New member

[Guest guest]

Exactly P,

Don't we put so much store on the 'menopause', it definitely blinded

me to the thyoid aspect of my health. Such low expectations of our

health, combined with the female stoicism, of just getting on with

things.

Happy reading, take lots of care,

x

> Thanks for the tip, I will do some research of the files ASAP. I now

> realise that a lot of the symptoms which I put down to " womens

> problems " were actually caused by the thyroid. The mag was Good

> Housekeeping I think.

> P

>

[Guest guest]

Hi a, and welcome. what tests have you had from your doctor, please post these and include the ranges. what medicines are you taking for your low thyroid.?

it sounds like you may have adrenal problems . go to out file on the home page and read

every thing there. the test questionare for thyroid and adrenals will help you decide if these apply to you. also there is a list of what tests you may need to find out what is going on

in your body.hope this helps you angel.

[Guest guest]

> >

> > Hi

> > I have just joined after seeing an article about the group in a

mag.

> I

> > am 54 and have had an underactive thyroid for about 20 years.

Since

> > having a hysterectomy 3 years ago I have been suffering with a

> variety

> > of symptoms such as bad headaches, tiredness, and lack of energy

in

> > general. I have tried HRT, acupuncture, changing my diet and my

> doctor

> > is at a loss to know what to do with me! I think going through an

> > abrupt menopause has sent my thyroid and any other hormones into

> > freefall. If anyone has any advice or has had similar

experiences, I

> > would love to hear from you.

> > P

> >

>Hi Jane

Winwood is not a very common name so was surprised to see you! Thanks

for the message.

a

[Guest guest]

Hi hon

Welcome

I got worse in the menopause, I am supposed to be post menopausal now

but who knows. I came here at the beginning of the year and I feel it

has saved my life. I was very very ill, still am but seem to be

climbing up slowly.

I had the test for low adrenal function and I think that was a massive

part of the problem for me when my menopause kicked in.

Hope you find the answer you are looking for and

God bless

Dawnx

[Guest guest]

Hi Sheila

The mag was either She or Good Housekeeping. Thanks for your help, I

have just spent an hour on the website reading some of the info. My GP

did refer me to an endocrinolgist last year. I thought he was hopeless -

all he suggested was to double my dose of oestrogen and if that did

not work said I could be suffereing with ME! I totally dismiss that out

of hand because I could never function in the way I do (full time job

and play golf/tennis) if that was the case. I have good days and bad

days but just get on with it really.

My last blood test (I have never been told not to eat beforehand - is

this correct) was 24 and the TSH was .2, so my dose was dropped from

100 to 75. You mentioned adrenals in your post - what are the symptoms?

Thanks for everyones help

a

[Guest guest]

Hi a - the Magazine is 'She' and it is out this month.

Somebody else wrote to me to tell me this so I went out and bought it.

There is an article called " Blame it on your

Hormones " and is about the different hormones in your body. There is an

article on 'Hypothyroidism' under that heading and then a story by

Charopoulos, who lives in London and she talks about her struggles to get well

and found several GP's " unsympathetic " but at last, she has been

found to be hypothyroid. She says " During that time, I read Dr Barry

Durrant-Peatfield's 'Your Thyroid and How to Keep it Healthy' which was really

helpful, and I've also found huge support through Thyroid Patient AdvocacyUK

(tpa-uk.org.uk) which campaigns for better understanding and tr4eatment of

thyroid problems " - Now, isn't that a change from the usual " for

further information contact British Thyroid Association " . TPA-UK is

knocking them off their pedestal. I am delighted.

MR is often given as a " dustbin " diagnosis because

they don't know what else to call whatever is the matter with you. Most ME

sufferers are found to have a thyroid problem, and once treated with thyroid

hormone replacement (often with T3 alone) they start their recovery.

You do not need to do a fasting blood test for thyroid

function tests, but you do need to if they are testing your cholesterol. Did they

not test your Free T4 and Free T3. TSH is insufficient to find out whether you

are converting the mainly inactive T4 into the active hormone T3. Do you feel

any different (worse or better) since they decreased your dose.

Many people who are hypothyroid and started on thyroid

hormone replacement can have a problem in absorbing the hormone if they have

low adrenal reserve - though this is not the case for everybody. If you are

having problems in tolerating synthetic T4 or you feel it is not doing what it

should, then you should eliminate low adrenal reserve by getting the 24 hour

salivary adrenal profile. You can get this done through Genova Diagnostics or

NPTech. You can see details of these in the FILES which you can access from the

Home Page of this forum web site. Your doctor should be treating you via

symptoms, not via blood results. The average dose of levothyroxine (in the UK

at least) is around 150 mcgs to 200 mcgs. If you were feeling better on 100

mcgs, you must tell your doctor.

Go to our website www.tpa-uk.org.uk

and click on 'Hypothyroidism' and then click on 'Associated Conditions' on the

drop down Menu. Click on 'Adrenals' and read everything there is about these

little glands and their connection with thyroid disease.

Luv - Sheila

Hi Sheila

The mag was either She or Good Housekeeping. Thanks for your help, I

have just spent an hour on the website reading some of the info. My GP

did refer me to an endocrinolgist last year. I thought he was hopeless -

all he suggested was to double my dose of oestrogen and if that did

not work said I could be suffereing with ME! I totally dismiss that out

of hand because I could never function in the way I do (full time job

and play golf/tennis) if that was the case. I have good days and bad

days but just get on with it really.

My last blood test (I have never been told not to eat beforehand - is

this correct) was 24 and the TSH was .2, so my dose was dropped from

100 to 75. You mentioned adrenals in your post - what are the symptoms?

Thanks for everyones help

a

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome

First of all why were you kept on 25mcg for 9 months? This is a very low dose and dose increases usually happen every 6 weeks.

Your T4 level is still low, 13 is certainly not high enough and we aim to get our T4 in the upper third of the reference range. You TSH looks ok and I am surprised it went down that much on such a small dose. Have you had a FT3 test? This is the important one as it shows if you are converting the inactive T4 to the active T3. Most labs and docs refuse to do this test, but some of us manage to get it done, I for one am lucky enough to have it done when I ask.

Once you are on thyroid meds, wether synthetic or natural, it is usually something that you will require for life, this is because your thyroid is failing and the hormones need to be replaced or you will just get worse.

Also have you had an anti body test? This shows if you have antibodies attacking your thyroid, this is called Hashimotos disease and a lot of us here have that, me included.

Some of the other members will be along I am sure to help you some more.

You are in a good place for help and support

Hello all, I am the new kid on the block! Wow! what a load of information to be had here, it all looks so overwhelming I don't know where to start!Maybe I should kick off by explaining I was newly diagnosed with hypothyroidism back in February after countless GP visits wondering what on earth was wrong with me.

[Guest guest]

Hi Gillian,

Hi and welcome to the forum. You will get lots of information and

support here!

First of all don't worry about becoming dependant on thyroxine, it is

simply a natural hormone which your thyroid gland *should* make, so

you can not become dependant like with other drugs.

There may well be " no way back " , but not in the way you think. In

all likelihood, there probably is no way back with or without the

thyroxine. The reason you have to take it is because your thyroid

has stopped producing enough hormones itself, and while it is

possible for this to be temporary, for many people it will never get

better because the thyroid is damaged.

As far as do you need this dose increase? Well how are you feeling?

If you hve a look on the TPA website there is a list of the signs and

symptoms of hypothyroidism, do you feel you are still experiencing

any? If you are then you will proabably benefit from this dose

increase,though it will probably take about 6 weeks to take effect.

As far as your blood test results, your TSH seems to have dropped

surprisingly well on a very small dose of thyroxine (most people end

up taking between 100 - 200mcg). Your T4 is pretty low though - you

would expect it to be in the 20's for you to feel well...

Hope that helps,

Leah x

>

> Hello all, I am the new kid on the block! Wow! what a load of

> information to be had here, it all looks so overwhelming I don't

know

> where to start!

> Maybe I should kick off by explaining I was newly diagnosed with

> hypothyroidism back in February after countless GP visits wondering

> what on earth was wrong with me. I have been on 25mcg of

levothyroxine

> for 9 months and I've just been told to increase my dose to 50mcg

for a

> 2 months trial. My TSH result has now changed from 6.61 to 0.8 mu/L

and

> the FT4 result has changed from 11 to 13 pmol/L. I thought these

new

> readings were within normal parameters so I cannot understand the

need

> for an increase in dosage. Am I right to be concerned that my body

will

> become reliant on this higher dose and there will be no way back?

>

[Guest guest]

Good question! I assumed my GP knew what he was doing so I just

did what I was told and kept taking the tablets.   I did have blood tests every

three months but was told to keep taking the 25mcg dosage so I assumed I was ok

and under control. I now know differently and will have to see if I can get this

FT3 test. I do suffer with muscle and joint pain which is getting worse instead

of better, so I could be deficient in this.

I don’t think I have had an antibody test either. I will need to

enquire about this as well.

Thanks for that. The more ammunition I have next time I go to

the Doctor’s the better!

From: thyroid treatment

[mailto:thyroid treatment ] On Behalf Of sarah s

Sent: 10 December 2008 21:01

thyroid treatment

Subject: Re: New member

Hi and welcome

First of all why were you kept on 25mcg for 9 months? This

is a very low dose and dose increases usually happen every 6 weeks.

Your T4 level is still low, 13 is certainly not high

enough and we aim to get our T4 in the upper third of the reference range.

You TSH looks ok and I am surprised it went down that much on such a small

dose. Have you had a FT3 test? This is the important one as it shows if you

are converting the inactive T4 to the active T3. Most labs and docs refuse to

do this test, but some of us manage to get it done, I for one am lucky enough

to have it done when I ask.

Once you are on thyroid meds, wether synthetic or natural,

it is usually something that you will require for life, this is because your

thyroid is failing and the hormones need to be replaced or you will just get

worse.

Also have you had an anti body test? This shows if you

have antibodies attacking your thyroid, this is called Hashimotos disease and

a lot of us here have that, me included.

Some of the other members will be along I am sure to help

you some more.

You are in a good place for

help and support

Hello all, I am the new kid

on the block! Wow! what a load of

information to be had here, it all looks so overwhelming I don't know

where to start!

Maybe I should kick off by explaining I was newly diagnosed with

hypothyroidism back in February after countless GP visits wondering

what on earth was wrong with me.

[Guest guest]

Hi Leah,

Thanks for that. It does help and I wish I had discovered this

group earlier!

In all honesty I don’t feel on top of the world….I

still get tired and I ache in places I wish I didn’t! I am also

going through the menopause as if I didn’t have enough to deal

with, hot flushes and all!!

Regards,

Gillian

From: thyroid treatment

[mailto:thyroid treatment ] On Behalf Of lelole76

Sent: 10 December 2008 21:45

thyroid treatment

Subject: Re: New member

Hi Gillian,

Hi and welcome to the forum. You will get lots of information and

support here!

First of all don't worry about becoming dependant on thyroxine, it is

simply a natural hormone which your thyroid gland *should* make, so

you can not become dependant like with other drugs.

[Edit Abbrev Mod]

[Guest guest]

Gillian,

You wrote:

> ... My TSH result has now changed from 6.61 to 0.8 mu/L and

> the FT4 result has changed from 11 to 13 pmol/L. I thought these new

> readings were within normal parameters so I cannot understand the need

> for an increase in dosage....

You will almost certainly need thyroid hormone replacement for the rest

of your life. The proper dose is probably going to continue to increase,

although it may go down a bit once or twice before you stabilize. The

final dose could be as high as 200 mcg per day, depending on body mass

and other factors. Three women in my family were all at 200 mcg for some

part of their lives. Eventually, that will come down again. My mother is

currently at 100 mcg.

Regardless what the lab reference range is, you will probably not feel

well on a T4 medication unless your TSH is about 2 or lower. Many on

this list will say that even that doesn't work for them, and they need a

T3 type medication or other treatments.

Chuck

[Guest guest]

Hi

Gillian

Welcome

to the forum and I know you will get lots of help and support here. Read

everything that is in our FILES (you can access these from the Menu in our Home

Page) and read also all the information on our web site www.tpa-uk.org.uk . If there is anything

you don't understand, just shout and somebody will be along to try to answer

your question.

When

you ask your doctor to test your Free T3 and antibodies, ask also that your

ferritin (stored iron), your Vitamin B12, your Vitamin D levels are checked

also. Also, you may need some supplements, so read about 'Nutrition and

Supplements' on our website. You will need to take 200 mcgs Selenium daily to

help with the conversion of the mainly inactive T4 into the active T3. You

should also take at least 1000mgs Vitamin C, and you will probably find

magnesium will help with your pain. Do you know that to tell if you need zinc

(and many of us do) you should put a zinc tablet into your mouth and chew it

and if it tastes very coppery, you are OK, but if it tastes of chalk, you are

not and you need to take a zinc supplement. If ever you have to take any

supplements of iron or calcium, never take these anywhere near your Thyroxine,

they must be taken at least 4 hours away from each other.

There

was a small study done on patients taking their levothyroxine at night, and it

was found they slept better, and felt more refreshed throughout the day - and

taking it when you go to bed means you can take it on an empty stomach (which

you should do). Thyroxine is better absorbed in the lining of the intestines at

night with no other interference, so you might want to try the experiment. I

have only heard good reports about this. If it works for you, this is something

you might want to tell your GP so this can be passed on to other patients.

Luv -

Sheila

_______________________________

Good question! I assumed my GP knew what he was doing so I just

did what I was told and kept taking the tablets. I did have blood

tests every three months but was told to keep taking the 25mcg dosage so I

assumed I was ok and under control. I now know differently and will have to see

if I can get this FT3 test. I do suffer with muscle and joint pain which is

getting worse instead of better, so I could be deficient in this.

I don’t think I have had an antibody test either. I will need to

enquire about this as well.

Thanks for that. The more ammunition I have next time I go to

the Doctor’s the better!

From: thyroid treatment

[mailto:thyroid treatment ] On Behalf Of sarah s

Sent: 10 December 2008 21:01

thyroid treatment

Subject: Re:

New member

Hi and welcome

First of all why

were you kept on 25mcg for 9 months? This is a very low dose and dose

increases usually happen every 6 weeks.

Your T4 level is

still low, 13 is certainly not high enough and we aim to get our T4 in the

upper third of the reference range. You TSH looks ok and I am surprised it

went down that much on such a small dose. Have you had a FT3 test? This is

the important one as it shows if you are converting the inactive T4 to the

active T3. Most labs and docs refuse to do this test, but some of us manage

to get it done, I for one am lucky enough to have it done when I ask.

Once you are on

thyroid meds, wether synthetic or natural, it is usually something that you

will require for life, this is because your thyroid is failing and the

hormones need to be replaced or you will just get worse.

Also have you

had an anti body test? This shows if you have antibodies attacking your

thyroid, this is called Hashimotos disease and a lot of us here have that, me

included.

Some of the

other members will be along I am sure to help you some more.

You are in a

good place for help and support

Hello all, I am

the new kid on the block! Wow! what a load of

information to be had here, it all looks so overwhelming I don't know

where to start!

Maybe I should kick off by explaining I was newly diagnosed with

hypothyroidism back in February after countless GP visits wondering

what on earth was wrong with me.

[Guest guest]

Hi Gillian,

Welcome to the wacky world of thyroid. There is, as you say,

much useful info on the TPA website- read and re-read. I think that your

doc is going far too slowly- at the start of treatment your should be

retested and dose increased every 6 WEEKS. TSH is now fine, BUT the FT4

is still near the bottom of the range , top is usually around 24 so a

result of 19-20 would be better. It's helpful to include the range when

sharing test results as labs differ) Most of us feel better with the FT4

and FT3 results in the top quarter of the range. The NHS generally seems

to be reluctant to do FT3, but here we believe it is vital as T3 is the

active hormone and T4 is inactive until converted to T3.

When your thyroid has failed there is no going back- I have never heard

of anyone regaining thyroid function, so just accept that it's pills for

life. When you go for blood tests DO NOT take thyroid meds that day

until after bloods have been drawn otherwise test results can look

better than they actually are, leading to undermedication.

Subject: New member

Hello all, I am the new kid on the block! Wow! what a load of

information to be had here, it all looks so overwhelming I don't know

where to start!

Maybe I should kick off by explaining I was newly diagnosed with

hypothyroidism back in February after countless GP visits wondering

what on earth was wrong with me. I have been on 25mcg of levothyroxine

for 9 months and I've just been told to increase my dose to 50mcg for a

2 months trial. My TSH result has now changed from 6.61 to 0.8 mu/L and

the FT4 result has changed from 11 to 13 pmol/L. I thought these new

readings were within normal parameters so I cannot understand the need

for an increase in dosage. Am I right to be concerned that my body will

become reliant on this higher dose and there will be no way back?

------------------------------------

TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical

practitioner before changing medication.

[Guest guest]

Hi Irene, Sounds like your thyroid may have already started to fail. Now tests being in normal range can be deceptive- you can feel rotten at one end of the range and fine at the other- unless you are tested beforehand when you are healthy you don't know what is normal for you. Ask your doc for the test numers and range- it can vary from lab to lab. 90% of healthy folk have a TSH of around 1.0 so anything higher than that is suspect. > thyroid treatment > From: irenepetty@...> Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 11:24:47 +0000> Subject: new member> > Hi , i am looking for some help and advice.> I have a benign cyst on my thyroid gland. The consultant said there is > a small chance that it may turn to cancer.And he has offered to remove > half my thyroid gland. i was told that i would have to take thyroxine > for the rest of my life.As most of the women in my family have had > breast ,bone or lung cancer i am concerned that the chance that the > lump will turn in to cancer may be higher than some others. can any one > offer advice re this please ,also can they let me know what life is > like on thyroxine.> i became quite poorly about three years ago, i felt tired all the time > and i lost a lot of my hair. now i am constantly cold and lethargic, > and i have to push myself every day just to keep going yet my blood > tests all come back as within normal paramaters. am i missing something?> Any help or advice would be much apprecieated> regards> Irene> > > ------------------------------------> > TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical practitioner before changing medication.> >

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

many thanks for the e-mail, it will not surprise you that I have no idea what TSH is but I am going to look through the archives. I did not know that I could ask for my test results? are most doctors/specialists happy to give them?

Also if any one can let me know re the thyroxine or the possibility of the cyst turning into a tumor I would be most grateful.

I can see I have a lot to learn

Irene

RE: new member

[Edit Abbrev Mod]

[Guest guest]

Hi Irene,

Doesn't sound to me like YOU are missing anything at all. However,

perhaps the same cannot be said for the professionals supporting

your health. NORMAL is a word I have come to loathe in terms of

blood results. I too fall into the category of unwell with symptoms

but undiagnosed as a result! Grrrr!

I too have a thryoid nodule, a sizeable one too, for the second time

in life. I had a partial thyroidectomy 21 years ago, and like

yourself this one has to be monitored regularly as there is always a

small chance of its nature changing. FNA due next month.

Do you have a copy of your blood results to post here, along with

the references ranges. There are some very knowledgeable folk who

can help with interpretation.

Also, have you had a good read through the files about

hypothyroidism and associated conditions? This is how I got started

many months ago and now feel empowered to manage my own health.

You've come to a good place, welcome.

Take care,

x

> and i have to push myself every day just to keep going yet my

blood

> tests all come back as within normal paramaters. am i missing

something?

> Any help or advice would be much apprecieated

> regards

> Irene

>

[Guest guest]

Hope you find some balance and get better soon Irene.

Somedays can make no sense what so ever.

I went through a lifestyle change to try and cope, but it has limits

unfortunately and life is ever changing and can be too demanding. Keep

asking around and if you have to pester your health professional, dont

be ashamed too, keep it up. Your a human being.

It may seem that your confused and mis-understood, but you are not.

Try not to get too depressed. Always ask for assistance, and dont let

it get you too down.

try not to get sucked into the many thyroid , cut and paste authors

who just plagerise from out of date thyroid material. There are many

books on thyroid issues and they are pointless. Written by morons. Try

and talk to more people with issues like us, as this can help. Please

Dont give up, you are not alone. There are relaxation techniques that

can help a little. Give yourself some rest periods during the day.

Empower yourself with advice that you feel helps. Your not alone. Your

a Human being , and we are emotional beings who can help each other.

Hope you get better

Midge

[Edit Abbrev Mod]

[Guest guest]

Hi , thanks for the mail. how did you get on after your partial thyroidectomy?.

I have phoned my GP re getting my results and it was like the third degree, why did I want them, when I explained why I wanted them I got a long winded reason why I should not use web sites ectra and he did not give them to me!. I am a bit stuck here as they are the only doctors for miles around. I have a gp appointment tomorrow and I will try again. I will have a look at the files now. many thanks for helping out a newbie

Irene

Re: new member

Hi Irene,Doesn't sound to me like YOU are missing anything at all. However, perhaps the same cannot be said for the professionals supporting your health. NORMAL is a word I have come to loathe in terms of blood results.

[Edit Abbrev Mod]

[Guest guest]

Hi Irene,

They can't refuse you access to your results; ask the PALS folk to

remind them of this.

Also, it'd be worth asking the receptionist for a copy of the last

results when you book in for your appointment tomorrow.

best wishes

Bob

>

> Hi , thanks for the mail. how did you get on after your partial

> thyroidectomy?.

> I have phoned my GP re getting my results and it was like the third

> degree, why did I want them, when I explained why I wanted them I

got > a long winded reason why I should not use web sites ectra ...

[Guest guest]

Hi Midge, thanks for the post, you all sound so knowledgeable, I feel like the new girls in class who has to learn a foreign language before I can even begin to start to understand.

I do not like to make decisions with out knowing all the facts. So I have around three months before I go back to the hospital to try and sort it all out in my mind

many thanks for the comforting words

Irene

Re: new member

Hope you find some balance and get better soon Irene.Somedays can make no sense what so ever.I went through a lifestyle change to try and cope, but it has limitsunfortunately and life is ever changing and can be too demanding. Keepasking around and if you have to pester your health professional, dontbe ashamed too, keep it up. Your a human being.It may seem that your confused and mis-understood, but you are not.Try not to get too depressed. Always ask for assistance, and dont letit get you too down. try not to get sucked into the many thyroid , cut and paste authorswho just plagerise from out of date thyroid material. There are manybooks on thyroid issues and they are pointless. Written by morons. Tryand talk to more people with issues like us, as this can help. PleaseDont give up, you are not alone. There are relaxation techniques thatcan help a little. Give yourself some rest periods during the day.Empower yourself with advice that you feel helps. Your not alone. Youra Human being , and we are emotional beings who can help each other.Hope you get betterMidge [Edit Abbrev Mod]

[Guest guest]

many thanks Bob.I will ask for a copy of my last results.who are PALS?

Irene

Re: new member

Hi Irene,They can't refuse you access to your results; ask the PALS folk toremind them of this.Also, it'd be worth asking the receptionist for a copy of the lastresults when you book in for your appointment tomorrow.best wishesBob>> Hi , thanks for the mail. how did you get on after your partial > thyroidectomy?.> I have phoned my GP re getting my results and it was like the third > degree, why did I want them, when I explained why I wanted them Igot > a long winded reason why I should not use web sites ectra ...

[Guest guest]

Hi Irene

PALS ~ Patient Advice and Liaison Service via your PCT.....

they can often resolve 'little' things like that without the doctor

knowing who might have complained (?anon).

best wishes

Bob

> >

> > Hi , thanks for the mail. how did you get on after your

partial

> > thyroidectomy?.

> > I have phoned my GP re getting my results and it was like the

third

> > degree, why did I want them, when I explained why I wanted them

I

> got > a long winded reason why I should not use web sites

ectra ...

>

[Guest guest]

Hello

Irene2 (we have another Irene - so if you could either call yourself Irene2

when you write or give yourself a nick-name, this would stop any confusion. I

hope you will get all the support you need here.

First,

go to our website and read the information under 'Hypothyroidism' -

'Hyperthyroidism' and 'Thyroid Cancer' so you get a good overview of all of

these conditions and what they are all about. Read about the different

recommended treatments, and if you are really concerned about the possibility

of you getting thyroid cancer, especially as your specialist has mentioned this

and it runs so high in your family, you may seriously wish to consider the

option he has given. Being hypothyroid for the rest of your life is not a

problem for the majority of sufferers, all they need to do is to find the level

of thyroid hormone replacement their body requires, and that is that. The

majority have no problem - so don't look for any problems right now. If you

need a partial thyroidectomy, then go for it and the rest will take care of

itself.

Amost

everybody who is hypothyroid are frustrated because their thyroid function test

results come back within the normal reference ranges, and sadly, doctors don't

know how to diagnose except by blood results. Before these tests were

manufactured, doctors looked at the symptoms, signs, listened to the patient's

story, asked about others in the family with thyroid disease or an autoimmune

disorder, took their patients basal temperature etc. There was never any

problem and if the doctor believed his/her patient had hypothyroidism, they

started them on thyroid hormone replacement. It is not YOU who is missing

something, it is your doctor.

You

need to talk to your endocrinologists about the ins and outs and what to expect

from such an operation and what he believes will happen to you afterwards. We

have a file called " First Visit to Endocrinologist " (you can access

our FILES from the Home Page of this Forum). Read this and I would recommend

you take the advice there so you cover everything when you visit him. However,

do remember that if there are any hormones that are not being made in our body,

we have to replace whatever hormone is missing with that particular hormone.

You are ONLY replacing what you are not making anymore.

Any

questions, just shout, and somebody will be along to help you.

Luv -

Sheila

i became quite poorly about three years ago, i felt tired all the time

and i lost a lot of my hair. now i am constantly cold and lethargic,

and i have to push myself every day just to keep going yet my blood

tests all come back as within normal paramaters. am i missing something?

Any help or advice would be much apprecieated

regards

Irene

[Guest guest]

Hi again,

Really, the thyoidectomy wasn't that bad, I was back to normal within a

week or two, however, I was then only 32! I'm not scheduled for another

op to date, as the fna results were fine last year. Dr's have advised

that I don't unless I have to. This time it would all have to go, and

although my thyroid isn't functioning well, at least it is a bit.I'm a

wee bit concerned though, since last year it does seem to have got

bigger.

So, why do the Dr's feel you will have to be on thyroxine, are they

suggesting after the op you will become hypo? Not always the case, my

function hasn't changed up until two or three years back.

You are most certainly entitled to see any information stored about

you, that includes your results. However, that's the law but the

reality can be uncomfortable. You could try just a polite note to the

practice manager, bypassing the Dr if you see what I mean. Dr's don't

like us to know too much. Ha!

Take care Irene, read up, it's helps with the decision no end.

x

[Guest guest]

Hi Irene,

You have a right to the tests results- they are yours after all- and to

see your notes if you wish. It’s simplest to ask when you next see the

doc and write it in your notebook together with the range- as it varied from

lab to lab. If you make a big fuss then they can get awkward so keep it simple.

The Thyroid Stimulating Hormone which is

tested is produced by the pituitary in response to the amount of thyroid

hormone available- the clearest explanation I’ve found on how it is all supposed

to work is on http://www.endocrine.web.com

Subject: Re:

new member

Hi ,

many thanks for the e-mail, it will

not surprise you that I have no idea what TSH is but I am going to look through

the archives. I did not know that I could ask for my test results? are most

doctors/specialists happy to give them?

Also if any one can let me know re

the thyroxine or the possibility of the cyst turning into a tumor I would be

most grateful.

I can see I have a lot to learn

Irene

RE:

new member

[Edit Abbrev Mod]