you mean your TSH was a little high? ie underactive thyroid if so, you don't need a TUE for levythroid

How high was it, over 4?

He said I was hypo thyroidal by a few points. He thinks its not worrisome, but I'm dressed like an Eskimo when my wife is sweating. I wore a knit cap to run indoors two daysago. I didn't get a copy of the lab work and didn't give it too much thought until my wife asked if its related to my anemia which is currently ok but serum ferretin has always been a problem for me.

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"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." ~Anne Frank

Ill ask tomorrow. My brothers and father had serious thyroid problems but I have always been normal range on my tests....

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"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." ~Anne Frank

As far as I know most thyroid medications do not require a TUE.
I suggest trying Armour Thyroid if you try anything.
Armour is made from Porcine thyroid.
It works well for me.

Is that otc?

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"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." ~Anne Frank

RX but no TUE needed. I have been taking it for years.

Lifting weights?

Im a big believer in lifting and have done it for 64 years. Good point....

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"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." ~Anne Frank

I would highly suggest that every time you get a blood test, that you get a copy of the results for your files. You would be amazed at the things that get missed, and some things that are no big deal that are made into one..

I have many years of records but probably stopped collecting them 5 years ago. Id be more assiduous if they were digital and could access them when I had time. But, point taken....

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"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." ~Anne Frank

So you're about 80? Good for you that you're still competing.

I've been taking levothyroxine for about 7-8 years and you had me curious, so I looked it up on the banned list and it is not prohibited.

From what I understand there is quite a range as to what is acceptable for TSH levels. Please make sure you find a doctor that understands you and your symptoms. My first doctor kind of blew me off since my levels were still "normal" even though I was still having symptoms. Having to dress like an Eskimo while your wife is sweating does not sound normal to me. It may be worth getting a referral to an endocrinologist.

I haven't found a "natural" remedy other than avoiding soy, which some studies suggest inhibits thyroid function and med absorption. I think soy milk and tofu are gross anyway, but soy lethicin is found in darn near everything, so you really have to read labels. The jury's out on things like kelp supplements. Goitrogens and cruciferous veggies (broccoli, kale) and nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes) may affect you but honestly I'm reluctant to give up any kind of vegetable. (Kale was in the news a while ago for being bad for your thyroid, but I remember the article concluded that if you eat a lot of kale, just adjust your meds slightly to compensate.) My TSH levels plummeted when I first went paleo, but they had stabilized by the time of my next blood draw, so it's really hard to tell if that makes a difference or not.

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http://mediocremultisport.blogspot.com

If you're looking for some natural ideas, I'd recommend going to see a Naturopath. I've got the opposite problem as you, autoimmune hyperthyroid (Grave's Disease). My endocrinologist is very cut and dry with his treatment of the symptoms, but not really the underlying problem. My Naturopath on the other hand, seems more focused on treating the cause, runs a lot more blood tests than my other docs, and has made some recommendations for foods to eat/not eat, and supplements I should consider. None of her recommendations have been too crazy, just gave me a good plan of attack.

I have hypo ---- take 175mcg levothyroxine.

But whats a TUE?

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Therapeutic use exemption from WADA/USADA (TUE). Apparently, it isn't necessary.

Lab test says I'm 5.2 on last test. I got an endocrine referral from his nurse today.

I'm not 80, but getting there!

Will update this thread when I find out something. I really don't want to take any more meds...but I'm having a lot of trouble with my longer workouts and being cold. (I'm sitting at the computer with my thermostat on 72. I have on a knit cap and a jacket. Sheezh....)

-Robert

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"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." ~Anne Frank

and 17 years ago, I slept in an 80 deg house in the summer with a blanket and comforter as I was still cold, and rode outside when it was 99 and felt like it was 72.

Sheezh... so you are now taking thyroid meds? Are u racing?

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"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." ~Anne Frank

since 1997 on meds(levythroid) up and down in level, racing since1992 in varying degrees runs in my family too

5.2? Sounds high.
I do well when I am close to zero.
You need to get on something.

My doctor is an old Chinese guy from the suck it up school of medicine. My wife found a study suggesting under diagnosis of thyroid problems so that's actually why I called his office back. I was hoping some dietary changes would help....

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"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." ~Anne Frank

5.2 is pretty high. I just Googled to see the accepted range is 0.4 to 4.0 nowadays -- my doctor told me she'd like to see me closer to 2.0. Most likely, your doctor will increase your dosage bit by bit until you hit that sweet spot of symptoms starting to disappear. But yes, it sounds like you do need actual medicinal treatment.

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http://mediocremultisport.blogspot.com

At 5.2 I wouldn't be able to get out of bed.

Robert, why don't you just call your doc and ask for the AMOUR thyroid? You have a lab test and symptoms-why go thru all the expense and time to go to a specialist? If the AMOUR thyroid doesn't work then look a little deeper.