Re: Newbie w/Hypo & Hashimotos

[Guest guest]

Hi Betsy- thanks for the reply. I feel kinda lost figuring out the boards. I work on computers all day @ work but have never used message boards.

I had a ultrasound that showed multiple nodules, but my Endo notes no changes to them or my goiter & says not to be too concerned. Maybe your test will be ok too.

Not sure what you mean by test ranges. Do you mean my labs over the years?

Who is your Endo? Are you happy w/ him/her? Took me awhile to find DR. Dons, but he is willing to Rx T3.

I had the same problem w/ the military docs Rx me w/ depression meds. You really have to educate yourself in order to find the right doc & get a proper diagnosis. I wish it wasn't such a fight...I'm tired enough as it is.

Oh well. Thanks again for the line.

Janet

GoSpursGo

[Guest guest]

Hello . Thanks for your input. I have tried to read as much as I can on this, but I'm not sure sometimes of all the proper terminology. I feel I shoud know more, but honestly its overwhelming to me sometimes. I sometimes get confused & I know that can be a symtom also. So I appreciate any and all help.

My current meds are as follows:

Synthroid 0.1mg &

Liothyronine 5mcg summer months & 10 mcg winter months

After my last labs-Early May 05- Dr. Don's & I agreed to stay on 10mcg until my next labs due to elevated TSH.

I have been on these doses for about 2 years. I get lab work every 5-6 months. Is that to long? I'm kinda limited due to the military healthcare system.

I get my lab work done @ Randolph AFB & results are faxed to Dr. Dons. The military won't release to patient. The copies I have don't show a range, but Dr. Dons & I have discussed the need to keep my levels below 2.0.

I have not been tested for the Adrenal Fatigue, though I was just reading about that in "The Thyroid Diet". I do feel I am under a lot of stress often, and again I'm reading how this is very bad for Hypo. Not sure what I'm gonna do about that one though.

My last labs were the first time I had ever had my antibodies tested. I do know the Doc said normal was less than 20 & my antithyroglobulin # was 360. Also, my TPO was high, but I don't have that #.

As for the nodules, the ultrasound was done about a year ago. I have had no needle aspiration & I'm not sure about the hot/cold thing. I have no choking or swallowing issues, & the Doc checks my goiter each visit & inquires about any changes in mythroat/neck.

The only lab info I have in my records for T3 was done 2 1/2 years ago & the # was 126.

Again I want to be more informed when I see the Doc so I know what to ask for & what labs I need. Dr. Don's is the most involved of any Doc I've seen about this, but I don't know if it's enough. Actually, I think I know it's not, or I think I wouldn't be feeling so bad.

My husband is retiring from the Military in another month & I will be needing to change healthcare plans. I need to find a doc, weather it be an Endo or not, who is recommended by someone. Anywhere in the San area. I'm just not sure which way to go.

So please, whatever you can help me with I am open. I know my body & things seem to be getting worse.

Janet

[Guest guest]

Hi, Janet!

I'm Betsy, and I also live in San . I don't think I'll be of

much help to you, but wanted to at least welcome you to the group. It's

a little quiet - must be the holiday weekend.

I'm newly diagnosed myself - with what, I'm not sure. I suspected I was

hypo and finally got some help that wasn't a recommendation for

anti-depressants with the 3rd doctor in April. He found a nodule, and

I'm looking at surgery. I have a consult with the surgeon on June 6th

(he had the nerve to go on vacation the day I called the endo to say I

wanted to go ahead!).

I'll bet you had trouble getting diagnosed! I've not been in the

military myself, but I understand it can be a challenge. Seems like

with thyroid, though, we're not a lot better off outside sometimes. :-)

If you have the ranges for your tests, you might want to post them for the gurus.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Hi everyone. New around these parts & not sure how to get involvedso here I go.My name is Janet & I live in the San area. I am a 39 yo whowas finally diagnoised w/ Hypo & hashimotos about 5 years ago. Being

in the military(husband is Airforce) healthcare system it was astruggle to get diagnoised. I am looking for advice, success stories & support in dealing w/ this illness.I am currently on synthroid & cytomel, but I think I may need a

change.My symptoms are really bad currently & I'm looking for anyone who mayhave advice.My latest labs are TSH 2.8 & free T4 of 1.4. My antithyroglobulinantibodies are an elevated 360 & TPO is also high. My Endo says that

just confirms Hashimotos. I have a goiter & nodules too.I have good diet, moderate exercise 6 days a week. Cardio & weights.but the fatigue, weight gain & mood swings are taking there toll.

I've read & are reading several books, but there is so much info outthere. I'm looking for real-life folks who can maybe help me sortthrough it. I so tired of being tired & feeling so bad.I appreciate any and all who answer. Thanks.

[Guest guest]

The other test that you need is the Free T3. Why? Because you can be

putting thyroid med in all day long and still not converting the T4 to T3,

and you want to know what is available in your blood for use. To complicate

things, there is always the possibility that your cells are not absorbing

what you put in there. What dosage of each med are you on, and how long

have you been on your present dosage? You should also be aware that you

must stay on a particular dosage regimen in order for all of it to show up

in your blood as both T4 and converted hormone. The heart uses some T4 and

probably some other areas of the body, but mostly, the useable form is T3,

then T3 converting to T2, T2 to T1, and so on, depending on which body part

is demanding which form of the hormone. Having been hypo for so long, you

may very well also have adrenal fatigue involvement. Has your doctor

suggested this type of testing? Even the package inserts in all thyroid

meds indicate that the adrenals should be tested for function BEFORE thyroid

hormone is implemented. There's lots to learn. I am STILL learning all the

time and have plenty of two steps forward and three backward. It takes

plenty of time and patience to adjust these hormones to the point that

you're going to feel good all the time. What dose are you on and how long

have you been on the particular dose? BTW, to make things even more

complicated, Hashi's antibodies can skew the thyroid testing because of what

all they do in the body. They can block the entrance of the hormone into

the cells also, if they are " hanging out " in this location, doing their

dirty work.

Newbie w/Hypo & Hashimotos

> Hi everyone. New around these parts & not sure how to get involved

> so here I go.

>

> My name is Janet & I live in the San area. I am a 39 yo who

> was finally diagnoised w/ Hypo & hashimotos about 5 years ago. Being

> in the military(husband is Airforce) healthcare system it was a

> struggle to get diagnoised. I am looking for advice, success stories

> & support in dealing w/ this illness.

>

> I am currently on synthroid & cytomel, but I think I may need a

> change.

>

> My symptoms are really bad currently & I'm looking for anyone who may

> have advice.

>

> My latest labs are TSH 2.8 & free T4 of 1.4. My antithyroglobulin

> antibodies are an elevated 360 & TPO is also high. My Endo says that

> just confirms Hashimotos. I have a goiter & nodules too.

>

> I have good diet, moderate exercise 6 days a week. Cardio & weights.

> but the fatigue, weight gain & mood swings are taking there toll.

>

> I've read & are reading several books, but there is so much info out

> there. I'm looking for real-life folks who can maybe help me sort

> through it. I so tired of being tired & feeling so bad.

>

> I appreciate any and all who answer. Thanks.

[Guest guest]

Janet

By test ranges, it is meant that, on your lab sheets, there will be a normal range sitting out to the right side indicating what the so called "normal" ranges will be for a given lab. Most of us are VERY dubious about what labs are considering normal. They haven't caught up yet to the latest information on what a normal TSH should now be, according to the Amercican Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), plus, these ranges are not being implemented in so many labs around the country yet. Many many doctors have no idea about these changes, and, even if they've heard about it, sometimes you can't teach either an old dog OR a new dog any new tricks. That we know of, there are only a handful of doctors around this nation who truly are thyroid doctors and understand it all completely, compared to the major mainstream # of doctors in existence. An endocrinologist is not necessarily the right doc to have for thyroid disease. Many family doctors, internal med specialists, DOs, and the like will make the finest thyroid docs. Most of those who understand it all best are thyroid patients themselves. They usually have to take a very special interest in it themselves or for a family member before they will open their minds. Has Dr. Dons done a fine needle aspiration on any of your nodules (FNA) yet? Do you know whether they are "hot" or "cold" nodules? Are you having any choking sensations or anything like that?

Re: Newbie w/Hypo & Hashimotos

Hi Betsy- thanks for the reply. I feel kinda lost figuring out the boards. I work on computers all day @ work but have never used message boards.

I had a ultrasound that showed multiple nodules, but my Endo notes no changes to them or my goiter & says not to be too concerned. Maybe your test will be ok too.

Not sure what you mean by test ranges. Do you mean my labs over the years?

Who is your Endo? Are you happy w/ him/her? Took me awhile to find DR. Dons, but he is willing to Rx T3.

I had the same problem w/ the military docs Rx me w/ depression meds. You really have to educate yourself in order to find the right doc & get a proper diagnosis. I wish it wasn't such a fight...I'm tired enough as it is.

Oh well. Thanks again for the line.

Janet

GoSpursGo

[Guest guest]

Most thyroid medication problems are dose-related. With a TSH of 2.8, you are most likely undermedicated. While some folks do better on Armour natural dessicated thyroid, I would suggest getting more optimal amounts of the synthetic T3/T4 combination before you decide to switch. For that, you need Free T3 and Free T4 tests. Most of us need to have our Free T3 and Free T3 in the upper half of their ranges to feel well. Some Hashi patients need to have them quite high in their ranges.

Thyroid Disease Manager, an online textbook for doctors, states that hashi patients should keep their TSH between .3 and 1.0. Furthermore, if you want to have any chance of shrinking your nodules, you need to keep your TSH suppressed to the lowest end of that range or possibly even lower. That gives you about a 50% chance of shrinking small nodules.

Since you are taking a T3 med, you ought to have Free T3 levels tested.

As for meeting real live folks with similar problems, you are in luck. San has a thyroid support group that has meetings from time to time. Courtenay is the coodinator. cwgrltx_22 wrote:

Hi everyone. New around these parts & not sure how to get involved so here I go.My name is Janet & I live in the San area. I am a 39 yo who was finally diagnoised w/ Hypo & hashimotos about 5 years ago. Being in the military(husband is Airforce) healthcare system it was a struggle to get diagnoised. I am looking for advice, success stories & support in dealing w/ this illness.I am currently on synthroid & cytomel, but I think I may need a change.My symptoms are really bad currently & I'm looking for anyone who may have advice.My latest labs are TSH 2.8 & free T4 of 1.4. My antithyroglobulin antibodies are an elevated 360 & TPO is also high. My Endo says that just confirms Hashimotos. I have a goiter & nodules too.I have good

diet, moderate exercise 6 days a week. Cardio & weights. but the fatigue, weight gain & mood swings are taking there toll.I've read & are reading several books, but there is so much info out there. I'm looking for real-life folks who can maybe help me sort through it. I so tired of being tired & feeling so bad.I appreciate any and all who answer. Thanks.__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hey there!

I'm Courtenay, our local S.A. coordinator. I am not

as proficient with Hashi's issues as I am with

generalized hypothyroidism. However, our main S.A.

library has several really good books on thryoid

issues-- both Hashi's related and generalized. If

you've got a library card, you can reserve them

on-line for pick up at your local branch. Just let me

know if you'd like a few titles to browse.

We are also beginning to coordinate another joint

meeting with our Austin group for July.

If there is anything at all I can help you uncover

about local resources, please don't hesitate to ask.

Best wishes--

Courtenay.

--- Jan wrote:

> Most thyroid medication problems are dose-related.

> With a TSH of 2.8, you are most likely

> undermedicated. While some folks do better on Armour

> natural dessicated thyroid, I would suggest getting

> more optimal amounts of the synthetic T3/T4

> combination before you decide to switch. For that,

> you need Free T3 and Free T4 tests. Most of us need

> to have our Free T3 and Free T3 in the upper half of

> their ranges to feel well. Some Hashi patients need

> to have them quite high in their ranges.

>

> Thyroid Disease Manager, an online textbook for

> doctors, states that hashi patients should keep

> their TSH between .3 and 1.0. Furthermore, if you

> want to have any chance of shrinking your nodules,

> you need to keep your TSH suppressed to the lowest

> end of that range or possibly even lower. That gives

> you about a 50% chance of shrinking small nodules.

>

> Since you are taking a T3 med, you ought to have

> Free T3 levels tested.

>

> As for meeting real live folks with similar

> problems, you are in luck. San has a thyroid

> support group that has meetings from time to time.

> Courtenay is the coodinator.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, Janet! Just wanted to welcome you to the group. I'm somewhat

new, as well, so just learning the ropes and the others can offer

more valuable info about the disease. I was just dx hashi's/hypo in

April, so I'm still working on getting my meds to an optimal level.

I'm in San , as well. Welcome to the group!

Wanted to share with the rest of you, since my doc added the bio-

cream and the cortisol blocker, I've actually had a couple of decent

days (I haven't had one of those in so long I couldn't remember!).

My son, 22, who never notices anything about my appearance (unless

I'm wearing something that embarrasses him!), stopped by last night

and got excited and told me I looked so much better than I have in

so long, my skin looked better, my eyes looked brighter, and for the

first time in months, it didn't scare the hell out of him to see

me! It was wonderful and exciting to hear that, but also sad to

imagine what my kids have been going through watching me get so sick

over the past year!

> Hi Betsy- thanks for the reply. I feel kinda lost figuring out

the boards.

> I work on computers all day @ work but have never used message

boards.

>

> I had a ultrasound that showed multiple nodules, but my Endo notes

no

> changes to them or my goiter & says not to be too concerned.

Maybe your test will

> be ok too.

>

> Not sure what you mean by test ranges. Do you mean my labs over

the years?

>

> Who is your Endo? Are you happy w/ him/her? Took me awhile to

find DR.

> Dons, but he is willing to Rx T3.

>

> I had the same problem w/ the military docs Rx me w/ depression

meds. You

> really have to educate yourself in order to find the right doc &

get a proper

> diagnosis. I wish it wasn't such a fight...I'm tired enough as

it is.

>

> Oh well. Thanks again for the line.

> Janet

> GoSpursGo

[Guest guest]

Hi, Janet. Boy, you got a big response to your email - lots of good

info there. Jan and really know their stuff! And if you want to

make any dietary changes, has a lot of knowledge in that area.

I hope you can join us at the meeting in July - we had a great time at

the last one.

My nodule has suspicious cells. They can't telll if it's benign or

malignant without surgery, so that's why I'm going in that direction.

Luckily the chances are good that it's benign, so I'm not freaking out

(yet).

I'm currently on a very low dose of thyroid meds (Cytomel) prescribed

by my primary care physician, Dr. Ozan. He also also prescribed some

other hormones, as I'm getting into the menopause years (54). But he

sent me to an endo for the nodule - Dr. Kahl. He's in the same practice

as Dr. Dons. But I'll probably avoid him for ongoing maintenance after

surgery, as I suspect he'll prescribe synthetic hormones. Not going

there if I can help it! You'll find that most thyroid patients haven't

had much luck with endos, and they're generally not recommended.

Hope you have a great weekend! And how 'bout them Spurs?? :-)On 5/28/05, cwgrltx22@... <

cwgrltx22@...> wrote:

Hi Betsy- thanks for the reply. I feel kinda lost figuring out the boards. I work on computers all day @ work but have never used message boards.

I had a ultrasound that showed multiple nodules, but my Endo notes no changes to them or my goiter & says not to be too concerned. Maybe your test will be ok too.

Not sure what you mean by test ranges. Do you mean my labs over the years?

Who is your Endo? Are you happy w/ him/her? Took me awhile to find DR. Dons, but he is willing to Rx T3.

I had the same problem w/ the military docs Rx me w/ depression meds. You really have to educate yourself in order to find the right doc & get a proper diagnosis. I wish it wasn't such a fight...I'm tired enough as it is.

Oh well. Thanks again for the line.

Janet

GoSpursGo

[Guest guest]

Hi Courtenay. Thanks for the offer on the books. I'm currently reading "The Thyroid Diet" & "The Thyroid Solution". Lots of information to digest. I may be needing additional info, especially regarding the "Hashi" stuff, so I will keep you in mind.

Look forward to "talking" w/ all the members out there & hopefully getting things better under control.

Janet

[Guest guest]

Mi -

In splitting the T3 dosages- taking it on an empty stomach is not as important as when taking the T4? Or is it?

You are bringing a lot of questions to me that I have never talked w/ my Doc about. Both the Military docs & my current civilian doc talk about the goiter like it itself is not treatable. It's just something thats there. Also, with the nodules. I figured the ultrasound told the doc all that was necessary. He seemed confident that the results were nothing to be concerned about. Same w/ the T3 labs, it seems I need to look into that for sure.

Dr. Dons has always been open to having additional tests run, so I'm sure I can discuss all these issues with him. I still would like to educate myself some more before meeting with him again. Get all my ducks in row.

One thing we have never discussed was the use of natural thyroid meds so I'm not sure where he will stand on that. But again, I'm open to switching Docs if need be. I will be checking the referal list today.

Thanks again for all your help.

Janet

[Guest guest]

Janet

Has your doctor suggested splitting your dose of T3 into two separate ones, 5 mcgs in the morning, then 5 mcgs in the early to midafternoon? This is the best way to take the T3, IMO, because T3 itself is so much more short lived than T4. T4 is the storage hormone, i.e., it is stored away and slowly converts to T3 over a much longer period of time (that is, if it's converting properly). Not one dose, but your overall dose (the 100 mcgs) won't become evident for around 6 to 8 wks, so it is a mute point to take this spread out during the day. Besides, the T4 synthetics have a sodium molecule attached to them by the pharmaceutical companies, and that sodium molecule must go through the regular digestive processes in order to be useable. Myself, I have to take a small dose of thyroid right before bed in order to sleep properly. This is an everchanging thing, when the natural function of the gland is still schiz, i.e., it's own production moving from low to normal, to higher. The antibodies are what do this crazy thing. Most good thyroid docs do recommend using the T3 or the dessicated thyroid (Armour, Naturethroid, etc..) sublingually, as it can be absorbed right through the small blood vessels in the mouth, particularly under the tongue, which means it hits your bloodstream much faster than the T4. You do have Hashimoto's Disease. I'm not understanding the doc's thinking on never aspirating one or two of these nodules, looking for cancer cells, being as there are so many of them, plus, if you still have a goiter after all this time, you're definitely not on enough medication to bring you to your own individual normal. If the T3 that the doc has been running is a Total T3 or a T3 Uptake, this is now old news in that realm. Cutting to the chase with a Free T3 will be what's told as available for use, rather than an estimate of it by these other tests. I now run my own tests with www.healthcheckusa.com, and have my local hospital lab draw the blood for such. I am self treating, however, this site does not recommend self treatment, if you can find a really good thyroid doc who understands all these things. Mine has become a matter of necessity because of no insurance, finances, and the like, plus, there are no doctors in my city that I know of who understand anything about this disease at all. If you can't talk your doctor or any doctor into running the cortisol tests and other hormones (dhea, progesterone, estrogens, testosterone), then you can also send off for saliva testing from ZRT Labs, Great Smokies Labs, and some others, for these other things. Have you looked on our site in files for Doctors? There are several there that are really good thyroid docs. I believe that there are one or two in the San area, but I can't call their names at this time, as to location. Refer to the list. I was running my own tests every 3 to 4 months, but haven't for sometime now, way overdue. My opinion is (because it is the opinion of many authorities on this subjct) that a person with unsettled Hashimoto's should have those labs run every 3 months and even sometimes more often, especially with dose changes and problems. I have Hashi's myself and it has been a real pain over the yrs. I've just now felt like doing anything just for the last yr or so, since I changed my meds myself to Armour, then Naturethroid (Armour not as available for me). I've now settled on a combination of T4 and dessicated thyroid and am using up some old Armour that I had. This seems to be a better combination for me. This is a very individual thing, from person to person. I wish we knew what your FREE T3 is right now, because that could be your key to feeling better, possibly. A whole lot of these people on the thyroid forums say that they feel remarkably better with their Free T4 at the halfway mark and beyond and the Free T3 going t'wd the very upper range of "normal" and sometimes over the top of "normal". The ranges are a guideline, but they are not gospel, as everyone's body runs more efficiently on different levels of hormones.

Re: Newbie w/Hypo & Hashimotos

Hello . Thanks for your input. I have tried to read as much as I can on this, but I'm not sure sometimes of all the proper terminology. I feel I shoud know more, but honestly its overwhelming to me sometimes. I sometimes get confused & I know that can be a symtom also. So I appreciate any and all help.

My current meds are as follows:

Synthroid 0.1mg &

Liothyronine 5mcg summer months & 10 mcg winter months

After my last labs-Early May 05- Dr. Don's & I agreed to stay on 10mcg until my next labs due to elevated TSH.

I have been on these doses for about 2 years. I get lab work every 5-6 months. Is that to long? I'm kinda limited due to the military healthcare system.

I get my lab work done @ Randolph AFB & results are faxed to Dr. Dons. The military won't release to patient. The copies I have don't show a range, but Dr. Dons & I have discussed the need to keep my levels below 2.0.

I have not been tested for the Adrenal Fatigue, though I was just reading about that in "The Thyroid Diet". I do feel I am under a lot of stress often, and again I'm reading how this is very bad for Hypo. Not sure what I'm gonna do about that one though.

My last labs were the first time I had ever had my antibodies tested. I do know the Doc said normal was less than 20 & my antithyroglobulin # was 360. Also, my TPO was high, but I don't have that #.

As for the nodules, the ultrasound was done about a year ago. I have had no needle aspiration & I'm not sure about the hot/cold thing. I have no choking or swallowing issues, & the Doc checks my goiter each visit & inquires about any changes in mythroat/neck.

The only lab info I have in my records for T3 was done 2 1/2 years ago & the # was 126.

Again I want to be more informed when I see the Doc so I know what to ask for & what labs I need. Dr. Don's is the most involved of any Doc I've seen about this, but I don't know if it's enough. Actually, I think I know it's not, or I think I wouldn't be feeling so bad.

My husband is retiring from the Military in another month & I will be needing to change healthcare plans. I need to find a doc, weather it be an Endo or not, who is recommended by someone. Anywhere in the San area. I'm just not sure which way to go.

So please, whatever you can help me with I am open. I know my body & things seem to be getting worse.

Janet

[Guest guest]

The Thyroid Solution is a good book, as is The Thyroid

Diet. Shomon has two other books, " Living With

Hypothyroidism " , which the library does not have and

" LIving with Autoimmune Diseases " , which it does.

Both of them cover Hashi's, with the second one being

more in-depth.

Best--

Courtenay.

>

> Look forward to " talking " w/ all the members out

> there & hopefully getting

> things better under control.

>

> Janet

>

[Guest guest]

Even though I'm only 30, I totally understand your

dilemma with your skin. Mine aged seemingly

overnight. Only now am I beginning to look somewhat

healthy again. I am so glad for you!

Best--

Courtenay.

Wanted to share with the rest of you, since my doc

added the bio-

cream and the cortisol blocker, I've actually had a

couple of decent

days (I haven't had one of those in so long I couldn't

remember!).

My son, 22, who never notices anything about my

appearance (unless

I'm wearing something that embarrasses him!), stopped

by last night

and got excited and told me I looked so much better

than I have in

so long, my skin looked better, my eyes looked

brighter, and for the

first time in months, it didn't scare the hell out of

him to see

me! It was wonderful and exciting to hear that, but

also sad to

imagine what my kids have been going through watching

me get so sick

over the past year!

-

[Guest guest]

-

Thanks once again for your insight, my questions and knowledge have increased much in the last few days.

I did check out the Doctor referal list & did not see but a couple in the SA area & they did not come recommended. I will try & do some searches & see what comes up.

I really think I do need to find a new Doc & I would appreciate anyone out there in the San area who has a recomendation. Not sure where else to find the right doctor.

I felt glad to finally find one that would treat w/ T3 & now I see there are a lot more things I need to be concerned with.

Janet

[Guest guest]

Hi Courtenay.

I'm looking for any recomended Docs in the SA area that members my know. I'm thinking of changing & I did not see but a couple on the Referal link. Any thoughts??

Janet

[Guest guest]

No butting in....I'm open to input from all members. I will put Dr. Ozan on my list. Thanks.

Janet

GoSpursGo

[Guest guest]

Janet

What a goiter is, is simply the whole thyroid in an enlarged state, and yours is enlarged because it is constantly, fiercely seeking enough thyroid hormone, trying to make more when it can't do it, constantly working overtime to do so. The only thing that will make the thyroid shrink will be enough thyroid hormone to shrink it. I think that your doctor being so nonchalant about all this shows that he/she has no understanding of this. You need help right now, so I'd advise to find another doctor. I don't know whether your doc is teachable or not, but time's wasting here, you've had this for way too long. The only chance that you have of shrinking your thyroid or the nodules is enough hormone to suppress your TSH below a certain point and to bring your thyroid hormone levels up enough to do so, at the same time. Keeping multiple nodules for so long has a greater risk of one of them being cancerous, with Hashimoto's Disease. That FREE T3 level is very important, and again, I believe that it may be the key to knowing why this is not happening, IMO. The fact that your doc has spent an awful lot of time on this, but hasn't come up with these solutions tells me that he doesn't know what he is doing with your thyroid. It is the T4 synthetics that have this sodium molecule attached to them because, way back, when they were first created, they couldn't market the natural substance because it was already in existence at that time, so, they added the sodium molecule, and, gwalaa, a new drug to market. That particular sbjct is a very very sore spot with many of us on these forums, as we have discovered that Big Pharma is very mainly out to take care of it's money and will do these things in order to do so, at our expense, but that's another whole email, lol. Armour thyroid has been in existence for more than 100 yrs, and, originally, the doctors who were successful at treating patients went by relief of symptoms, not labs. The old lab ranges formed at or after the advent of T4 synthetics were based on a population of people, some of whom may have been hypothyroid, but didn't know it. I don't want my individual body preference based on someone else's test results, because our bodies all have different requirements than what a so called normal lab range on this sbjct makes us all out to be. I was kept at a TSH of 5.5 for YEARS, and eventually felt so horrible that I didn't want to go to work and was simply doing it out of survival. This was after I had been treated with T4 synthetics ONLY for almost 10 yrs, even in the same dose that was originally started on me, and, all the while, steadily getting more and more destruction to my thyroid and my body, all because 3 or 4 different doctors didn't know anything at all about this disease. I was treated with antidepressants, tranquilizers, and was told that it was mental stress. It is DEFINITELY mental stress, all right, when you are thinking that it might be better if you die, when feeling that this is the way you're going to feel 20 yrs from now, IF you live. My body was so stiff and hurt so much that I may have been in worse shape than the little patients I was/am taking care of. I am not a doctor, but a CNA in a nursing home, and I was thinking at the time, during a 3 yr period of time that something must be definitely wrong, if my patients were feeling better than me most of the time. I stayed sick ALL the time, not just sometimes, it was like having the flu all the time. I KNOW that myadrenals have been involved, though I have no labs at this time to back that up. I have had to change my whole lifestyle because of this pitiful disease. I still have a desire to do things that my body still won't carry out. This is no way to live, and it is why I have so many questions and "you ought to's" going t'wd other people with thyroid disease, because I don't want to see them waste all their yrs before they discover "Hey, it really WAS my thyroid, like I originally thought!" I have an extreme disdain for doctors who, through their own lack of interest, who keep their patients sick like this because of that lack of interest for REAL research, while they charge patients out the kazoo to keep them sick. Meanwhile these patients empty out their pockets while the doctor gets rich off of them, and end up with complications from thyroid disease that literally kills them. Did I say not to get me started here, lol?! At one time, thyroid disease was diagnosed by high cholesterols, i.e., if a patient had high cholesterol, look to the thyroid. No longer! Now we have some dangerous drugs to throw at that symptom and many other drugs to throw at symptoms that are more than likely caused by thyroid disease. The list:

Cholesterol Meds that can kill you

Antidepressants that can kill your thyroid, thus, kill you

Diet drugs that Big Pharma and others are getting rich off of

Tranquilizers that can kill you while you are driving and can slow your heartbeat

Heart meds that MAY not be necessary, because many heart problems are caused by thyroid disease, along with misshapen, destroyed coronary arteries and other blood vessels

Ladies and gentlemen, my memory drew a blank, so if anyone else can add to that, then please do, because I know that the list is longer than this, lol!

Re: Newbie w/Hypo & Hashimotos

Mi -

In splitting the T3 dosages- taking it on an empty stomach is not as important as when taking the T4? Or is it?

You are bringing a lot of questions to me that I have never talked w/ my Doc about. Both the Military docs & my current civilian doc talk about the goiter like it itself is not treatable. It's just something thats there. Also, with the nodules. I figured the ultrasound told the doc all that was necessary. He seemed confident that the results were nothing to be concerned about. Same w/ the T3 labs, it seems I need to look into that for sure.

Dr. Dons has always been open to having additional tests run, so I'm sure I can discuss all these issues with him. I still would like to educate myself some more before meeting with him again. Get all my ducks in row.

One thing we have never discussed was the use of natural thyroid meds so I'm not sure where he will stand on that. But again, I'm open to switching Docs if need be. I will be checking the referal list today.

Thanks again for all your help.

Janet

[Guest guest]

Janet, are you looking for an endo, or plain vanilla GP/internal medicine type?

I see Dr. Ozan on Bandera road. He's in internal medicine. I can't

really give him a rousing recommendation as I've seen him exactly once.

However, he runs the right tests and will prescribe natural and

compounded hormones (I'm on compounded sex hormones and Cytomel for

thyroid, but I've heard that he prescribes Armour or Naturethyroid or

maybe both). I've talked to him personally on the phone a couple of

times, and that's a first for me. There are a couple of other people on

the board who have seen him. Hopefully they'll chime in after the

holiday, if not before.

Just noticed you were addressing Courtenay - hope you don't mind my butting in! :-)On 5/29/05, cwgrltx22@...

wrote:

Hi Courtenay.

I'm looking for any recomended Docs in the SA area that members my know. I'm thinking of changing & I did not see but a couple on the Referal link. Any thoughts??

Janet

[Guest guest]

Hi, Janet:

I'm and wanted to say hello and introduce myself. I haven't

been on the boards for a couple of days but I see that you have

gotten a ton of great advice! You have a lot to digest but you've

come to the right place.

I'm a fellow Hashi's sufferer. Like , I was treated with

synthetics for 10 years, kept with a TSH of 2.0 - 5 or higher, and

continued to get sicker and sicker to the point that if I wasn't at

work, I was in bed or crashed on the chair in the living room. I

would have no other choice but to spend entire weekends in bed. I

believe that as long as I was undertreated, my antibody levels

continued to climb until they were so high, they were literally

immeasurable (>1,000 and >3,000 respectively). I hope you don't

have to get to that point before you find a doctor who understands

enough about the disease to treat you properly.

TSH suppression is a must for Hashi's patients. Like Jan said, the

recommendation from Dr. Hashimoto himself is that the level be kept

below 1.0. The natural dessicated thyroid hormone Armour does a

much better job of suppressing the TSH than the synthetic hormones.

Endocrinologists typically do not understand this disease and

usually do not provide enough hormone to suppress the TSH. I had

one, supposedly San 's " best, " tell me that it doesn't matter

what your antibody levels are because there is nothing that can be

done about it. That is not true! With the proper treatment, my

last test results showed that the levels had come down to 500 and

2,879 respectively.

Nodules are common with Hashimoto's disease. The thyroid is

typically swollen, inflamed, and often develops nodules. This is

because the antibodies are attacking the tissue. It is good to keep

an eye on the size of the nodules to make sure they are not

growing. This can be done with a periodic ultrasound.

There is only one doctor in Texas that I am aware of who knows how

to adequately treat Hashimoto's disease, and that is Dr. Steve

in Lubbock. If you have the resources and/or he is on your

insurance plan, I highly recommend him. In lieu of that, I have

heard that Dr. Ozan on Bandera at least prescribes Armour and may

very well test your adrenal glands. I wish you the best of luck and

will be here to answer any questions you may have. The more you

learn about your disease, the better off you'll be.

Good luck~

> Hi everyone. New around these parts & not sure how to get

involved

> so here I go.

>

> My name is Janet & I live in the San area. I am a 39 yo

who

> was finally diagnoised w/ Hypo & hashimotos about 5 years ago.

Being

> in the military(husband is Airforce) healthcare system it was a

> struggle to get diagnoised. I am looking for advice, success

stories

> & support in dealing w/ this illness.

>

> I am currently on synthroid & cytomel, but I think I may need a

> change.

>

> My symptoms are really bad currently & I'm looking for anyone who

may

> have advice.

>

> My latest labs are TSH 2.8 & free T4 of 1.4. My antithyroglobulin

> antibodies are an elevated 360 & TPO is also high. My Endo says

that

> just confirms Hashimotos. I have a goiter & nodules too.

>

> I have good diet, moderate exercise 6 days a week. Cardio &

weights.

> but the fatigue, weight gain & mood swings are taking there toll.

>

> I've read & are reading several books, but there is so much info

out

> there. I'm looking for real-life folks who can maybe help me sort

> through it. I so tired of being tired & feeling so bad.

>

> I appreciate any and all who answer. Thanks.

[Guest guest]

Betsy is the best one to talk about the local doctors,

like Ozan. From what I've seen on the boards, Ozan

gets as many good reviews as iffy ones.

I am seeing Dr. in Lubbock, who has been a

life saver as I was very/am very ill. (Though lately,

I really have been getting better. Yippee!) His

treatment style is top notch, and his staff is

amazing.

I also see my local endo on occasion, and I love his

demeanor/personality, and he is flexible on treatment,

but not holistic. He has been a good advocate for me,

and wants the best for my health, but didn't know how

to turn my case around. So, he sent me off to

with crossed fingers.

Best wishes--

Courtenay.

--- Betsy wrote:

> Janet, are you looking for an endo, or plain vanilla

> GP/internal medicine

> type?

>

> I see Dr. Ozan on Bandera road. He's in internal

> medicine. I can't really

> give him a rousing recommendation as I've seen him

> exactly once. However, he

> runs the right tests and will prescribe natural and

> compounded hormones (I'm

> on compounded sex hormones and Cytomel for thyroid,

> but I've heard that he

> prescribes Armour or Naturethyroid or maybe both).

> I've talked to him

> personally on the phone a couple of times, and

> that's a first for me. There

> are a couple of other people on the board who have

> seen him. Hopefully

> they'll chime in after the holiday, if not before.

>

> Just noticed you were addressing Courtenay - hope

> you don't mind my butting

> in! :-)

>

> On 5/29/05, cwgrltx22@...

> wrote:

> >

> > Hi Courtenay.

> > I'm looking for any recomended Docs in the SA

> area that members my know.

> > I'm thinking of changing & I did not see but a

> couple on the Referal link.

> > Any thoughts??

> > Janet

> >

>

[Guest guest]

If you can't/don't want to go far, you also might try

Manzanero in Austin. Our Austin coordinator, ,

who is not around this weekend, sees him. She's been

really happy with her treatment so far.

>

> I really think I do need to find a new Doc & I would

> appreciate anyone out

> there in the San area who has a

> recomendation. Not sure where else to

> find the right doctor.

> I felt glad to finally find one that would treat w/

> T3 & now I see there are

> a lot more things I need to be concerned with.

>

> Janet

>

[Guest guest]

Lots of folks are happy with Manzanero. I would consider him to be one of the top three thyroid docs in Texas, along with in Lubbock and Launius in ville.Courtenay wrote:

If you can't/don't want to go far, you also might tryManzanero in Austin. Our Austin coordinator, ,who is not around this weekend, sees him. She's beenreally happy with her treatment so far.> > I really think I do need to find a new Doc & I would> appreciate anyone out > there in the San area who has a> recomendation. Not sure where else to > find the right doctor.> I felt glad to finally find one that would treat w/> T3 & now I see there are > a lot more things I need to be concerned with.> > Janet>

Yahoo! Mail Stay connected, organized, and protected. Take the tour

[Guest guest]

Janet, I'm also seeing Dr. Ozan. I've only been seeing him for 2

months, and we're still working on getting me straightened out and

figuring out everything that's wrong with me, but he is working with

me and trying different things, he's willing to send me for labwork if

I ask for it, and he always calls me back personally if I have a

question or to discuss lab results.

He does rx synthetic or natural hormone. He discussed them all with

me and let me make my choice of which one to start with. I chose

Armour. Since then, he's added an add'l natural t3 to take in the

afternoon if I hit a bad slump (although it hasn't really helped, so

he just gave me the ok to increase that dose and see if it helps).

I feel I'm too early in treatment to say I can recommend him, but so

far I'm pleased and hopeful. I don't feel " well " yet, but I do feel

better...I was sick for so long, I know realistically it may take a

year or so to feel well again. I do question him, and he has been

patient and willing to discuss my questions and explain why he's doing

what he's doing. There was one visit that I walked away feeling

frustrated, but I waited a few days, called and left a message for

him, and he promptly returned my call and spent quite awhile on the

phone discussing my concerns, so I'm hoping they were just having a

bad morning in the office.

Good luck!

Niki

> No butting in....I'm open to input from all members. I will put

Dr. Ozan on

> my list. Thanks.

>

> Janet

> GoSpursGo

[Guest guest]

Many one else seeing Dr. Ozan? Anyone with Goiter/ Hashimotos?

> >

> > Hi Courtenay.

> > I'm looking for any recomended Docs in the SA area that members

my know.

> > I'm thinking of changing & I did not see but a couple on the

Referal link.

> > Any thoughts??

> > Janet

> >