. Stiff neck
6. Facial acne
7. Dry, scabby skin on hands
8. IBS-constipation and indigestion

Hypocalcemia (low calcium)
1. Tingling in feet and toes
2. Tingling in hands and fingers
3. Tingling on the face
4. Twitching muscles
5. Siatic pain down back of right thigh
6. Nausea/bloating feeling
7. Pain around the liver and appendix area
8. Middle of the night headache that will not relieve with pain medicine; a feeling of nausea comes before the headache

Hypokalemia (low potassium)
1. Cramps in feet, especially while sleeping
2. Buzzing/Tingling/Numbness on Top of Head??

Hyponatremia (low sodium)
1. Sore, stiff legs
2. Tachycardia??

Hypomagnesia (low magnesium)
1. Heart palpitations and beat skipping??

Other symptoms that I have not pinpointed to a cause, yet
1. Sensation of not being able to breath deeply
2. Fatigue
3. General muscle aches

[aprillv68]

I have loss of singing range too (voice is low pitch even when i try to talk high, and then my vocal cords become strained)

[WholeArmour]

When I was taking Amrour sublingually at 3-1/4 grains, I increased my calcium-carbonate supplements to 2000 mg of elemental calcium. I very quickly noticed cloudy urine, and, soon after, got a kidney infection. I think it is because the high clacitonin in my blood stream from the sublingual armour was flushing the calcium out through my kidneys, causing a calcium deposition in my kidenys leading to the infection.

I promptly upped my HC dose from 20 mg to 40 mg, started on an antibiotic, stopped taking all of my calcium supplements, and started dirnking lots of pure cranberry juice. My urine cleared up and kidneys stopped aching.

Within a couple of weeks, I started getting hypocalcemia symptoms. I figure it was due to having a high blood calcitonin with no calcium supplementation (I do not drink a lot of milk).

I switched to swallowing my Armour, 4 times per day at 3/4 grain per dose (3 grains total), with each dose at least 1 hour before a meal and 3 hours after the previous meal. On the same day, I added in 1800 mg of calcium carbonate, 600 taken at breakfast, lunch, and bedtime. I also added in 2000-IU of vitamin D3.

My hypocalcemia symptoms have greatly reduced, but now I am beginning to have hypothyroid symptoms. So, I have just recently increased my Armour dose to 3.5 grains.

I am also going to start drinking more fluids, to increase the flow through my kidenys to reduce mineral concentrations in the urine.

October 16, 2008:

I'm, now taking 1000 mg of elemental calcium every day (in the form of citrate) and 600 mg of elemental magnesium (in the form of citrate), divided up into 4 equal doses. I've also stopped experiementing with potassium, since taking it seems to increase my blood pressure, and not relieve any symptoms that are typically related to low potassium.

November 2, 2008:

Taking 1000 mg Ca, 400 mg Ma, Chromagen Forte for Fe, and 50 mg Zinc. I started the zinc basedupon recent research that indicates low testosterone could be a zinc deficiency, and that available zinc (through supplementation) apparently utilizes Calcitonin in order to get into testicular cells for use. This might use up the excess calcitonin I have, so that it is not used to flush calcium out through my kidneys. I'll post the research separately to the forum.

November 8, 2008:

Backed the zinc down to 30 mg per day, and started taking 2 mg of copper per day.

[WholeArmour]

Things I need to test:

Aldosterone-Renin parameters (to benchmark Na-K regimen)
Calcium parameters (to benchmark 3 grain swallowing)
Thyroid Paramters (to benchmark 3 grain swallowing)
Thyroid Antibodies (prior to starting Thytrophin and LDN)
Adrenal antibodies
Pituitary hormones (again, last time was two years ago)

[WholeArmour]

Armour:

2.5 grains: 1/2 grain, five times per day (every 3 hours - 6 am, 9 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, 6 pm), sublingual

Hydrocortisone:

15 mg: 5 mg at 6 am, 5 mg at 10 am, 5 mg at 2 pm

Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN):

3 mg at bedtime

Supplements:

Calcium - Calcium Citrate
Magnesium - Magnesium Citrate
Zinc - Zinc Glycinate
Copper - Copper Gluconate

Breakfast: 250mg elemental calcium, 1xB50, 4000IU D3
Midmorning: iron and vitamin C
Lunch: 200mg elemental magnesium, 250mg elemental calcium
Midafternoon: 30 mg elemental zinc, 2 mg elemental copper
Dinner: 250mg elemental calcium
Bedtime: 200mg elemental magnesium, 250mg elemental calcium

[WholeArmour]

ID, EBV, and Zinc Deficiency
http://forums.realthyroidhelp.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9445&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=165#p77995

Zinc Finger
http://forums.realthyroidhelp.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9445&p=77343#p77343