Ema
I'm interested in this thread as I've recently been prescribed thyroxine - only on 25mcg a day for 2 weeks and then titrating up. I'm not going to confuse my body by taking anything else at present but would much rather long term take a natural product, if i improve on thyroxine is a natural glandular an option do you think? do you have hypothyrodism?
These were my most recent thyroid results
Thyroid a/bodies <33
Serum free T4 13.4 (1.04 ng/dl)
Serum free T3 4.41 (286 pg/dl)
TSH 3.17
Also these were my recent cortisol ranges - are these related to how the thyroid gland is working?
Morning - 30.3 range 12 - 22
Noon - 7.5 range 5 - 9
5pm - 6.8 range 3 - 7
10pm - 3.1 range 1 - 3
I have had hypothyroidism at times over the course of my illness though I am not taking any thyroid meds now. Thyroid status is reliant on solid adrenal function. If you have weak adrenals, you will almost certainly become hypothyroid at some point.
I think it is important to make a distinction between bioidentical, synthetic, and natural. As long as a hormone is bioidentical, I am fine with using it even if it is synthetic. Examples of this include Synthroid and Cytomel (T4 and T3 meds respectively). Estradiol is another example.
The bigger question is whether or not you are able to convert T4 only meds peripherally (primarily in the liver) to the active form of thyroid hormone, T3. If you can do this well, T4 only meds work great. If not, you may need to add some T3 either in the form of natural desiccated thyroid hormone like Armour (NTH) or synthetic bioidentical Cytomel. Most people end up needing some supplemental T3 to feel their best.
Some people do really well on NTH if the proportion of T4 and T3 (typically 38 T4/9 T3) is correct for their individual needs. However some people need a higher or lower proportion of T4 to T3 and have an easier time using individual T4 and T3 meds so that they can titrate each exactly to their specific needs without being constrained by the manufacturer's proportion.
If you really want to take NTH, I would start with it and see if it works for you. I would not get to where you feel well on T4 meds and then try to switch over because you will essentially be starting from scratch.
If not, I would start with T4 meds and titrate up, adding in T3 if you find that T4 only does not relieve your symptoms of hypothyroidism and your free thyroid hormone labs are still low.
25 mcg is a really low starting dose...you may find that you actually feel MORE hypo on this dose. Because of the feedback mechanism, it is really very difficult to add to your thyroid hormone level. When you start taking exogenous thyroid hormone, your own thyroid drops production and you may end up with less thyroid hormone than when you started. I would ask your doctor why starting so low and see if you can titrate up faster. If it were me with those labs, I would want to start around 80 mcg of T4.
Your TSH is too high by current standards. The AACE says above 2.5 is considered hypothyroid. Most people feel best with a TSH between 1-2. Your FT4 and FT3 are both too low in my non medical opinion. You'll have to convert units (you'll see I converted your numbers above!) but typically I aim for a FT4 of 1.2-1.3 and a FT3 in the upper third of the range. A converter is located here:
http://www.amamanualofstyle.com/page/si-conversion-calculator
Your cortisol looks to be running a bit high. Are you having any issues with weight or insomnia/trouble sleeping? I think an adaptogenic herb might be a good fit for you or phosphatidylserine. PS can help to reset the brain by resensitzing the cortisol receptors in the hypothalamus so that they are more sensitive to cortisol. This helps reduce overproduction when cortisol levels are high. PS was also a part of RichvanK's methylation protocol for some time.
Hope that helps!
Ema