Re: New in Florida

May 18, 2003

Hi Star (you didn't sign a name! hehehehe)

One thing might be the tests that you've been getting.. Most doctors only

test for TSH levels.. thyroid stimulating hormone. For many years this

was considered acceptable.. We now know better yet many docs still run

just that one test.

To get a truly accurate view of how your thyroid is working or not

working you also need to test for Free T4 and free T3 levels in your

blood. When you get your results, if over the phone, ask for the numbers

for all the tests... if going in person ask for a copy...

The numbers that we'll need to help you figure it out are the results

from the tests as well as the high low range for that test... Labs are

all different so that high/low part can be different..

If you find that they only ran a TSH.... explain that your symptoms do

exist, that you feel crummy and would very, very much like to be sure of

the reason why.. request that the frees (T4 and T3) also be tested... If

they refuse.. time to start calling around and finding a doc that will...

that part can be a challenge....

....We're here to help..as much as we can.. so just give a holler.....

Topper ()

group co-owner http://groups.yahoo.com/group/The_Thyroid_Support_Group/

http://toppertwo.tripod.com

On Sun, 18 May 2003 11:37:40 -0000 " stargaitshetlands "

writes:

> Hello,

>

> I joined this group to get me by until I get the results from my

> test

> tomorrow but think it can help me. I have had drs all my life tell

>

> me I have symptoms of thryoid and then test me and tell it is

> normal,

> there is nothing wrong. Well my symptoms have been getting worse

> and worse and finally the last 2 weeks I haven't even been able to

> go

> to work. Last Monday I went to the dr and they did the blood test.

>

> I can't get the results untill tomorrow and sitting on pins and

> needles HOPING they diagnos it correctly this time. My biggest

> fear

> is them telling me again I am NORMAL.

>

> I know thyroid is controllabe for most people but right now I am

> just

> scared. I lead a very active life, I train and show registerd

> shetland ponies. I have big shows coming up this summer and have

> not

> been able to do anything. It is all I can do to get to the barn in

>

> the mornings to feed.

>

> I am looking forward to this group helping me through.

>

> Thanks

May 18, 2003

Hopefully this DR is aware of the new TSH range. The standard test from a lab showed .50 to 5.5. Now they are dxing people that are hypo at 3.3 Normal feeling people are even lower at around 2. Anyway, ask for the results of your tests. I hope you were able to get antibodies and free t3 and t3 also, but post to the group the results and ranges. There are a lot of people that have going through this for a while.

Jamy Patient Advocate/Board Member American Thyroid PatientsWebsite: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/california_thyroid_groups/

New in Florida

Hello,I joined this group to get me by until I get the results from my test tomorrow but think it can help me. I have had drs all my life tell me I have symptoms of thryoid and then test me and tell it is normal, there is nothing wrong. Well my symptoms have been getting worse and worse and finally the last 2 weeks I haven't even been able to go to work. Last Monday I went to the dr and they did the blood test. I can't get the results untill tomorrow and sitting on pins and needles HOPING they diagnos it correctly this time. My biggest fear is them telling me again I am NORMAL. I know thyroid is controllabe for most people but right now I am just scared. I lead a very active life, I train and show registerd shetland ponies. I have big shows coming up this summer and have not been able to do anything. It is all I can do to get to the barn in the mornings to feed.I am looking forward to this group helping me through.Thanks

May 18, 2003

Read:

HELP! My TSH Is " Normal " But I Think I'm Hypothyroid

http://thyroid.about.com/library/weekly/aa111097.htm

OK?

-sd

stargaitshetlands wrote:

> Hello,

>

> I joined this group to get me by until I get the results from my test

> tomorrow but think it can help me. I have had drs all my life tell

> me I have symptoms of thryoid and then test me and tell it is normal,

> there is nothing wrong. Well my symptoms have been getting worse

> and worse and finally the last 2 weeks I haven't even been able to go

> to work. Last Monday I went to the dr and they did the blood test.

> I can't get the results untill tomorrow and sitting on pins and

> needles HOPING they diagnos it correctly this time. My biggest fear

> is them telling me again I am NORMAL.

>

> I know thyroid is controllabe for most people but right now I am just

> scared. I lead a very active life, I train and show registerd

> shetland ponies. I have big shows coming up this summer and have not

> been able to do anything. It is all I can do to get to the barn in

> the mornings to feed.

>

> I am looking forward to this group helping me through.

>

> Thanks

>

May 18, 2003

Welcome to the group, I'm Gloria and I live in Alberta Canada. I'm hypo and can understand being scared. Before I was properly dxed, they kept saying that my thyroid was high but not to high and would monitor it. This went on for years...I gained loads of wieght especially in the stomach area...I had people ask me when I was due. It was so embarrassing, but I thought if you don't like what I look like don't look. I was grouchy and tired all the time and couldn't figure out why but now with the synthroid I feel better. I'm 45 and have two grown children and one grandson..who is so precious and is the light of my life. Don't let them tell you that your normal because abviously your not....keep on them. There is no way that your thyroid can read normal and then off a little bit.

Gloriastargaitshetlands wrote:

Hello,I joined this group to get me by until I get the results from my test tomorrow but think it can help me. I have had drs all my life tell me I have symptoms of thryoid and then test me and tell it is normal, there is nothing wrong. Well my symptoms have been getting worse and worse and finally the last 2 weeks I haven't even been able to go to work. Last Monday I went to the dr and they did the blood test. I can't get the results untill tomorrow and sitting on pins and needles HOPING they diagnos it correctly this time. My biggest fear is them telling me again I am NORMAL. I know thyroid is controllabe for most people but right now I am just scared. I lead a very active life, I train and show registerd shetland ponies. I have big shows coming up this summer and have not been able to do anything. It is all I can do to get to the barn in the mornings to feed.I am looking forward to this group helping me through.Thanks

May 18, 2003

Hi and wellcome to the Group ... Keep on them till you get results ,,, and get the numbers and tell us what they were ... Don't let them just tell you they are 'normal' and let it go at that,,, get the numbers ... It took me ten years to get Dx'ed (from 72 to 82) but I did not have the information and support you have in a group like this ... Things have changed ... Be Well BoB stargaitshetlands wrote: Hello,I joined this group to get me by until I get the results from my test tomorrow but think it can help me. I have had drs all my life tell me I have symptoms of thryoid and then test me and tell it is normal, there is nothing wrong. Well my symptoms have been getting worse and worse and finally the last 2 weeks I haven't even been able to go to work. Last Monday I went to the dr and they did the blood test. I can't get the results untill tomorrow and sitting on pins and needles HOPING they diagnos it correctly this time. My biggest fear is them telling me again I am NORMAL. I know thyroid is controllabe for most people but right now I am just scared. I lead a very active life, I train and show registerd shetland ponies. I have big shows coming up this summer and have not been able to do anything. It is all I can do to get to the barn in the mornings to feed.I am looking forward to this group helping me through.Thanks

May 18, 2003

,

Just remember..

You are the customer

The customer is ALWAYS right

You are paying the doc to work for you (either directly or thru insurance)

You are the boss

It's your body and you know it better than anyone else

It's the docs job to help you to feel better and to be more healthy NOT to ignore you

A doctor is not a god.... they are human beings, they can make mistakes and they can get used to doing things a certain way.. encourage the doc to be open minded and listen to how you feel and your concerns...

Be polite, be informative about what you've learned about thyroid and the observations that you've made about your own conditions and reactions.

AND MOST OF ALL if that doc turns out to be a good one let them know! Shake their hand, pat their back, hug them, what every strikes your fancy. But if they suck.. tell them so....

Topper ()

....wishing that someone had said these things to me when I first came down with my symptoms and for the years I sought proper medical care....

On Sun, 18 May 2003 18:09:35 -0400 " " writes:

Thanks everyone, this gives me some ammunition to take to my drs appt tomorrow. I just hope that she will work with me, I feel too bad to put up much of a fight right now.

www.stargaitshetlands.comwww.stargaitstyles.com

May 18, 2003

Thanks for everyone's support, this seems to be an awesome group and have certainly helped me mentally today. I do have a question. IF the tests come back to where the dr says I need meds, how long does it take to start feeling better? I have heard that it might take awhile to get the levels adjusted.

I have been feeling so bad I have had to take the last week off work.

www.stargaitshetlands.comwww.stargaitstyles.com

Re: New in Florida

,

Just remember..

You are the customer The customer is ALWAYS right You are paying the doc to work for you (either directly or thru insurance) You are the boss It's your body and you know it better than anyone else It's the docs job to help you to feel better and to be more healthy NOT to ignore you A doctor is not a god.... they are human beings, they can make mistakes and they can get used to doing things a certain way.. encourage the doc to be open minded and listen to how you feel and your concerns... Be polite, be informative about what you've learned about thyroid and the observations that you've made about your own conditions and reactions. AND MOST OF ALL if that doc turns out to be a good one let them know! Shake their hand, pat their back, hug them, what every strikes your fancy. But if they suck.. tell them so....

Topper ()

....wishing that someone had said these things to me when I first came down with my symptoms and for the years I sought proper medical care....

On Sun, 18 May 2003 18:09:35 -0400 " " writes:

Thanks everyone, this gives me some ammunition to take to my drs appt tomorrow. I just hope that she will work with me, I feel too bad to put up much of a fight right now.

www.stargaitshetlands.comwww.stargaitstyles.com

May 18, 2003

Welcome,! and our thoughts will be with you tomorrow, hopefully giving you the courage to demand proper tests and treatment as you deserve it!You can use some of my feistiness if you need too:) !

Hugs,

Feisty

Webb Osterlohgroup co-owner http://groups.yahoo.com/group/The_Thyroid_Support_Group/ATP Board Member,Thyroid Patient Advocate

Re: New in Florida

Thanks everyone, this gives me some ammunition to take to my drs appt tomorrow. I just hope that she will work with me, I feel too bad to put up much of a fight right now.

www.stargaitshetlands.comwww.stargaitstyles.com

May 18, 2003

,That depends on which meds the dr prescribes.You may notice a difference quite quickly, or a few weeks after starting.T3 it seems is what starts being active right away, as T4 needs to be converted to T3, but your body needs both(and other thyroid hormones too)

Hugs,

Feisty

Re: New in Florida

Thanks for everyone's support, this seems to be an awesome group and have certainly helped me mentally today. I do have a question. IF the tests come back to where the dr says I need meds, how long does it take to start feeling better? I have heard that it might take awhile to get the levels adjusted.

I have been feeling so bad I have had to take the last week off work.

www.stargaitshetlands.comwww.stargaitstyles.com

May 18, 2003

Hi, Star!

Have you found the new Florida Thyroid Groups site? Here is their

info:

Natasha Ganesh

Email: florida_thyroid2003@...

Website:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/florida_thyroid_groups/

May 18, 2003

If I had realized these things all those years ago.. I wouldn't not be 'maimed' now.... But I didn't realize that it was my right to demand to see another doctor... and that doctors do NOT know all.....

Topper () aka ThyroGeek

On Sun, 18 May 2003 21:03:09 -0500 " Webb Osterloh" writes:

(((((((Thyrogeek)))))))) This is definitely a "keeper" post! I should remember this when it comes time to do battle w/docs.

Hugs, Feisty

May 18, 2003

HI there,

My name is Pamela and I live in Australia. I have only been diagnose with

Greaves Disease since January this year but have already had radioactive

iodine treatment for it. They didn't want to muck around with it. Now I am

pregnant and we have a few concerns but my doctor seems pretty relaxed about

it which is good. I am glad you joined the group and can't wait to hear from

you again.

Pam

Radioactive Mamma