Guest guest Posted January 11, 2003 Report Share Posted January 11, 2003 The stons wrote: > What about your T4 when you are supressed between scans? What # should it be? As others have said, our primary focus is on our TSH, and a suppressed TSH usually means a higher than normal T4. However, there is some evidence that a higher serum T4 level can lead to bone loss, especially in women (although I don't know if it's studied in men) which is why doctors treating thyroid cancer patients usually try to balance the two - suppressed TSH, with a minimal serum T4 increase. From Synthroid prescribing information (page 4): " Effects on bone mineral density - In women, long-term levothyroxine sodium therapy has been associated with increased bone resorption, thereby decreasing bone mineral density, especially in post-menopausal women on greater than replacement doses with increased serum levels and urinary excretion of calcium and phosphorous, elevations in bone alkaline phosphatase and suppressed serum parathyroid hormone levels. Therefore, it is recommended that patients receiving levothyroxine sodium be given the minimum dose necessary to achieve the desired clinical and biochemical response. " http://synthroid.com Dr. Ain has written: " It seems prudent to consider this level of thyroid hormone therapy to enhance osteoporosis risk factors if sufficient other such factors exist (i.e. post-menopausal female without estrogens, very thin, Caucasian, lack of weight-bearing exercise, poor calcium intake, low levels of vitamin D, etc.). The hypothesized mechanism of this effect is related to altering the cell cycles of the bone cells which make bone (osteoblasts) and consume bone (osteoclasts). For those members well-grounded in Cell Biology, a large amount of published research can be read in your nearest medical library. The decision to use slightly higher levels of thyroid hormone to suppress TSH is based on a careful consideration of its known benefit in suppressing thyroid cancer and preventing recurrences or tumor progression, compared to a variety of minor risks which can be minimized with careful attention to minimizing risks and optimizing health. " -- see entire letter at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/24955 I hope this helps. (note a doctor) NYC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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