Dr. Ken Blanchard, endocrinologist and doctor for 40 years, in his book, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Hypothyroidism, summarizes his protocol after treating of thousands of hypo patients:

Today I have a compounding pharmacist weigh out natural thyroid extract and put it into time-release capsules. I always prescribe synthetic T4 to balance the ratio in order to achieve 98 percent T4 and 2 percent T3.

Do follow up on the iron. The easiest way to reduce it is to give blood. Iron will get stored in your endocrine system as well as the pituitary gland, heart and liver. Long term iron overload is dangerous. Getting rid of the iron can go a long way to reducing inflammation and improving your overall health. Bacteria thrives in an iron rich environment.

Last November 2011 (a month after the start of my PN symptoms), I had a TSH test and the result was 9.230. Prior to this, I have always been on Synthroid, .75 mcg (since my total thyroidectomy in 2007). I had a TSH test last May 2010, it was a little low, but it normalized after one month without adjusting my dosage.

Since November 2011, my dosage has been adjusted every month but it has been low. The latest was 0.100 taken last end of March. I am now at .75 mcg for 6 days and half of .75 mcg for 1 day. My result for my thyroid antibodies is negative. My next test is due end of April.

I am wondering if this has a bearing in my pain, or is it only hypothyroidsm that can cause PN? Is there anything that my doctor and me are missing in managing my thyroid? By the way, the T4 is normal.

Thank you for your inputs.

I believe my hypo preceded my PN. As far as I can guess, hypo can affect every cell in the body; therefore it would be surprising if it didn't affect nerves. Nerves need T3, so a short- or long-term lack of T3 is going to cause problems.

What were your T3 levels like, if you don't mind me asking, when your TSH was over 9?

I suspect I've been hypo for a long time - long before I got tested - and it gradually became a bigger problem.

Stress can cause problems for the adrenals; when that happens, the thyroid issues can start; if they continue, you can get PN.

My research lately has led me to several doctors' books where they say you need to fix your adrenal function before hypo treatment. Even Armour's warning says adrenal insufficiency is a contraindication for taking the popular supplement.

My new plan is to take Lugol's 2% solution for one week to one month. This Iodine detox can take care of significant problems that are constant chronic stressors; e.g., heavy metals and parasites. Dr. Mark Starr advocates using it and claims great success with his hypo patients. I've also read lots of positive reviews online from users.

Today I bought ten more medical books, mostly about thyroid health and iodine. (I also got one or two on salt; I'm switching to a new table salt and cooking salt that will cause less stress.)

"Iodine: Why You Need It, Why You Can't Live Without It"

"Overcoming Thyroid Disorders"

"Salt: Your Way to Health"

"The Guide to a Gluten-Free Diet"

"Pharmocracy: How Corrupt Deals and Misguided Medical Regulations Are Bankrupting America--and What to Do About It"

"Your Body's Many Cries for Water: You're Not Sick; You're Thirsty: Don't Treat Thirst with Medications"

"The Body Electric"

"Thyroid Power: Ten Steps to Total Health"

"The Thyroid Crisis and the Seaweed Remedy"

"Healing Is Voltage"

"Neuropathy and Myopathy in Treated Thyroid Disease"

"Could It Be B12?: An Epidemic of Misdiagnoses"

"The Coconut Oil Miracle"

"The Women's Guide to Thyroid Health: Comprehensive Solutions for All Your Thyroid Symptoms"

P.S. It seems hypo tends to reduce circulation to the skin which could prevent nerves from getting what they need.

T3 has never been tested.

People with their thyroid removed will not be making T3 which will not be entering the serum for transport to other places in the body.

They will be converting T4 stored in the tissues to T3 instead, and this will not show up appreciably if at all.

Is T3 the same as Triidothyronine? If so, this was tested last May when I was referred to an endocrinologist (but never by my primary care physician). The result was 3.2 with a reference interval of 2.0 - 4.4.

Yes T3 is triiodo... But with no gland, I wouldn't think it would be transported around much. Unless of course if you have that ectopic tissue possibly? We discussed that before.
I'll do a search on this.

Here is a paper on this:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18285588

I guess it was something "assumed" until discovered otherwise.

I have always had a thyroid function test at least once a year prior to May 2010, when I had a high TSH, but as mentioned earlier, in June 2010, my TSH became normal (without adjusting my dosage .75mcg). The next test came last November 2011, when my TSH was 9.230 (a month after my PN symptoms). I dont know how long does it take to be hypo to affect the nerves. In my case, I do not think that I have been hypo for a long time.

SInce my TSH has been low for 5 months now, does hyperthyroidism affect the nerves the way a hypo does? Is decreasing the Synthroid the ideal strategy in my case? The endocrinologist, unfortunately, was not so interested to look at the summary I made for my TSH results and the adjustments made for my medicine.

Thank you.

When you mention about stress causing problems to the adrenal, do you mean the stress of daily living or something else e.g. metals, etc. (i think you are referring to the latter, but just wanted to make sure).

Whew, that's a bunch of books!!!! I am sure you can find information that you will benefit....

Thank you.