Re: thyroid question( Worth & Hypothyroidism)

[Guest guest]

Hi Ladies, Worth is the only fitness competitor I've heard has

full blown hypothyroidism. By any chance, has anyone read and/or has

a 2003 issue of Oxygen magazine entitled: " Overcoming Obstacles

Worth's fight against hypothyroidism " ?

I believe it's issue #42.

If so, can you summarize what techniques she has used, or if you

have a scanner, post a copy of those pages here in the group if it's

not too much trouble? I'd really appreciate that.

I'm not sure if Oxygen has back copies on the internet. I'll have to

drop them a line. If any of you know of other athletic women with

hypothyroidism, I'd love to hear about it. Thank you Nel

http://www.bodybuilders.com/jenny.htm

http://www.getbig.com/magazine/oxygen/oxy-0302.htm

> >

> > Well if it were me I'd go for a 3rd, 4th opinions and further if

> > necessary. If your TSH level is above 5.0 it above normal and

> should be

> > treated. Your thyroid controls everything including your heart

so

> it can

> > be serious if not treated. Granted I'm not a doctor but I do

have

> > hypothyroidsm. My highest was 11.75. I have had to search and

> search to

> > find a doctor that really knows what he/she is doing it really

> isn't

> > something that many doctors understand.

> > Michele T.

> >

> > On Thu, 03 Nov 2005 00:14:51 -0000 nel82l05

> <no_reply >

> > writes:

> > > Today I went for a second opinion, and despite the high level

of

> > > thyroid antibodies I have, enlarged thyroid(goiter), family

> history

> > >

> > > of hypothyroidism, elevated TSH levels(5.0-7.0), a printout of

> the

> > > new TSH guidelines below, and other symptoms, the the doctor

> agreed

> > >

> > > with the first endocrinologist, and stated that it's

> not " serious

> > > enough " for him to prescribe meds. He explained that unless my

> TSH

> > > was over 10, " very few " doctors will treat subclinical

> > > hypothyroidsm.

> > >

> > > http://thyroid.about.com/cs/hypothyroidism/a/undertreated.htm

> > >

> > > He did state that because of the " very high levels " of thyroid

> > > antibodies I have, he " guarantees " I will eventually develop

> full

> > > blown hypothyroidsm and require meds in the future, but he

can't

> > > pinpoint when that will be. He requested that I have another

> test

> > > for TSH and Free T4 done, along with an ultrasound of the

small

> > > goiter just to be on the safe side. I'll probably take care of

> that

> > >

> > > this weekend. Well, that's that. I got a second opinion, and

as

> long

> > >

> > > as I'm feeling better while following BFL, and the goiter

isn't

> > > large enough for others to notice, I will accept the

conclusion

> of

> > > both endocrinologists, and just have a TSH test taken each

year

> to

> > > stay on top of things. I hate meds, so I was actually

relieved.

> > > Though my energy has increased since working out, it still

have

> to

> > > really " push " myself to get the energy to workout. Maybe that

> will

> > > change at the end of the year.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Here's a link to buy the 2/03 Oxygen magazine:

http://www.shopmusclemag.com/product.asp?productid=859

G )

On 11/8/05, nel82l05 <no_reply > wrote:

>

> Hi Ladies, Worth is the only fitness competitor I've heard has

> full blown hypothyroidism. By any chance, has anyone read and/or has

> a 2003 issue of Oxygen magazine entitled: " Overcoming Obstacles

> Worth's fight against hypothyroidism " ?

>

> I believe it's issue #42.

>

> If so, can you summarize what techniques she has used, or if you

> have a scanner, post a copy of those pages here in the group if it's

> not too much trouble? I'd really appreciate that.

>

> I'm not sure if Oxygen has back copies on the internet. I'll have to

> drop them a line. If any of you know of other athletic women with

> hypothyroidism, I'd love to hear about it. Thank you Nel

>

> http://www.bodybuilders.com/jenny.htm

>

> http://www.getbig.com/magazine/oxygen/oxy-0302.htm

>

>

> > >

> > > Well if it were me I'd go for a 3rd, 4th opinions and further if

> > > necessary. If your TSH level is above 5.0 it above normal and

> > should be

> > > treated. Your thyroid controls everything including your heart

> so

> > it can

> > > be serious if not treated. Granted I'm not a doctor but I do

> have

> > > hypothyroidsm. My highest was 11.75. I have had to search and

> > search to

> > > find a doctor that really knows what he/she is doing it really

> > isn't

> > > something that many doctors understand.

> > > Michele T.

> > >

> > > On Thu, 03 Nov 2005 00:14:51 -0000 nel82l05

> > <no_reply >

> > > writes:

> > > > Today I went for a second opinion, and despite the high level

> of

> > > > thyroid antibodies I have, enlarged thyroid(goiter), family

> > history

> > > >

> > > > of hypothyroidism, elevated TSH levels(5.0-7.0), a printout of

> > the

> > > > new TSH guidelines below, and other symptoms, the the doctor

> > agreed

> > > >

> > > > with the first endocrinologist, and stated that it's

> > not " serious

> > > > enough " for him to prescribe meds. He explained that unless my

> > TSH

> > > > was over 10, " very few " doctors will treat subclinical

> > > > hypothyroidsm.

> > > >

> > > > http://thyroid.about.com/cs/hypothyroidism/a/undertreated.htm

> > > >

> > > > He did state that because of the " very high levels " of thyroid

> > > > antibodies I have, he " guarantees " I will eventually develop

> > full

> > > > blown hypothyroidsm and require meds in the future, but he

> can't

> > > > pinpoint when that will be. He requested that I have another

> > test

> > > > for TSH and Free T4 done, along with an ultrasound of the

> small

> > > > goiter just to be on the safe side. I'll probably take care of

> > that

> > > >

> > > > this weekend. Well, that's that. I got a second opinion, and

> as

> > long

> > > >

> > > > as I'm feeling better while following BFL, and the goiter

> isn't

> > > > large enough for others to notice, I will accept the

> conclusion

> > of

> > > > both endocrinologists, and just have a TSH test taken each

> year

> > to

> > > > stay on top of things. I hate meds, so I was actually

> relieved.

> > > > Though my energy has increased since working out, it still

> have

> > to

> > > > really " push " myself to get the energy to workout. Maybe that

> > will

> > > > change at the end of the year.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

Wow, only $3. Thanks karen.

> > > >

> > > > Well if it were me I'd go for a 3rd, 4th opinions and

further if

> > > > necessary. If your TSH level is above 5.0 it above normal and

> > > should be

> > > > treated. Your thyroid controls everything including your

heart

> > so

> > > it can

> > > > be serious if not treated. Granted I'm not a doctor but I do

> > have

> > > > hypothyroidsm. My highest was 11.75. I have had to search and

> > > search to

> > > > find a doctor that really knows what he/she is doing it

really

> > > isn't

> > > > something that many doctors understand.

> > > > Michele T.

> > > >

> > > > On Thu, 03 Nov 2005 00:14:51 -0000 nel82l05

> > > <no_reply >

> > > > writes:

> > > > > Today I went for a second opinion, and despite the high

level

> > of

> > > > > thyroid antibodies I have, enlarged thyroid(goiter), family

> > > history

> > > > >

> > > > > of hypothyroidism, elevated TSH levels(5.0-7.0), a

printout of

> > > the

> > > > > new TSH guidelines below, and other symptoms, the the

doctor

> > > agreed

> > > > >

> > > > > with the first endocrinologist, and stated that it's

> > > not " serious

> > > > > enough " for him to prescribe meds. He explained that

unless my

> > > TSH

> > > > > was over 10, " very few " doctors will treat subclinical

> > > > > hypothyroidsm.

> > > > >

> > > > >

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/hypothyroidism/a/undertreated.htm

> > > > >

> > > > > He did state that because of the " very high levels " of

thyroid

> > > > > antibodies I have, he " guarantees " I will eventually

develop

> > > full

> > > > > blown hypothyroidsm and require meds in the future, but he

> > can't

> > > > > pinpoint when that will be. He requested that I have

another

> > > test

> > > > > for TSH and Free T4 done, along with an ultrasound of the

> > small

> > > > > goiter just to be on the safe side. I'll probably take

care of

> > > that

> > > > >

> > > > > this weekend. Well, that's that. I got a second opinion,

and

> > as

> > > long

> > > > >

> > > > > as I'm feeling better while following BFL, and the goiter

> > isn't

> > > > > large enough for others to notice, I will accept the

> > conclusion

> > > of

> > > > > both endocrinologists, and just have a TSH test taken each

> > year

> > > to

> > > > > stay on top of things. I hate meds, so I was actually

> > relieved.

> > > > > Though my energy has increased since working out, it still

> > have

> > > to

> > > > > really " push " myself to get the energy to workout. Maybe

that

> > > will

> > > > > change at the end of the year.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

Ladies for anyone who might have been interested, I picked up my

most recent test results today.

TSH 3.30

T4 1.09

It appears my TSH has lowered(almost 4 points). However, I am

disappointed that my antibodies and T3 were not tested. The Endo

told me he ordered a complete panel. TSH and T4 is not complete is

it? I should hear from him on Friday or Monday.

Below are one of my past test results:

TSH 7.00 (0.45-5.50)

Thyroxine Free 0.87 (0.75-2.00)

Free T3 2.01 (1.45-3.48)

Free T4 0.86 (0.71-1.85)

Thyroglobulin Autoantibodies 41* (range <40 IU/ML)

Thyroid Peroxidase Autoantibodies >625* (range <35 IU/ML)

My Thyroid Ultrasound results were evaluated by an M.D., and the

final measurements are below:

Right Lobe is 6.8 cm x 1.9 x 2.2

Left Lobe is 5.9 cm x 1.9 x 2.1

Originally the tech told me the measurements were slightly larger,

however the M.D. has the final say so.

Impression was:

Multinodular goiter with no dominant mass or nodule

I'm not really sure what to think. I was happy the TSH lowered, but

I'm in a hypothyroid group where I've learned quite a bit, and I'm

still a little cautious since many say the range was lowered so that

anything over 3.0 is suspect, not to mention my thyroid is enlarged.

I think for the next six months to a year I'm just going to continue

improving my lifestyle, and stress later after I hear from the

doctor.

[Guest guest]

Here's the article. I swear I have a copy of everything. It's starting

to scare me. :-)

~~~

IFBB pro Worth fights a daily battle to stay lean despite a rare

thyroid condition that slows her metabolism to a crawl. Here's how she

overcame hypothyroidism to obtain one of the best physiques to ever

walk across a fitness stage.

Overcoming Obstacles

Observing an athlete's extraordinary physique can be discouraging for

someone who hasn't reached her goals. Sometimes it's even tempting to

give up, deciding you're just not as genetically gifted as they are.

But there's one competitor whose achievements are certain to motivate

rather than intimidate - IFBB pro Worth has had to work harder

than most to prevail over an unrelenting illness that would have kept

lesser athletes off the fitness stage.

suffers from a hereditary disease called hypothyroidism, a

condition in which the body lacks sufficient thyroid hormone. (The

thyroid hormone regulates the body's metabolism and people whose

bodies don't produce enough of it have an abnormally slow metabolism.)

So how can someone who naturally burns fewer calories maintain a

chiseled appearance that threatens to overshadow even the most veteran

competitors on the fitness stage? " By dieting year round and doing

cardio at least six days per week for as many as three hours a day, "

says , who won the 2001 Fitness International. Because her body

doesn't metabolize food the same way as someone with normal thyroid

levels, trains with an intensity that would make any other

competitor too thin.

The Miami, Florida resident has been fighting her battle against

weight gain ever since she quit gymnastics when she was 16. " I gained

about 10 pounds when I was no longer doing gymnastics three to four

hours per day, " she says. " And although I was still very active it

didn't keep me from putting on weight. " Doctors diagnosed her with

hypothyroidism, the same condition that plagued her grandmother,

mother and two sisters, but decided that her thyroid levels weren't

quite low enough for medication. " It's hard to lose weight when you're

at such a natural disadvantage, " she says. needed to do

something to keep up the caloric deficit that gymnastics had provided,

so she joined an aerobics class. With the extra group-setting cardio,

in addition to her regular workouts as part of the high school

weightlifting team, began to lose some of the weight.

Encouraged, she soon began to teach aerobics - up to three classes per

day - to help keep the weight off.

's strong work ethic (she has worked as many as five jobs at a

time) combined with her desire to overcome her ailment has enabled her

not only to maintain her weight, but to sculpt her body to

near-perfect condition. " Every day is like going to war, " she says.

" You wake up and know you're going to have to fight again. Some days

you're tired and just don't want to work that hard. But you do. " Since

knows she'll have a thyroid condition all her life, she's

already planning for her future weight management. She started

competing in 1996 and intends to retire from the stage in two or three

years because of what training for two shows a year does to her body.

" It's so hard on my body to prepare for each show. In addition to

doing three hours of cardio seven days a week, I also have to do three

hours of gymnastics five days a week. "

To keep herself active in the off season and when she's no longer

competing, has established a futuristic cardio classroom at Bod

by Dodd, the gym she co-owns with her best friend and trainer, Dodd

Romero. " My area upstairs is totally new, " says. " It's set up

like a gym from the year 2021 in a space capsule - there's even a

flying saucer. I used to be a DJ, so I have my turntables set up along

with different types of cardio machines: rower, elliptical, treadmill,

bikes, 's Ladder and a step mill. " simultaneously DJs and

coaches her clients in a circuit cardio routine that is not for the

faint of heart. " Every five minutes they have to switch machines and

they have to stay at a certain intensity or they get dropped, " she

says. She will also soon offer rooftop aerobics at Bod by Dodd where

clients will " sweat hard core. " advocates classroom cardio over

lonelier solo sessions. Among the benefits are variety, camaraderie

and motivation. Dodd's personal training is largely responsible for

's balanced and symmetrical muscular development. His style,

which includes non-stop giant and super sets, is also popular with

Hollywood and professional sports types. Denzel Washington, Glenn

Rice, Grant and Lenny Kravitz are all clients of Dodd.

On-season extremes

If you suffer from hypothyroidism you have to do more cardio than the

average person - it's a fact if you want to get and stay lean.

However, if you're not searching for perfection, as Worth is,

it's not recommended that you go even close to the extremes that this

competitor does to stay in shape. Instead, use 's example to

motivate you and, on a personal level, gradually increase your cardio

and strength workouts until you get the results you desire. Keep your

diet in check while allowing for the occasional treat.

Currently prepares for two shows a year - the Fitness Olympia in

October and the Fitness International in February. Since she starts

training 25 weeks out from a show, her on-season takes up about 10

months of the year. When getting in shape for an event, does

cardio three times a day, seven days a week. " I do one hour of cardio

before my morning meal, 30 to 60 minutes in the late afternoon and an

additional 30 minutes after my last meal of the day. " She also does

gymnastics five days a week from one to three hours each day and

resistance training six days a week.

When training for a contest, starts her day at 6:15 a.m. by

running for an hour before her first meal. " I live in Miami, so I've

got to go outside early to beat the heat, " she says. A nap precedes

two or three hours of gymnastics training, followed by another cardio

session. After lunch, it's weight training. She trains clients only

after completing her own strength workout. After her workday is

complete, goes home for dinner and follows her meal with a final

cardio session. Bedtime is at about 12:30 a.m.

A lifestyle totally devoted to fitness doesn't allow for much

socialization, but off-season, says she'll do slightly less

cardio or even miss a weight training session to give herself a break.

" I also go to visit my family twice a year. " isn't one to

completely relax her standards, however. " If I go somewhere, I'll do

cardio - I've even done it in airports. I find a spot and run in

place, do jumping jacks or whatever to keep my heart rate up high. "

But even with her singular focus, considers her life to be

balanced. " Because I used to work at a nightclub, I don't like to go

out and deal with that. I'm over the club scene. Instead, I'll watch

movies, go to the park or beach, or to Orlando to hang out with

friends. "

The workouts Dodd creates for often incorporate her bodyweight

to help keep her muscles stimulated. Dodd usually has and his

other clients do sets with 21 reps for two reasons, neither of which

is physiological. First, he considers himself a spiritual person and

he believes that the number seven is the number of God, the number of

perfection, and the number of completeness. Dodd uses three times

seven in honor of his faith. Secondly, he used to go to 20 anyway and

he liked to do one more for his mom. Dodd devised the following

total-body workout with exercises that routinely does when

training and recommends that beginners take things more slowly and use

fewer repetitions.

Pullup: Lats

" We do pullups because when you use your own body weight, your

physique will adapt and drop any excess poundage to be able to perform

the movement more efficiently, " says Dodd. hangs from the double

handles of the bar with her arms straight and her palms facing each

other. She keeps her knees bent and pulls herself up by bending her

elbows until they are inline with her shoulders. She does three sets

of 21 reps and varies her grip (narrow to wide) to hit her back

muscles from a variety of angles. " Beginners should aim for three sets

of as many as possible, " Dodd says. " It may just be one or two or even

just hanging for as long as possible for three sets. Pretty soon

you'll be able to pull yourself up. " Rest for three to four minutes

between sets to get a full recovery.

Weighted Lunge: Glutes, Quads

Holding a dumbbell in each hand, starts with her right foot on

the block and her knee bent so her thigh is parallel to the ground.

Her left leg is straight with the foot slightly behind the block. She

lunges up by straightening her right leg and bending her left behind

her before bringing it through in front of her so that her left thigh

is parallel to the ground. " It's a movement you see commonly in

aerobics classes, " says Dodd. It puts pressure on both the gluteus

medius and gluteus maximus. Alternate legs with three sets of 21 reps

for each.

Cable crossover with harness: pecs

Dodd built a futuristic harness that works with 's own body

weight for this otherwise common chest exercise. " With weight

training, the goal is progressive resistance to stimulate the muscles

and if you start out with 30 pounds of resistance, for example, you'll

see good results, " says Dodd. But years and many workouts later, those

30 pounds will no longer stimulate the fibers, so you have to keep

adding weight. With this harness, can continue to hit her chest

muscles without adding so much weight that she begins to look like a

bodybuilder. By connecting the cables to the harness itself, you do

crossovers in mid-air. " Instead of the typical configuration, where

the weight stacks on each side of the machine go up when you pull the

handle down, you're actually pulling your own body up off the ground.

" I like to do as many body weight movements as possible so that

her muscles won't get bigger than her own body will allow. "

Cable reverse pressdown: triceps

To keep her body balanced, makes sure she hits the smaller

muscles as well as the larger ones. She does triceps pressdowns for

three sets of 21 repetitions for each arm and uses a medium weight. To

get the full contraction, she keeps her feet planted firmly on the

ground and her elbow against her side. She begins by gripping the

handle in her left hand with her elbow bent and her palm facing up,

and then straightens her arm completely before returning to the start

position.

Hanging ab raise: abs

" This is very good for the lower abs, " says Dodd. hangs from the

bar with her arms about shoulder-width apart and her knees bent so her

calves are parallel to the ground behind her. Keeping her legs

together and her knees bent, she brings her legs forward and up to her

chest. performs three sets of 21 reps, but beginners should

start with as many as they can do comfortably and add repetitions as

their abs become stronger.

Sidebars:

at a glance

Height: 5-foot-2

Weight: 115 lb contest and 121 lb off-season

Age: 25

Martial status: Has a boyfriend

Favorite food: Protein pancakes

Favorite workout music: Hip-hop or rock

Inspiration: " My mom, for how she raised us and who she is, and Dodd. "

Food for thought

Unlike other competitors, never comes off her pre-contest diet

except for a single cheat meal after each show. Her food intake is so

strict that even her cheat meal would be considered part of another

athlete's contest diet: one banana, a handful of raisins or a cup of

rice. " That's what I gain weight on, " laments. " Fat-free,

sugar-free frozen yogurt will make me gain weight. I never get to eat

pizza or ice cream. " A typical day for would consist of four

meals based on protein and vegetables. She never includes fruit in her

pre-contest diet because of the high sugar content, but she does eat

between six and seven cups of vegetables a day, most often in the form

of a big salad with cucumbers and mushrooms. Her pre-contest diet

consists of 900 to 1000 calories a day, while off-season, she eats

about 1,500 calories a day.

meal one: a half cup of oatmeal and three egg whites meal two: two

protein pancakes (one scoop protein powder and three egg whites,

sometimes with sugar-free syrup on top) meal three: fish and

vegetables meal four: chicken and vegetables

Hypothyroidism

There are more than 20 million Americans with hypothyroidism and most

don't know they have the disease. Many suffer debilitating side

effects such as depression, weight gain or loss, fatigue, nervousness,

muscle weakness or cramps, hair loss, poor memory and difficulty

concentrating. For other women who suffer from the condition,

advises: " Stay strong and positive. There may be weeks or even months

that go by without your losing a pound, so you have to stay extremely

clean on your diet. As hard as it may seem, don't cheat until you get

the weight off. Eat four meals rich in protein and healthy carbs,

instead of the five to seven that other fitness athletes can consume,

and you'll get there. "

For additional information on hypothyroidism and other diseases of the

thyroid, visit www.thyroid.org or www.endocrineweb.com, and always

consult your doctor before beginning a diet or training program.

On 11/8/05, nel82l05 <no_reply > wrote:

> Hi Ladies, Worth is the only fitness competitor I've heard has

> full blown hypothyroidism. By any chance, has anyone read and/or has

> a 2003 issue of Oxygen magazine entitled: " Overcoming Obstacles

> Worth's fight against hypothyroidism " ?

>

> I believe it's issue #42.

>

> If so, can you summarize what techniques she has used, or if you

> have a scanner, post a copy of those pages here in the group if it's

> not too much trouble? I'd really appreciate that.

>

> I'm not sure if Oxygen has back copies on the internet. I'll have to

> drop them a line. If any of you know of other athletic women with

> hypothyroidism, I'd love to hear about it. Thank you Nel

[Guest guest]

, you're too much. The group would NOT be the same without you.

Thank you for being such a wealth of information, and so great at

saving valuable information to share with others.

> > Hi Ladies, Worth is the only fitness competitor I've heard

has

> > full blown hypothyroidism. By any chance, has anyone read and/or

has

> > a 2003 issue of Oxygen magazine entitled: " Overcoming Obstacles

> > Worth's fight against hypothyroidism " ?

> >

> > I believe it's issue #42.

> >

> > If so, can you summarize what techniques she has used, or if you

> > have a scanner, post a copy of those pages here in the group if

it's

> > not too much trouble? I'd really appreciate that.

> >

> > I'm not sure if Oxygen has back copies on the internet. I'll

have to

> > drop them a line. If any of you know of other athletic women with

> > hypothyroidism, I'd love to hear about it. Thank you Nel

>

[Guest guest]

I came across a few websites of women who train with hypo, but

unfortunately Worth doesn't seem to have one. If anyone ever

comes across one, please post here in the group.

> > > Hi Ladies, Worth is the only fitness competitor I've

heard

> has

> > > full blown hypothyroidism. By any chance, has anyone read

and/or

> has

> > > a 2003 issue of Oxygen magazine entitled: " Overcoming Obstacles

> > > Worth's fight against hypothyroidism " ?

> > >

> > > I believe it's issue #42.

> > >

> > > If so, can you summarize what techniques she has used, or if

you

> > > have a scanner, post a copy of those pages here in the group

if

> it's

> > > not too much trouble? I'd really appreciate that.

> > >

> > > I'm not sure if Oxygen has back copies on the internet. I'll

> have to

> > > drop them a line. If any of you know of other athletic women

with

> > > hypothyroidism, I'd love to hear about it. Thank you Nel

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kiki, I know the article where Worth discussed

hypothyroidism, was published in 2003. I know she has competed just

about every year, but I thought she took off 2004 to train for this

year? The most recent competiton I know of is 2003, see pictures

below:

http://www.femalemuscle.com/contests/olympia2003/jenny_worth/

Adelina is pretty cool also. She has great abs.

> > > >

> > > > Well if it were me I'd go for a 3rd, 4th opinions and

further

> if

> > > > necessary. If your TSH level is above 5.0 it above normal

> and

> > > should be

> > > > treated. Your thyroid controls everything including your

> heart

> > so

> > > it can

> > > > be serious if not treated. Granted I'm not a doctor but I

do

> > have

> > > > hypothyroidsm. My highest was 11.75. I have had to search

> and

> > > search to

> > > > find a doctor that really knows what he/she is doing it

really

> > > isn't

> > > > something that many doctors understand.

> > > > Michele T.

> > > >

> > > > On Thu, 03 Nov 2005 00:14:51 -0000 nel82l05

> > > <no_reply >

> > > > writes:

> > > > > Today I went for a second opinion, and despite the high

> level

> > of

> > > > > thyroid antibodies I have, enlarged thyroid(goiter),

family

> > > history

> > > > >

> > > > > of hypothyroidism, elevated TSH levels(5.0-7.0), a

printout

> of

> > > the

> > > > > new TSH guidelines below, and other symptoms, the the

doctor

> > > agreed

> > > > >

> > > > > with the first endocrinologist, and stated that it's

> > > not " serious

> > > > > enough " for him to prescribe meds. He explained that

unless

> my

> > > TSH

> > > > > was over 10, " very few " doctors will treat subclinical

> > > > > hypothyroidsm.

> > > > >

> > > > >

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/hypothyroidism/a/undertreated.htm

> > > > >

> > > > > He did state that because of the " very high levels " of

> thyroid

> > > > > antibodies I have, he " guarantees " I will eventually

develop

> > > full

> > > > > blown hypothyroidsm and require meds in the future, but he

> > can't

> > > > > pinpoint when that will be. He requested that I have

another

> > > test

> > > > > for TSH and Free T4 done, along with an ultrasound of the

> > small

> > > > > goiter just to be on the safe side. I'll probably take

care

> of

> > > that

> > > > >

> > > > > this weekend. Well, that's that. I got a second opinion,

and

> > as

> > > long

> > > > >

> > > > > as I'm feeling better while following BFL, and the goiter

> > isn't

> > > > > large enough for others to notice, I will accept the

> > conclusion

> > > of

> > > > > both endocrinologists, and just have a TSH test taken each

> > year

> > > to

> > > > > stay on top of things. I hate meds, so I was actually

> > relieved.

> > > > > Though my energy has increased since working out, it still

> > have

> > > to

> > > > > really " push " myself to get the energy to workout. Maybe

> that

> > > will

> > > > > change at the end of the year.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

Some of the 2005 competitors may be listed on the Arnold Classic

website. I plan to visit a live competition some time during 2006,

just to be around the energy and excitement. lol

> > > > > >

> > > > > > Well if it were me I'd go for a 3rd, 4th opinions and

> > further

> > > if

> > > > > > necessary. If your TSH level is above 5.0 it above

> normal

> > > and

> > > > > should be

> > > > > > treated. Your thyroid controls everything including

your

> > > heart

> > > > so

> > > > > it can

> > > > > > be serious if not treated. Granted I'm not a doctor but

I

> > do

> > > > have

> > > > > > hypothyroidsm. My highest was 11.75. I have had to

> search

> > > and

> > > > > search to

> > > > > > find a doctor that really knows what he/she is doing it

> > really

> > > > > isn't

> > > > > > something that many doctors understand.

> > > > > > Michele T.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > On Thu, 03 Nov 2005 00:14:51 -0000 nel82l05

> > > > > <no_reply >

> > > > > > writes:

> > > > > > > Today I went for a second opinion, and despite the

high

> > > level

> > > > of

> > > > > > > thyroid antibodies I have, enlarged thyroid(goiter),

> > family

> > > > > history

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > of hypothyroidism, elevated TSH levels(5.0-7.0), a

> > printout

> > > of

> > > > > the

> > > > > > > new TSH guidelines below, and other symptoms, the the

> > doctor

> > > > > agreed

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > with the first endocrinologist, and stated that it's

> > > > > not " serious

> > > > > > > enough " for him to prescribe meds. He explained that

> > unless

> > > my

> > > > > TSH

> > > > > > > was over 10, " very few " doctors will treat subclinical

> > > > > > > hypothyroidsm.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > http://thyroid.about.com/cs/hypothyroidism/a/undertreated.htm

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > He did state that because of the " very high levels " of

> > > thyroid

> > > > > > > antibodies I have, he " guarantees " I will eventually

> > develop

> > > > > full

> > > > > > > blown hypothyroidsm and require meds in the future,

but

> he

> > > > can't

> > > > > > > pinpoint when that will be. He requested that I have

> > another

> > > > > test

> > > > > > > for TSH and Free T4 done, along with an ultrasound of

> the

> > > > small

> > > > > > > goiter just to be on the safe side. I'll probably take

> > care

> > > of

> > > > > that

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > this weekend. Well, that's that. I got a second

opinion,

> > and

> > > > as

> > > > > long

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > > as I'm feeling better while following BFL, and the

> goiter

> > > > isn't

> > > > > > > large enough for others to notice, I will accept the

> > > > conclusion

> > > > > of

> > > > > > > both endocrinologists, and just have a TSH test taken

> each

> > > > year

> > > > > to

> > > > > > > stay on top of things. I hate meds, so I was actually

> > > > relieved.

> > > > > > > Though my energy has increased since working out, it

> still

> > > > have

> > > > > to

> > > > > > > really " push " myself to get the energy to workout.

Maybe

> > > that

> > > > > will

> > > > > > > change at the end of the year.

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >

> > > > > > >