About Karen Brawner Expertise I will answer any questions you have regarding the thyroid whether it be cancer, cysts (types), hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, blood tests for thyroid problems, surgery, fine needle biopsies etc...
Experience My complex cysts on my right thyroid gland and the isthmus were found my accident when my doctor thought I was having a TIA. The ultrasound found a complex cysts the size of a golf ball (which turned out to be the size of a tennis ball when it was surgically remove). Doctors were totally surprised because for 5 years, including the day I went to surgery, all of my thyroid blood work was "within the normal range". So much for blood work being conclusive..
Thyroid Problems - Thyroid cancer and swichin from Synthroid to Armour
Expert: Karen Brawner - 5/24/2004
Question Karen.
I am a 28yr old male from Cobourg, Ontario Canada and I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in October 2001. I had a total thyroidectomy to remove the tumor and as of now I am free of all cancer cells. Now my family doctor and I have been on top of this with a check up every 6 months, but I am still feeling crappy. My body feels blaw all the time and every now and again I am finding myself getting very tired and all I want to so is sleep. I am a very active person, playing hockey in the winter 3 times a week and ball in the summer as well as going to the gym 3-4 times a week all year round. My eating habits a overly good and my wife tries to make sure of that. I just can't get to feeling good and loosing the extra 30 pounds that I put on from right after the operation.
Now my Doctor has me on synthroid at a 250mcg amount, he said that I should be feeling better, but unfortunatly I am not getting that way. My blood work is showing that I am in the norm for all my levels. Now over the internet I have been doing alot of research on the product by Forest Pharm called Armour Thyroid, but it is not availiable in Canada. I would like to try this product or something similar to it. Becasue it isn't availible in Canada can I get it from another company that is approved in Canada.If there isn't can or should I ask my doctor to also add Cytomel t3 to my pills to do what the Armour product does? Also when is the best time to take my pills, I have been taking them before I go to bed, should I take them at breakfast or before and if before breakfast how long before. I have heard so many diffrent things and I am getting quite confused. Sorry for all the questions but you seem to help alot of people and I was hopeing you could help me?
Thanks again,
Wayne Mahaffy
Answer Dear Wayne, As for obtaining Armour, I am not familiar with Canadian pharmacists or doctors, but I would assume that you may be able to order it over the internet from a US company and have it sent to you.... We in the USA do that all the time... Again, not familiar with Canadian Laws....
Synthroid is the oldest thyroid medication and NOT always the best one, since it too can give you side-effects that are the same as the thyroid problem itself.... Most all people who are on Synthroid REQUIRE the T-3 suppliment also inorder to get the full benefit of a proper acting thyroid hormones.... Thyroid blood work is NOT an exact way to insure that all the hormones are working together and are actually "within normal limits".... Too many doctors but too much faith in blood work and not in what the patient is telling them about how they actually feel.... This is a long standing complaint from thyroid patients.... Doctors MUST and NEED TO be more receptive to the patients symptoms.... Therefore, I suggest that you either try the Armour or ask your doctor to add the Cytomel t-3 medication..... Then if you don't feel any better, the doctor needs to look into things a little more....
