thank you megan

you situation is the same as mine, i have normal T4, low TSH, and they refuse to test for T3. They say it must be the one that’s low and causing my hypothyroidism.  Thank you for including the panel reading.  Most of what it said really hit home.  I did more research and found a really nice naturopath doctor who specializes in hormonal imbalances and advanced endocrine issues.  She told me that issues with metabolizing decadron (being a strong synthetic corticosteroid compared to the more natural hydrocortisone) can cause a suppression of ACTH and DHEA-S in the pituitary gland which can slow the thyroid down. She also said too much cortisol too, just like your paper said. I’ve asked my endo to be switched to hydrocortisone, when i was a kid (11) they didn’t have hydrocortisone, i was always on cortisone and prednisone, never had normal levels on that, my endo then decided to put me on dex and never looked back.  Well now that there’s a more natural alternative, I’m anxious to try it! I’ve gained over 35lbs since nov 05! it’s scary! and i started on the lowest dose of armour thyroid (all natural T3/T4 from pigs) and i got the palpitations immediately after 2nd dose. we reduced to 7.5mg, got palpitations, salt cravings, hot flashes, light headed, and thirst after 10 days. now i take it 1 skip 1, and i’m ok.  until i see what the naturopath says.  My friend naturopath is convinced that we (CAH patients) may not even need to be on thyroid meds if the right endocrine balance can be found.  They have to test for Thryoid anti-bodies she said, that will say if i have Hashimoto disease (where you thyroid is being attacked by your white cells) which is the main cause of hypothyroidism if you haven’t had radiation therapy, cancer, iodine def, or pregnancies.  I don’t have any of those, so my endo is convinced it hashimoto, i’m not!  

thanks again for the info you’ve given me, i think maybe i am on too high of a dose eventhough my 17-OH, and testosterone was normal!

are you on decadron or hydrocortisone? with florinef?

my endo told me that 30mg of hydrocortisone is the same as my 0.625mg of dex.  All the convertion tools i’ve used say that’s wrong? my pharmacist told me that yes 30mg is the same as 0.625mg..... i hope i don’t end up over steroided again! this endo doesn’t know anything anyway :-)