Re: Blood tests/Dr R

[Guest guest]

Dr. wants to do his own testing. Most insurance will pay every three months. I would suggest waiting the three months to see him, and don't let Dr. Gonino do any further testing. I you want to make any alternate arrangements, I suggest that you call and talk to Sharon. Jul wrote: I'm gearing up to make an appointment to see Dr R soon and just givehim a try this summer. Dr Gonino has run quite a lot of tests thelast 3 months and we just did a full

round of the typical blood testslast month. Will Dr R take these into account or will I have to redothem all? I only worry a bit that my insurance won't pay for themagain so soon. I'm not sure how that works.I think in June (the soonest I could get in to see him again) DrGonino is going to finally do the hormone testing since he nowconsiders my thyroid and adrenals "fine" but I'm almost consideringjust cancelling that appt and waiting until I see Dr R. That wouldcause yet another month of waiting since I don't think I could get toLubbock until July so I'm torn.My AM cortisol test was 20 so that seemed pretty good. My afternoonwas 11 which was just a little over mid range. So it seems on thatfront I'm ok. Would this mean I don't have adrenal fatigue anymore(the afternoon levels in the beginning were high)? My DHEA was midrange.If I were to try a higher dose of Armour (currently only at 90 mg),with

cortisol levels now being normal, theoretically should I be ableto tolerate it now? What else could keep that from happening (besidesjust not needing that high of a dose I mean).I'm not even going to report my thyroid test results since they stilldid not test the frees (I give up) and plan to have that retested thissummer in Lubbock. I still have 2 refills of Armour and a newprescription from Gonino himself (I thought I was on my last refillbut I apparently can't read *g*) for it so I'm covered if I don't wantto go back to him again.Jul

Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check out

new cars at Yahoo! Autos.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the advice - it will be just 3 months since the last round of big tests then if I see him in the time frame I am hoping to. Hopefully the insurance will cooperate - I have pretty good set up I think so that makes me hopeful.

Jul

Dr. wants to do his own testing.

Most insurance will pay every three months. I would suggest waiting the three months to see him, and don't let Dr. Gonino do any further testing.

I you want to make any alternate arrangements, I suggest that you call and talk to Sharon.

Jul wrote:

I'm gearing up to make an appointment to see Dr R soon and just givehim a try this summer. Dr Gonino has run quite a lot of tests thelast 3 months and we just did a full round of the typical blood tests

last month. Will Dr R take these into account or will I have to redothem all? I only worry a bit that my insurance won't pay for themagain so soon. I'm not sure how that works.I think in June (the soonest I could get in to see him again) Dr

Gonino is going to finally do the hormone testing since he nowconsiders my thyroid and adrenals " fine " but I'm almost consideringjust cancelling that appt and waiting until I see Dr R. That would

cause yet another month of waiting since I don't think I could get toLubbock until July so I'm torn.My AM cortisol test was 20 so that seemed pretty good. My afternoonwas 11 which was just a little over mid range. So it seems on that

front I'm ok. Would this mean I don't have adrenal fatigue anymore(the afternoon levels in the beginning were high)? My DHEA was midrange.If I were to try a higher dose of Armour (currently only at 90 mg),

with cortisol levels now being normal, theoretically should I be ableto tolerate it now? What else could keep that from happening (besidesjust not needing that high of a dose I mean).I'm not even going to report my thyroid test results since they still

did not test the frees (I give up) and plan to have that retested thissummer in Lubbock. I still have 2 refills of Armour and a newprescription from Gonino himself (I thought I was on my last refillbut I apparently can't read *g*) for it so I'm covered if I don't want

to go back to him again.Jul

Ahhh...imagining that irresistible " new car " smell?Check out

new cars at Yahoo! Autos.

[Guest guest]

It wouldn't hurt, however, to give Dr. R. copies of your labs from Gonino. I gave him copies of my previous labs and he didn't rerun the cholesteral test for example. Also just gives him a little more info.

Carol

>> I'm gearing up to make an appointment to see Dr R soon and just give> him a try this summer. Dr Gonino has run quite a lot of tests the> last 3 months and we just did a full round of the typical blood tests> last month. Will Dr R take these into account or will I have to redo> them all? I only worry a bit that my insurance won't pay for them> again so soon. I'm not sure how that works.> > I think in June (the soonest I could get in to see him again) Dr> Gonino is going to finally do the hormone testing since he now> considers my thyroid and adrenals "fine" but I'm almost considering> just cancelling that appt and waiting until I see Dr R. That would> cause yet another month of waiting since I don't think I could get to> Lubbock until July so I'm torn.> > My AM cortisol test was 20 so that seemed pretty good. My afternoon> was 11 which was just a little over mid range. So it seems on that> front I'm ok. Would this mean I don't have adrenal fatigue anymore> (the afternoon levels in the beginning were high)? My DHEA was mid> range.> > If I were to try a higher dose of Armour (currently only at 90 mg),> with cortisol levels now being normal, theoretically should I be able> to tolerate it now? What else could keep that from happening (besides> just not needing that high of a dose I mean).> > I'm not even going to report my thyroid test results since they still> did not test the frees (I give up) and plan to have that retested this> summer in Lubbock. I still have 2 refills of Armour and a new> prescription from Gonino himself (I thought I was on my last refill> but I apparently can't read *g*) for it so I'm covered if I don't want> to go back to him again.> > Jul>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Carol - I'm glad he will take some things into account. And I definitely plan to bring all my info with me, including my food diaries and lab results. Gonino didn't rerun cholesterol this year either since my tests last year were fine and they said at my age they only run that ever 3 or so years if they are normal? I forget exactly what they told me on that. They took my word for it, though, since I didn't have copies from that on me (I really need to see about getting those - just haven't felt up to the hassle lately but maybe next week I will do that).

Jul

It wouldn't hurt, however, to give Dr. R. copies of your labs from Gonino. I gave him copies of my previous labs and he didn't rerun the cholesteral test for example. Also just gives him a little more info.

Carol

>> I'm gearing up to make an appointment to see Dr R soon and just give

> him a try this summer. Dr Gonino has run quite a lot of tests the> last 3 months and we just did a full round of the typical blood tests> last month. Will Dr R take these into account or will I have to redo

> them all? I only worry a bit that my insurance won't pay for them> again so soon. I'm not sure how that works.> > I think in June (the soonest I could get in to see him again) Dr> Gonino is going to finally do the hormone testing since he now

> considers my thyroid and adrenals " fine " but I'm almost considering> just cancelling that appt and waiting until I see Dr R. That would> cause yet another month of waiting since I don't think I could get to

> Lubbock until July so I'm torn.> > My AM cortisol test was 20 so that seemed pretty good. My afternoon> was 11 which was just a little over mid range. So it seems on that> front I'm ok. Would this mean I don't have adrenal fatigue anymore

> (the afternoon levels in the beginning were high)? My DHEA was mid> range.> > If I were to try a higher dose of Armour (currently only at 90 mg),> with cortisol levels now being normal, theoretically should I be able

> to tolerate it now? What else could keep that from happening (besides> just not needing that high of a dose I mean).> > I'm not even going to report my thyroid test results since they still

> did not test the frees (I give up) and plan to have that retested this> summer in Lubbock. I still have 2 refills of Armour and a new> prescription from Gonino himself (I thought I was on my last refill

> but I apparently can't read *g*) for it so I'm covered if I don't want> to go back to him again.> > Jul>

[Guest guest]

One more question about Dr - does he believe in the saliva testing for adrenals? Or will he only go by the 8 am blood draw? I'm mainly curious to know what my results would be via saliva methods but if he's not open to what the results show, I'm not sure I want to spend the money on them right now since I need it for so many other things. But if he finds value in them, then that would be different.

Thanks!

Jul

[Guest guest]

He does not believe in saliva testing. He usually wants an 8 am blood draw.Jul wrote: One more question about Dr - does he believe in the saliva testing for adrenals? Or will he only go by the 8 am blood draw? I'm mainly curious to know what my results would be via saliva methods but if he's not open to what the results show, I'm not sure I want to spend the money on them right now since I need it for so many other things. But if he finds value in them, then that would be different. Thanks! Jul

Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha! Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Yahoo! Games.

[Guest guest]

Jul, I had paid for my own saliva tests

prior to seeing Dr R. The results just showed my cortisol was messed up.

Dr R does the 8am blood draw. So you are

right about saving your money. It was money I could have used for the doctor’s

visit.

Kim

From: Texas_Thyroid_Groups [mailto:Texas_Thyroid_Groups ] On Behalf Of Jul

Sent: Friday, May 11, 2007 1:31 PM

To: Texas_Thyroid_Groups

Subject: Re:

Re: Blood tests/Dr R

One more question about Dr - does he believe in the saliva

testing for adrenals? Or will he only go by the 8 am blood draw?

I'm mainly curious to know what my results would be via saliva methods but

if he's not open to what the results show, I'm not sure I want to spend the

money on them right now since I need it for so many other

things. But if he finds value in them, then that would be

different.

Thanks!

Jul

[Guest guest]

Ok, thanks. I'll save my money.

Jul

He does not believe in saliva testing. He usually wants an 8 am blood draw.Jul <juliekaye@...

> wrote:

One more question about Dr - does he believe in the saliva testing for adrenals? Or will he only go by the 8 am blood draw? I'm mainly curious to know what my results would be via saliva methods but if he's not open to what the results show, I'm not sure I want to spend the money on them right now since I need it for so many other things. But if he finds value in them, then that would be different.

Thanks!

Jul

Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha! Play Monopoly Here and Now

(it's updated for today's economy) at Yahoo! Games.

[Guest guest]

I am curious: did the 8am blood draw also show that your cortisol was messed up? How did it compare to the saliva test in your opinion (or that of Dr Rs. )

Kathleen

RE: Re: Blood tests/Dr R

Jul, I had paid for my own saliva tests prior to seeing Dr R. The results just showed my cortisol was messed up.

Dr R does the 8am blood draw. So you are right about saving your money. It was money I could have used for the doctor’s visit.

Kim

From: Texas_Thyroid_Groups [mailto:Texas_Thyroid_Groups ] On Behalf Of JulSent: Friday, May 11, 2007 1:31 PMTo: Texas_Thyroid_Groups Subject: Re: Re: Blood tests/Dr R

One more question about Dr - does he believe in the saliva testing for adrenals? Or will he only go by the 8 am blood draw? I'm mainly curious to know what my results would be via saliva methods but if he's not open to what the results show, I'm not sure I want to spend the money on them right now since I need it for so many other things. But if he finds value in them, then that would be different.

Thanks!

Jul

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[Guest guest]

I can’t remember exactly what the

results of the saliva test except abnormal. Dr R. started me on HC due to

symptoms and a low AM cortisol, so I was happy with Dr R’s findings.

Kim

From: Texas_Thyroid_Groups [mailto:Texas_Thyroid_Groups ] On Behalf Of Kathleen

Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2007 7:34

AM

To: Texas_Thyroid_Groups

Subject: Re:

Re: Blood tests/Dr R

I am curious: did the 8am blood draw also show that your

cortisol was messed up? How did it compare to the saliva test in your opinion

(or that of Dr Rs. )

Kathleen

Re:

Re: Blood tests/Dr R

One more

question about Dr - does he believe in the saliva testing for

adrenals? Or will he only go by the 8 am blood draw? I'm mainly

curious to know what my results would be via saliva methods but if he's

not open to what the results show, I'm not sure I want to spend the money on

them right now since I need it for so many other things. But if

he finds value in them, then that would be different.

Thanks!

Jul

size=2 width="100%" align=center>

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Checked by AVG Free Edition.

Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.6.8/797 - Release Date: 5/10/2007 5:10

PM

[Guest guest]

Kathleen,

Would you mind if I ask a few questions about your symptoms and

treatment? I went back and read all your posts because it seems we

have so much in common thyroid/adrenal wise.

I haven't been able to take any thyroid meds for almost 5 years as I

had an extreme reaction to the meds. I was 47 years old then,

diagnosed and treated at the time by TSH alone (I know better now)

but nearly died from it. I was on 15 mg. of Armour for about a month.

I felt fine the first 2 weeks then subsequent nausea which escalated.

The Dr. then took me off Armour at 4 weeks, then put me straightaway

on .025 mg. of Synthroid.

In just 9 days I was so sick!!! We stopped the meds but,by then my

adrenals had gone into a kind of fight or flight and literally stayed

there for months, with me finally totally bedridden over time trying

to convince everyone how sick I was. I couldn't sleep for more than

10 minutes, vomiting, neurological symptoms etc. etc. It was finally

the makers of Synthroid who after contacting them, told us that I

most likely had an undiagnosed adrenal problem. I could NOT believe

my doctors (2 primary care physicians and 4 endocrinologists later)

didn't realize what was happening. My a.m. cortisol was 15 but my

adrenals were in the fight of their life trying to produce it.

So for 4 years I spent 1000's of dollars trying to `fix' and

strengthen my adrenals with natural means, while all the time

watching my cortisol numbers slip from ( a.m.) 7 to 5 to 3 and nearly

no production for the rest of the day. I couldn't tolerate the Cortef

or compounded Hydrocortizone but as I mentioned in a previous post

FINALLY found Isocort, which I can tolerate. Hurray and Hallelujah!!!

I just got my thyroid labs back and my numbers are almost identical

to yours. I wanted to do another baseline and see where I stood.

TSH 3.37

Free T4 1.01

Free TS 2.8

I also just started a month ago Bioidentical Hormone Therapy after I

got my saliva tests back and read AGELESS by Suzanne Sommers.

Estradiol .3 (Menopause Ref. 1.0-2.0

Estrone .9 1.0-3.0

Estriol 1.0 20-50

Progesterone .19 .2-.5

Testosterone 10.5 (Female Ref. 15-35)

DHEA 215 (Female Ref. 15-35)

Over the last 5 years I have changed my diet, my water (to reverse

osmosis), eliminated fluoride, chlorine, chemicals, processed foods,

started supplements, herbs and on and on. And….most importantly, I

really changed my way of thinking, got reconnected spiritually, made

nearly every change I could make that was recommended in the books

and articles I read……I decided finally after reading

Teitelbaums' book Fatigued to Fantastic and him stating that he finds

a huge percentage of his CFS and Fibro patients need thyroid meds

despite " normal " tests, that I would at least attempt to try Armour

again. But I don't want to jump the gun and introduce them too soon

before my adrenals are stabilized, which they really aren't…I'm still

having crash after crash after crash…even with meds right now, no

doubt because they were down for so long.

So….my questions?

HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD ADRENAL PROBLEMS?

WHAT ARE YOUR SYMPTOMS?

WERE YOU DISABLED BY THEM?

WHAT HAPPENED INITIALLY WHEN YOU TOOK THYROID MEDS?

DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR CORTISOL NUMBERS ARE OR WERE?

HOW LONG AND WHAT DOSAGE ARE YOU ON OF CORTEF?

HOW DID YOU REINTRODUCE THYROID MEDS AND TIME FRAME?

ARE YOU PERI-OR MENOPAUSAL?

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE (OR ANYONE ELSE FEEL FREE TO CHIME IN!!) ON WHY I

COULD TOLERATE ARMOUR INITIALLY WITH ONLY NAUSEA, BUT THEN HAD SUCH

VIOLENT A VIOLENT REACTION TO SYNTHROID? Think it's a conversion

problem as well?

You can't imagine how ENCOURAGED I have been reading your posts,

seeing that you can tolerate thyroid meds. I've had a few other

doctors along the way suggest them to them but knowing what I know

about adrenals now I simply couldn't take the chance. I would SO

APPRECIATE ANY INPUT you could give me.

Steph Stultz

>

> I am curious: did the 8am blood draw also show that your cortisol

was messed up? How did it compare to the saliva test in your opinion

(or that of Dr Rs. )

>

> Kathleen

>

>

> Re: Re: Blood tests/Dr R

>

>

>

> One more question about Dr - does he believe in the

saliva testing for adrenals? Or will he only go by the 8 am blood

draw? I'm mainly curious to know what my results would be via saliva

methods but if he's not open to what the results show, I'm not sure I

want to spend the money on them right now since I need it for so many

other things. But if he finds value in them, then that would be

different.

>

>

>

> Thanks!

>

>

>

> Jul

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> --------------------------------------------------------------------

----------

>

>

> No virus found in this incoming message.

> Checked by AVG Free Edition.

> Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.6.8/797 - Release Date:

5/10/2007 5:10 PM

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Steph,

I want you to know I have seen your post and will reply, but your post is long and I want to put effort into my reply, so hang in there! I will try to write back by tomorrow.

Kathleen

Re: Re: Blood tests/Dr R> > > > One more question about Dr - does he believe in the saliva testing for adrenals? Or will he only go by the 8 am blood draw? I'm mainly curious to know what my results would be via saliva methods but if he's not open to what the results show, I'm not sure I want to spend the money on them right now since I need it for so many other things. But if he finds value in them, then that would be different. > > > > Thanks! > > > > Jul> > > > > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------> > > No virus found in this incoming message.> Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.6.8/797 - Release Date: 5/10/2007 5:10 PM>

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.0/803 - Release Date: 5/13/2007 12:17 PM

[Guest guest]

Kathleen,

I realized that was a typo on my part.....it's T3 not TS.....oopps. I'm very much looking forward to your 'counsel'.

Thanks,

Steph Stultz

Reply-To: Texas_Thyroid_Groups To: <Texas_Thyroid_Groups >Subject: Re: Re: Blood tests/Dr RDate: Mon, 14 May 2007 17:25:00 -0600

Hi Steph,

I want you to know I have seen your post and will reply, but your post is long and I want to put effort into my reply, so hang in there! I will try to write back by tomorrow.

Kathleen

Re: Re: Blood tests/Dr R> > > > One more question about Dr - does he believe in the saliva testing for adrenals? Or will he only go by the 8 am blood draw? I'm mainly curious to know what my results would be via saliva methods but if he's not open to what the results show, I'm not sure I want to spend the money on them right now since I need it for so many other things. But if he finds value in them, then that would be different. > > > > Thanks! > > > > Jul> > > > > > > > --------------------------------------------------------------------> > > No virus found in this incoming message.> Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.6.8/797 - Release Date: 5/10/2007 5:10 PM>

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.467 / Virus Database: 269.7.0/803 - Release Date: 5/13/2007 12:17 PM Like the way Microsoft Office Outlook works? You’ll love Windows Live Hotmail.