Guest guest Posted January 25, 2000 Report Share Posted January 25, 2000 , Hopefully, the insurance company will come to their senses so that you can go home with na. Janet Wife to Matt Mom to & (CHaRGEr) 7 1/2, nne 2 3/4 Mom to 19 months and 2 Weymouth, Massachusetts, USA <A HREF= " http://members.aol.com/jpm4189/page/index.htm " >Our Family Homepage</ A> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 2, 2003 Report Share Posted December 2, 2003 Thanks jan. I haven’t started the meds yet the dr wanted to run a second set of tests b/c he didn’t want me to do meds for life based on one set of tests. These are the first set of test results. I haven’t heard on the second set yet. Test Name Result Reference Lipid Panel Cholesterol, total 206 H <200 mg/dL HDL Cholesterol 32 L > OR = 40 mg/dL Cholesterol/HDL Ratio 6.4 H <4.4 Triglycerides 270 H <150 mg/dL LdL Cholesterol, Calc 120 <130 mg/dL Electrolyte Panel Sodium 135 135-146 mmol/L Potassium 4.1 3.5-5.3 mmol/L Choloride 101 98-110 mmol/L Carbon Dioxide 23 21-33 mmol/L TSH 7.55 H mIU/L Reference ranges (TSH) in mIU/L 21 weeks-20 years 0.70 to 6.40 Adults 0.40 to 5.50 Pregnancy: First Trimester 0.30 to 4.50 Second Trimester 0.50 to 4.60 Third Trimester 0.80 to 5.20 Hemoglobin Alc 5.5 NOTE % Non-diabetic reference range: <6.0% Insulin, Serum 5.5 NOTE % Insulin levels vary widely in specimens taken from non-fasting Individuals. * End of Final Report * he said that my thyroid is not really bad, but I looks like it needs some help. So he is planning on starting me on sinthyroid 25 mg and said we would go from there but doesn’t want me to start until he gets the second blood test results. Is there something better then sinthyroid? jeannette Re: hi Hi Jeanette, nice to meet you. Are you on meds? Have you been diagnosed yet? And how long have you had thyroid symptoms (other than the weight, which is all your life)? Jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 2, 2003 Report Share Posted December 2, 2003 Hi, I'm not Jan, but I can tell you that you really have no idea what your thyroid is making in hormone by this test. It's obvious that you're hypothyroid, but how does the doctor know how much of any thyroid hormone to give you, based on the TSH test? You need the Free T4 and Free T3 tests run to see what your thyroid is making on it's own, available for your body to use. Are these the tests that he's waiting on? I got my Frees testing back at the same time as the TSH---in two days. The TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) only tells you how loud your pituitary is yelling at your thyroid to make more hormone. It does NOT tell how much hormone your thyroid is actually making. If you've never been on any type of thyroid hormone, now is the best time to determine what it's doing on it's own. Were you diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, and did he run antibody tests to determine this? This is very important as determining the cause of your hypothyroidism. It determines your range of treatment and allows you other options, such as treating with particular supplements, etc.... RE: Re: hi Thanks jan. I haven’t started the meds yet the dr wanted to run a second set of tests b/c he didn’t want me to do meds for life based on one set of tests. These are the first set of test results. I haven’t heard on the second set yet. Test Name Result Reference Lipid Panel Cholesterol, total 206 H <200 mg/dL HDL Cholesterol 32 L > OR = 40 mg/dL Cholesterol/HDL Ratio 6.4 H <4.4 Triglycerides 270 H <150 mg/dL LdL Cholesterol, Calc 120 <130 mg/dL Electrolyte Panel Sodium 135 135-146 mmol/L Potassium 4.1 3.5-5.3 mmol/L Choloride 101 98-110 mmol/L Carbon Dioxide 23 21-33 mmol/L TSH 7.55 H mIU/L Reference ranges (TSH) in mIU/L 21 weeks-20 years 0.70 to 6.40 Adults 0.40 to 5.50 Pregnancy: First Trimester 0.30 to 4.50 Second Trimester 0.50 to 4.60 Third Trimester 0.80 to 5.20 Hemoglobin Alc 5.5 NOTE % Non-diabetic reference range: <6.0% Insulin, Serum 5.5 NOTE % Insulin levels vary widely in specimens taken from non-fasting Individuals. * End of Final Report * he said that my thyroid is not really bad, but I looks like it needs some help. So he is planning on starting me on sinthyroid 25 mg and said we would go from there but doesn’t want me to start until he gets the second blood test results. Is there something better then sinthyroid? jeannette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 2, 2003 Report Share Posted December 2, 2003 Hi marry, thanks. Any help with this new thing in my life is a great help. I think the t3 & 4’s were the ones that I did just before thanksgiving. Dr called and said that I should start taking the synthyroid. And he will mail me a copy of the results as well as the next slip I will need to do blood work again in 4 weeks. He told me to start at 25mg for 2 weeks and then go to 50mg. do you normally have to work your way up? The results of the test that I posted were taken by my gyno b/c I complained again about not being able to lose weight no mater what I do. What is hasimoto’s? I presume that it is a certain kind of thyroid problem. Is the antibody test usually done or do you need to ask for it? should I ask him to run anything in perticular before I start taking the meds? Tia jeannette Re: Re: hi Hi, I'm not Jan, but I can tell you that you really have no idea what your thyroid is making in hormone by this test. It's obvious that you're hypothyroid, but how does the doctor know how much of any thyroid hormone to give you, based on the TSH test? You need the Free T4 and Free T3 tests run to see what your thyroid is making on it's own, available for your body to use. Are these the tests that he's waiting on? I got my Frees testing back at the same time as the TSH---in two days. The TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) only tells you how loud your pituitary is yelling at your thyroid to make more hormone. It does NOT tell how much hormone your thyroid is actually making. If you've never been on any type of thyroid hormone, now is the best time to determine what it's doing on it's own. Were you diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, and did he run antibody tests to determine this? This is very important as determining the cause of your hypothyroidism. It determines your range of treatment and allows you other options, such as treating with particular supplements, etc.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 2, 2003 Report Share Posted December 2, 2003 Very well described! Welcome to our little family... Could you tell us a bit about yourself ? Topper () On Tue, 02 Dec 2003 07:50:53 -0800 " Hitendra Shah " writes: > In addition to TSH, I prefer Free T4 and Free T3 blood levels. It is > the > direct measure of effective thyroid hormones. T3 is the active > thyroid > hormone. Total T4 and Total T3 levels does not tell you exactly how > much > available hormones one have. (Total hormone includes approx. 95 to > 97% of > hormone bound to proteins and is not immediately available for use > by body). > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 2, 2003 Report Share Posted December 2, 2003 Thank YOU, Dr. Shah!!! RE: Re: hi > > > > > > Thanks jan. > > > > I haven't started the meds yet the dr wanted to run a second set of > >tests b/c he didn't want me to do meds for life based on one set of tests. > >These are the first set of test results. I haven't heard on the second set > >yet. > > > > > > > > Test Name Result > > Reference > > > > Lipid Panel > > > > Cholesterol, total 206 H > ><200 mg/dL > > > > HDL Cholesterol 32 L > > >OR = 40 mg/dL > > > > Cholesterol/HDL Ratio 6.4 H <4.4 > > > > Triglycerides 270 H > > <150 mg/dL > > > > LdL Cholesterol, Calc 120 > ><130 mg/dL > > > > Electrolyte Panel > > > > Sodium 135 > > 135-146 mmol/L > > > > Potassium 4.1 > > 3.5-5.3 mmol/L > > > > Choloride 101 > > 98-110 mmol/L > > > > Carbon Dioxide 23 > >21-33 mmol/L > > > > TSH 7.55 H > > mIU/L > > > > Reference ranges (TSH) in mIU/L > > > > 21 weeks-20 years 0.70 to 6.40 > > > > Adults 0.40 to 5.50 > > > > Pregnancy: > > > > First Trimester 0.30 to 4.50 > > > > Second Trimester 0.50 to 4.60 > > > > Third Trimester 0.80 to 5.20 > > > > > > > > Hemoglobin Alc 5.5 > >NOTE % > > > > Non-diabetic reference range: <6.0% > > > > > > > > Insulin, Serum 5.5 > > NOTE % > > > > Insulin levels vary widely in specimens taken from > >non-fasting > > > > Individuals. > > > > > > > > > > > > * End of Final Report * > > > > > > > > he said that my thyroid is not really bad, but I looks like it needs > >some help. So he is planning on starting me on sinthyroid 25 mg and said > >we would go from there but doesn't want me to start until he gets the > >second blood test results. Is there something better then sinthyroid? > > > > > > > > jeannette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 2, 2003 Report Share Posted December 2, 2003 Second Reply: If you've been reading us, then you know that many of us are surrounded by doctors who won't even accept solid evidence of what we've found out. I am one of them. In my case, I'd have to travel from here to eternity to find anyone that would listen to me about this. As a result, my condition has worsened, as so many of these thyroid patients have. How are we going to change this, when it is literally making us sicker every day? I have been poo-pooed for treating myself, but, in my opinion, from everything I've seen, I literally have no other choice but to do so. Re: Re: hi > In addition to TSH, I prefer Free T4 and Free T3 blood levels. It is the > direct measure of effective thyroid hormones. T3 is the active thyroid > hormone. Total T4 and Total T3 levels does not tell you exactly how much > available hormones one have. (Total hormone includes approx. 95 to 97% of > hormone bound to proteins and is not immediately available for use by body). > It's like total asset (including house/car/investments etc.) could be > substantial, but person can still be 'cash poor'. It the cash money you have > with which one can buy food. (Body and Hormones do not accept credit > cards!). > > Looking at your TSH level, it definitely high, telling me that your > pituitary is pushing your Thyroid to work faster. It alone does not ell you > how low is your thyroid, nor wether you are deficient in T4 or T3. I have > discussed this on my web site: www.allaboutthyroid.com. It will make an > interesting reading. > > Dr. Shah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 2, 2003 Report Share Posted December 2, 2003 Definitely ask for the thyroid antibodies testing. It is crucial to your treatment. Many many doctors do NOT run these tests because they have a very limited understanding of the things that can attack and destroy the thyroid gland. There are specific things that we're not supposed to eat, and specific drugs and such that we're not supposed to take when we have Hashimoto's, among many other important things about it. It is the most common cause of eventual destruction of the thyroid gland and eventual hypothyroidism. I say eventual because, with the attack of the autoimmune antibodies, you CAN start out with HYPERthyroidism, then revert to hypo, as it comes along. If the gland is particularly "stubborn", as I like to put it, it could play games with your thyroid hormone levels for yrs (and your health) before it finally does it's destruction, and you become permanently hypothyroid. That is the point when the gland has become fibrotic and can no longer produce hormone on it's own at all. Meanwhile, we still need treatment. There is so little understanding of this disease in the main medical paradigm, that that is why groups like us exist, to trade info and learn as much about this as we can, so that we can be armed enough to fight for our own health rights, and not just go along like little sheep with doctors who know little or nothing about our disease. It is a shame. If he has not done so, please please immediately talk to your doctor about these antibodies tests. The "Totals" testing does not tell everything you need to know about the output of your thyroid gland, as Dr. Shah said. One more thing is that, if you've been reading us pretty regularly, a lot of us do not feel that $ynthroid is the best treatment for low thyroid hormone conditions, since many people do not convert T4 to T3 very readily. We can also allergies to many of the fillers used in these drugs, as many thyroid patients have multiple sensitivities to many things. The nautral thyroid glandulars have a ratio or T4 to T3, plus T1, T2, and calcitonin (which is what removes calcium from the bloodstream and puts it in your bones i.e. where it belongs). You will not get this from any synthetic thyroid treatment. Another option is to take the synthetic hormone with a small amt of T3 (Cytomel) in addition. Make sure you know all your options. I wish that every single doctor in the world would know how to give us all options and explain these things, but, of course, that's why sites like this were formed, in the first place. Self-education. RE: Re: hi Hi marry, thanks. Any help with this new thing in my life is a great help. I think the t3 & 4’s were the ones that I did just before thanksgiving. Dr called and said that I should start taking the synthyroid. And he will mail me a copy of the results as well as the next slip I will need to do blood work again in 4 weeks. He told me to start at 25mg for 2 weeks and then go to 50mg. do you normally have to work your way up? The results of the test that I posted were taken by my gyno b/c I complained again about not being able to lose weight no mater what I do. What is hasimoto’s? I presume that it is a certain kind of thyroid problem. Is the antibody test usually done or do you need to ask for it? should I ask him to run anything in perticular before I start taking the meds? Tia jeannette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 2, 2003 Report Share Posted December 2, 2003 One thing that I failed to say is that any thyroid hormone given has to be brought up gradually in small increments because too much at once is a "shock" to a system that has been without it so long. Thyroid hormone has a very slim margin of error, and is not to be taken carelessly, in quantities too large for the body to handle at once. The Armour Thyroid that I take, I take in divided doses, 3 times a day, one dose on rising, one in the middle of my day, and one more dose before retiring. In my case, this is backwards, since I work the graveyard shift on a nursing floor. Since T3 has direct and immediate action on the tissues, it is not wise to take the whole dose for the entire day all at once. I could be considered hyperthyroid for part of the day in this case, with some uncomfortable symptoms, if I took it any other way than in the divided doses. RE: Re: hi Hi marry, thanks. Any help with this new thing in my life is a great help. I think the t3 & 4’s were the ones that I did just before thanksgiving. Dr called and said that I should start taking the synthyroid. And he will mail me a copy of the results as well as the next slip I will need to do blood work again in 4 weeks. He told me to start at 25mg for 2 weeks and then go to 50mg. do you normally have to work your way up? The results of the test that I posted were taken by my gyno b/c I complained again about not being able to lose weight no mater what I do. What is hasimoto’s? I presume that it is a certain kind of thyroid problem. Is the antibody test usually done or do you need to ask for it? should I ask him to run anything in perticular before I start taking the meds? Tia jeannette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2003 Report Share Posted December 3, 2003 Ok, me again. I just got the results of the last test in the mail. What is the difference between free, total & uptake? These are the results from the second. Test Name In Range Out of Range Reference Range T3 Uptake 27 24-37 % T4,Total 7.2 4.5-12.8 ug/dL T4,Free,Calculated 1.9 1.8-3.8 TSH 8.27 H mIU/L Reference ranges (TSH) in mIU/L: Thanks again. jeannette > RE: Re: hi > > > Thanks jan. > > I haven't started the meds yet the dr wanted to run a second set of >tests b/c he didn't want me to do meds for life based on one set of tests. >These are the first set of test results. I haven't heard on the second set >yet. > > > > Test Name Result > Reference > > Lipid Panel > > Cholesterol, total 206 H ><200 mg/dL > > HDL Cholesterol 32 L > >OR = 40 mg/dL > > Cholesterol/HDL Ratio 6.4 H <4.4 > > Triglycerides 270 H > <150 mg/dL > > LdL Cholesterol, Calc 120 ><130 mg/dL > > Electrolyte Panel > > Sodium 135 > 135-146 mmol/L > > Potassium 4.1 > 3.5-5.3 mmol/L > > Choloride 101 > 98-110 mmol/L > > Carbon Dioxide 23 >21-33 mmol/L > > TSH 7.55 H > mIU/L > > Reference ranges (TSH) in mIU/L > > 21 weeks-20 years 0.70 to 6.40 > > Adults 0.40 to 5.50 > > Pregnancy: > > First Trimester 0.30 to 4.50 > > Second Trimester 0.50 to 4.60 > > Third Trimester 0.80 to 5.20 > > > > Hemoglobin Alc 5.5 >NOTE % > > Non-diabetic reference range: <6.0% > > > > Insulin, Serum 5.5 > NOTE % > > Insulin levels vary widely in specimens taken from >non-fasting > > Individuals. > > > > > > * End of Final Report * > > > > he said that my thyroid is not really bad, but I looks like it needs >some help. So he is planning on starting me on sinthyroid 25 mg and said >we would go from there but doesn't want me to start until he gets the >second blood test results. Is there something better then sinthyroid? > > > > jeannette > > > > _________________________________________________________________ Has one of the new viruses infected your computer? Find out with a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee. Take the FreeScan now! http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 3, 2003 Report Share Posted December 3, 2003 Well, if my TSH was over 8, he would be giving me meds. Where is the free t3 and Thyroid PerOxidase or TPO? RE: Re: hi>>> Thanks jan.>> I haven't started the meds yet the dr wanted to run a second set of >tests b/c he didn't want me to do meds for life based on one set of tests. >These are the first set of test results. I haven't heard on the second set >yet.>>>> Test Name Result > Reference>> Lipid Panel>> Cholesterol, total 206 H ><200 mg/dL>> HDL Cholesterol 32 L > >OR = 40 mg/dL>> Cholesterol/HDL Ratio 6.4 H <4.4>> Triglycerides 270 H > <150 mg/dL>> LdL Cholesterol, Calc 120 ><130 mg/dL>> Electrolyte Panel>> Sodium 135 > 135-146 mmol/L>> Potassium 4.1 > 3.5-5.3 mmol/L>> Choloride 101 > 98-110 mmol/L>> Carbon Dioxide 23 >21-33 mmol/L>> TSH 7.55 H > mIU/L>> Reference ranges (TSH) in mIU/L>> 21 weeks-20 years 0.70 to 6.40>> Adults 0.40 to 5.50>> Pregnancy:>> First Trimester 0.30 to 4.50>> Second Trimester 0.50 to 4.60>> Third Trimester 0.80 to 5.20>>>> Hemoglobin Alc 5.5 >NOTE %>> Non-diabetic reference range: <6.0%>>>> Insulin, Serum 5.5 > NOTE %>> Insulin levels vary widely in specimens taken from >non-fasting>> Individuals.>>>>>> * End of Final Report *>>>> he said that my thyroid is not really bad, but I looks like it needs >some help. So he is planning on starting me on sinthyroid 25 mg and said >we would go from there but doesn't want me to start until he gets the >second blood test results. Is there something better then sinthyroid?>>>> jeannette>>>>_________________________________________________________________Has one of the new viruses infected your computer? Find out with a FREE online computer virus scan from McAfee. Take the FreeScan now! http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2003 Report Share Posted December 4, 2003 Hi and All, I have been wondering if the doctor would switch me from synthroid 200mcg, to the Armour, would I have to start low, or could I start in a higher dosage since I have been on the Synthroid for sometime now? TIA, >From: " " >Reply-To: The_Thyroid_Support_Group >To: >Subject: Re: Re: hi >Date: Tue, 2 Dec 2003 11:03:39 -0600 > >One thing that I failed to say is that any thyroid hormone given has to be brought up gradually in small increments because too much at once is a "shock" to a system that has been without it so long. Thyroid hormone has a very slim margin of error, and is not to be taken carelessly, in quantities too large for the body to handle at once. The Armour Thyroid that I take, I take in divided doses, 3 times a day, one dose on rising, one in the middle of my day, and one more dose before retiring. In my case, this is backwards, since I work the graveyard shift on a nursing floor. Since T3 has direct and immediate action on the tissues, it is not wise to take the whole dose for the entire day all at once. I could be considered hyperthyroid for part of the day in this case, with some uncomfortable symptoms, if I took it any other way than in the divided doses. > > > > RE: Re: hi > > > Hi marry, thanks. Any help with this new thing in my life is a great help. > > I think the t3 & 4's were the ones that I did just before thanksgiving. Dr called and said that I should start taking the synthyroid. And he will mail me a copy of the results as well as the next slip I will need to do blood work again in 4 weeks. He told me to start at 25mg for 2 weeks and then go to 50mg. do you normally have to work your way up? > > The results of the test that I posted were taken by my gyno b/c I complained again about not being able to lose weight no mater what I do. > > > > What is hasimoto's? I presume that it is a certain kind of thyroid problem. Is the antibody test usually done or do you need to ask for it? should I ask him to run anything in perticular before I start taking the meds? > > > > Tia > > > > jeannette > > Cell phone ‘switch’ rules are taking effect — find out more here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2003 Report Share Posted December 4, 2003 , After over a decade on Synthroid and then switching to naturals.. I'd say start out a bit on the low side and work your way up. Just my opinion.... but I'd start about 1 grain, split to two doses per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. If all is well with the way you feel. Add another 1/2 grain after about 2 weeks, you can add it to your morning dose or as a third dose somewhere between the other two. It's roughly 1 grain of Armour (Natural thyroid) to 100 mcg of Synthroid. BUT I'm seeing a lot of folks do so much better on Naturals that they don't need as much..... The difference for your body is that the Naturals have T3 and it's available to your body immediately rather than having to wait for it to be able to convert the T4 of they Synthroid into the T3 that your body uses. If you're naturally a pretty good converter that change isn't going to be too noticeable. If you're not such a good converter, like me, the difference is pretty darn noticeable pretty fast! I felt great! What are your current labs while on Synthroid? Why are you taking it? Did you have RAI, thyroidectomy, Hashi's? The reason I ask is that if you do have some thyroid activity left you don't want to stay on too low a dose, as you make the switch, for too long because it will reduce the current level of production, if any, from your thyroid and is going to increase your symptoms... It's a little tricky to do... but SO VERY worth it to get on Naturals. It's so much better for you and your body to have all the thyroid hormones and NOT just the synthetic T4 that Synthroid has. I have no thyroid and have found that multi dosing is the best way to go for me. I've got 2 grain tabs that I split into quarters and take one quarter tab 5 times a day, sublingually. Between that and the other supplements that I take and by eating mini-meals throughout the day I feel better now than I have in over a decade! Topper () *nearly 14 years post RAI and now on Natural Thyroid* On Thu, 04 Dec 2003 06:31:28 -0600 " " writes: Hi and All, I have been wondering if the doctor would switch me from synthroid 200mcg, to the Armour, would I have to start low, or could I start in a higher dosage since I have been on the Synthroid for sometime now? TIA, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2003 Report Share Posted December 4, 2003 , I don't know what I have. lol So much for t he doctors telling you this stuff. I just know that I have the elevated one. I don't know what it started it out as, but it as 23 after I had been on 50mcg of Synthroid for a month. It gradually went down. I think the last time the nurse said that it was 9... and that was normal. Even I know better than that. I go back the 11th of this month. I will ask him if I can get the Free t3 and the free t4. That is if I overcome my shyness. I was going to tell him that you guys take the Armour. Can you get this with a prescription. At the moment, I am on mecicaid. My husband went to the last place he worked at today because they are hiring. So... if any of you all pray, please pray for him. Its his birthday also. TIA. >From: topper2@... >Reply-To: The_Thyroid_Support_Group >To: The_Thyroid_Support_Group >Subject: Re: Re: hi >Date: Thu, 4 Dec 2003 07:10:03 -0600 > >, > >After over a decade on Synthroid and then switching to naturals.. I'd say >start out a bit on the low side and work your way up. > >Just my opinion.... but I'd start about 1 grain, split to two doses per >day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. If all is well with the >way you feel. Add another 1/2 grain after about 2 weeks, you can add it >to your morning dose or as a third dose somewhere between the other two. > >It's roughly 1 grain of Armour (Natural thyroid) to 100 mcg of Synthroid. >BUT I'm seeing a lot of folks do so much better on Naturals that they >don't need as much..... > >The difference for your body is that the Naturals have T3 and it's >available to your body immediately rather than having to wait for it to >be able to convert the T4 of they Synthroid into the T3 that your body >uses. If you're naturally a pretty good converter that change isn't going >to be too noticeable. If you're not such a good converter, like me, the >difference is pretty darn noticeable pretty fast! I felt great! > >What are your current labs while on Synthroid? Why are you taking it? Did >you have RAI, thyroidectomy, Hashi's? The reason I ask is that if you do >have some thyroid activity left you don't want to stay on too low a dose, >as you make the switch, for too long because it will reduce the current >level of production, if any, from your thyroid and is going to increase >your symptoms... > >It's a little tricky to do... but SO VERY worth it to get on Naturals. >It's so much better for you and your body to have all the thyroid >hormones and NOT just the synthetic T4 that Synthroid has. > >I have no thyroid and have found that multi dosing is the best way to go >for me. I've got 2 grain tabs that I split into quarters and take one >quarter tab 5 times a day, sublingually. Between that and the other >supplements that I take and by eating mini-meals throughout the day I >feel better now than I have in over a decade! > >Topper () *nearly 14 years post RAI and now on Natural Thyroid* > >On Thu, 04 Dec 2003 06:31:28 -0600 " " > writes: >Hi and All, >I have been wondering if the doctor would switch me from synthroid >200mcg, to the Armour, would I have to start low, or could I start in a >higher dosage since I have been on the Synthroid for sometime now? TIA, > _________________________________________________________________ Wonder if the latest virus has gotten to your computer? Find out. Run the FREE McAfee online computer scan! http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2003 Report Share Posted December 4, 2003 He started me on 25mg of synthyroid for 2 weeks and then I’m supposed to go to 50mg. for 2 weeks and then re-test. He sent me the slip already to re-test should I just mark off those tests to have taken? What is the number that the TSH is supposed to be? Is the Armour available by prescription? If I have to be taking something for life, I would prefer it to be natural. yes, I’m in the dark about all these tests, and I do appreciate you ladies help. My mother tries to help buy my, well we all know how much mothers can help sometimes, and what ever her thyroid dr says is what is best b/c he just graduated from yale, so he knows all the new stuff. So if I can avoid a conflict with her about this I really would like to. Jeannette Re: Re: hi Well, if my TSH was over 8, he would be giving me meds. Where is the free t3 and Thyroid PerOxidase or TPO? RE: Re: hi Ok, me again. I just got the results of the last test in the mail. What is the difference between free, total & uptake? These are the results from the second. Test Name In Range Out of Range Reference Range T3 Uptake 27 24-37 % T4,Total 7.2 4.5-12.8 ug/dL T4,Free,Calculated 1.9 1.8-3.8 TSH 8.27 H mIU/L Reference ranges (TSH) in mIU/L: Thanks again. jeannette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2003 Report Share Posted December 4, 2003 Need Free T3 and antibodies testing. Also, your T4 is definitely a bummer. You're probably feeling pretty bad, huh? Time to get aggressive, or you may end up with wrong treatment. Believe me, when you begin to get fed up with doctors who don't know anything about this disease, and you're feeling so bad, you WILL get aggressive about it. Natural thyroid hormone is still the best, as far as I'm concerned. RE: Re: hi Ok, me again. I just got the results of the last test in the mail. What is the difference between free, total & uptake? These are the results from the second. Test Name In Range Out of Range Reference Range T3 Uptake 27 24-37 % T4,Total 7.2 4.5-12.8 ug/dL T4,Free,Calculated 1.9 1.8-3.8 TSH 8.27 H mIU/L Reference ranges (TSH) in mIU/L: Thanks again. jeannette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2003 Report Share Posted December 4, 2003 ... first step... getting over your shyness... I'll suggest a different perspective... if you had trouble with your car and you took it in to the service station and explained how the thing did this funny jerking thing going down the road and he tried it and said that all you needed to do was use a higher quality of gas, here's my bill.... how long would you settle for paying the extra cost for that gas and still deal with the lousy performance of your car? Don't put up with feeling badly and settle for an easy fix from the doc. :Let him know that your goal is to regain your health and quality of health and that you are very eager to begin working with him to achieve that goal. Suggest that you will keep notes of your symptoms to be able to compare with the results of the labs so that it will be easier to adjust the meds to achieve good free T4 and T3 levels AND to reduce negative symptoms. If you get nervous in that type of situation and fear forgetting stuff.... bring a sheet of paper with you. Outline things that you'd like to discuss... dosages, increasing meds, supplements, whatever is of concern to you. Above all. Be determined in getting both the Free T4 and the Free T3 tested, without those the TSH, once under medication, is a totally worthless test. There are plenty of folks here that will help you... and if you'd like to practice, either on the list, or to me off list.... go for it... We all know what you're going through and are more than willing to help get you revved up for your next visit! You are paying the doctor for his service (even through Medicaid), if you were not there he would not get paid. He is working for you. You are the customer and you are entitled to QUALITY service...... Happy Birthday to your hubby! Topper () *who plans a bringing a crutch along to her doc visit, when there is money to do so, so that she can wag it in front of his face and say " There is no way that I'm ever going to get sick enough again to be on these for MONTHS at a time!* On Thu, 04 Dec 2003 09:28:43 -0600 " " writes: > , > > I don't know what I have. lol So much for t he doctors telling you > this > stuff. I just know that I have the elevated one. I don't know what > it > started it out as, but it as 23 after I had been on 50mcg of > Synthroid for a > month. It gradually went down. I think the last time the nurse > said that > it was 9... and that was normal. Even I know better than that. I > go back > the 11th of this month. I will ask him if I can get the Free t3 and > the > free t4. That is if I overcome my shyness. I was going to tell him > that > you guys take the Armour. Can you get this with a prescription. At > the > moment, I am on mecicaid. My husband went to the last place he > worked at > today because they are hiring. So... if any of you all pray, please > pray for him. Its his birthday also. TIA. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2003 Report Share Posted December 4, 2003 I'd check the free's on the slip.... I'm guessing that your dosage is going to end up much higher. As for the Naturals versus Synthetics debate... the biggest deal for me is that the Naturals have all the other stuff that our bodies are missing if our thyroids aren't producing... not just T3 and T4 but T2, T1 and calcitonin.... the thing that pulls calcium from out blood and puts it into our bones - where we need it! Some argue that if you have the T4 in good enough supply then your body will make the others.... okay.. fair argument.. but what if your body is not good at converting? You can have all the T4 in the world and even decent TSH test results.. but if your body tissues aren't getting what they need, you're gonna feel like crap.. with ALL the symptoms that go hand in hand with what is actually underdosing. For someone that has TSH that is extremely high... it's a valid test to test further (the Free's) for someone not of meds that has an extremely low TSH, its a valid test to find out why... but for someone on meds that is tweaking to find optimal dose.. the TSH is worthless. I'm getting off on tangents... I better go take a walk! eheheheheheheh Topper () On Thu, 4 Dec 2003 11:40:55 -0500 "jeannette" writes: He started me on 25mg of synthyroid for 2 weeks and then I’m supposed to go to 50mg. for 2 weeks and then re-test. He sent me the slip already to re-test should I just mark off those tests to have taken? What is the number that the TSH is supposed to be? Is the Armour available by prescription? If I have to be taking something for life, I would prefer it to be natural. yes, I’m in the dark about all these tests, and I do appreciate you ladies help. My mother tries to help buy my, well we all know how much mothers can help sometimes, and what ever her thyroid dr says is what is best b/c he just graduated from yale, so he knows all the new stuff. So if I can avoid a conflict with her about this I really would like to. Jeannette Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2003 Report Share Posted December 4, 2003 That TSH is nothing to think about, you need meds. It is REALLY bad. Normal guidelines is now 0.3-3.0, you are more than twice normal. And he didn't even test the T4 and T3. Lots of people do well on Synthroid only, others like me can't convert T4 to T3 so well and need Cytomel + Synthroid or Armour, that contains both. While it may seem on the group that *everyone* needs T3, that is not the case - the majority of people do fine just on Synthroid, but the majority of people in groups are the ones with the complicated, difficult to treat cases (that is why we started doing our own research). Starting on 25mcg is pretty standard, but next time you get tested, insist on getting the T4, T3, Free T3, Free T4, and TPO. Also, make sure your doc treats according to symptoms and not to lab values. He doesn't seem to be very updated even on the lab values - thinking that is best to leave you really sick than " make you take meds for life " . Yeah, being sick and unmedicated for life is really the best alternative here... I don't understand this. Nobody complains about " having to floss for life " , what is the big deal with taking thyroid meds if you need that to be healthy? Jan > Thanks jan. > > I haven't started the meds yet the dr wanted to run a second set of tests > b/c he didn't want me to do meds for life based on one set of tests. These > are the first set of test results. I haven't heard on the second set yet. > > > > Test Name Result > Reference > > Lipid Panel > > Cholesterol, total 206 H <200 > mg/dL > > HDL Cholesterol 32 L > OR = > 40 mg/dL > > Cholesterol/HDL Ratio 6.4 H <4.4 > > Triglycerides 270 H > <150 mg/dL > > LdL Cholesterol, Calc 120 <130 > mg/dL > > Electrolyte Panel > > Sodium 135 > 135-146 mmol/L > > Potassium 4.1 > 3.5-5.3 mmol/L > > Choloride 101 > 98-110 mmol/L > > Carbon Dioxide 23 > 21-33 mmol/L > > TSH 7.55 H > mIU/L > > Reference ranges (TSH) in mIU/L > > 21 weeks-20 years 0.70 to 6.40 > > Adults 0.40 to 5.50 > > Pregnancy: > > First Trimester 0.30 to 4.50 > > Second Trimester 0.50 to 4.60 > > Third Trimester 0.80 to 5.20 > > > > Hemoglobin Alc 5.5 > NOTE % > > Non-diabetic reference range: <6.0% > > > > Insulin, Serum 5.5 > NOTE % > > Insulin levels vary widely in specimens taken from non- fasting > > Individuals. > > > > > > * End of Final Report * > > > > he said that my thyroid is not really bad, but I looks like it needs some > help. So he is planning on starting me on sinthyroid 25 mg and said we > would go from there but doesn't want me to start until he gets the second > blood test results. Is there something better then sinthyroid? > > > > jeannette > > > > > > > > Re: hi > > > > Hi Jeanette, nice to meet you. > > > Are you on meds? Have you been diagnosed yet? And how long have you > had thyroid symptoms (other than the weight, which is all your life)? > > > Jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 4, 2003 Report Share Posted December 4, 2003 TPO (thyroid peroxidase) is the test to Rx Hashi's. But no, you should start taking the Synthroid - you are REALLY hypothyroid right now, the faster you start treatment the least physical damage to your thyroid gland. Take it on an empty stomach and wait 2 hours before you eat, and 4h before supplements containing calcium and/or iron. You can also take it sublingually (let it dissolve under your tongue). That is the best method cause it increases absorption and you can eat after it has dissolved completely. Jan > Hi marry, thanks. Any help with this new thing in my life is a great help. > > I think the t3 & 4's were the ones that I did just before thanksgiving. Dr > called and said that I should start taking the synthyroid. And he will mail > me a copy of the results as well as the next slip I will need to do blood > work again in 4 weeks. He told me to start at 25mg for 2 weeks and then go > to 50mg. do you normally have to work your way up? > > The results of the test that I posted were taken by my gyno b/c I complained > again about not being able to lose weight no mater what I do. > > > > What is hasimoto's? I presume that it is a certain kind of thyroid problem. > Is the antibody test usually done or do you need to ask for it? should I > ask him to run anything in perticular before I start taking the meds? > > > > Tia > > > > jeannette > > > > Re: Re: hi > > > > Hi, I'm not Jan, but I can tell you that you really have no idea what your > thyroid is making in hormone by this test. It's obvious that you're > hypothyroid, but how does the doctor know how much of any thyroid hormone to > give you, based on the TSH test? You need the Free T4 and Free T3 tests run > to see what your thyroid is making on it's own, available for your body to > use. Are these the tests that he's waiting on? I got my Frees testing back > at the same time as the TSH---in two days. The TSH (thyroid stimulating > hormone) only tells you how loud your pituitary is yelling at your thyroid > to make more hormone. It does NOT tell how much hormone your thyroid is > actually making. If you've never been on any type of thyroid hormone, now > is the best time to determine what it's doing on it's own. Were you > diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, and did he run antibody tests to > determine this? This is very important as determining the cause of your > hypothyroidism. It determines your range of treatment and allows you other > options, such as treating with particular supplements, etc.... > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 29, 2006 Report Share Posted June 29, 2006 Welcome ! Sounds like you're doing great with your fitness goals! Regina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 30, 2006 Report Share Posted June 30, 2006 > > Welcome ! Sounds like you're doing great with your fitness goals! > > > > Regina > Thanx Regina, I'm really excited that i'm finally doing this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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