Re: RE: started

[Guest guest]

Topper - what I need to know specifically is what brand of sublingual (Armour?) and where does one get it? How does a person (medical professional) calculate dosage levels? I am assuming that the results of Free T3 and Free T4 will be of big help in knowing if this will be what I need. Specifically I am wondering about the natural's that contain T3 and how a person determines that they need it since if I recall correctly it can increase risk of heart problems. I completely agree that a sublingual would indeed be of major benefit.

I am currently waiting on lab results. Hopefully I will hear this week. I don't know how long the Copper and Selenium take to come back. I know with my WLS labs some of them take about two weeks to come back because they have to be sent out to a different lab. I will share my numbers as soon as I have them. I had my B12 up to almost 1300 last labs and my Ferritin is 66 (I am focusing on getting in my full daily dose to raise it to 100). My ferritin was 13 pre-op and I believe 12 as a post-op.

I am most hopeful of getting my life back on track so that I can drive my motorcycle again, plus do other things on my list.

Sandy

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slkscb@... ~ Open RNY 12/8/03, 150 cm, Barix Clinics, 303/290 day of surgery/195 current/ goal is to be HEALTHY. Emergency appendectomy 11/1/04, Gallbladder 1/12/05. "Know your labs and track your trends." AZ Grads join us at: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/AZGRADSOFWLS/

Check out my gastric bypass journal at www.acdlady.com/WLS_1 for many educational links. My OH profile is at http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=M1062876220 I am not affiliated with the medical profession except as a proactive WLS post-op. "Trust your own instinct. Your mistakes might as well be your own, instead of someone else’s." – Wilder

-- Re: RE: started

Sandy.. I am going to stand up on tippy toes and scream at the top of my lungs.....

GET ON NATURAL THYROID AND TAKE IT SUBLINGUALLY!

Taking it sublingually will reduce the number and frequency of restrictions on how to take it.. you won't have to figure out how to squeeze it in between other supplements... you won't have to try to hold off on eating to try to get it in... you won't be juggling with inconsistent dosing cuz of the way your altered digestive system works now....

I think you have it in you and do some foot stomping to get the thyroid replacement that not only works better for a lot of us... but, geez.... I just can't see a synthetic -- that requires a consistent level of stomach acids to break it down to a usable form and then a digestive system to absorb it.... I honestly don't think a modified digestive system can do it efficiently... to provide consistent dosing.....

Then top that off with conversion.... and how, if the body isn't getting enough of the T4 in... and the oooooooo stop it Topper... stop it.....

You're a smart lady... I think you understand how important it is for you to learn how your new body works and to do what you need to do to be as healthy as it can be....

Don't let them push you aside... don't let them put you down... don't let them stand on their pedestals and tell you to deal with it....

arrrgghhhhhhhh shut up Topper!

Topper ()

On Sun, 8 Jan 2006 09:00:43 -0700 " and Steve" writes:

Topper - thank you for sharing that. You have certainly been through a LOT.

I am recognizing more and more that I have been undiagnosed for a very long long time. My TSH levels are not horrible compared to some I have seen mentioned, but I have not felt well in decades. I have been under-functioning as a contributing member of society and have had the psychological difficulties that accompany a good mind with an uncooperative body (sense of worthlessness or being of zero value).

Two years ago I chose gastric bypass in a desperate attempt to lose weight because I could not lose it any other way. My quality of life was so bad that I felt that it was worth the risk of dying. That says a lot when you calmly go under the knife to have your innards totally replumbed. My endocrinologist has NEVER tested me for thyroid and yet I presented to him a morbidly obese woman with chronic pain and major fatigue. Guess I was lazy and a hypochondriac. To top it off, as a gastric bypass person I have learned that the surgeons work very hard to promise the wonderful life post-op, but the idiots (I am not writing the word that came to mind) can't agree on a program of consistent supplementation or protein for us across the board. We are routinely seeing gastric bypass post-ops with major deficiencies because their "GOD" surgeon has them on too little in the way of supplements. I parted company with my surgeon some time ago. Our surgeons are ordering way too few tests to check the nutritional status of our bodies. I had to find a doctor who would order the tests that post-op graduates are suggesting and THAT is how I found my thyroid levels going up. But, they were at 2.7 pre-op and with all of my symptoms and the new guidelines that some doctors actually pay attention to I was hypothyroid and should have been under treatment years ago. I am so DISGUSTED with the medical community and truly resent the fact that I actually have to see these guys to get medical tests and medications that I KNOW I need.

So, here I sit with a hypothyroid that had it been addressed perhaps, maybe, possibly I might have avoided gastric bypass. Gastric bypass can produce a major life change for many people, but I will always remain convinced that it should be the tool of last resort after GOOD doctors are unable to be of help. Trick is finding the good doctors. Here I sit with the prospects of finding a doctor to prescribe medications for thyroid that I have to find a way to fit into my very full daily supplement schedule. Lordy, the rules of thyroid medications, rules of iron and calcium - sheesh. Guess I will be looking for a watch that can hold multiple alarms to keep me on schedule. Ironic as it is there was a time in my life when I absolutely abhorred being tied to schedules (a childhood thing from a mother who was incessant with her schedules) and now I am finding my life rules by them. I will do this because my greatest fear of all is not being able to take care of myself as I age and I do not want to end up in a nursing home. So fight the good fight I will.

I think what scares me now is what if it is too late to help my body recover enough to feel good again. Actually, I am not sure that I remember what feeling good feels like. I have had brief days of feeling pretty good and like most of us use those days to frantically get something done and then collapse again for weeks.

Sandy