thyroid and TSH

[Guest guest]

Whats everyones take on the whole thyroid biz. I am looking into it

as a cause of my on-and-off low white cell counts (and maybe

platelets?).

Some kinda anti-thyroid autoantibodies might explain why my white

cells are looking a little worse over the long term even tho I am

generally way way better than I was in say Noevember.

I had a TSH of 1.96 in May 04 when I was still living independantly -

and 2.42 a few months later when I was largely bed-bound, which is on

the high side by many standards. But I believe I had a normal total

T4 the week after.

So I better at least get some new tests. I know there are some

radicals who dont think the TSH is good at all. Best case, my TSH

would now be 3.5 in which case I'd know what to do - but if not, I

guess I dont really know what to do. I guess I could request a full

workup of autoantibodies and T3 and T4 levels for one thing. I know

Teitelbaum looks at something like total/free(?) T4(?) and

supplements if the patient is not in the best part of the normal

range.

[Guest guest]

ERic,

You definitely have to get your Free Ts tested, they tell you what's

going on right now. TSH has a big delay, up to 6 weeks so not very

accurate measure of immediate status. Plus there are a few docs (not

many) who'll treat you for subclinical hypothyroidism if you respond

well to hormone replacement.

I'd recommend going to Shomon's thyroid site at about.com.

She's changed the world's view on thyroid disease, and you'll find

the latest info there and plenty of discussion.

I started thinking my thyroid was the cause of my problems, and

ended realizing it's just another victim, but it's still important

for me to keep it regulated, because when I don't, I feel worse.

penny

> Whats everyones take on the whole thyroid biz. I am looking into

it

> as a cause of my on-and-off low white cell counts (and maybe

> platelets?).

>

> Some kinda anti-thyroid autoantibodies might explain why my white

> cells are looking a little worse over the long term even tho I am

> generally way way better than I was in say Noevember.

>

> I had a TSH of 1.96 in May 04 when I was still living

independantly -

> and 2.42 a few months later when I was largely bed-bound, which is

on

> the high side by many standards. But I believe I had a normal

total

> T4 the week after.

>

> So I better at least get some new tests. I know there are some

> radicals who dont think the TSH is good at all. Best case, my TSH

> would now be 3.5 in which case I'd know what to do - but if not, I

> guess I dont really know what to do. I guess I could request a

full

> workup of autoantibodies and T3 and T4 levels for one thing. I

know

> Teitelbaum looks at something like total/free(?) T4(?) and

> supplements if the patient is not in the best part of the normal

> range.