Re: You all were right - disappointed in doc

[Guest guest]

, I appreciate you telling me your experience! It really did help on

several levels. I feel a little better knowing that you didn't really feel

hypo right away until the TSH began rising. Hopefully this means I'll kind

of " know " when the TSH starts to rise. I understand what you're saying about

the " desirable " range. The last TSH I had before being diagnosed was 1.97

and I had that tested because I was feeling so run down and tired.

I hate the thought of having to find another doc. I don't really like having

to start over with another doctor, but I don't want to have to go through

what so many others here have had to endure of feeling lousy because their

doc didn't understand the nature of thyroid disease and dismissed their

symptoms.

How did you go about finding your current doctor? Was it just luck of the

draw or did you ask certain questions, by what process did you go about

selecting your doc? When you check out a new doctor, do you ever explain

about why you're looking for a new one, or do you just not mention your

previous doc? I'm not sure how to go about this should I find I have to do

it.

Thank you so much for sharing all this with me (and everyone else, too). I

feel odd since the course of GD for me has been kind of abnormal and it

seems like you can relate to this! I'm glad you at least warned me about the

possibility the doc might still suggest RAI at this point, or I would have

been too dumbfounded to say anything!

Re: You all were right - disappointed in doc

>,

>

>So sorry to hear this! However, I have to admit when I saw your post, I

>KNEW your doc was calling you into suggest RAI. I've never heard of an

endo

>requesting an appointment in order to discuss good progress. You have to

>understand, he sees you as someone in need of treatment and feels it is his

>duty to oblige.

>

>Of course, many of us here think he's wrong.

>

>My T4 and T3 dipped into the very low end of normal while my TSH was still

>low. I didn't feel hypo at all.

>

>I began experiencing hypo symptoms after a few months of feeling good with

a

>tsh of around 1.2 and all other levels mid to low. I began to be cold, ate

>less and found that if I indulged at all I'd gain a bit quickly, and most

>significantly, my hair started falling out again and I was tired.

>

>But when I went in, my tsh was only 2.2!!! However, my Ft4 and all other

>hormones were at the very low end of normal. The endo pooh-poohed my

>concerns that even 2.2 was out of my desirable range and dismissed my

>concerns over the presence of antibodies for hashimotos and my

grandmother's

>bout with the disease.

>

>By the time I got a second opinion, my tsh was 3.3, a month later. That

>endo disagreed with the first and put my on synthroid. He felt that given

>my antibody count, family history, and symptoms, I was sub-clinically

>hypothyroid and treatment could stop the progression of the disease. I

>instantly felt better, although I was on too large of a dose and became

>hyperthyroid for a few weeks.

>

>Here I am now, with a tsh of 1.7 and feel great. I take 1/4 grain of

armour

>thyroid daily.

>

>Stay the course, . My first endo served my needs for almost two

>years! When we came to a fork in the road, I got a second opinion. After

>that second opinion, I realized I really needed to search out a physician

>that I could stick with, as I didn't want to be running out to new docs

>every time I disagreed with one. That process took me a long time, but

was

>worht it.

>

>Wait -- kids yelling, chaos from downstairs. You're on the right track.

>Don't be pressured.

>

> B

>

>

>

>

> Re: Got my labs back - amazed!

>>

>>

>> > !

>> >

>> > Great news!

>> >

>> > Be prepared, however. Your doc may only be looking at the TSH and

still

>> > thinking about treatment. Perhaps that's the reason he wants to see

>you.

>> > Hopefully not, but best to walk in with your convictions solid and

>> prepared

>> > for anything.

>> >

>> > B

>> >

>> >

>>

>>

>>

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

>> 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.

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

>> DISCLAIMER

>>

>> Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the

>endorsement of

>> the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

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

-

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

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

, I appreciate you telling me your experience! It really did help on

several levels. I feel a little better knowing that you didn't really feel

hypo right away until the TSH began rising. Hopefully this means I'll kind

of " know " when the TSH starts to rise. I understand what you're saying about

the " desirable " range. The last TSH I had before being diagnosed was 1.97

and I had that tested because I was feeling so run down and tired.

I hate the thought of having to find another doc. I don't really like having

to start over with another doctor, but I don't want to have to go through

what so many others here have had to endure of feeling lousy because their

doc didn't understand the nature of thyroid disease and dismissed their

symptoms.

How did you go about finding your current doctor? Was it just luck of the

draw or did you ask certain questions, by what process did you go about

selecting your doc? When you check out a new doctor, do you ever explain

about why you're looking for a new one, or do you just not mention your

previous doc? I'm not sure how to go about this should I find I have to do

it.

Thank you so much for sharing all this with me (and everyone else, too). I

feel odd since the course of GD for me has been kind of abnormal and it

seems like you can relate to this! I'm glad you at least warned me about the

possibility the doc might still suggest RAI at this point, or I would have

been too dumbfounded to say anything!

Re: You all were right - disappointed in doc

>,

>

>So sorry to hear this! However, I have to admit when I saw your post, I

>KNEW your doc was calling you into suggest RAI. I've never heard of an

endo

>requesting an appointment in order to discuss good progress. You have to

>understand, he sees you as someone in need of treatment and feels it is his

>duty to oblige.

>

>Of course, many of us here think he's wrong.

>

>My T4 and T3 dipped into the very low end of normal while my TSH was still

>low. I didn't feel hypo at all.

>

>I began experiencing hypo symptoms after a few months of feeling good with

a

>tsh of around 1.2 and all other levels mid to low. I began to be cold, ate

>less and found that if I indulged at all I'd gain a bit quickly, and most

>significantly, my hair started falling out again and I was tired.

>

>But when I went in, my tsh was only 2.2!!! However, my Ft4 and all other

>hormones were at the very low end of normal. The endo pooh-poohed my

>concerns that even 2.2 was out of my desirable range and dismissed my

>concerns over the presence of antibodies for hashimotos and my

grandmother's

>bout with the disease.

>

>By the time I got a second opinion, my tsh was 3.3, a month later. That

>endo disagreed with the first and put my on synthroid. He felt that given

>my antibody count, family history, and symptoms, I was sub-clinically

>hypothyroid and treatment could stop the progression of the disease. I

>instantly felt better, although I was on too large of a dose and became

>hyperthyroid for a few weeks.

>

>Here I am now, with a tsh of 1.7 and feel great. I take 1/4 grain of

armour

>thyroid daily.

>

>Stay the course, . My first endo served my needs for almost two

>years! When we came to a fork in the road, I got a second opinion. After

>that second opinion, I realized I really needed to search out a physician

>that I could stick with, as I didn't want to be running out to new docs

>every time I disagreed with one. That process took me a long time, but

was

>worht it.

>

>Wait -- kids yelling, chaos from downstairs. You're on the right track.

>Don't be pressured.

>

> B

>

>

>

>

> Re: Got my labs back - amazed!

>>

>>

>> > !

>> >

>> > Great news!

>> >

>> > Be prepared, however. Your doc may only be looking at the TSH and

still

>> > thinking about treatment. Perhaps that's the reason he wants to see

>you.

>> > Hopefully not, but best to walk in with your convictions solid and

>> prepared

>> > for anything.

>> >

>> > B

>> >

>> >

>>

>>

>>

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

>> 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.

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

>> DISCLAIMER

>>

>> Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the

>endorsement of

>> the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

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

-

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

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Is there an endo at the University Hospital that specializes just in head

and neck endocrinology? That is what mine is into, and a couple of friend

from this area also see head and neck endos and really like them...might be

worth a try. If you need to stay with your GP for a while, just stay on

focus with your feelings on RAI, he can't make you do it.

I had my GP doing me for about 2 years and only continued to get worse. I

fired him last fall ;-)

Take care,

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Elaine! Believe me, it wasn't easy to keep my composure - my hubby

will tell you I'm a hothead! But I was proud of myself that I did. I guess I

just couldn't believe that I specifically requested the FT4 and FT3 be

tested and he just completely ignored them like they didn't even exist. Hey,

I thought it was a huge accomplishment that the FT3 came down from 7.47 to

2.93! Apparently, that doesn't matter as much as a TSH staying at .03! This

really irks me!

So if this is how doctors were trained, do you supposed new doctors being

taught to use T3 and T4 values as a better guide to thyroid disorders?

Re: You all were right - disappointed in doc

>,

>This is all too common and has to do with how doctors were trained. When we

>found tests to measure TSH, the TSH test became recommended for

>screening...cheaper to do this test alone for screening new patients. Endos

>were taught to rely on this test. A few years after its introduction,

doctors

>realized that for thyroid patients on therapy, the TSH isn't very good.

This

>is well known, but there's still many doctors out there who don't seem to

>know this. They're so convinced of the infallibility of the TSH that they

no

>longer listen.

>At least you kept your cool and got him to continue to monitor you.

Sometimes

>that's an accomplisment in itself so good work! Elaine

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Elaine! Believe me, it wasn't easy to keep my composure - my hubby

will tell you I'm a hothead! But I was proud of myself that I did. I guess I

just couldn't believe that I specifically requested the FT4 and FT3 be

tested and he just completely ignored them like they didn't even exist. Hey,

I thought it was a huge accomplishment that the FT3 came down from 7.47 to

2.93! Apparently, that doesn't matter as much as a TSH staying at .03! This

really irks me!

So if this is how doctors were trained, do you supposed new doctors being

taught to use T3 and T4 values as a better guide to thyroid disorders?

Re: You all were right - disappointed in doc

>,

>This is all too common and has to do with how doctors were trained. When we

>found tests to measure TSH, the TSH test became recommended for

>screening...cheaper to do this test alone for screening new patients. Endos

>were taught to rely on this test. A few years after its introduction,

doctors

>realized that for thyroid patients on therapy, the TSH isn't very good.

This

>is well known, but there's still many doctors out there who don't seem to

>know this. They're so convinced of the infallibility of the TSH that they

no

>longer listen.

>At least you kept your cool and got him to continue to monitor you.

Sometimes

>that's an accomplisment in itself so good work! Elaine

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jody - good question! I'll have to investigate that...I got the impression

that the endo I saw must have specialized in diabetes (which is a good

thing, too). It appeared from talking to him that all the GD patients he

dealt with had the RAI. I didn't realize that the endos would have subsets

that they would specialize in. Thanks for the tip!

Re: You all were right - disappointed in doc

>Hi ,

>Is there an endo at the University Hospital that specializes just in head

>and neck endocrinology? That is what mine is into, and a couple of friend

>from this area also see head and neck endos and really like them...might be

>worth a try. If you need to stay with your GP for a while, just stay on

>focus with your feelings on RAI, he can't make you do it.

>

>I had my GP doing me for about 2 years and only continued to get worse. I

>fired him last fall ;-)

>

>Take care,

>Jody

>

>

>

>_________________________________________________________________

>Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com

>

>

>

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

>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.

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

> DISCLAIMER

>

>Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the

endorsement of

>the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

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

-----------

>

>

[Guest guest]

--

I found my current doc a couple of ways: first, he was listed on

Shomon's top docs list.

Second, he was referred to me here by half a dozen people as the best

thyroid doc in mpls/st paul. My homeopath said to see him, a colleague of

my husband's raved about him, and so on. I balked and waited a year because

he does not participate in most insurance plans. However, everyone was

right. In retrospect, it was worth the money: $120. for an office visit

and the $16 or so I pay for my armour thyroid.

Seems like a small price to pay for feeling good.

In addition, the Mpls/St magazine puts out their own list of 'top docs'

each year. After my first endo disapointed me (the one who said he

disagreed that I was going to become hypo as my tsh climbed), I found a good

doctor from that list (who was also on Shomon's). The only difference

between him and the one I have now is that the one I have now is a firm

believer that some people, not all, do better on armour, and the other doc

felt synthroid was the only way to go.

But it was a lot of work, researching and choosing. I also called several

doctors to ask their opinions about subclincial hypothyroidism and patients

who took an active role in their health decisions. amazingly, some nurses

told me flat out that the doctor they worked for would have little tolerance

for people who " thought they knew " a lot about their illness. that made my

list of choices much shorter

Re: Got my labs back - amazed!

> >>

> >>

> >> > !

> >> >

> >> > Great news!

> >> >

> >> > Be prepared, however. Your doc may only be looking at the TSH and

> still

> >> > thinking about treatment. Perhaps that's the reason he wants to see

> >you.

> >> > Hopefully not, but best to walk in with your convictions solid and

> >> prepared

> >> > for anything.

> >> >

> >> > B

> >> >

> >> >

> >>

> >>

> >>

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

> >> 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.

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

> >> DISCLAIMER

> >>

> >> Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the

> >endorsement of

> >> the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

>

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

> -

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

> >>

> >>

[Guest guest]

--

I found my current doc a couple of ways: first, he was listed on

Shomon's top docs list.

Second, he was referred to me here by half a dozen people as the best

thyroid doc in mpls/st paul. My homeopath said to see him, a colleague of

my husband's raved about him, and so on. I balked and waited a year because

he does not participate in most insurance plans. However, everyone was

right. In retrospect, it was worth the money: $120. for an office visit

and the $16 or so I pay for my armour thyroid.

Seems like a small price to pay for feeling good.

In addition, the Mpls/St magazine puts out their own list of 'top docs'

each year. After my first endo disapointed me (the one who said he

disagreed that I was going to become hypo as my tsh climbed), I found a good

doctor from that list (who was also on Shomon's). The only difference

between him and the one I have now is that the one I have now is a firm

believer that some people, not all, do better on armour, and the other doc

felt synthroid was the only way to go.

But it was a lot of work, researching and choosing. I also called several

doctors to ask their opinions about subclincial hypothyroidism and patients

who took an active role in their health decisions. amazingly, some nurses

told me flat out that the doctor they worked for would have little tolerance

for people who " thought they knew " a lot about their illness. that made my

list of choices much shorter

Re: Got my labs back - amazed!

> >>

> >>

> >> > !

> >> >

> >> > Great news!

> >> >

> >> > Be prepared, however. Your doc may only be looking at the TSH and

> still

> >> > thinking about treatment. Perhaps that's the reason he wants to see

> >you.

> >> > Hopefully not, but best to walk in with your convictions solid and

> >> prepared

> >> > for anything.

> >> >

> >> > B

> >> >

> >> >

> >>

> >>

> >>

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

> >> 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.

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

> >> DISCLAIMER

> >>

> >> Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the

> >endorsement of

> >> the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

>

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

> -

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

> >>

> >>

[Guest guest]

--

I found my current doc a couple of ways: first, he was listed on

Shomon's top docs list.

Second, he was referred to me here by half a dozen people as the best

thyroid doc in mpls/st paul. My homeopath said to see him, a colleague of

my husband's raved about him, and so on. I balked and waited a year because

he does not participate in most insurance plans. However, everyone was

right. In retrospect, it was worth the money: $120. for an office visit

and the $16 or so I pay for my armour thyroid.

Seems like a small price to pay for feeling good.

In addition, the Mpls/St magazine puts out their own list of 'top docs'

each year. After my first endo disapointed me (the one who said he

disagreed that I was going to become hypo as my tsh climbed), I found a good

doctor from that list (who was also on Shomon's). The only difference

between him and the one I have now is that the one I have now is a firm

believer that some people, not all, do better on armour, and the other doc

felt synthroid was the only way to go.

But it was a lot of work, researching and choosing. I also called several

doctors to ask their opinions about subclincial hypothyroidism and patients

who took an active role in their health decisions. amazingly, some nurses

told me flat out that the doctor they worked for would have little tolerance

for people who " thought they knew " a lot about their illness. that made my

list of choices much shorter

Re: Got my labs back - amazed!

> >>

> >>

> >> > !

> >> >

> >> > Great news!

> >> >

> >> > Be prepared, however. Your doc may only be looking at the TSH and

> still

> >> > thinking about treatment. Perhaps that's the reason he wants to see

> >you.

> >> > Hopefully not, but best to walk in with your convictions solid and

> >> prepared

> >> > for anything.

> >> >

> >> > B

> >> >

> >> >

> >>

> >>

> >>

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

> >> 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.

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

> >> DISCLAIMER

> >>

> >> Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the

> >endorsement of

> >> the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

>

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

> -

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

> >>

> >>

[Guest guest]

Jody --

I could be wrong, but I thought it was about $16. However, my presciption

lasts me much longer than a month. I've only refilled it once! Maybe my

doc is writing it for a longer period of time?

Re: You all were right - disappointed in doc

> Hi ,

> How many Armour pills are you getting for $16.00 and what mg. are they. I

> can never remember grains vs. mg. I buy 3 different Armours a month and

> total they are less than $16.00!

> Jody

>

>

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at

http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.

>

>

>

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

> 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.

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

> DISCLAIMER

>

> Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the

endorsement of

> the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

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

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

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jody --

I could be wrong, but I thought it was about $16. However, my presciption

lasts me much longer than a month. I've only refilled it once! Maybe my

doc is writing it for a longer period of time?

Re: You all were right - disappointed in doc

> Hi ,

> How many Armour pills are you getting for $16.00 and what mg. are they. I

> can never remember grains vs. mg. I buy 3 different Armours a month and

> total they are less than $16.00!

> Jody

>

>

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at

http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.

>

>

>

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

> 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.

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

> DISCLAIMER

>

> Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the

endorsement of

> the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

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

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

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jody --

I could be wrong, but I thought it was about $16. However, my presciption

lasts me much longer than a month. I've only refilled it once! Maybe my

doc is writing it for a longer period of time?

Re: You all were right - disappointed in doc

> Hi ,

> How many Armour pills are you getting for $16.00 and what mg. are they. I

> can never remember grains vs. mg. I buy 3 different Armours a month and

> total they are less than $16.00!

> Jody

>

>

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at

http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.

>

>

>

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

> 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.

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

> DISCLAIMER

>

> Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the

endorsement of

> the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

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

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

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

How many Armour pills are you getting for $16.00 and what mg. are they. I

can never remember grains vs. mg. I buy 3 different Armours a month and

total they are less than $16.00!

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

How many Armour pills are you getting for $16.00 and what mg. are they. I

can never remember grains vs. mg. I buy 3 different Armours a month and

total they are less than $16.00!

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

How many Armour pills are you getting for $16.00 and what mg. are they. I

can never remember grains vs. mg. I buy 3 different Armours a month and

total they are less than $16.00!

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

You said:

For all you on ATDs, Pam I think in particular mentioned that while you were

on ATDs, your FT4 did go low and your TSH was still low. Did you in fact

FEEL hypo in that case? I got the impression that the FT4 levels did

accurately reflect whether people felt hypo, but this doctor makes me think

that isn't so! And I know there were so many of you that your TSH did take a

long to time increase on ATDs.

At this point and time I am more confused than before. My TSH stayed suppressed

over 3 yr.

Yes, this in no problem. But I vary so much in the way I feel at different FT4

levels, and

after this last scare with the doc threatening me with switching to Tap because

of the

pain, I have been working out my own little reduction schedule in my PTU. All

the while

getting some lab work. But as I pay for everything myself, I do not have as many

numbers

to work with as some of you.

So now I am starting to wonder if my problem all along was the amount of PTU

making me

hypo combined with the PTU itself that caused so much pain.

For example, back some time ago, I felt so hypo,among other things, I hurt too

bad to turn

over in my bed, and had no desire to continue living ( thank God for thyroid

boards ).

This was at a FT4 of .78 on a scale of .71 to 1.85. When the doctor examined me,

he did

that thing where you hold your hands together with your elbows out, and he

pushes down on

your elbows to check your strength. It hurt so bad, I folded like a deck of

cards and

moaned against my will. He said..you need to get some exersize....like that was

the

problem. I am still mad, but I keep thinking...why did he not think this was

normal for

being low on T4 ??? I see people all the time that are sub clinical hypo and do

not have

this pain.

And to be honest, I have not posted this number here, for fear that no one would

believe I

was really sick. So now I come clean in an effort to not only understand more,

but to let

you know of my past ( and present ) confusion, and let you know I think it is

only the PTU

causing the problem. I do not think you should worry about a lower T test at

all. You

would have your body doing things the way it knows to heal and not have a drug

confusing

things.

And now the confirmation from those answering your post. It seems your question

has helped

me. :-) It must be the PTU and not the hypo part.

How do others feel at .78 ? I always read we feel better at the higher end of

the range,

so had just assumed this was the problem.

It certainly seems you are on the right path . Good job !

-Pam- who is seeing your wisdom more everyday

[Guest guest]

Say ,

What about a naturopathic doctor ? Though it seems they are still taught the

TSH is the

gold standard, the one I spoke to seemed very open to questions, answers, and

new ideas.

And they can run labs.

I wouldn't suggest burning any bridges behind you, as if is possible you may

need ATDs

in the future ( though it doesn't seem likely ), and you would need a medical

doctor for

that. Maybe your GP ?

I am just starting to think along these lines, and do not know the answer for

sure.

-Pam-

[Guest guest]

Hi Sonya, two things come to mind: Raynaud's syndrome and carpal tunnel

syndrome. Both conditions can occur in people with autoimmune thyroid

disease. Why don't you go to www.google.com and do a search on these and see

if either sound like they could be the cause.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sonya, two things come to mind: Raynaud's syndrome and carpal tunnel

syndrome. Both conditions can occur in people with autoimmune thyroid

disease. Why don't you go to www.google.com and do a search on these and see

if either sound like they could be the cause.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sonya, two things come to mind: Raynaud's syndrome and carpal tunnel

syndrome. Both conditions can occur in people with autoimmune thyroid

disease. Why don't you go to www.google.com and do a search on these and see

if either sound like they could be the cause.

[Guest guest]

Hi Katy, a while back most labs did do reflex testing, like if the TSH was

low we automatically ran other thyroid function tests. Then the gov got

involved and called this medicare fraud because we billed for tests that had

no written order. Certain hospitals got in a lot of trouble so now most labs

do very few reflex tests (mostly just cardiac markers on suspected heart

attacks).

Mayo labs is the only lab I know of that still does reflex testing with TSH,

but they charge a higher price for the TSH assy, and then don't charge extra

if they end up running more tests.

[Guest guest]

Hi Katy, a while back most labs did do reflex testing, like if the TSH was

low we automatically ran other thyroid function tests. Then the gov got

involved and called this medicare fraud because we billed for tests that had

no written order. Certain hospitals got in a lot of trouble so now most labs

do very few reflex tests (mostly just cardiac markers on suspected heart

attacks).

Mayo labs is the only lab I know of that still does reflex testing with TSH,

but they charge a higher price for the TSH assy, and then don't charge extra

if they end up running more tests.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for making this post. It was very enlightening. In fact I am

so glad that I found this site with so many intelligent questioning people.

I have learnt SO SO much..... Isn't it interesting how all the different

doctors react ? My endo is monitoring me once a month which I think is much

more reassuring than being monitored every 3 months (I think that you said

every 3 months). Also the lab that I go to automatically runs the FT4 test

if the TSH looks abnormal... why don't all labs do that ? Anyways I am glad

that I have heard all your stories as I am fully armed for my appointment

next week. So last time I went to the doc my TSH was still low but my FT4

level was within the normal range. I will be interested to see what it is

this time. I have been feeling very tired and a little achy.. but having

only started ADTs a couple of months ago I don't think I can identify if

that means I am a little hyper or hypo. So we will see..... My question to

my doctor this month will be about the anti-body tests. I am not sure that

she has had any done, although that might be on the missing lab result which

I still have yet to find. I have decided to go directly to the lab to

collect my results rather than getting them from the doctor.

My question for the board is a Bugleweed question. For those taking this

herb, do you take it at the same time as ADTs? Does this reduce the

effectiveness of the ADT ? Will taking the herb at the same time as an ADT

possibly make you hypo ? Did you talk to your doctor about it first ?

Actually this is more than one question..... but this really interests me.

Take care,

Kate.

You all were right - disappointed in doc

Sigh, well I am now officially joining the ranks of those disappointed and

discouraged by their doctors. I was trying not to be pessimistic and giving

my doc the benefit of the doubt, but and all you others who warned me

were right on target!

:

:

[Guest guest]

Thanks for making this post. It was very enlightening. In fact I am

so glad that I found this site with so many intelligent questioning people.

I have learnt SO SO much..... Isn't it interesting how all the different

doctors react ? My endo is monitoring me once a month which I think is much

more reassuring than being monitored every 3 months (I think that you said

every 3 months). Also the lab that I go to automatically runs the FT4 test

if the TSH looks abnormal... why don't all labs do that ? Anyways I am glad

that I have heard all your stories as I am fully armed for my appointment

next week. So last time I went to the doc my TSH was still low but my FT4

level was within the normal range. I will be interested to see what it is

this time. I have been feeling very tired and a little achy.. but having

only started ADTs a couple of months ago I don't think I can identify if

that means I am a little hyper or hypo. So we will see..... My question to

my doctor this month will be about the anti-body tests. I am not sure that

she has had any done, although that might be on the missing lab result which

I still have yet to find. I have decided to go directly to the lab to

collect my results rather than getting them from the doctor.

My question for the board is a Bugleweed question. For those taking this

herb, do you take it at the same time as ADTs? Does this reduce the

effectiveness of the ADT ? Will taking the herb at the same time as an ADT

possibly make you hypo ? Did you talk to your doctor about it first ?

Actually this is more than one question..... but this really interests me.

Take care,

Kate.

You all were right - disappointed in doc

Sigh, well I am now officially joining the ranks of those disappointed and

discouraged by their doctors. I was trying not to be pessimistic and giving

my doc the benefit of the doubt, but and all you others who warned me

were right on target!

:

:

[Guest guest]

,

Maybe you are getting bulk on it for 3 months at a time. If I did that I

would have to go through my insurance and they would charge me double what

it costs me without putting my Armour or PTU through insurance. It really

makes me so angry that insurance companies will tell pharmacy's what they

are *allowed* to charge us when we have insurance and it is more than what

it is without.

I do recommend everyone on PTU or any hormone replacement to call another

pharmacy, ask what your script costs and that you have no insurance, then

compare it to what you are paying with insurance. You may be very surprised.

I know I was, then I got angry ;-)

Jody

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