Today was my annual physical and thyroid check, with my doctor, Kate Lemmerman, MD. You'd think that being doctor to a "thyroid patient advocate" might be a bit of a pain, but Kate has always viewed my advocacy as an asset, and she is truly my partner in helping me get well and stay well. She's been my doctor for more than a decade, and there's a reason why! Find out about Dr. Kate Lemmerman's integrative philosophy of thyroid care, why she thinks a holistic approach is especially effective for thyroid patients, and how we as patients can ensure the best possible thyroid care. Don't miss this interview with Kate Lemmerman, MD -- you'll know why I've been thrilled to call her my doctor for a long time!
Photo: Kate Lemmerman
It was interesting to read about your doc. I also have an integrative physician and she’s great too. One thing puzzled me though about your doc when she says: “I find targeting them toward a TSH of 0.3 to 1.0 will generally improve energy level and a sense of well-being.”
Well that may be, but what about the other 15 hypo symptoms they may still have? This reliance on TSH is truly hat has ruined the health (and lives) of so many of us…and I was very surprised to see an integrative doc who uses Armour makes this statement. Yes, using TSH may be applicable to some folks. To some of us autoimmune thyroid folks, not always.
So although “some” folks on thyroid meds may do fine with your doc’s targeted TSH, in the over 5 years I’ve been on thyroid forums – it seems anyone taking over 2-3 grains of Armour may well have a suppressed TSH. Armour just does that…and we seem to be better monitored by Free levels.
In my own case, starting on just one grain of Armour made my TSH drop to 1 and yet my below range Free T4 had not changed at all.
Honestly, I would probably be dead had I not fired that doc and found one who knew TSH can be irrevelant when one is taking Armour….and that it’s imperative to monitor by Free levels and SYMPTOMS!
Kate also uses Free T4, Free T3 and Reverse T3, and I can assure you, she’s definitely NOT a TSH-worshipper. That’s just a range where she finds some patients feel well, but it’s a starting point, and she works with patients — with dosages, method of taking the medication, different medications, etc., to find the best option to eliminate symptoms.
Thank you for clarifying and adding the additional information on lab testing, etc…and dispelling any notions of TSH worshipping. Dr. Kate is starting to sound pretty much like my own doctor now. Sadly, I think docs who approach hypo treatment in this manner are few and far between.