Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with synthroid

ThyroidFilter: Whither to T3, or not T3? That is the question.

bitterkitten — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 08:35:56 -0800

ThyroidFilter: Who out there (particularly those with Hashimoto's), after ditching T4-only therapy for either added synthetic T3, Thyrolar, or the natural stuff, now feels waaaaay better, comparatively speaking? I know there's an ongoing debate about what works better (and how the establishment endocrinologists often go 'screw you', t4 only is the way - and let me tell you, that's what 95% of the docs I saw a few weeks ago at Mayo Clinic thought), but I personally believe that everybody should be able to try whatever's best for them if science has proven it actually does something. Obviously this is not always easy to do.

I have reasons for wanting to try this, but am wary of returning to the near-death-like state I was in when I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto's over 10 years ago, and my TSH was way the heck up near 65.

I've read stuff from folks like the 'Stop the Thyroid Madness' people, and there's Mary Shomon who's been dispensing thyroid advice for quite a while, plus scoured the other MeFi threads.

I don't know many people personally who have switched from taking just t4 to additional t3 or Armour/Naturethroid, so I'm wondering what y'alls experiences have been.

thank ye muchly, hive mind

Expiration Dates and Medication Instructions

Mael Oui — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:02:23 -0800

I have two questions related to medications that I take (or should be taking). Question about Acidophilus expiration dates and how to take Synthroid inside. First off, these questions are going to seem really silly, but an honest answer hopefully will contribute to the regularity with which I take my medications.

1) I have a bottle of Acidophilus (Lactobacillus Acidophilus, 10 mg) in the refrigerator. The expiration date says 07/08. Can I still take it, or should it be thrown away? If it were Tylenol, Benedryl, etc., I would continue to take it, but considering the nature of Acidophilus, I'm not sure if it's still effective (or even harmful) at this stage.

2) I have been taking Synthroid for over ten years (current dose .2 mg). When I began taking it, my endocrinologist's only directions were to take it first thing in the morning and wait an hour before eating anything. He said that, should I miss taking it first thing in the morning and end up eating something first, I must wait two hours until I can take the medication and wait another hour before consuming anything more. My Synthroid question is (and this is something I've tried to ask him a few times, but he just gives me a look, and I never end up getting an answer): So, I understand that having a buffer of time when I've not eaten solid food is important for the efficacy of this medication. But, does this include non-water beverages? Does drinking an iced tea or a soda count as 'food'? Can I drink a non-water beverage right before or after taking Synthroid? Or can I even take Synthroid with another liquid besides water? I don't drink milk at all, so I wouldn't be taking it with anything dairy. At this point, if I drink a soda first, for instance, I have been waiting two hours to take my medication. I'm wondering if that's unnecessary. Also (and yes, these are serious questions), would chewing gum or using toothpaste/mouthwash effect when I can take the Synthroid? Once again, do I have to wait until an hour passes to do either? Reading that sentence back, I know it doesn't sound logical, but I just mean that I swallow some amount of all of those substances (with the gum, I really just mean the minty saliva).

I realize these are probably silly questions, but, in the past, I've opted not to take the medication at all over these concerns.. which is obviously not the best thing. Anyway, thank you for your patience and your advice!

No Thyroid, Synthroid and Soy?

Shane — Mon, 20 Feb 2006 13:36:50 -0800

No Thyroid, Synthroid and Soy? My Mom is hypothyroid, actually "NO-thyroid," taking Synthroid due to her lack of any remaining thyroid gland. Hypothyroid patients are often told soy may exacerbate hypothyroidism, but if one already has no thyroid left and is completely dependant on a replacement drug, is there any reason to avoid soy?

Treatment options for hypothyroidism?

vacapinta — Tue, 11 May 2004 12:09:00 -0800

I am researching different options for treating hypo-thyroidism. I personally have been taking Synthroid for a long time and would like to know what other routes, if any, are available. [More inside] First, let me say, I am not asking for medical advice. I have already consulted with doctors and, unfortunately, have been given different opinions. I'd like to a bit more research on my own and would welcome opinions and personal experiences of others in order to provide me with different avenues of investigation. I know this is a common problem, or Synthroid would not be one of the top 5 most prescribed drugs in the US. But I have reasons to doubt that consumers are being told the whole story.