Re: need help for my mother-in-law

[Guest guest]

Let me find out more info. on her medical plan. I think it may be

Medicare since my FIL is retired, but I need to ask her to be certain.

Thanks Jan.

At 09:19 PM 2/16/2004, you wrote:

The Doc List is on our site in " Files. " There should be a word version and a text version.

Exactly where is she located? Is she on Medicare? HMO? PPO? I may be able to make some more specific suggestions.

[Guest guest]

Hi , God bless you for making my day----I had tremors when my pituitary was desperately trying to stimulate my thyroid into making hormone that it couldn't. This was what I was told, when I called the doctor on emergency, got diagnosed, by insisting he do something NOW. (Don't want THAT doctor anymore either!). Anyway, I've seen some sources that talk about thyroid storm as being the cause of that, and I have no way of knowing, since I had not had the knowledge then to ask for Free T3 and Free T4 readings. The only thing that I know about that day is that my TSH was up. I also remember something else, come to think of it, that I haven't thought about in a long time. I remember when I was retested just 3 wks after that, after having barely started on a synthetic med, I called about the new results. I remember the nurse telling me that the thyroxine was above range, but, quote, "that's ok", end quote. If my thyroxine was low at the time I was having these tremors, then how could it have been above range in just 3 wks?? This doctor does not have his practice here any more, so I don't have any way of accessing that info, but I am now finding this peculiar. Does anyone out there have an answer for this? I assume that he was going by the TSH, since that's all he ever checked for during my thyroid evaluations. I would never have known what my Free T3 was at the time because it was never run until I had it run myself months ago with HealthCheck, after being diagnosed 11 yrs ago.

Tx

need help for my mother-in-law

My mother-in-law has been suffering for years with a disorder that causes her to tremor or shake. She has had all types of tests and cat scans/MRI's and still, nothing has been detected. Just a couple of months ago, she informed me that her two sisters also suffered with tremors, but their doctors treated them for thyroid disorders (I believe hypothyroid) with meds and their tremors improved tremendously. So, I asked my MIL to request the following tests on her next doc's visit:Free T3, Free T4, TSH & Antibodies testUnfortunately, her doc only ran the Free T4 and TSH. Here are her results:Free T4 1.59 (range - 0.80-1.90)TSH 2.210 (range - 0.400-4.000)Her doc told her that she was normal and would not consider treating her for thyroid problems despite her info. about her sisters' treatment. What I would like to know is this, is there other tests that I should have her request? Also, is there anyone else out there that has suffered with tremors/shaking that was helped through treating their thyroid? Also, I have not paid much attention to the docs in her area, as I live in the Houston area, but now, I would like to know of any docs in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area that are recommended. She is not good as speaking up for herself, as I have told her she must do when it comes to thyroid issues, so she would need a doc who isn't difficult to deal with. If anyone can offer up suggestions, please let me know. In the mean time, I would like to send her any info. (doc lists, thyroid articles, etc) that will educate her and any info. that she can carry with her to her next doc's appt. Thank you all for being a great group. I have praised this group to many doctors, friends and anyone with whom I over hear as having thyroid issues. I believe in my heart that if it weren't for all of you, I'd be living in a comatose state instead of moving, breathing and feeling alive. Jan, and everyone....ya'll are a god send!

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Wow, how interesting. I am going to share your info. with my MIL even if

you don't have a complete explanation. I just get so annoyed with doctors

who refuse to run the test that we ask for. As I told my MIL, what

difference should it make to them to have those tests run? It's our blood

and our money so who are they to argue with us. Boy...you guys have

taught me to be a bit on the fiesty side. -)

Just based on her TSH, wouldn't you agree that she more than likely needs

thyroid treatment? I told her I thought that was the case, but we needed

the others tests run to know more clearly what was going on. Thanks for

your comments, .

At 08:18 AM 2/17/2004, you wrote:

Hi , God bless you for making my day----I had tremors when my pituitary was desperately trying to stimulate my thyroid into making hormone that it couldn't. This was what I was told, when I called the doctor on emergency, got diagnosed, by insisting he do something NOW. (Don't want THAT doctor anymore either!). Anyway, I've seen some sources that talk about thyroid storm as being the cause of that, and I have no way of knowing, since I had not had the knowledge then to ask for Free T3 and Free T4 readings. The only thing that I know about that day is that my TSH was up. I also remember something else, come to think of it, that I haven't thought about in a long time. I remember when I was retested just 3 wks after that, after having barely started on a synthetic med, I called about the new results. I remember the nurse telling me that the thyroxine was above range, but, quote, " that's ok " , end quote. If my thyroxine was low at the time I was having these tremors, then how could it have been above range in just 3 wks?? This doctor does not have his practice here any more, so I don't have any way of accessing that info, but I am now finding this peculiar. Does anyone out there have an answer for this? I assume that he was going by the TSH, since that's all he ever checked for during my thyroid evaluations. I would never have known what my Free T3 was at the time because it was never run until I had it run myself months ago with HealthCheck, after being diagnosed 11 yrs ago.

Tx

need help for my mother-in-law

My mother-in-law has been suffering for years with a disorder that causes her to tremor or shake. She has had all types of tests and cat scans/MRI's and still, nothing has been detected. Just a couple of months ago, she informed me that her two sisters also suffered with tremors, but their doctors treated them for thyroid disorders (I believe hypothyroid) with meds and their tremors improved tremendously. So, I asked my MIL to request the following tests on her next doc's visit:

Free T3, Free T4, TSH & Antibodies test

Unfortunately, her doc only ran the Free T4 and TSH. Here are her results:

Free T4 1.59 (range - 0.80-1.90)

TSH 2.210 (range - 0.400-4.000)

Her doc told her that she was normal and would not consider treating her for thyroid problems despite her info. about her sisters' treatment. What I would like to know is this, is there other tests that I should have her request? Also, is there anyone else out there that has suffered with tremors/shaking that was helped through treating their thyroid? Also, I have not paid much attention to the docs in her area, as I live in the Houston area, but now, I would like to know of any docs in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area that are recommended. She is not good as speaking up for herself, as I have told her she must do when it comes to thyroid issues, so she would need a doc who isn't difficult to deal with. If anyone can offer up suggestions, please let me know. In the mean time, I would like to send her any info. (doc lists, thyroid articles, etc) that will educate her and any info. that she can carry with her to her next doc's appt.

Thank you all for being a great group. I have praised this group to many doctors, friends and anyone with whom I over hear as having thyroid issues. I believe in my heart that if it weren't for all of you, I'd be living in a comatose state instead of moving, breathing and feeling alive. Jan, and everyone....ya'll are a god send!

[Guest guest]

Let me find out on the meds. I know she takes something for depression

and some form of blood thinner for a blood clot that she had. I will ask

and let you know.

Thanks Jan. BTW, my MIL's name is Jan, too. -)

At 11:03 AM 2/17/2004, you wrote:

The

docs don't like to order Free T3 because some of the insurance companies

don't pay dog-dukey on it.

Is your mother on any

medication for blood pressure or cholesterol? Some BP meds inhibit

conversion of T4 to T3, giving a high Free T4 and a low Free T3, and the

appearance of-pardon my language- " normal. "

McSwain

wrote:

Hi ,

Wow, how interesting. I am going to share your info. with my MIL even if you don't have a complete explanation. I just get so annoyed with doctors who refuse to run the test that we ask for. As I told my MIL, what difference should it make to them to have those tests run? It's our blood and our money so who are they to argue with us. Boy...you guys have taught me to be a bit on the fiesty side. -)

Just based on her TSH, wouldn't you agree that she more than likely needs thyroid treatment? I told her I thought that was the case, but we needed the others tests run to know more clearly what was going on. Thanks for your comments, .

At 08:18 AM 2/17/2004, you wrote:

Hi , God bless you for making my day----I had tremors when my pituitary was desperately trying to stimulate my thyroid into making hormone that it couldn't. This was what I was told, when I called the doctor on emergency, got diagnosed, by insisting he do something NOW. (Don't want THAT doctor anymore either!). Anyway, I've seen some sources that talk about thyroid storm as being the cause of that, and I have no way of knowing, since I had not had the knowledge then to ask for Free T3 and Free T4 readings. The only thing that I know about that day is that my TSH was up. I also remember something else, come to think of it, that I haven't thought about in a long time. I remember when I was retested just 3 wks after that, after having barely started on a synthetic med, I called about the new results. I remember the nurse telling me that the thyroxine was above ra! nge, but, quote, " that's ok " , end quote. If my thyroxine was low at the time I was having these tremors, then how could it have been above range in just 3 wks?? This doctor does not have his practice here any more, so I don't have any way of accessing that info, but I am now finding this peculiar. Does anyone out there have an answer for this? I assume that he was going by the TSH, since that's all he ever checked for during my thyroid evaluations. I would never have known what my Free T3 was at the time because it was never run until I had it run myself months ago with HealthCheck, after being diagnosed 11 yrs ago.

Tx

need help for my mother-in-law

My mother-in-law has been suffering for years with a disorder that causes her to tremor or shake. She has had all types of tests and cat scans/MRI's and still, nothing has been detected. Just a couple of months ago, she informed me that her two sisters also suffered with tremors, but their doctors treated them for thyroid disorders (I believe hypothyroid) with meds and their tremors improved tremendously. So, I asked my MIL to request the following tests on her next doc's visit:

Free T3, Free T4, TSH & Antibodies test

Unfortunately, her doc only ran the Free T4 and TSH. Here are her results:

Free T4 1.59 (range - 0.80-1.90)

TSH 2.210 (range - 0.400-4.000)

Her doc told her that she was normal and would not consider treating her for thyroid problems despite her info. about her sisters' treatment. What I would like to know is this, is there other tests that I should have her request? Also, is there anyone else out there that has suffered with tremors/shaking that was helped through treating their thyroid? Also, I have not paid much attention to the docs in her area, as I live in the Houston area, but now, I would like to know of any docs in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area that are recommended. She is not good as speaking up for herself, as I have told her she must do when it comes to thyroid issues, so she would need a doc who isn't difficult to deal with. If anyone can offer up suggestions, please let me know. In the mean time, I would like to send her any info. (doc lists, thyroid articles, etc) that will educate her and any info. that she can carry with her to her next doc's appt.

Thank you all for being a great group. I have praised this group to many doctors, friends and anyone with whom I over hear as having thyroid issues. I believe in my heart that if it weren't for all of you, I'd be living in a comatose state instead of moving, breathing and feeling alive. Jan, and everyone....ya'll are a god send!