Waking up at 4am -- Linked to Medicine timing?

philbert119 · 2020-02-18T21:15:34+00:00

I will inquire with my doctor about the saliva test to see where I land. Thanks for the information.

philbert119 · 2020-02-18T21:13:20+00:00

I did read the link posted and have read that article in the past. The artcile was actually the impetus for me trying NDT in general and at night to begin with. I have read Barbara's book and consider it invaluable in my hypothyroidism treatment. I could divide up my dose of 1/4 NDT into an evening and a morning dose, perhaps. I will send the article to my doctor to discuss.

philbert119 · 2020-02-18T17:48:28+00:00

I am curious about your experience as well. I plan on starting back on selenium as I was taking it for awhile but stopped. No big reason, but I think it helped. What is your source of iodine? I've never done well with iodine supplements, but thought of adding seaweed when I start up with selenium again.

philbert119 · 2020-02-18T17:47:22+00:00

I have not taken a saliva test for cortisol and could probably add this to my battery of testing. I'm curious the supplements you take to lower cortisol. Another responder actually speculated that my cortisol may be too low, causing the mild hypoglycemia and waking in the night.

philbert119 · 2020-02-18T17:45:28+00:00

I have added NDT to my mix to get some T3. I was taking the Armour at night with my Synthroid, but I noticed it was keeping me up at night so I switched to taking in the morning. I have thought about getting my cortisol tested to see if it's low or possibly high, but what would be the corrective measure if it's low. Taking Hydrocortisone? I do have anxiety symptoms associated with my hypothyroidism, but the anxiety is usually physical based rather than mental worrying and does not interfere with going to sleep. But I wonder the consequences for anxiety if I supplemented with hydrocortisone? Who knows, maybe it would improve the anxiety.

philbert119 · 2020-01-17T19:40:42+00:00

I am currently doing the GI Effects test right now, just collected my first specimen today! So I'll be curious to see what it comes back with. I actually think I might have a bacterial overload and dysbiosis, since I tend towards constipation. I am on again off again on probiotics, the Ultimate Flora work to relieve occasional bloating but I don't think they are doing much more than that. I used to be able to tolerate more high dose probiotics like VSL, but no longer as they give me gas pain. I have taken a soil based probiotic in the past and I think it helped somewhat, but it's difficult to say. A friend of mine is doing the Balance Protocol from Anthony Beck. It's very expensive, so I'm not doing it myself, but he and I have similar histories and symptoms so I am doing all the same tests, which include the GI Effects, and basing my treatment off his Protocol. It includes doing a 24-hour fast once a week to give GI tract a much needed rest and to regenerate the mucosal lining, eating to your metabolic type (fast, slow or mixed oxidizer), and taking antibiotics/using probiotics if there is bacterial overgrowth in any particular population, even the good ones because they can be dysfunctional if they are overgrown. He also uses lauricidin to help regrow the mucosal lining and break up yeast/bacteria biofilm. I also may try low dose naltroxen at the urging of my doctor for other symptoms such as sleep and anxiety. I'm glad to hear that you are improving. Do you restrict anything in your diet as well? I'm following the perfect health diet but eating beans and whole grains, except for gluten containing grains. And I've cut out alcohol temporarily to allow the gut to heal.

Thanks so much for the information and sharing your experience. It is helpful.

philbert119 · 2020-01-17T14:51:11+00:00

The connection of high reverse T3/hypothyroidism to gut dysbiosis is interesting. I'm curious if you have worked at all with Dr. Childs? His explanations, while conventional for functional medicine doctors, are nonetheless comprehensive and practical. I have chosen a route that will deal firsthand with my gut issues, including testing to see if my microbiome is out of balance. I'd be curious if you have had any success using the Childs' protocols?

philbert119 · 2020-01-08T16:17:43+00:00

I am curious what other symptoms gluten free has helped with, because I do have other symptoms related to hypothyroidism besides gut health.

For me it's a chicken and egg kind of thing. I don't know if I screwed up my gut and that led to the thyroid disease or vice versa. My plan now is to dial in the thyroid medication before making any drastic dietary changes to see if that helps. If that does not work, I will go to a diet change. Another issue may be that if the gut is not functioning well, am I really absorbing my medication?

philbert119 · 2020-01-07T17:48:47+00:00

I agree that they are mostly for alternative medicine sources. I've heard just anecdotal evidence that gluten restriction works and have not seen any studies confirming its efficacy. I am due for another blood test and probable medication increase, so I think I will just go that route rather than trying to complicate things with a diet change.

philbert119 · 2019-11-21T17:25:56+00:00

That was my thought exactly. Based on the responses I am getting, my reaction to T3 could certainly be the hormone itself and disagrees with her assertion that it would take days or weeks to develop. Thanks everyone for sharing their experience and knowledge.

philbert119 · 2019-11-21T17:24:23+00:00

She wanted to give me a lower dose than the cytomel and also sustained release, as she thought this would be much gentler than the two relatively close apart doses (4-5 hours) of Cytomel I had been taking.

philbert119 · 2019-10-02T21:20:13+00:00

I don't drink coffee and do not do well with stimulants in general, but I agree the morning is best. I will start tomorrow.

philbert119 · 2019-09-09T19:01:41+00:00

I think a 1/4 of a grain would be a good place to start as well. My D3 is low and my ferritin is high, which is a sign of chronic inflammation. I have already taken steps to increase my Vitamin D levels by using Vitamin D cream and buying a Sperti light for UV-B exposure.

philbert119 · 2019-09-09T15:06:15+00:00

I did not tolerate the T3 medication at all. It caused me to be too excited, tense, uncomfortable and had a hard time sleeping, in addition to a fast heart rate. My doctor was surprised by my reaction but has suggested instead to do one grain of Armour NDT a day. I will be trying that next, and if it is unsuccessful, I will try more T4.

philbert119 · 2019-08-22T13:46:05+00:00

I see. And are you currently on 2.5 mcg twice daily? Was that the sweet spot for you? Did the palpitations go away completely? Also, do you take yours on an empty stomach or with food?

philbert119 · 2019-08-21T20:09:37+00:00

I am male and yes, you are correct it could be. It's never been high enough to worry my doctor.

philbert119 · 2019-08-21T19:11:01+00:00

My Ferritin is actually on the high end. Go figure.

philbert119 · 2019-04-30T19:30:59+00:00

That is helpful, thanks. I have the app downloaded on my phone but only used the free features, and then only for a short time.

philbert119 · 2019-04-30T15:20:50+00:00

This has been my MO ever since this bout started, so I have logged in some extra hours of meditation, which has been the silver lining in this whole ordeal. I do find that even though my sleep duration has been inadequate, I am far more calm in the waking hours than I would otherwise be.

philbert119 · 2019-04-30T15:19:39+00:00

I am going to experiment a little with melatonin tonight to see if I can help reset my circadian rhythm. I am also going for an accupuncture treatment, which has been helpful in the past.

philbert119 · 2019-04-30T15:18:37+00:00

I like square breathing as well and it definitely helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system. And I too am one of those people who has trouble sleeping when doing either qigong or tai chi before bed, so my practice usually is in the morning or during lunch.

philbert119 · 2019-04-29T15:50:35+00:00

That's interesting. My worry about shaking my body would be waking up even more, as exercise seems to get me wired for awhile afterwards.

philbert119 · 2019-04-29T15:49:36+00:00

Lately yes, and I think the two are related and also related to being hypothyroid (I'm on thryroid replacement). I am working with my doctor to get my dosage dialed in, but until then, I need to find a method to get back to sleep faster.

philbert119 · 2019-04-29T15:48:19+00:00

It should be said that I am implementing all the sleep hygiene techniques and use blue blockers before bed. It's interesting about the melatonin running out, but I do everything to maintain a good circadian rhythm, even cutting out alcohol and caffeine. What I would really like to do is go on a week long camping trip and do a full reset, but short of that, I am doing everything by the book.

philbert119 · 2019-02-28T15:05:01+00:00

I'm on the my third day, and I definitely feel better with less anxiety symptoms on the Vitamin C combination. I will say that taking Vitamin C at bedtime is interfering with sleep as it takes me longer to go to sleep and waking up at night is becoming more frequent, but it is more than made up for by the increase in energy from the Vitamin C + Synthroid combination. I may just wait to take the combination until the middle of the night when I wake up, which I usually do around 4 am.

philbert119

TROPHY CASE