Re: best for immune system

[Guest guest]

>

> -- Aerobic exercise three times per week may be of greater benefit

to the

> immune system than heavier regimens of five or more times per week,

> researchers report.

> ``From the viewpoint of immune function, the optimal training

regimen is of

> low volume,'' reports Dr. Roy Shephard and colleagues at the

University of

> Toronto in Canada. Their findings are published in a recent issue

of the

> Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness.

>

> It's worth reading it in full at:

> http://dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/hl/story.html?

s=v/nm/19990805/hl/ex7_1.html

> Thursday August 5 5:28 PM ET

I have always exercised my whole life and am in good shape for my age

(46). My endo said that I should NOT exercise for one month untill I

see him. ( I just went on PTu for the first time in my life; 200mg

daily, and was just diagnosed only 4 days ago. ( My endo says I seem

to be mild, and I have NO OTHER symtoms, except for the Fast heart

rate) I really miss exercise. Any thoughts? My heart rate is in the

90's. ( I was doing areobic exercise for years, and would do 3 times

a week for 45 minutes) The heart rate ( just today...seems to be

coming down a bit. As we speak it is at 84... let's hope this

lasts...)

Also, what are some Alternative Treatments that can help me???

Thanks,

[Guest guest]

>From: Kmtressa@...

>Reply-To: graves_supportegroups

>To: graves_supportegroups

>Subject: Re: best for immune system

>Date: Sat, 08 Apr 2000 18:36:39 -0000

>

>

> >

> > -- Aerobic exercise three times per week may be of greater benefit

>to the immune system than heavier regimens of five or more times per >

> >week, researchers report.

> > ``From the viewpoint of immune function, the optimal training

> >regimen is of low volume,'' reports Dr. Roy Shephard and >colleagues at

>the University of Toronto in Canada. Their findings > >are published in a

>recent issue of the Journal of Sports Medicine > >and Physical Fitness.

> >

> > It's worth reading it in full at:

> > http://dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/hl/story.html?

>s=v/nm/19990805/hl/ex7_1.html

> > Thursday August 5 5:28 PM ET

>

>

>I have always exercised my whole life and am in good shape for my age

>(46). My endo said that I should NOT exercise for one month untill I

>see him. ( I just went on PTu for the first time in my life; 200mg

>daily, and was just diagnosed only 4 days ago. ( My endo says I seem

>to be mild, and I have NO OTHER symtoms, except for the Fast heart

>rate) I really miss exercise. Any thoughts? My heart rate is in the

>90's. ( I was doing areobic exercise for years, and would do 3 times

>a week for 45 minutes) The heart rate ( just today...seems to be

>coming down a bit. As we speak it is at 84... let's hope this

>lasts...)

>Also, what are some Alternative Treatments that can help me???

>Thanks,

>

Hi ,

What your endo says is correct, since your heart rate is in the 90's right

now, (is one of the effects of the excess of hormones in the body). So this

has to be addressed in the first place, to avoid further problems.

Once you'd got rid of it, then, the aerobic exercise will fit, and will help

your immunitary system.

While you're bringing your thyroid back to working properly, YOGA and/or

TAI-CHI-CHUAN will be godsends. Walking (normal, not brisk) will be helpful

too. Enough exercising right now.

Best health.

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[Guest guest]

,

To follow up 's excellent advice about learning and exercise: I too

exercised before Graves, swimming and doing yoga right up untill I gave

birth throughout pregnancies, teaching yoga, etc. but stopped for a few

months with Graves. It really isn't safe to unnecessarily challenge your

heart.

Second, I can't emphasize enough how reading archives and old posts in

various thyroid bulletin boards helped me. In fact, I'm struck with a bit

of nostalgia (ha!) as I realized that it was one year ago this week that my

physician said, gee, I think you have a thyroid problem. I remember being

fabulously pissed off during the whole appointment for any number of reasons

from how slooowly the doctor moved to how uncomfortable the forced air

heating system made my eyes. Now I know why . . . Anyway, I digress. I

recommend reading:

1. all the archives in this list (not too many as the list is just a few

months old)

2. three or four months from the hyperthyroid list (access that through

egroups)

3. Shonom's information on her thyroid web page and bulletin board

(again, pick four or five months and just read)

4. Thyroid manager textbook-- there's an online medical text for doctors and

I can't remember the address, but if you search " thyroid manager " you'll

fine it because that's the name of the web site if I'm remembering

correctly. I read three or four chapters and it helped immensely

5. Read about six months-to a year's posts on the National Graves Disease

Foundation Bulletin Board, keeping in mind that this bulletin board reflects

standard medicine and therefore presents an unquestioned acceptance of

ingesting radioactive material and forbids substantive discussion of

alternative medicine. Nonetheless, I found this board immensely helpful as

many, many of the details (e.g. how much PTU is normal? what are the

reactions and how do you test for them? how soon did people go into

remission and did they stay, etc.) arecovered.

, I know it's a bit overwhelming right now and hard to take a

comprehensive view, but I'd really advocate this. I took PTU while

researching all standard and alternative approaches for about a month and

then felt ready to take control of my own health. I also felt I should know

as much as possible about Graves and autoimmune diseases in general, as

being diagnosed with an autoimmune illness--for better or worse--meant a new

and more careful approach to my body, health, life. Another thing I did

was go to a web page on autoimmune illnesses. . . can't remember, it's some

national advocacy group. . . and read about autoimmune illnesses in general.

It's not uncommon for people with one autoimmune illness to develop another

and there are a couple that occur more frequently in Graves' people than

others--celiac sprue is one that springs to mind.

Anybody know what other autoimmune diseases are frequently associated with

Graves? Isn't Sjogerns or something like that one of them. . . ?

myasthenis gravis? bad spelling and just wondering, not touting facts.

Anyone know the handful commonly associated?

Re: best for immune system

>

> >

> > -- Aerobic exercise three times per week may be of greater benefit

> to the

> > immune system than heavier regimens of five or more times per week,

> > researchers report.

> > ``From the viewpoint of immune function, the optimal training

> regimen is of

> > low volume,'' reports Dr. Roy Shephard and colleagues at the

> University of

> > Toronto in Canada. Their findings are published in a recent issue

> of the

> > Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness.

> >

> > It's worth reading it in full at:

> > http://dailynews.yahoo.com/headlines/hl/story.html?

> s=v/nm/19990805/hl/ex7_1.html

> > Thursday August 5 5:28 PM ET

>

>

> I have always exercised my whole life and am in good shape for my age

> (46). My endo said that I should NOT exercise for one month untill I

> see him. ( I just went on PTu for the first time in my life; 200mg

> daily, and was just diagnosed only 4 days ago. ( My endo says I seem

> to be mild, and I have NO OTHER symtoms, except for the Fast heart

> rate) I really miss exercise. Any thoughts? My heart rate is in the

> 90's. ( I was doing areobic exercise for years, and would do 3 times

> a week for 45 minutes) The heart rate ( just today...seems to be

> coming down a bit. As we speak it is at 84... let's hope this

> lasts...)

> Also, what are some Alternative Treatments that can help me???

> Thanks,

>

>

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

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

>

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

> The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not

intended to replace expert medical care.

> Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments.

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

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

>Reply-To: graves_supportegroups

>To: <graves_supportegroups>

>Subject: Re: Re: best for immune system

>Date: Sat, 8 Apr 2000 16:10:47 -0500

>

>>>>4. Thyroid manager textbook-- there's an online medical text for doctors

>>>>and I can't remember the address, but if you search " thyroid manager " <<<

http://www.thyroidmanager.org/thyroidbook.htm

>>>Another thing I did was go to a web page on autoimmune illnesses. . .

>>>can't remember, it's some national advocacy group. . . and read about

>>>autoimmune illnesses in general.<<<

http://www.aarda.org

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[Guest guest]

,

Regarding messages, the only ones I have received in the last 4 days is one

from and the 2 from you...maybe everyone is just quiet right now?

Hopefully.

Jody

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[Guest guest]

Hellloooo I haven't had any messages in the lasy few days. Is that

because nobody has anything to say?

-------------

Well I'm going to try answer the question for but anyone has a better

way to figure this out please jump in,but I did want to tell him the first

part is a little hard after the first 6 weeks the med's kick in and he will

start to feel a better and so on.Sorry I don't know much about the number

, >TSH LIA <0.05 (Normal: 0.35-5.50) Units: mcIU/ml

from what I know your TSH here look's pretty low yet once it get;s over

the 0.35 and in the middle of the the the normal ranges you will feel better

and that doesn't take too long.

>T3 LIA 166 (Normal: 60-181) Units: ng/dl

This one looks all-right from what I know but I'm not an expert on this sort

of thing mabey someone els is better at comparing these

Sorry I don't know about the T4 just that is looks a bit bit low yet.

I think it's safe to say that somewhere in the middle feel's a person feels

not to bad.

I remember when I first took Tapazol that is another PTU drug the one I'm on

I felt Yuck for the first while and then I remember going back to the doctor

over the first few month's and my list of symptoms when I went in dropped

from like 36 to 26 and so on.Like I had a very painful left shoulder and I

was suprised that left,I do it back on occasion,I remember my eye's starting

getting a little pulling feeling at the corners,I don't know what other

symptoms you have now but they will go.What symptoms do you have ?

Now for anyone reading this do you feel that stress makes the symptoms worse

like exaggerates them ?

Kit

[Guest guest]

Hi do you know if this a private mailing list or not ? Or it saved to

the archives ? Thanks I would appreciate it if you know.

Kit

[Guest guest]

Hellloooo I haven't had any messages in the lasy few days. Is that

because nobody has anything to say?

[Guest guest]

It's been really busy, at work, and my inlaws have been visiting, so i'm not

my usually chatty self. I did go for bloodtests the other day, since I was

feeling a bit weepy (well, weepy-*er* than usual...). Haven't got the

results yet. But I did leave my doc a message, asking for all the lab

results of my blood work, since I got this disease. We'll see what happens!

Kari

Re: Re: best for immune system

,

Regarding messages, the only ones I have received in the last 4 days is one

from and the 2 from you...maybe everyone is just quiet right now?

Hopefully.

Jody

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------------------------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------

The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not

intended to replace expert medical care.

Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments.

----------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

> Hi Kit, I think (when I am able these days) that it is all archived.

>

It is, you can find the archives under Messages on your egroups account

for the Graves' list.

C

[Guest guest]

Hi Kit, I think (when I am able these days) that it is all archived.

[Guest guest]

Hi everybody-

There's some exciting research going on. I just haven't had the time to post

it. will be particularly

interested in this but it involves Type 1 diabetes and I'm not sure which type

she has.

They've successfully transplanted pancreas cells into 8 patients with severe

diabetes. One patient has not needed

insulin for 14 months and half the patients haven't for almost a year. And this

is going on in Canada! Now this is

far from being a regular treatment but before they had dismal results so this is

very positive news. And since this

was successful, they're expanding their study.

This gives us thyroidless patients hope too although it'll be a long time before

they consider anything like this in

us since not having a thyroid is not considered life-threatening. But once they

figure out the risks it entails and

if they're found to be minimal. Why not? Almost every therapy that is now

routinely used (I can think of one in

particular) was considered risky at some point.

Take care,

Utecht

Jody Spitale wrote:

> ,

> Regarding messages, the only ones I have received in the last 4 days is one

> from and the 2 from you...maybe everyone is just quiet right now?

> Hopefully.

> Jody

> ________________________________________________________________________

> Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com

>

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

> Missing old school friends? Find them here:

> http://click./1/4055/5/_/585824/_/959176029/

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

>

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

> The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not

intended to replace expert medical care.

> Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments.

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

[Guest guest]

Kit,

Stress is a huge factor for increasing my symptoms. Things have been pretty

stressful for me for the last few weeks and since taking on a high stress

short term project (6 weeks) 2 weeks ago I really am feeling and seeing the

difference. My right eye gets a bit buggy, my left eye reacts differently,

it is hard for me to use the eye muscles to focus it. Walking is painful

again, my feet hurt terribly and muscle fatigue is evident and have noticed

slight tremors. I should be in great shape when I see my new endo on the

7th of June. The project lasts until the 30th. This week I am making a

point of getting some quiet time everyday, even for 15 minutes to visulize

relaxation and to do some humming. That is helping. But yes, stress does

make it all more apparent.

Jody

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[Guest guest]

Kit,

Stress is a huge factor for increasing my symptoms. Things have been pretty

stressful for me for the last few weeks and since taking on a high stress

short term project (6 weeks) 2 weeks ago I really am feeling and seeing the

difference. My right eye gets a bit buggy, my left eye reacts differently,

it is hard for me to use the eye muscles to focus it. Walking is painful

again, my feet hurt terribly and muscle fatigue is evident and have noticed

slight tremors.

-------------------

Thanks Jody are you on PTU med's,or have you had RAI already ? I have not

had RAI yet,I'm thinking about it what are the pro and cons of having it or

not, anyone who feel like answering I would like to have impute ?I have been

on Tapazol about 5 years I guess.

As for the stress, it's also makes me more aware of symptoms,I feel the

bigger the stress the more intense the symptoms.But I find the symptoms

don't last as long, they seem more ,intense for a short period of time.Guess

that would just suggest that at that moment I'm handling the stress right.

How are you doing today still hanging there ? ;-)

Sorry I forget if anyone els on our list is new to PTU treatment and Graves

other wise I would ask how they are too today.

Kit

[Guest guest]

>How are you doing today still hanging there ? ;-)

I'll survive. Thanks for asking, Kit.

Have a doctor's appointment on Friday, but it's not about Graves'. Why does

my life seem to be defined by diseases lately?

--

[Guest guest]

Have a doctor's appointment on Friday, but it's not about Graves'. Why does

my life seem to be defined by diseases lately?

--

Can I venture to answer by saying it's new to you just now, but it's going

to get acceptable later on.It's funny how our minds just don't want to

accept that we have a problem at first and then it does,gradually it does,at

first I remember not being able to do what I was used to before as I had so

much energy at first before the Tapazol and I wanted that back,now I know my

limit's.Relaxation tap's help if you can find some and so does Yoga but

I haven't tried it yet.;-)

I found the more I learned the better I was able to deal with it.So ask if

you have any questions.I went for 20 years undiagnosed.

Kit

[Guest guest]

Hi , thanks for posting that email. Yes, I have heard of this and

it is all very exciting. But diabetes is not a disease of just the

inability to make insulin.

They are still trying to figure out, I should say that they are still

fighting over the use of the pancreas and the nature of diabetes. For

example are complications a result of high blood sugars or are they

separate diseases? I seem to have heard that the Australians think that

kidney disease is a separate disease. I guess these new transplant

people will give the community insight on all of these. I laugh when

people talk about different diets and how easily some diseases can be

controled by special diets. I have also heard a figure that only about

5% of diabetics can adhere to theirs. And of course, blood sugar is not

wholly dependant on insulin and diet. The reason most of these people

are opting for transplants is they want to be able to eat anything they

want. I am still somewhat puzzled by the use of cells from cadavers. We

can only use genetically human insulin in this country. The people that

want and need to use cow or pork have to get permission from the

Ministry of Health to import it. Don't want mad cow disease here! Now

can anyone tell me why the islets are not being cloned too and why they

are not transplanting the whole pancreas? I might add that several genes

are involved in diabetes.

[Guest guest]

,

I think all of us, or many at least think of our lives in aspect of 'before

graves' and 'after graves'. For me I still at times dwell on what I am no

longer capable of doing as I once was and it makes me very angry...I am

learning to let go of the anger though and it is helping a lot. This is a

frustrating disease that is not life threatening, therefore does not get the

research dollars or attention needed to find a cure or at the very least a

better way of treatment and helping us to get back to who we were before

graves. There is research going on and there is some treatment, but it is

my belief that until someone very big that goes through some of the worst

case symptoms and then has the courage to talk about and help bring it to

the front lines, then it will be slow going...unless of course it reaches

epidemic proportions...that also would get attention. This is just my

opinion though.

Hang in there and try to have some comfort that those of us fortunate enough

to have found this group or others are no longer alone or undiagnosed

anymore. It has a name, we are not crazy or hypochondriacs, and those of us

together totally understand the roads which others are just beginning their

journeys down. For almost 4 years, traveling this road alone was a very

frightening and frustrating journey.

Hang in there , and take care.

Jody

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[Guest guest]

Kit,

I had RAI 4 years ago on June 7th. When I was finally diagnosed I was in

thryoid storm and had been hospitalized in congestive heart failure for 8

days. Signed myself out of the hospital after being told I had 5 different

things (changing them each day), not once did the 3 drs. working on me look

at my thryoid numbers, which I know were flagged for them. After I left the

hospital I called a pulminary specialist, still believing I did have double

pneumonia. Saw him 2 days later, told him about my thyroid numbers, he

began tests that day, had uptake the next and was diagnosed on Wed. (Mon.

being the first day I saw him.) He sent me to an endo in a city about 65

miles away, she told me because of the severity of my GD that I had to

choose surgery or RAI and that the decision had to be made that day. After

watching a video tape with my husband we decided the RAI was the best choice

for me....*IF* I got to make that choice over again today, I would not make

that one...not after learning so much about it. But here again, this MY

decisions, not yours. You have to make your own choices. Just make sure

that you are very comfortable with the choice you make, if you are not, then

the choice isn't right for you at the time.

In the mean time, keep reading and learning before making any permanent

decisions. Today, I would push for the BRT treatment that has spoken

about (as well as others)and the successes they are having with this method.

That info is in the archives here and well worth reading.

Take care,

Jody

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[Guest guest]

>I think all of us, or many at least think of our lives in aspect of

>'before graves' and 'after graves'.

Thanks go to Jody and the others who have sent words of encouragement.

Maybe I had unrealistic expectations for the PTU. I was hoping that my

depression would lift soon after I started taking the anti-thyroid drug.

Unfortunately, that hasn't happened.

However, I also have hyperparathyroidism, which will be the subject of

tomorrow's doctor visit. Both Graves' disease and hyperparathyroidism can

cause depression, so maybe after I get the parathyroid condition treated I

will feel better.

Again, I would like to thank everyone for their support.

Sincerely,

[Guest guest]

,

The depression WILL lift in time. I know that first hand. Six months ago I

was as low as one can be and still be among the living. I have grasped and

held on to the support and encouragement I have found through the

internet...also it helps as you learn, the more you learn and understand

about this disease, the more things make sense and convince you that YOU ARE

NOT CRAZY and you are not imagining things. Having to deal with 2 illnesses

will have its crosses, I am sorry you have to deal with the other also. I

know nothing about that disease so if you want to share anything I would be

happy to learn more from you.

You take care and hopefully your trip to the dr. tomorrow will have some

successes for you. One other thing to keep in mind, change patience to your

middle name...it helps, though it sure is hard to do!!!

Jody

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[Guest guest]

Hi -

It was me, Utecht not (she's in Spain) that posted that. They were

transplanting islet cells. And if I

remember right, it was by injection so there wasn't the trauma of major surgery.

I'm hunting for that article in

this mess so I can tell you for sure. It still isn't everything, I know. But

it's a start. I kind of posted off

the cuff yesterday because of the inactivity.

Take care,

Utecht

Hearn wrote:

> Hi , thanks for posting that email. Yes, I have heard of this and

> it is all very exciting. But diabetes is not a disease of just the

> inability to make insulin.

> They are still trying to figure out, I should say that they are still

> fighting over the use of the pancreas and the nature of diabetes. For

> example are complications a result of high blood sugars or are they

> separate diseases? I seem to have heard that the Australians think that

> kidney disease is a separate disease. I guess these new transplant

> people will give the community insight on all of these. I laugh when

> people talk about different diets and how easily some diseases can be

> controled by special diets. I have also heard a figure that only about

> 5% of diabetics can adhere to theirs. And of course, blood sugar is not

> wholly dependant on insulin and diet. The reason most of these people

> are opting for transplants is they want to be able to eat anything they

> want. I am still somewhat puzzled by the use of cells from cadavers. We

> can only use genetically human insulin in this country. The people that

> want and need to use cow or pork have to get permission from the

> Ministry of Health to import it. Don't want mad cow disease here! Now

> can anyone tell me why the islets are not being cloned too and why they

> are not transplanting the whole pancreas? I might add that several genes

> are involved in diabetes.

>

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

> Find long lost high school friends:

> http://click./1/4056/5/_/585824/_/959225830/

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

>

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

> The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not

intended to replace expert medical care.

> Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments.

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

[Guest guest]

Today, I would push for the BRT treatment that has spoken

about (as well as others)and the successes they are having with this method.

That info is in the archives here and well worth reading.

Take care,

Jody

-----------------

Thanks Jody I'm not very savvy with archives can you give a short

explanation of what BRT treatment is ?

I wanted to wish good luck with the new PTU she has started and I look

forward to seeing if it has improved your symptoms.

And before I forget I just wanted to say tomorrow will be fine,not to

worry.;-) Don't worry so much about feeling angry it's ok to get angry and

it's ok to say your ticked that helps, now that you have told us I'm sure

it's already easier to manage.Just having someone who understand makes such

a big difference in Graves I find.

I had trouble making change for the longest time after I started Tapazol I

don't know if that unusual and my spelling has gone down hill too did anyone

els notice that ? I also have Osteoporosis does anyone els have that ?

Kit

[Guest guest]

>>>I'm not very savvy with archives can you give a short

explanation of what BRT treatment is ?<<<

Hi Kit,

I'm can give you a very brief explanation and it comes from my understanding

of what I have read in the archives here, mostly from 's posts, but it

would be best for you to log onto the list and click on messages, then hit

the back button for pages at the top of messages and look for 's posts

and the subject matter for BRT. She explains it so very well.

My understanding (and if I am not understanding this, any one PLEASE jump in

and correct me)of BRT is this, you take ATD's for a period of time and

slowly TRH (thyroid replacement hormone) is introduced and you are weaned

off of the ATD's, this somehow fools your thyroid into not knowing it is not

making the hormone itself. I think then after a period of time you are

weaned off the TRH. This is not a quick treatment by any means, but from

what I have read has a pretty high success rate.

Thats about all I can remember on this Kit, but check the archives because I

sure am no athority on ANY of this. I'm still learning too I do know

that I came to this group in Feb. and have read posts since then but I have

also read most of the archives also and know there are additional posts

regarding BRT.

Take care and have a wonderful day. The sun is out here today and I am

stuck at my computer working, but I still see it

Jody

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[Guest guest]

>

>Reply-To: graves_supportegroups

>To: graves_supportegroups

>Subject: Re: Re: best for immune system

>Date: Fri, 26 May 2000 10:56:43 EDT

>

> >>>I'm not very savvy with archives can you give a short

>explanation of what BRT treatment is ?<<<

>

>Hi Kit,

>I'm can give you a very brief explanation and it comes from my

>understanding

>of what I have read in the archives here, mostly from 's posts, but it

>would be best for you to log onto the list and click on messages, then hit

>the back button for pages at the top of messages and look for 's posts

>and the subject matter for BRT. She explains it so very well.

>

>My understanding (and if I am not understanding this, any one PLEASE jump

>in

>and correct me)of BRT is this, you take ATD's for a period of time and

>slowly TRH (thyroid replacement hormone) is introduced and you are weaned

>off of the ATD's, this somehow fools your thyroid into not knowing it is

>not

>making the hormone itself. I think then after a period of time you are

>weaned off the TRH. This is not a quick treatment by any means, but from

>what I have read has a pretty high success rate.

>

Thank you Jody for your kindness.

Basically it is like you said, but let me point out a little, but important

detail:

You are not weaned off the thyroid blockers.

You take them the whole time IN CONJUNCTION to levo-thyroxine (l-t4) so that

the hyperfunction may be corrected AND there is no chance to go hypo or to

be yo-yoing from hyper to hypo, which seems to be one of the things that

incides in EYE desease development.

On april 8th I posted following message to , summarizing what the

treatment is about. Around those dates there are more. pasted a longer

message I posted some time ago as well as an email I sent to her.

********************************

>>>>>>Subject: Re: ATD'S

>Date: Fri, 07 Apr 2000 18:44:05 -0700

>

>Where can we read up on this treatment?

>

>At 09:32 PM 04/07/2000 -0600, you wrote:

> >The very high doses could indicatet he doctor is going to be using the

> >block treatment.

> >That is high doses until she is euthyroid and then the dose is cut and

> >T3 is introduced. This is a new avenue of treatment that is being used

> >in Europe.

> >

> >

Hi ,

We don't call it here 'block and replace'. It's simply one of the different

protocols used with pills.

Briefly: it consists of **combining ATD's (carbimazole in Europe,

methimazole in USA) at a high dose (30 to 45 mg/daily) IN CONJUNCTION WITH

thyroxine.

I mean, ATD's are used alone at the beginning, and once euthyroidism has

been reached, i.e. 6 weeks later aproximately, then thyroxine is ADDED to

the ATD's

The thyroxine will be adjusted to maintain normal thyroid test results. You

need to be retested every two months.

This avoids wild fluctuations, and therefore less emotional and physical

suffering. In addition higher remission rate is reported.<<<<

***************************

Best regards,

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