Re: New and looking for help with Graves/Hashimoto's

[Guest guest]

I'm very sorry to hear about your miscarrige. After three years of

trying, becoming pregnant, that is a severe let down. Even still you

have a goof ovarian reserve. I hope the next one will be successful.

It's along story but I had my FHS and estradoil (sp) tested on Sat.

at day 2 since day 3 was a sunday. It's a long story how I managed

this since I was told by one doctor that it would be accurate because

of the .01 TSH. Maybe it won't be but I wanted to know somehing of

where I was. The infertility RN didn't want to do it till the TSH

was in the normal range. I think the results should be available

wednesay.

I will check out that infertility site. I know because of my age

conception is not in my favor but compelled to make certain. I'm

curious as to how the FSH declines per month. Whether it is fast or

slow at my age. I know I don't have alot of time left and have no

idea on my reserve. I'm only hoping that since my daughter was born

at 42 1/2 I might be lucky. I did have a miscarriage before her

birth the previous year. All these miscarriages and my age aren't

good signs.

Is the difference beween a reproductive endo and a general endo the

idea that infertility and endo problems are viewed together? If so,

I may need to try one. I think we have one hereeee but not sure.

You'll have to laugh at this. The doctor that did the " D & C " last

Decemebr was an OBGYN and a fertiloity specialist. I'm afraid if

this doctor can't properly do a D & C, I'd have no faith in any

fertility work. Taht really shocked me to have a doctor despite my

pelvin cramping dismiss me and never consider that maybe something

went wrong with the D & C. They had an ultr sound machine there. It

wouldn't have been a big deal. Humbling maybe when the results were

viewed but you know, I wouldn't have been so angry if the problem was

isolated and handled properly by the doctor that made the mistake.

COnsider yourself lucky. I have no doubt that your husband will help

you see the good ones and not waste time. Some of them out there have

no business in the medical profession. I didn't know that till now.

I've always been healthy ... except for when little I always had

strept throats. They wanted to take my tonsils out and I wouldn't

allow it. Now they aren't so wuick to take them out.

Well, however things turn out, I will be grateful that I am around to

raise my daughter. I have to remind myself that I have been

fortunate.

My sister-in-law was only 46 when progressive non hodgkins lymphoma

devoured her. She left behind a daughter 22 and a son 12. She had

another daughter after the one that was 22 and she died at age 5 of

internal bleeding. They never figured out what caused it. She came

home from school feeling " sick " . Asked to be excused from the dinner

table to lie down. Later Clara (sister-in-law checked her and she

had a life threatening high fever so they took her to the emergency

room. The last words to her mom were, " mommy I'm scared " and went

into a comma. I can't imagine how painful that was and there was

nothing they could do. They tried everything but nothing worked. So,

I know things could be alot worse.

Thank you for your reply. I really appreciate it.

Best Regards,

> Hi -

>

> I've been dealing with infertility for years. I just had a

miscarriage (and

> D & C) after 3 years of trying.

>

> To my knowledge, they are concerned with a Day 3 FSH of 10 or

above. If

> your FSH levels weren't measured on that day, it can't really be

used as a

> gauge.

>

> Just as a comfort, I had RAI at 24 (I'm 39 now) and it has never

helped me

> to conceive. I started trying to have a child when I was almost

30. I

> wasn't able to conceive til I was 32 with the help of fertility

drugs and

> had my baby when I just turned 33. This time, I've been trying to

conceive

> since I was 36. I got pregnant in Sept. then miscarried in Nov.

My ovarian

> reserve is fine so they can't really figure out what the problem is

(I also

> have a bunch of old gals that can have babies in my family).

>

> I don't know about thyroid levels affecting FSH levels but it makes

sense

> that they could. Thyroid levels affect every cell there is which,

in turn,

> probably affects any hormones that they might make.

>

> An excellent site for infertility is at http://www.inciid.org. It

has

> helped me tremendously. And also if you want to know more about

ovarian

> reserve testing (they test FSH on day 3, start Clomid, then test

you again

> on day 10), I'd be happy to talk to you privately about it. They

use it to

> determine if you have enough eggs left which increases your chances

of

> becoming pregnant even if you are older. Generally though,

fertility drops

> at 30, it drops more sharply at 35 then really plummets at 40.

There are

> many cases though of women having successful pregnancies past 40 as

you can

> attest to. Really, it depends on the patient.

>

> Are you seeing a fertility specialist? If at all possible you

should see a

> reproductive endocrinologist (RE). I would in a heartbeat if we

had a

> clinic around here. So I see an OB/GYN who specializes in

infertility. He

> has good success rates with infertility in general but I worry

since he

> doesn't have much experience with endocrine disorders and

infertility. At

> this age though, I'm considering being really aggressive and going

to L.A.

> or S.F. to an RE. My insurance covers 50% for infertility but none

when we

> go out of the area. Since my miscarriage and D & C were only 3 weeks

ago, I

> have a little time to decide.

>

> I know the despair you speak of. After all these years and

everybody having

> different ideas of what's wrong, I've also lost confidence in the

medical

> field (and I'm married to a physician). While they argue and try

to decide,

> I keep getting older. It's enough to make you cry because by the

time they

> figure it out, I'll be too old.

>

> Take care,

>

>

>

>

> > I hope you can help me. It's been an unbelievable year. Between

my

> > silly health problems and losing my sister-in-law to progressive

non

> > hodgkins lymphoma it's been taxing. My sister-in-law was my

> > daughters Godmother. Atleast I had a chance to say goodbye to her

> > before she died in August. We only found out she will ill in May

> > when she didn't come to her daughters graduation at U. of P.. No

> > matter what the outcome for me, I'm still thankful for what is

going

> > right in my life. Things could be worse.

> >

> > Allow me to give you some background on my annoying health

problems.

> > First I've always been healthy so it's been a rude awakening to

not

> > have health problems properly dealt with. To make is easier I'll

use

> > dates:

> >

> > 12/19/00 Had D & C for a miscarriage

> >

> > 1/01 Had follow up with obgyn and blood work

> >

> > Also no period and pelvic cramping. Prior to miscarriage I had

been

> > as regular as a clock. Oddly after the D & C I had NO bleeding. I

> > thought this was odd but didn't question it.

> >

> > Numbers:

> >

> > TSH .03 (with a normal range of .35 -

5.50)

> > FSH climbed to 23

> >

> > Question: Is 23 the end of conceiving regardless of other things ?

> > Please be honest with me. I have read 20 is the limit. Or is my

body

> > screwed up and needing time to adjust to normal levels? Later

you'll

> > see that at the time I had a dead fetus in there. Despite my

> > disappoinment with that I am hoping that that caused my FSH to go

up.

> >

> > I was told I was entering menopause and I had to accept it since I

> > did not respond to provera. He also told me that women in their

40's

> > rarely conceive so I was lucky I even conceived. He was not

> > interested in the pelvic cramping. I was told I was " healing "

from

> > the D & C. His jaw dropped when I informed him that I had my

daughter

> > a 42 1/2 with no medical intervention other than a D & C when she

had

> > breathing problems during labor.

> >

> > I had had a previous D & C, bleeding after surgery, regular periods

and

> > no cramping so I was confused. Also my mom didn't enter menopause

> > till her late 50's. Like her mother I had my daughter at 42 1/2

with

> > no trouble. I had read that children late in life tend to move

> > menopause back. He also knew I wanted to conceive again before it

> > was too late. He said I couldn't and repeated that menaapause it

> > different for everyone regardless of when it occurred to others in

> > the family. This phrase bothers me. It's convinetly used to

aovid

> > being specific and to ignore a problem. If relatives started

> > menapause at my age, then he would have said, see, you're

following

> > them with age.

> >

> > Question: Was my FSH affected by the thyroid? Was it raised or

> > lowered by the thyroid problem/fetus still there?

> >

> > Anyway, I'll continue ->

> >

> > 2/20/01 Saw GP since this doctor (OBGYN) was obnoxious and

allowed

> > GP to refer me to an endo. GP set me up for a thyroid scan. The

TSH

> > remained low, thyroid normal in appearance, uptake at 6 hours is

> > 13%, uptake at 23 hours is 22%. Of course more blood work too.

> > Results:

> >

> > TSH .03 (range .40 - 4.20)

> > T4 Free 1.41 (range .70 - 1.50)

> >

> > 3/1/01 Went to the referred endocrinologist by GP to pursue the

> > thyroid. Endo commented that miscarriage could have been caused

by

> > the thyroid problem. He kept asking me if I had hot flashes

because

> > of the FSH and TSH. I assured him I wasn't and since learned that

> > you'd know when they occur.

> >

> > He did blood work too and wanted to see my back in 7/01. I was

> > uncomfortable with him and the pelvic pain became the more

pressing

> > issue. In any event here are the blood work results from him:

> >

> > Total T4 8.5 (range 4.5 - 12.0)

> > T-uptake .77 (range .72 -1.24)

> > Free T4 11.2 (range 5.0 - 12.0

> > Total T3 97 (range 51-165)

> > TSH .01 (range .47 -5.01)

> >

> > Called my cousin in another state because she is an RN and told

her

> > about my pelvic pain and thyroid. She was torn as to where I

should

> > go first but decided I should see her OB. Saw the her OBGYN who

did

> > an internal exam. No problem was noticed. It was pointless.

Next I

> > allowed them to refer me to another endo because of their

bloodwork.

> >

> > 4/20/01 OBGYN did blood work:

> >

> > Estradiol 103 (midcycle)

> > FSH 16.6 (midcycle)

> > LH 10.9 (midcycle)

> > Prog. 2.8 (follicular phase) Odd? Comments?

> > TSH .01 (range .40 5.50)

> >

> > Question: Why is the progesterone so off compared to the other

> > numbers and cycle they are in. Progesterone is in " follicular

cycle "

> > and all the others indicate " midcycle " . Why is progesterone

> > different?

> >

> > T3 uptake 37%

> > T4 Total 8.8 (range 4.5 - 12.9)

> > Free T4 3.3 (range 1.4 - 3.8)

> >

> > 5/4/01 GP ordered more blood work:

> >

> > TSH .03 (range .40 - 4.20)

> > T4 Free 1.4 (range .70 - 1.50)

> >

> > This endo took me seriously for awhile however later all this endo

> > wanted to do was trend me! An ultra sound was ordered as well as

an

> > MRI and you guessed it - more blood work! I was extremely

lethargic

> > and the cramping was worse. Prior to any of this I never had

> > cramping. In fact when I had my daughter I had to ask them what

labor

> > pains were. They said cramping which didn't help me since I never

> > had those problems. Well, I discovered what labor pains were.

> >

> > 5/01 Ultra sound revealed an 8 week mummified fetal pole. Now I

> > understood what the pelvic cramping was all about and lack of a

> > period from after the first " D & C " surgery on 12/19/00. I hadn't

had

> > a period since then and told ovarian failure, hot flashes to

follow -

> > menopause time.

> >

> > Question: Could this be why my FSH was so high earlier on?

> >

> > 6/1/01 Second D & C surgery to remove dead baby. Normal bleeding

> > after 2nd D & C surgery. Normal period later in the month. I have

no

> > idea what this other doctor did on 12/19 as a " D & C " . It was not a

> > new pregnancy and as far as I knew I wasn't having twins prior to

the

> > miscarriage. I suspect he never removed the deceased baby. The

> > first D & C pathology report was vague. The second was clearly

removal.

> >

> > 6/12/01 Endo re-ordered an MRI to look at the pituitary gland

since I

> > had had both the utlra sound an MRI scheduled for the same day and

> > the ultra sound revealed a " pregnancy " no MRI could be done

> > if " pregnant " . The re-scheduled MRI showed that the pituitary

gland

> > was normal but there were lesions in the white matter -

specifically

> > in the per ventricular, the centrum semiovale and the right basal

> > ganglia. Now I understood why my right side would occasionally

lock

> > up but I wasn't bothered that much by it. There is the

possibility

> > of M.S..

> >

> > 7/7/01 Endo blood work results:

> >

> > TSH .01 (range .40 - 5.50)

> > T4 Free 2.89 (range .8 - 1.8)

> > T3 Uptake 42 (range 27.8 - 40.7)

> >

> > 7/13/01 Appt. with Neurologist and nine viles of blood for immune

> > testing. Od things showed there but too much to list. For

example

> > my B-12 was >1200 and the normal range is 131-962, folate 23.2 and

> > the range is 3.0 - 17.0. There are a few more but it will become

to

> > lengthy.

> >

> > 8/24/01 Spinal tap which on later follow up showed abnormal bands

but

> > not sure yet if M.S. or he mentioned Thyroid encephalitis (sp) but

> > because so rare leaned more towards M.S.. YET, abnormality lacks

> > some of the attributes of M.S.. In short, who knows what it is

and

> > I'm not concerned about it. More so curious.

> >

> >

> > 8/27/01 Amenorrhea - 7/01 - 8/30 so made an appt with OBGYN that

> > performed 2nd D & C because of being amenorrhea for the months of

july

> > and August. Results:

> >

> > FSH 2.5 (Follicular)

> > LH 3.4 (Follicular)

> > Prolactin 7 (non pregant 3-30 and postmenopausal 2-20)

> > TSH .01 (range .40 - 5.50)

> > Corrisol Gonh <2 (non pregnant <5 and postmenapausal <10)

> >

> > Question: When there is a choice of post menapausal and not

pregnant,

> > which is one in or both?

> >

> > Later in September I had 2 weeks of mud followed by a normal

> > period. During the month I am sooo sluggish and tired.

> >

> > Endo wanted to do more blood work. I was having random heart

> > palpitations, tremors and hair loss. Normally when I shower I

have

> > to remove hair from the drain once. Now it was up to three times

> > plus amenorrhea again and the OB said this was being caused by the

> > thyroid. Yes, it was turning into a finger pointing contest.

> >

> > 8/4/01 Second MRI which later reflected no significant change.

> >

> > 9/01 Moved records to 3rd Endo. I was annoyed when I read the 2nd

> > endo's file on me. After a month of seeing me she thought I had

> > Hashimoto's. Why then not treat it? She knew I wanted to

conceive

> > again if possible. Instead she continually warned me about

drifting

> > into graves disease. She did offer an RAI and I didn't want

that -

> > so more blood work trending. Anyway the 3rd endo immediately put

me

> > on PTU at 100 mg a day. I also had a period for ~ 3 weeks (Sept).

> > The last week was blood while the other weeks it looked like

mud. I

> > was back to being lethargic but heart palps went away, tremors

were

> > diminishing and hair loss wasn't so bad.

> >

> > 10/30/01 Had blood work done (3rd Endo) and results:

> >

> > TSH .01 (range .40 -5.50)

> > T4 Total 10.9 (range 4.5 - 12.0)

> > T3 Total 229 (range 60 - 181)

> >

> > I've had other blood work done but limit this to thyroid stuff

with

> > FSH concerns. October I was amenorrhea and November I had three

weeks

> > of scanty mud than an normal period. I had the usual tired, run

down

> > attributes as before.

> >

> > I have a follow-up with my endo tomorrow. I was there and said I

had

> > graves disease. I thought I had Hashimoto's. Somtimes I really

> > wonder ... He also said that diet, vitamins and minerals don't

make a

> > difference. Is this true? I've read otherwise but haven't

talked to

> > someone with my problems that has ahd success. Also is a hair

> > analysis the way to go to discover deficiences in vitamins and

> > minerals? If so, is a doctors script required for this or

results to

> > be sent to? Also how reliable is it? Are there other ways of

> > determining this such as through a nutritionalist? DO they ned

> > certification of need to meet liciensing requirement and if so

what

> > are they? Quacks abound out there. If not a nutritionalist, who

can?

> >

> > What I am looking for is what anomalies do you see? What can be

done

> > about them and over all what is going on? How would you treat me

as

> > a patient? Also is my declining and rising FSH due to the

thyroid?

> > I'd like to conceive again but know it is very iffy. If my

thyroid

> > can be fixed and the FSH stabilizes at below 20, is it still

> > possible? Also why is my progesterone so low and cortisol so low?

> > As I view this now, why didn't someone remedy that? At times I

> > wonder about medical professionals.

> >

> > I've also been investigating vitamins/minerals. Any

> > recommendations? I don't know if this helps but I am 5'2 " and 118

> > lbs. I take Centrum Performance. I've been eying Biotin for

> > vertical ridge nails, selenium, magnesium, B complex, Vit E, Omega

> > fatty acids and Zinc. Would taking this be appropriate and if so

> > what dosages?

> >

> > ALL advice and observations are welcome - even if I don't like the

> > answers. Especially on conception. I fear my time is over no

matter

> > how hard I have tried to get well. Is it true or when " normal "

> > will I still have a chance to conceive?

> >

> > I may have missed some blood work stuff but I think you've got the

> > overal picture. If you have questions, don't hold back. I'll

answer

> > them to the best of my ability. Please pardon any missed typos.

I'm

> > so anxious to get advice that may help. Thanks in advance to

anyone

> > who responds.

> >

> > I really need some pep. I've been trying to potty train my

daughter

> > (2 1/2) and feel asleep in a chair next to her during a " big

> > moment " . All I heard was mommy, get down. She was finished and I

> > missed it but praised her when noticed. Hopefully she'll be

trained

> > soon I would so love to give her a sibling but I'm becoming

very

> > pessimistic.

> >

> > Best Regards,

> >

> >

> >

> > All help is wanted and appreciated. Lately I have had little

faith

> > in the medical profession and feeling more and more confused and

> > helpless as time marches on. Thank you in advance to all who may

> > read this and even respond.

[Guest guest]

> Have you checked out www.iincid.org yet? It has a lot of good info

on

> fertility and thyroid (autoimmune diseases really)

>

> Amy D

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> Have you checked out www.iincid.org yet? It has a lot of good info

on

> fertility and thyroid (autoimmune diseases really)

>

> Amy D

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> Have you checked out www.iincid.org yet? It has a lot of good info

on

> fertility and thyroid (autoimmune diseases really)

>

> Amy D

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much for responding. I was going to do a search on you

tonight!

I think I may have been over at ithyorid.com and if it is the one I

am thinking about, I posted my stuff on their bulletin board. If it

is not the same one I will look through everything.

Your supplement results are impressive. My endo seems to be more

concerned with the T3 and FT4 more so than the TSH.

I don't know what my heart rate is or was but my pulse has come down

from the 131. It's now around 80 something. The 131 was prior to

taking PTU.

I will also send Dr. an e-mail and request the hair analysis

kit. It sounds very comprehensive and I especially like the analysis

with recommendations. I will also reconsider Centrum Preformance. I

don't know off hand if it has alot of iodine in it or not.

After reading through all these wonderful replies, I see the TSI

antibodies come up again. I think I was tested for them but not

sure. I have to look into that.

Most likely I won't be able to conceive but there's nothing wrong

with getting yourself in good shape. It's also been interesting what

I have learned. I see I have alot more to learn.

Again, thank you so much! I really appreciate it.

Best Regards,

> Hi -

>

> Glad you found us - hope we can be of help! I think most of us have

been

> frustrated with finally getting the initial diagnosis of Graves'. I

don't

> know that I can be much help for some of your questions, but I am

the

> who Jody's talking about below. I was recently diagnosed

with mild

> GD after my last pregnancy. Incidentally, the development of GD is

common

> after pregnancy (peak time is 4 to 7 months postpartum). Don't know

how that

> info may fit in with your onset of problems. Anyway, I was given

the start

> treatment options, but didn't really want do to any because of the

_lack_ of

> severity of my GD. I did a ton of reading and found an internet

site that

> talks about supplements and dietary changes. I figured, what the

heck? Might

> as well give it a try since all my other options seemed so severe.

The site

> is www.ithyroid.com There are links to some of Elaine's info here

and

> B's (both from this board) success story as well. Give it a look

and see

> what you think. I have been doing about half of the supplements now

for

> almost 4 months. At diagnosis, my FT4 was 1.97 (slightly high) and

my TSH

> was .01. Three months later, after 2 months of supplements, my FT4

has

> dropped to 1.57 (now in normal range) and my TSH is .03. So far the

> supplements are doing something for me - I'm not on any other

medications.

> My heart rate has also dropped from 100 to 80's.

>

> I did get a hair analysis after the first month and found it very

helpful.

> I got my hair analysis from the Dr. recommended on the

> www.ithyroid.com site since there aren't any docs in my area that

do that

> sort of thing. I emailed him at Larry@d... with my address

> information and he mailed the information and kit to send in your

hair

> sample. From what I understand, the lab he uses is preferred

because they

> don't wash the hair in detergents before testing which can alter the

> results - so that's something to consider when getting a hair

analysis. If

> you mention the ithyroid site, it is $100 for the test. It took 2

weeks to

> get the results back. You get a 4-5 page of results back. The main

info is

> contained in 2 pages that gives the different minerals, what your

levels

> were, and range of what normal levels should be. It's all in a

graph type

> format, so you really get a good view of what you're deficient in.

Dr.

> also provides some info on your specific results, what they

mean, and

> what supplements you might want to take, foods you might want to

eat, etc.

> You can take that for what it's worth. I found the mineral levels

most

> helpful.

>

> For the multi you're taking now - the Centrum Performance - I would

look

> around for a different vitamin if I were you. I used to take just

the

> regular Centrum and I know it contains iodine, I'm assuming the

Centrum

> Perf. does too. Hypers like us don't need any more extra iodine -

bad for

> the already overactive thyroid. I'm sure Elaine can explain more

about this.

> A lot of people on this board also try and stay away from too much

shellfish

> and other food sources high in iodine for the same reason. So far,

I haven't

> found a multi that doesn't have iodine (except children's

vitamins!). The

> other supplements you mention are a good start - hold off on the

zinc,

> though. An important one is copper. Copper, iron, and zinc have

dependencies

> on one another, so you might want to take copper before starting

zinc. All

> this is very nicely explained on the ithyroid site and it provided

some

> guideline dosages for each supplement. I recommend starting there

if you are

> serious about trying supplements. Another good tip is to start

slowly to see

> what effect each one has on you.

>

> I'd second Jody's recommendation on getting your TSI antibodies

checked and

> read all you can on GD. In this case, knowledge really is power. Do

> concentrate on your GD, it can cause some serious health problems

if left

> untreated. Can't help much with the fertility issues, but GD can

cause

> problems with fertility. Gave you a lot of info, more than you

wanted

> probably. Hope some of it is helpful!

>

>

>

> Re: New and looking for help with

> Graves/Hashimoto's

>

>

> >Hi ,

> >Welcome to the group. I'm not going to be of much service to you

because I

> >just don't know what to say, except that you have been on one hell

of a

> >roller coaster ride this past year!

> >

> >Regarding the hair analysis, in this group has done this

and you

> >can read her comments by doing a search on the message page under

> >or try hair, but I'm sure she will pop in and be very helpful to

you on

> >this.

> >

> >You can read B's story in the archives also by doing a search

on her.

> >She has been diagnosed with both Hashi's and Graves Disease.

> >

> >I would suggest that you get at least one of the 2 books following,

> >Dr. Ridha (sp?) Arem The Thyroid Solution

> >Elaine Graves Disease; A Practical Guide

> >

> >Both of these books are absolutely great. You can get them both

from

> >Amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com and Elaine's book is discounted

at B and

> >N...plus free shipping when ordering 2 or more books. Elaine is a

member

> of

> >this group also and hopefully she can say something about your

labs.

> >

> >Do you know if you have had a TSI antibody test done? If so what

is it?

> >Also the antibody test for TSH blocking receptors? Are you having

problems

> >with your eyes? Somewhere around message 3700 there is a list of

symptoms

> >for hyperT, hypoT and eye disease, it is a much more extensive

list put

> >together by Terry ding from group with input by many of us.

Not

> >everyone has all of the symptoms, but all of the symptoms are

possible with

> >GD.

> >

> >When I was first diagnosed, I thought I was starting menopause, my

first

> >endo (fired her) told me that GD symptoms very often mimic

menopause and

> >that is why GD is often misdiagnosed.

> >

> >I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful, just tell you keep reading,

keep

> >asking questions and please hang in here. This disease can be a

real trip

> >on its own, but add all the stress you have had on top of it and

it has to

> >have been so hard for you. I am so sorry about the losses you

have had

> this

> >past year.

> >

> >Take care and again, welcome,

> >Jody

> >

> >_________________________________________________________________

> >Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at

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

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Thank you for educating me. My head is swiming with all the help

provided. When I feel especially frustrated or low I think of others

who have it far worse than me and then I realize how fortunate I am.

Sometimes we don't always get what we want and instead our needs are

satisfied.

I had wanted to go through the phone book last night to look up the

repr-endo but couldn't tare myself away from the website

recommended. All have been very good. From what I have read, it

really doesn't look promising for me.

Still, till the numbers come in I'd like to remain optimistic. Even

with the low TSH .01, one group says when measuring the FSH at that

time:

" For the treatment of infertility related to anovulation or

oligoovulation, clomiphene citrate (CC, Clomid) is the initial

treatment. "

" Before initiating therapy with CC, hypothyroidism,

hyperprolactinemia, and adrenal hyperplasia should be excluded. CC is

a weak synthetic estrogen which induces ovulation by blocking

estrogen receptors in the hypothalamus, causing the pituitary gland

to increase levels of LH and FSH. "

Excerpt from:

http://www.medical-

library.org/journals/secure/gynecol/secure/infertility.htm

So if the FSH is elevated I will still hope that I have a shot. With

my luck though, I'll stablize and be having hot flashes when my

TSH is in a normal range.

I really got caught up in the vitamin and mineral supplements. It

can't hurt trying this. I have everything to gain, even if

conception can no longer happen.

Thank you for your concern. I can't really talk to others about

this. My neighbor is pregnant, due 12/14 and others my age are

working and through with kids. So, I'm in this odd situation. Oh,

the medical profession raises their eyebrow and humors me while

looking for ways to gently lower my expectations. I suppose I'm just

being stubborn and slowly adjusting to reality of where I am.

Best Regards,

> Hi -

>

> That is heartbreaking about your sister-in-law! But about her 5

year old

> daughter-I can't even imagine the pain she must have gone through.

Oh that

> poor baby girl!

>

> We live in Fresno and don't have access to the best in infertility

medicine

> here. I do have a very helpful fertility specialist though. He

would never

> dream of telling me I couldn't come in for a blood test on a

Sunday. He's

> available at almost all times and has the best success rates in our

area.

> That said, he's not a reproductive endocrinologist.

>

> The REs I've read about do their residency in OB/GYN and then time

> concentrating on reproductive endocrinology. They can then be board

> certified as REs. A regular endocrinologist does the same kind of

thing

> almost. An endocrinologist does his/her residency in Internal

Medicine and

> then spends time concentrating on endocrinology (I forget how much

but I

> think it's another few years). They can then be board certified as

> endocrinologists. Anyhow, if you could go to a real RE it would be

ideal.

> You can find a reference in your area (most big cities have them)

at the

> INCIID site.

>

> I hope you're able to find someone to help you. The despair and

longing for

> children can be overwhelming especially when we don't have much

time left.

> I had the same longing the first time I tried to get pregnant when

I was 30

> but it's much more intense this time. It makes me almost frenetic

> sometimes.

>

> Take care,

>

>

>

>

> > I'm very sorry to hear about your miscarrige. After three years

of

> > trying, becoming pregnant, that is a severe let down. Even still

you

> > have a goof ovarian reserve. I hope the next one will be

successful.

> >

> > It's along story but I had my FHS and estradoil (sp) tested on

Sat.

> > at day 2 since day 3 was a sunday. It's a long story how I

managed

> > this since I was told by one doctor that it would be accurate

because

> > of the .01 TSH. Maybe it won't be but I wanted to know somehing

of

> > where I was. The infertility RN didn't want to do it till the TSH

> > was in the normal range. I think the results should be available

> > wednesay.

> >

> > I will check out that infertility site. I know because of my age

> > conception is not in my favor but compelled to make certain. I'm

> > curious as to how the FSH declines per month. Whether it is fast

or

> > slow at my age. I know I don't have alot of time left and have no

> > idea on my reserve. I'm only hoping that since my daughter was

born

> > at 42 1/2 I might be lucky. I did have a miscarriage before her

> > birth the previous year. All these miscarriages and my age aren't

> > good signs.

> >

> > Is the difference beween a reproductive endo and a general endo

the

> > idea that infertility and endo problems are viewed together? If

so,

> > I may need to try one. I think we have one hereeee but not sure.

> >

> > You'll have to laugh at this. The doctor that did the " D & C " last

> > Decemebr was an OBGYN and a fertiloity specialist. I'm afraid if

> > this doctor can't properly do a D & C, I'd have no faith in any

> > fertility work. Taht really shocked me to have a doctor despite my

> > pelvin cramping dismiss me and never consider that maybe something

> > went wrong with the D & C. They had an ultr sound machine there.

It

> > wouldn't have been a big deal. Humbling maybe when the results

were

> > viewed but you know, I wouldn't have been so angry if the problem

was

> > isolated and handled properly by the doctor that made the mistake.

> >

> > COnsider yourself lucky. I have no doubt that your husband will

help

> > you see the good ones and not waste time. Some of them out there

have

> > no business in the medical profession. I didn't know that till

now.

> > I've always been healthy ... except for when little I always had

> > strept throats. They wanted to take my tonsils out and I wouldn't

> > allow it. Now they aren't so wuick to take them out.

> >

> > Well, however things turn out, I will be grateful that I am

around to

> > raise my daughter. I have to remind myself that I have been

> > fortunate.

> >

> > My sister-in-law was only 46 when progressive non hodgkins

lymphoma

> > devoured her. She left behind a daughter 22 and a son 12. She had

> > another daughter after the one that was 22 and she died at age 5

of

> > internal bleeding. They never figured out what caused it. She

came

> > home from school feeling " sick " . Asked to be excused from the

dinner

> > table to lie down. Later Clara (sister-in-law checked her and she

> > had a life threatening high fever so they took her to the

emergency

> > room. The last words to her mom were, " mommy I'm scared " and went

> > into a comma. I can't imagine how painful that was and there was

> > nothing they could do. They tried everything but nothing worked.

So,

> > I know things could be alot worse.

> >

> > Thank you for your reply. I really appreciate it.

> >

> > Best Regards,

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Thank you again. I was there as well as other places on the web. I

didn't get to bed till 2PM! There is so much to absorb. Now as I

look through it again tonight I'll try to orgnaize it in my mind and

make some notes.

Thank you for your help!

Best Regards,

> Have you checked out www.iincid.org yet? It has a lot of good info

on

> fertility and thyroid (autoimmune diseases really)

>

> Amy D

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you again. I was there as well as other places on the web. I

didn't get to bed till 2PM! There is so much to absorb. Now as I

look through it again tonight I'll try to orgnaize it in my mind and

make some notes.

Thank you for your help!

Best Regards,

> Have you checked out www.iincid.org yet? It has a lot of good info

on

> fertility and thyroid (autoimmune diseases really)

>

> Amy D

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you again. I was there as well as other places on the web. I

didn't get to bed till 2PM! There is so much to absorb. Now as I

look through it again tonight I'll try to orgnaize it in my mind and

make some notes.

Thank you for your help!

Best Regards,

> Have you checked out www.iincid.org yet? It has a lot of good info

on

> fertility and thyroid (autoimmune diseases really)

>

> Amy D

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

A big thank you to you! I read through alot of what was at the

http://www.inciid.org. It was very useful. I've been all over the

web. I feel like I'm Custar making his last stand or something. The

odds don't favor me but I'll pursue it till the numbers confirm it.

I forgot ... about insurance well, we don't have such a good plan.

If I don't use their doctors it's 80%. As for infertility, I doubt

they cover it since their compilation of doctors doesn't allow for an

infertility specialist. As fate would have it, my GP and Neurologist

are not in theie list. So, it's 80% on us.

The last neurologist bill was alittle less than 7K. I nearly fainted

when I saw that. Still in my area, the University of Pa. is noted for

their expertise in neurological problems. I'd rather bite the bullet

and have them eventually diagnose me and then switch to a insurance

covered doctor. It's a hassle going there since we live in north

NJ. The only one covered is my endo at 100%.

In the past I'd switch doctors to accomodate the plan and was

disappointed each time. So, now we just pay the additional amount.

Also I prefer the rapport and sense of continuity with one doctor who

knows you as a person and your history.

When pregnant with my daughter I sought treatment with a group that

was all women. It was like a mill. I had a different one each time.

They barely read where the other left off and missed a few things

like the glucose test was taken in my 35th week, tested positive and

then I had to go for the other test that tests it every half hour and

that turned out ot be negative.

It was too rushed and worse yet, another doctor unrelated to the

practice was assigned to me for delivery. I don't know what the

point was having me see all these doctors in the group when the big

moment happened none showed up and they knew about it too. This is

not a doctor that I would have seen for a problem. But, you just

have to make the best of it.

This is another reason why I stay with my GP and current neurologist

and endo. I don't like being treated like a piece of furniture. I

find it unsettling. Afterwards I found about about another doctor

that does see one patient through the entire pregnancy. The only

reason she might not be available is illness or vacation and you are

introduced to the other doctor. If I'm very lucky, I'd sign up with

that doctor.

As I find out more, I'll post it. Thank you again.

Best Regards,

> Hi -

>

> I've been dealing with infertility for years. I just had a

miscarriage (and

> D & C) after 3 years of trying.

>

> To my knowledge, they are concerned with a Day 3 FSH of 10 or

above. If

> your FSH levels weren't measured on that day, it can't really be

used as a

> gauge.

>

> Just as a comfort, I had RAI at 24 (I'm 39 now) and it has never

helped me

> to conceive. I started trying to have a child when I was almost

30. I

> wasn't able to conceive til I was 32 with the help of fertility

drugs and

> had my baby when I just turned 33. This time, I've been trying to

conceive

> since I was 36. I got pregnant in Sept. then miscarried in Nov.

My ovarian

> reserve is fine so they can't really figure out what the problem is

(I also

> have a bunch of old gals that can have babies in my family).

>

> I don't know about thyroid levels affecting FSH levels but it makes

sense

> that they could. Thyroid levels affect every cell there is which,

in turn,

> probably affects any hormones that they might make.

>

> An excellent site for infertility is at http://www.inciid.org. It

has

> helped me tremendously. And also if you want to know more about

ovarian

> reserve testing (they test FSH on day 3, start Clomid, then test

you again

> on day 10), I'd be happy to talk to you privately about it. They

use it to

> determine if you have enough eggs left which increases your chances

of

> becoming pregnant even if you are older. Generally though,

fertility drops

> at 30, it drops more sharply at 35 then really plummets at 40.

There are

> many cases though of women having successful pregnancies past 40 as

you can

> attest to. Really, it depends on the patient.

>

> Are you seeing a fertility specialist? If at all possible you

should see a

> reproductive endocrinologist (RE). I would in a heartbeat if we

had a

> clinic around here. So I see an OB/GYN who specializes in

infertility. He

> has good success rates with infertility in general but I worry

since he

> doesn't have much experience with endocrine disorders and

infertility. At

> this age though, I'm considering being really aggressive and going

to L.A.

> or S.F. to an RE. My insurance covers 50% for infertility but none

when we

> go out of the area. Since my miscarriage and D & C were only 3 weeks

ago, I

> have a little time to decide.

>

> I know the despair you speak of. After all these years and

everybody having

> different ideas of what's wrong, I've also lost confidence in the

medical

> field (and I'm married to a physician). While they argue and try

to decide,

> I keep getting older. It's enough to make you cry because by the

time they

> figure it out, I'll be too old.

>

> Take care,

>

>

>

>

> > I hope you can help me. It's been an unbelievable year. Between

my

> > silly health problems and losing my sister-in-law to progressive

non

> > hodgkins lymphoma it's been taxing. My sister-in-law was my

> > daughters Godmother. Atleast I had a chance to say goodbye to her

> > before she died in August. We only found out she will ill in May

> > when she didn't come to her daughters graduation at U. of P.. No

> > matter what the outcome for me, I'm still thankful for what is

going

> > right in my life. Things could be worse.

> >

> > Allow me to give you some background on my annoying health

problems.

> > First I've always been healthy so it's been a rude awakening to

not

> > have health problems properly dealt with. To make is easier I'll

use

> > dates:

> >

> > 12/19/00 Had D & C for a miscarriage

> >

> > 1/01 Had follow up with obgyn and blood work

> >

> > Also no period and pelvic cramping. Prior to miscarriage I had

been

> > as regular as a clock. Oddly after the D & C I had NO bleeding. I

> > thought this was odd but didn't question it.

> >

> > Numbers:

> >

> > TSH .03 (with a normal range of .35 -

5.50)

> > FSH climbed to 23

> >

> > Question: Is 23 the end of conceiving regardless of other things ?

> > Please be honest with me. I have read 20 is the limit. Or is my

body

> > screwed up and needing time to adjust to normal levels? Later

you'll

> > see that at the time I had a dead fetus in there. Despite my

> > disappoinment with that I am hoping that that caused my FSH to go

up.

> >

> > I was told I was entering menopause and I had to accept it since I

> > did not respond to provera. He also told me that women in their

40's

> > rarely conceive so I was lucky I even conceived. He was not

> > interested in the pelvic cramping. I was told I was " healing "

from

> > the D & C. His jaw dropped when I informed him that I had my

daughter

> > a 42 1/2 with no medical intervention other than a D & C when she

had

> > breathing problems during labor.

> >

> > I had had a previous D & C, bleeding after surgery, regular periods

and

> > no cramping so I was confused. Also my mom didn't enter menopause

> > till her late 50's. Like her mother I had my daughter at 42 1/2

with

> > no trouble. I had read that children late in life tend to move

> > menopause back. He also knew I wanted to conceive again before it

> > was too late. He said I couldn't and repeated that menaapause it

> > different for everyone regardless of when it occurred to others in

> > the family. This phrase bothers me. It's convinetly used to

aovid

> > being specific and to ignore a problem. If relatives started

> > menapause at my age, then he would have said, see, you're

following

> > them with age.

> >

> > Question: Was my FSH affected by the thyroid? Was it raised or

> > lowered by the thyroid problem/fetus still there?

> >

> > Anyway, I'll continue ->

> >

> > 2/20/01 Saw GP since this doctor (OBGYN) was obnoxious and

allowed

> > GP to refer me to an endo. GP set me up for a thyroid scan. The

TSH

> > remained low, thyroid normal in appearance, uptake at 6 hours is

> > 13%, uptake at 23 hours is 22%. Of course more blood work too.

> > Results:

> >

> > TSH .03 (range .40 - 4.20)

> > T4 Free 1.41 (range .70 - 1.50)

> >

> > 3/1/01 Went to the referred endocrinologist by GP to pursue the

> > thyroid. Endo commented that miscarriage could have been caused

by

> > the thyroid problem. He kept asking me if I had hot flashes

because

> > of the FSH and TSH. I assured him I wasn't and since learned that

> > you'd know when they occur.

> >

> > He did blood work too and wanted to see my back in 7/01. I was

> > uncomfortable with him and the pelvic pain became the more

pressing

> > issue. In any event here are the blood work results from him:

> >

> > Total T4 8.5 (range 4.5 - 12.0)

> > T-uptake .77 (range .72 -1.24)

> > Free T4 11.2 (range 5.0 - 12.0

> > Total T3 97 (range 51-165)

> > TSH .01 (range .47 -5.01)

> >

> > Called my cousin in another state because she is an RN and told

her

> > about my pelvic pain and thyroid. She was torn as to where I

should

> > go first but decided I should see her OB. Saw the her OBGYN who

did

> > an internal exam. No problem was noticed. It was pointless.

Next I

> > allowed them to refer me to another endo because of their

bloodwork.

> >

> > 4/20/01 OBGYN did blood work:

> >

> > Estradiol 103 (midcycle)

> > FSH 16.6 (midcycle)

> > LH 10.9 (midcycle)

> > Prog. 2.8 (follicular phase) Odd? Comments?

> > TSH .01 (range .40 5.50)

> >

> > Question: Why is the progesterone so off compared to the other

> > numbers and cycle they are in. Progesterone is in " follicular

cycle "

> > and all the others indicate " midcycle " . Why is progesterone

> > different?

> >

> > T3 uptake 37%

> > T4 Total 8.8 (range 4.5 - 12.9)

> > Free T4 3.3 (range 1.4 - 3.8)

> >

> > 5/4/01 GP ordered more blood work:

> >

> > TSH .03 (range .40 - 4.20)

> > T4 Free 1.4 (range .70 - 1.50)

> >

> > This endo took me seriously for awhile however later all this endo

> > wanted to do was trend me! An ultra sound was ordered as well as

an

> > MRI and you guessed it - more blood work! I was extremely

lethargic

> > and the cramping was worse. Prior to any of this I never had

> > cramping. In fact when I had my daughter I had to ask them what

labor

> > pains were. They said cramping which didn't help me since I never

> > had those problems. Well, I discovered what labor pains were.

> >

> > 5/01 Ultra sound revealed an 8 week mummified fetal pole. Now I

> > understood what the pelvic cramping was all about and lack of a

> > period from after the first " D & C " surgery on 12/19/00. I hadn't

had

> > a period since then and told ovarian failure, hot flashes to

follow -

> > menopause time.

> >

> > Question: Could this be why my FSH was so high earlier on?

> >

> > 6/1/01 Second D & C surgery to remove dead baby. Normal bleeding

> > after 2nd D & C surgery. Normal period later in the month. I have

no

> > idea what this other doctor did on 12/19 as a " D & C " . It was not a

> > new pregnancy and as far as I knew I wasn't having twins prior to

the

> > miscarriage. I suspect he never removed the deceased baby. The

> > first D & C pathology report was vague. The second was clearly

removal.

> >

> > 6/12/01 Endo re-ordered an MRI to look at the pituitary gland

since I

> > had had both the utlra sound an MRI scheduled for the same day and

> > the ultra sound revealed a " pregnancy " no MRI could be done

> > if " pregnant " . The re-scheduled MRI showed that the pituitary

gland

> > was normal but there were lesions in the white matter -

specifically

> > in the per ventricular, the centrum semiovale and the right basal

> > ganglia. Now I understood why my right side would occasionally

lock

> > up but I wasn't bothered that much by it. There is the

possibility

> > of M.S..

> >

> > 7/7/01 Endo blood work results:

> >

> > TSH .01 (range .40 - 5.50)

> > T4 Free 2.89 (range .8 - 1.8)

> > T3 Uptake 42 (range 27.8 - 40.7)

> >

> > 7/13/01 Appt. with Neurologist and nine viles of blood for immune

> > testing. Od things showed there but too much to list. For

example

> > my B-12 was >1200 and the normal range is 131-962, folate 23.2 and

> > the range is 3.0 - 17.0. There are a few more but it will become

to

> > lengthy.

> >

> > 8/24/01 Spinal tap which on later follow up showed abnormal bands

but

> > not sure yet if M.S. or he mentioned Thyroid encephalitis (sp) but

> > because so rare leaned more towards M.S.. YET, abnormality lacks

> > some of the attributes of M.S.. In short, who knows what it is

and

> > I'm not concerned about it. More so curious.

> >

> >

> > 8/27/01 Amenorrhea - 7/01 - 8/30 so made an appt with OBGYN that

> > performed 2nd D & C because of being amenorrhea for the months of

july

> > and August. Results:

> >

> > FSH 2.5 (Follicular)

> > LH 3.4 (Follicular)

> > Prolactin 7 (non pregant 3-30 and postmenopausal 2-20)

> > TSH .01 (range .40 - 5.50)

> > Corrisol Gonh <2 (non pregnant <5 and postmenapausal <10)

> >

> > Question: When there is a choice of post menapausal and not

pregnant,

> > which is one in or both?

> >

> > Later in September I had 2 weeks of mud followed by a normal

> > period. During the month I am sooo sluggish and tired.

> >

> > Endo wanted to do more blood work. I was having random heart

> > palpitations, tremors and hair loss. Normally when I shower I

have

> > to remove hair from the drain once. Now it was up to three times

> > plus amenorrhea again and the OB said this was being caused by the

> > thyroid. Yes, it was turning into a finger pointing contest.

> >

> > 8/4/01 Second MRI which later reflected no significant change.

> >

> > 9/01 Moved records to 3rd Endo. I was annoyed when I read the 2nd

> > endo's file on me. After a month of seeing me she thought I had

> > Hashimoto's. Why then not treat it? She knew I wanted to

conceive

> > again if possible. Instead she continually warned me about

drifting

> > into graves disease. She did offer an RAI and I didn't want

that -

> > so more blood work trending. Anyway the 3rd endo immediately put

me

> > on PTU at 100 mg a day. I also had a period for ~ 3 weeks (Sept).

> > The last week was blood while the other weeks it looked like

mud. I

> > was back to being lethargic but heart palps went away, tremors

were

> > diminishing and hair loss wasn't so bad.

> >

> > 10/30/01 Had blood work done (3rd Endo) and results:

> >

> > TSH .01 (range .40 -5.50)

> > T4 Total 10.9 (range 4.5 - 12.0)

> > T3 Total 229 (range 60 - 181)

> >

> > I've had other blood work done but limit this to thyroid stuff

with

> > FSH concerns. October I was amenorrhea and November I had three

weeks

> > of scanty mud than an normal period. I had the usual tired, run

down

> > attributes as before.

> >

> > I have a follow-up with my endo tomorrow. I was there and said I

had

> > graves disease. I thought I had Hashimoto's. Somtimes I really

> > wonder ... He also said that diet, vitamins and minerals don't

make a

> > difference. Is this true? I've read otherwise but haven't

talked to

> > someone with my problems that has ahd success. Also is a hair

> > analysis the way to go to discover deficiences in vitamins and

> > minerals? If so, is a doctors script required for this or

results to

> > be sent to? Also how reliable is it? Are there other ways of

> > determining this such as through a nutritionalist? DO they ned

> > certification of need to meet liciensing requirement and if so

what

> > are they? Quacks abound out there. If not a nutritionalist, who

can?

> >

> > What I am looking for is what anomalies do you see? What can be

done

> > about them and over all what is going on? How would you treat me

as

> > a patient? Also is my declining and rising FSH due to the

thyroid?

> > I'd like to conceive again but know it is very iffy. If my

thyroid

> > can be fixed and the FSH stabilizes at below 20, is it still

> > possible? Also why is my progesterone so low and cortisol so low?

> > As I view this now, why didn't someone remedy that? At times I

> > wonder about medical professionals.

> >

> > I've also been investigating vitamins/minerals. Any

> > recommendations? I don't know if this helps but I am 5'2 " and 118

> > lbs. I take Centrum Performance. I've been eying Biotin for

> > vertical ridge nails, selenium, magnesium, B complex, Vit E, Omega

> > fatty acids and Zinc. Would taking this be appropriate and if so

> > what dosages?

> >

> > ALL advice and observations are welcome - even if I don't like the

> > answers. Especially on conception. I fear my time is over no

matter

> > how hard I have tried to get well. Is it true or when " normal "

> > will I still have a chance to conceive?

> >

> > I may have missed some blood work stuff but I think you've got the

> > overal picture. If you have questions, don't hold back. I'll

answer

> > them to the best of my ability. Please pardon any missed typos.

I'm

> > so anxious to get advice that may help. Thanks in advance to

anyone

> > who responds.

> >

> > I really need some pep. I've been trying to potty train my

daughter

> > (2 1/2) and feel asleep in a chair next to her during a " big

> > moment " . All I heard was mommy, get down. She was finished and I

> > missed it but praised her when noticed. Hopefully she'll be

trained

> > soon I would so love to give her a sibling but I'm becoming

very

> > pessimistic.

> >

> > Best Regards,

> >

> >

> >

> > All help is wanted and appreciated. Lately I have had little

faith

> > in the medical profession and feeling more and more confused and

> > helpless as time marches on. Thank you in advance to all who may

> > read this and even respond.

[Guest guest]

A big thank you to you! I read through alot of what was at the

http://www.inciid.org. It was very useful. I've been all over the

web. I feel like I'm Custar making his last stand or something. The

odds don't favor me but I'll pursue it till the numbers confirm it.

I forgot ... about insurance well, we don't have such a good plan.

If I don't use their doctors it's 80%. As for infertility, I doubt

they cover it since their compilation of doctors doesn't allow for an

infertility specialist. As fate would have it, my GP and Neurologist

are not in theie list. So, it's 80% on us.

The last neurologist bill was alittle less than 7K. I nearly fainted

when I saw that. Still in my area, the University of Pa. is noted for

their expertise in neurological problems. I'd rather bite the bullet

and have them eventually diagnose me and then switch to a insurance

covered doctor. It's a hassle going there since we live in north

NJ. The only one covered is my endo at 100%.

In the past I'd switch doctors to accomodate the plan and was

disappointed each time. So, now we just pay the additional amount.

Also I prefer the rapport and sense of continuity with one doctor who

knows you as a person and your history.

When pregnant with my daughter I sought treatment with a group that

was all women. It was like a mill. I had a different one each time.

They barely read where the other left off and missed a few things

like the glucose test was taken in my 35th week, tested positive and

then I had to go for the other test that tests it every half hour and

that turned out ot be negative.

It was too rushed and worse yet, another doctor unrelated to the

practice was assigned to me for delivery. I don't know what the

point was having me see all these doctors in the group when the big

moment happened none showed up and they knew about it too. This is

not a doctor that I would have seen for a problem. But, you just

have to make the best of it.

This is another reason why I stay with my GP and current neurologist

and endo. I don't like being treated like a piece of furniture. I

find it unsettling. Afterwards I found about about another doctor

that does see one patient through the entire pregnancy. The only

reason she might not be available is illness or vacation and you are

introduced to the other doctor. If I'm very lucky, I'd sign up with

that doctor.

As I find out more, I'll post it. Thank you again.

Best Regards,

> Hi -

>

> I've been dealing with infertility for years. I just had a

miscarriage (and

> D & C) after 3 years of trying.

>

> To my knowledge, they are concerned with a Day 3 FSH of 10 or

above. If

> your FSH levels weren't measured on that day, it can't really be

used as a

> gauge.

>

> Just as a comfort, I had RAI at 24 (I'm 39 now) and it has never

helped me

> to conceive. I started trying to have a child when I was almost

30. I

> wasn't able to conceive til I was 32 with the help of fertility

drugs and

> had my baby when I just turned 33. This time, I've been trying to

conceive

> since I was 36. I got pregnant in Sept. then miscarried in Nov.

My ovarian

> reserve is fine so they can't really figure out what the problem is

(I also

> have a bunch of old gals that can have babies in my family).

>

> I don't know about thyroid levels affecting FSH levels but it makes

sense

> that they could. Thyroid levels affect every cell there is which,

in turn,

> probably affects any hormones that they might make.

>

> An excellent site for infertility is at http://www.inciid.org. It

has

> helped me tremendously. And also if you want to know more about

ovarian

> reserve testing (they test FSH on day 3, start Clomid, then test

you again

> on day 10), I'd be happy to talk to you privately about it. They

use it to

> determine if you have enough eggs left which increases your chances

of

> becoming pregnant even if you are older. Generally though,

fertility drops

> at 30, it drops more sharply at 35 then really plummets at 40.

There are

> many cases though of women having successful pregnancies past 40 as

you can

> attest to. Really, it depends on the patient.

>

> Are you seeing a fertility specialist? If at all possible you

should see a

> reproductive endocrinologist (RE). I would in a heartbeat if we

had a

> clinic around here. So I see an OB/GYN who specializes in

infertility. He

> has good success rates with infertility in general but I worry

since he

> doesn't have much experience with endocrine disorders and

infertility. At

> this age though, I'm considering being really aggressive and going

to L.A.

> or S.F. to an RE. My insurance covers 50% for infertility but none

when we

> go out of the area. Since my miscarriage and D & C were only 3 weeks

ago, I

> have a little time to decide.

>

> I know the despair you speak of. After all these years and

everybody having

> different ideas of what's wrong, I've also lost confidence in the

medical

> field (and I'm married to a physician). While they argue and try

to decide,

> I keep getting older. It's enough to make you cry because by the

time they

> figure it out, I'll be too old.

>

> Take care,

>

>

>

>

> > I hope you can help me. It's been an unbelievable year. Between

my

> > silly health problems and losing my sister-in-law to progressive

non

> > hodgkins lymphoma it's been taxing. My sister-in-law was my

> > daughters Godmother. Atleast I had a chance to say goodbye to her

> > before she died in August. We only found out she will ill in May

> > when she didn't come to her daughters graduation at U. of P.. No

> > matter what the outcome for me, I'm still thankful for what is

going

> > right in my life. Things could be worse.

> >

> > Allow me to give you some background on my annoying health

problems.

> > First I've always been healthy so it's been a rude awakening to

not

> > have health problems properly dealt with. To make is easier I'll

use

> > dates:

> >

> > 12/19/00 Had D & C for a miscarriage

> >

> > 1/01 Had follow up with obgyn and blood work

> >

> > Also no period and pelvic cramping. Prior to miscarriage I had

been

> > as regular as a clock. Oddly after the D & C I had NO bleeding. I

> > thought this was odd but didn't question it.

> >

> > Numbers:

> >

> > TSH .03 (with a normal range of .35 -

5.50)

> > FSH climbed to 23

> >

> > Question: Is 23 the end of conceiving regardless of other things ?

> > Please be honest with me. I have read 20 is the limit. Or is my

body

> > screwed up and needing time to adjust to normal levels? Later

you'll

> > see that at the time I had a dead fetus in there. Despite my

> > disappoinment with that I am hoping that that caused my FSH to go

up.

> >

> > I was told I was entering menopause and I had to accept it since I

> > did not respond to provera. He also told me that women in their

40's

> > rarely conceive so I was lucky I even conceived. He was not

> > interested in the pelvic cramping. I was told I was " healing "

from

> > the D & C. His jaw dropped when I informed him that I had my

daughter

> > a 42 1/2 with no medical intervention other than a D & C when she

had

> > breathing problems during labor.

> >

> > I had had a previous D & C, bleeding after surgery, regular periods

and

> > no cramping so I was confused. Also my mom didn't enter menopause

> > till her late 50's. Like her mother I had my daughter at 42 1/2

with

> > no trouble. I had read that children late in life tend to move

> > menopause back. He also knew I wanted to conceive again before it

> > was too late. He said I couldn't and repeated that menaapause it

> > different for everyone regardless of when it occurred to others in

> > the family. This phrase bothers me. It's convinetly used to

aovid

> > being specific and to ignore a problem. If relatives started

> > menapause at my age, then he would have said, see, you're

following

> > them with age.

> >

> > Question: Was my FSH affected by the thyroid? Was it raised or

> > lowered by the thyroid problem/fetus still there?

> >

> > Anyway, I'll continue ->

> >

> > 2/20/01 Saw GP since this doctor (OBGYN) was obnoxious and

allowed

> > GP to refer me to an endo. GP set me up for a thyroid scan. The

TSH

> > remained low, thyroid normal in appearance, uptake at 6 hours is

> > 13%, uptake at 23 hours is 22%. Of course more blood work too.

> > Results:

> >

> > TSH .03 (range .40 - 4.20)

> > T4 Free 1.41 (range .70 - 1.50)

> >

> > 3/1/01 Went to the referred endocrinologist by GP to pursue the

> > thyroid. Endo commented that miscarriage could have been caused

by

> > the thyroid problem. He kept asking me if I had hot flashes

because

> > of the FSH and TSH. I assured him I wasn't and since learned that

> > you'd know when they occur.

> >

> > He did blood work too and wanted to see my back in 7/01. I was

> > uncomfortable with him and the pelvic pain became the more

pressing

> > issue. In any event here are the blood work results from him:

> >

> > Total T4 8.5 (range 4.5 - 12.0)

> > T-uptake .77 (range .72 -1.24)

> > Free T4 11.2 (range 5.0 - 12.0

> > Total T3 97 (range 51-165)

> > TSH .01 (range .47 -5.01)

> >

> > Called my cousin in another state because she is an RN and told

her

> > about my pelvic pain and thyroid. She was torn as to where I

should

> > go first but decided I should see her OB. Saw the her OBGYN who

did

> > an internal exam. No problem was noticed. It was pointless.

Next I

> > allowed them to refer me to another endo because of their

bloodwork.

> >

> > 4/20/01 OBGYN did blood work:

> >

> > Estradiol 103 (midcycle)

> > FSH 16.6 (midcycle)

> > LH 10.9 (midcycle)

> > Prog. 2.8 (follicular phase) Odd? Comments?

> > TSH .01 (range .40 5.50)

> >

> > Question: Why is the progesterone so off compared to the other

> > numbers and cycle they are in. Progesterone is in " follicular

cycle "

> > and all the others indicate " midcycle " . Why is progesterone

> > different?

> >

> > T3 uptake 37%

> > T4 Total 8.8 (range 4.5 - 12.9)

> > Free T4 3.3 (range 1.4 - 3.8)

> >

> > 5/4/01 GP ordered more blood work:

> >

> > TSH .03 (range .40 - 4.20)

> > T4 Free 1.4 (range .70 - 1.50)

> >

> > This endo took me seriously for awhile however later all this endo

> > wanted to do was trend me! An ultra sound was ordered as well as

an

> > MRI and you guessed it - more blood work! I was extremely

lethargic

> > and the cramping was worse. Prior to any of this I never had

> > cramping. In fact when I had my daughter I had to ask them what

labor

> > pains were. They said cramping which didn't help me since I never

> > had those problems. Well, I discovered what labor pains were.

> >

> > 5/01 Ultra sound revealed an 8 week mummified fetal pole. Now I

> > understood what the pelvic cramping was all about and lack of a

> > period from after the first " D & C " surgery on 12/19/00. I hadn't

had

> > a period since then and told ovarian failure, hot flashes to

follow -

> > menopause time.

> >

> > Question: Could this be why my FSH was so high earlier on?

> >

> > 6/1/01 Second D & C surgery to remove dead baby. Normal bleeding

> > after 2nd D & C surgery. Normal period later in the month. I have

no

> > idea what this other doctor did on 12/19 as a " D & C " . It was not a

> > new pregnancy and as far as I knew I wasn't having twins prior to

the

> > miscarriage. I suspect he never removed the deceased baby. The

> > first D & C pathology report was vague. The second was clearly

removal.

> >

> > 6/12/01 Endo re-ordered an MRI to look at the pituitary gland

since I

> > had had both the utlra sound an MRI scheduled for the same day and

> > the ultra sound revealed a " pregnancy " no MRI could be done

> > if " pregnant " . The re-scheduled MRI showed that the pituitary

gland

> > was normal but there were lesions in the white matter -

specifically

> > in the per ventricular, the centrum semiovale and the right basal

> > ganglia. Now I understood why my right side would occasionally

lock

> > up but I wasn't bothered that much by it. There is the

possibility

> > of M.S..

> >

> > 7/7/01 Endo blood work results:

> >

> > TSH .01 (range .40 - 5.50)

> > T4 Free 2.89 (range .8 - 1.8)

> > T3 Uptake 42 (range 27.8 - 40.7)

> >

> > 7/13/01 Appt. with Neurologist and nine viles of blood for immune

> > testing. Od things showed there but too much to list. For

example

> > my B-12 was >1200 and the normal range is 131-962, folate 23.2 and

> > the range is 3.0 - 17.0. There are a few more but it will become

to

> > lengthy.

> >

> > 8/24/01 Spinal tap which on later follow up showed abnormal bands

but

> > not sure yet if M.S. or he mentioned Thyroid encephalitis (sp) but

> > because so rare leaned more towards M.S.. YET, abnormality lacks

> > some of the attributes of M.S.. In short, who knows what it is

and

> > I'm not concerned about it. More so curious.

> >

> >

> > 8/27/01 Amenorrhea - 7/01 - 8/30 so made an appt with OBGYN that

> > performed 2nd D & C because of being amenorrhea for the months of

july

> > and August. Results:

> >

> > FSH 2.5 (Follicular)

> > LH 3.4 (Follicular)

> > Prolactin 7 (non pregant 3-30 and postmenopausal 2-20)

> > TSH .01 (range .40 - 5.50)

> > Corrisol Gonh <2 (non pregnant <5 and postmenapausal <10)

> >

> > Question: When there is a choice of post menapausal and not

pregnant,

> > which is one in or both?

> >

> > Later in September I had 2 weeks of mud followed by a normal

> > period. During the month I am sooo sluggish and tired.

> >

> > Endo wanted to do more blood work. I was having random heart

> > palpitations, tremors and hair loss. Normally when I shower I

have

> > to remove hair from the drain once. Now it was up to three times

> > plus amenorrhea again and the OB said this was being caused by the

> > thyroid. Yes, it was turning into a finger pointing contest.

> >

> > 8/4/01 Second MRI which later reflected no significant change.

> >

> > 9/01 Moved records to 3rd Endo. I was annoyed when I read the 2nd

> > endo's file on me. After a month of seeing me she thought I had

> > Hashimoto's. Why then not treat it? She knew I wanted to

conceive

> > again if possible. Instead she continually warned me about

drifting

> > into graves disease. She did offer an RAI and I didn't want

that -

> > so more blood work trending. Anyway the 3rd endo immediately put

me

> > on PTU at 100 mg a day. I also had a period for ~ 3 weeks (Sept).

> > The last week was blood while the other weeks it looked like

mud. I

> > was back to being lethargic but heart palps went away, tremors

were

> > diminishing and hair loss wasn't so bad.

> >

> > 10/30/01 Had blood work done (3rd Endo) and results:

> >

> > TSH .01 (range .40 -5.50)

> > T4 Total 10.9 (range 4.5 - 12.0)

> > T3 Total 229 (range 60 - 181)

> >

> > I've had other blood work done but limit this to thyroid stuff

with

> > FSH concerns. October I was amenorrhea and November I had three

weeks

> > of scanty mud than an normal period. I had the usual tired, run

down

> > attributes as before.

> >

> > I have a follow-up with my endo tomorrow. I was there and said I

had

> > graves disease. I thought I had Hashimoto's. Somtimes I really

> > wonder ... He also said that diet, vitamins and minerals don't

make a

> > difference. Is this true? I've read otherwise but haven't

talked to

> > someone with my problems that has ahd success. Also is a hair

> > analysis the way to go to discover deficiences in vitamins and

> > minerals? If so, is a doctors script required for this or

results to

> > be sent to? Also how reliable is it? Are there other ways of

> > determining this such as through a nutritionalist? DO they ned

> > certification of need to meet liciensing requirement and if so

what

> > are they? Quacks abound out there. If not a nutritionalist, who

can?

> >

> > What I am looking for is what anomalies do you see? What can be

done

> > about them and over all what is going on? How would you treat me

as

> > a patient? Also is my declining and rising FSH due to the

thyroid?

> > I'd like to conceive again but know it is very iffy. If my

thyroid

> > can be fixed and the FSH stabilizes at below 20, is it still

> > possible? Also why is my progesterone so low and cortisol so low?

> > As I view this now, why didn't someone remedy that? At times I

> > wonder about medical professionals.

> >

> > I've also been investigating vitamins/minerals. Any

> > recommendations? I don't know if this helps but I am 5'2 " and 118

> > lbs. I take Centrum Performance. I've been eying Biotin for

> > vertical ridge nails, selenium, magnesium, B complex, Vit E, Omega

> > fatty acids and Zinc. Would taking this be appropriate and if so

> > what dosages?

> >

> > ALL advice and observations are welcome - even if I don't like the

> > answers. Especially on conception. I fear my time is over no

matter

> > how hard I have tried to get well. Is it true or when " normal "

> > will I still have a chance to conceive?

> >

> > I may have missed some blood work stuff but I think you've got the

> > overal picture. If you have questions, don't hold back. I'll

answer

> > them to the best of my ability. Please pardon any missed typos.

I'm

> > so anxious to get advice that may help. Thanks in advance to

anyone

> > who responds.

> >

> > I really need some pep. I've been trying to potty train my

daughter

> > (2 1/2) and feel asleep in a chair next to her during a " big

> > moment " . All I heard was mommy, get down. She was finished and I

> > missed it but praised her when noticed. Hopefully she'll be

trained

> > soon I would so love to give her a sibling but I'm becoming

very

> > pessimistic.

> >

> > Best Regards,

> >

> >

> >

> > All help is wanted and appreciated. Lately I have had little

faith

> > in the medical profession and feeling more and more confused and

> > helpless as time marches on. Thank you in advance to all who may

> > read this and even respond.

[Guest guest]

A big thank you to you! I read through alot of what was at the

http://www.inciid.org. It was very useful. I've been all over the

web. I feel like I'm Custar making his last stand or something. The

odds don't favor me but I'll pursue it till the numbers confirm it.

I forgot ... about insurance well, we don't have such a good plan.

If I don't use their doctors it's 80%. As for infertility, I doubt

they cover it since their compilation of doctors doesn't allow for an

infertility specialist. As fate would have it, my GP and Neurologist

are not in theie list. So, it's 80% on us.

The last neurologist bill was alittle less than 7K. I nearly fainted

when I saw that. Still in my area, the University of Pa. is noted for

their expertise in neurological problems. I'd rather bite the bullet

and have them eventually diagnose me and then switch to a insurance

covered doctor. It's a hassle going there since we live in north

NJ. The only one covered is my endo at 100%.

In the past I'd switch doctors to accomodate the plan and was

disappointed each time. So, now we just pay the additional amount.

Also I prefer the rapport and sense of continuity with one doctor who

knows you as a person and your history.

When pregnant with my daughter I sought treatment with a group that

was all women. It was like a mill. I had a different one each time.

They barely read where the other left off and missed a few things

like the glucose test was taken in my 35th week, tested positive and

then I had to go for the other test that tests it every half hour and

that turned out ot be negative.

It was too rushed and worse yet, another doctor unrelated to the

practice was assigned to me for delivery. I don't know what the

point was having me see all these doctors in the group when the big

moment happened none showed up and they knew about it too. This is

not a doctor that I would have seen for a problem. But, you just

have to make the best of it.

This is another reason why I stay with my GP and current neurologist

and endo. I don't like being treated like a piece of furniture. I

find it unsettling. Afterwards I found about about another doctor

that does see one patient through the entire pregnancy. The only

reason she might not be available is illness or vacation and you are

introduced to the other doctor. If I'm very lucky, I'd sign up with

that doctor.

As I find out more, I'll post it. Thank you again.

Best Regards,

> Hi -

>

> I've been dealing with infertility for years. I just had a

miscarriage (and

> D & C) after 3 years of trying.

>

> To my knowledge, they are concerned with a Day 3 FSH of 10 or

above. If

> your FSH levels weren't measured on that day, it can't really be

used as a

> gauge.

>

> Just as a comfort, I had RAI at 24 (I'm 39 now) and it has never

helped me

> to conceive. I started trying to have a child when I was almost

30. I

> wasn't able to conceive til I was 32 with the help of fertility

drugs and

> had my baby when I just turned 33. This time, I've been trying to

conceive

> since I was 36. I got pregnant in Sept. then miscarried in Nov.

My ovarian

> reserve is fine so they can't really figure out what the problem is

(I also

> have a bunch of old gals that can have babies in my family).

>

> I don't know about thyroid levels affecting FSH levels but it makes

sense

> that they could. Thyroid levels affect every cell there is which,

in turn,

> probably affects any hormones that they might make.

>

> An excellent site for infertility is at http://www.inciid.org. It

has

> helped me tremendously. And also if you want to know more about

ovarian

> reserve testing (they test FSH on day 3, start Clomid, then test

you again

> on day 10), I'd be happy to talk to you privately about it. They

use it to

> determine if you have enough eggs left which increases your chances

of

> becoming pregnant even if you are older. Generally though,

fertility drops

> at 30, it drops more sharply at 35 then really plummets at 40.

There are

> many cases though of women having successful pregnancies past 40 as

you can

> attest to. Really, it depends on the patient.

>

> Are you seeing a fertility specialist? If at all possible you

should see a

> reproductive endocrinologist (RE). I would in a heartbeat if we

had a

> clinic around here. So I see an OB/GYN who specializes in

infertility. He

> has good success rates with infertility in general but I worry

since he

> doesn't have much experience with endocrine disorders and

infertility. At

> this age though, I'm considering being really aggressive and going

to L.A.

> or S.F. to an RE. My insurance covers 50% for infertility but none

when we

> go out of the area. Since my miscarriage and D & C were only 3 weeks

ago, I

> have a little time to decide.

>

> I know the despair you speak of. After all these years and

everybody having

> different ideas of what's wrong, I've also lost confidence in the

medical

> field (and I'm married to a physician). While they argue and try

to decide,

> I keep getting older. It's enough to make you cry because by the

time they

> figure it out, I'll be too old.

>

> Take care,

>

>

>

>

> > I hope you can help me. It's been an unbelievable year. Between

my

> > silly health problems and losing my sister-in-law to progressive

non

> > hodgkins lymphoma it's been taxing. My sister-in-law was my

> > daughters Godmother. Atleast I had a chance to say goodbye to her

> > before she died in August. We only found out she will ill in May

> > when she didn't come to her daughters graduation at U. of P.. No

> > matter what the outcome for me, I'm still thankful for what is

going

> > right in my life. Things could be worse.

> >

> > Allow me to give you some background on my annoying health

problems.

> > First I've always been healthy so it's been a rude awakening to

not

> > have health problems properly dealt with. To make is easier I'll

use

> > dates:

> >

> > 12/19/00 Had D & C for a miscarriage

> >

> > 1/01 Had follow up with obgyn and blood work

> >

> > Also no period and pelvic cramping. Prior to miscarriage I had

been

> > as regular as a clock. Oddly after the D & C I had NO bleeding. I

> > thought this was odd but didn't question it.

> >

> > Numbers:

> >

> > TSH .03 (with a normal range of .35 -

5.50)

> > FSH climbed to 23

> >

> > Question: Is 23 the end of conceiving regardless of other things ?

> > Please be honest with me. I have read 20 is the limit. Or is my

body

> > screwed up and needing time to adjust to normal levels? Later

you'll

> > see that at the time I had a dead fetus in there. Despite my

> > disappoinment with that I am hoping that that caused my FSH to go

up.

> >

> > I was told I was entering menopause and I had to accept it since I

> > did not respond to provera. He also told me that women in their

40's

> > rarely conceive so I was lucky I even conceived. He was not

> > interested in the pelvic cramping. I was told I was " healing "

from

> > the D & C. His jaw dropped when I informed him that I had my

daughter

> > a 42 1/2 with no medical intervention other than a D & C when she

had

> > breathing problems during labor.

> >

> > I had had a previous D & C, bleeding after surgery, regular periods

and

> > no cramping so I was confused. Also my mom didn't enter menopause

> > till her late 50's. Like her mother I had my daughter at 42 1/2

with

> > no trouble. I had read that children late in life tend to move

> > menopause back. He also knew I wanted to conceive again before it

> > was too late. He said I couldn't and repeated that menaapause it

> > different for everyone regardless of when it occurred to others in

> > the family. This phrase bothers me. It's convinetly used to

aovid

> > being specific and to ignore a problem. If relatives started

> > menapause at my age, then he would have said, see, you're

following

> > them with age.

> >

> > Question: Was my FSH affected by the thyroid? Was it raised or

> > lowered by the thyroid problem/fetus still there?

> >

> > Anyway, I'll continue ->

> >

> > 2/20/01 Saw GP since this doctor (OBGYN) was obnoxious and

allowed

> > GP to refer me to an endo. GP set me up for a thyroid scan. The

TSH

> > remained low, thyroid normal in appearance, uptake at 6 hours is

> > 13%, uptake at 23 hours is 22%. Of course more blood work too.

> > Results:

> >

> > TSH .03 (range .40 - 4.20)

> > T4 Free 1.41 (range .70 - 1.50)

> >

> > 3/1/01 Went to the referred endocrinologist by GP to pursue the

> > thyroid. Endo commented that miscarriage could have been caused

by

> > the thyroid problem. He kept asking me if I had hot flashes

because

> > of the FSH and TSH. I assured him I wasn't and since learned that

> > you'd know when they occur.

> >

> > He did blood work too and wanted to see my back in 7/01. I was

> > uncomfortable with him and the pelvic pain became the more

pressing

> > issue. In any event here are the blood work results from him:

> >

> > Total T4 8.5 (range 4.5 - 12.0)

> > T-uptake .77 (range .72 -1.24)

> > Free T4 11.2 (range 5.0 - 12.0

> > Total T3 97 (range 51-165)

> > TSH .01 (range .47 -5.01)

> >

> > Called my cousin in another state because she is an RN and told

her

> > about my pelvic pain and thyroid. She was torn as to where I

should

> > go first but decided I should see her OB. Saw the her OBGYN who

did

> > an internal exam. No problem was noticed. It was pointless.

Next I

> > allowed them to refer me to another endo because of their

bloodwork.

> >

> > 4/20/01 OBGYN did blood work:

> >

> > Estradiol 103 (midcycle)

> > FSH 16.6 (midcycle)

> > LH 10.9 (midcycle)

> > Prog. 2.8 (follicular phase) Odd? Comments?

> > TSH .01 (range .40 5.50)

> >

> > Question: Why is the progesterone so off compared to the other

> > numbers and cycle they are in. Progesterone is in " follicular

cycle "

> > and all the others indicate " midcycle " . Why is progesterone

> > different?

> >

> > T3 uptake 37%

> > T4 Total 8.8 (range 4.5 - 12.9)

> > Free T4 3.3 (range 1.4 - 3.8)

> >

> > 5/4/01 GP ordered more blood work:

> >

> > TSH .03 (range .40 - 4.20)

> > T4 Free 1.4 (range .70 - 1.50)

> >

> > This endo took me seriously for awhile however later all this endo

> > wanted to do was trend me! An ultra sound was ordered as well as

an

> > MRI and you guessed it - more blood work! I was extremely

lethargic

> > and the cramping was worse. Prior to any of this I never had

> > cramping. In fact when I had my daughter I had to ask them what

labor

> > pains were. They said cramping which didn't help me since I never

> > had those problems. Well, I discovered what labor pains were.

> >

> > 5/01 Ultra sound revealed an 8 week mummified fetal pole. Now I

> > understood what the pelvic cramping was all about and lack of a

> > period from after the first " D & C " surgery on 12/19/00. I hadn't

had

> > a period since then and told ovarian failure, hot flashes to

follow -

> > menopause time.

> >

> > Question: Could this be why my FSH was so high earlier on?

> >

> > 6/1/01 Second D & C surgery to remove dead baby. Normal bleeding

> > after 2nd D & C surgery. Normal period later in the month. I have

no

> > idea what this other doctor did on 12/19 as a " D & C " . It was not a

> > new pregnancy and as far as I knew I wasn't having twins prior to

the

> > miscarriage. I suspect he never removed the deceased baby. The

> > first D & C pathology report was vague. The second was clearly

removal.

> >

> > 6/12/01 Endo re-ordered an MRI to look at the pituitary gland

since I

> > had had both the utlra sound an MRI scheduled for the same day and

> > the ultra sound revealed a " pregnancy " no MRI could be done

> > if " pregnant " . The re-scheduled MRI showed that the pituitary

gland

> > was normal but there were lesions in the white matter -

specifically

> > in the per ventricular, the centrum semiovale and the right basal

> > ganglia. Now I understood why my right side would occasionally

lock

> > up but I wasn't bothered that much by it. There is the

possibility

> > of M.S..

> >

> > 7/7/01 Endo blood work results:

> >

> > TSH .01 (range .40 - 5.50)

> > T4 Free 2.89 (range .8 - 1.8)

> > T3 Uptake 42 (range 27.8 - 40.7)

> >

> > 7/13/01 Appt. with Neurologist and nine viles of blood for immune

> > testing. Od things showed there but too much to list. For

example

> > my B-12 was >1200 and the normal range is 131-962, folate 23.2 and

> > the range is 3.0 - 17.0. There are a few more but it will become

to

> > lengthy.

> >

> > 8/24/01 Spinal tap which on later follow up showed abnormal bands

but

> > not sure yet if M.S. or he mentioned Thyroid encephalitis (sp) but

> > because so rare leaned more towards M.S.. YET, abnormality lacks

> > some of the attributes of M.S.. In short, who knows what it is

and

> > I'm not concerned about it. More so curious.

> >

> >

> > 8/27/01 Amenorrhea - 7/01 - 8/30 so made an appt with OBGYN that

> > performed 2nd D & C because of being amenorrhea for the months of

july

> > and August. Results:

> >

> > FSH 2.5 (Follicular)

> > LH 3.4 (Follicular)

> > Prolactin 7 (non pregant 3-30 and postmenopausal 2-20)

> > TSH .01 (range .40 - 5.50)

> > Corrisol Gonh <2 (non pregnant <5 and postmenapausal <10)

> >

> > Question: When there is a choice of post menapausal and not

pregnant,

> > which is one in or both?

> >

> > Later in September I had 2 weeks of mud followed by a normal

> > period. During the month I am sooo sluggish and tired.

> >

> > Endo wanted to do more blood work. I was having random heart

> > palpitations, tremors and hair loss. Normally when I shower I

have

> > to remove hair from the drain once. Now it was up to three times

> > plus amenorrhea again and the OB said this was being caused by the

> > thyroid. Yes, it was turning into a finger pointing contest.

> >

> > 8/4/01 Second MRI which later reflected no significant change.

> >

> > 9/01 Moved records to 3rd Endo. I was annoyed when I read the 2nd

> > endo's file on me. After a month of seeing me she thought I had

> > Hashimoto's. Why then not treat it? She knew I wanted to

conceive

> > again if possible. Instead she continually warned me about

drifting

> > into graves disease. She did offer an RAI and I didn't want

that -

> > so more blood work trending. Anyway the 3rd endo immediately put

me

> > on PTU at 100 mg a day. I also had a period for ~ 3 weeks (Sept).

> > The last week was blood while the other weeks it looked like

mud. I

> > was back to being lethargic but heart palps went away, tremors

were

> > diminishing and hair loss wasn't so bad.

> >

> > 10/30/01 Had blood work done (3rd Endo) and results:

> >

> > TSH .01 (range .40 -5.50)

> > T4 Total 10.9 (range 4.5 - 12.0)

> > T3 Total 229 (range 60 - 181)

> >

> > I've had other blood work done but limit this to thyroid stuff

with

> > FSH concerns. October I was amenorrhea and November I had three

weeks

> > of scanty mud than an normal period. I had the usual tired, run

down

> > attributes as before.

> >

> > I have a follow-up with my endo tomorrow. I was there and said I

had

> > graves disease. I thought I had Hashimoto's. Somtimes I really

> > wonder ... He also said that diet, vitamins and minerals don't

make a

> > difference. Is this true? I've read otherwise but haven't

talked to

> > someone with my problems that has ahd success. Also is a hair

> > analysis the way to go to discover deficiences in vitamins and

> > minerals? If so, is a doctors script required for this or

results to

> > be sent to? Also how reliable is it? Are there other ways of

> > determining this such as through a nutritionalist? DO they ned

> > certification of need to meet liciensing requirement and if so

what

> > are they? Quacks abound out there. If not a nutritionalist, who

can?

> >

> > What I am looking for is what anomalies do you see? What can be

done

> > about them and over all what is going on? How would you treat me

as

> > a patient? Also is my declining and rising FSH due to the

thyroid?

> > I'd like to conceive again but know it is very iffy. If my

thyroid

> > can be fixed and the FSH stabilizes at below 20, is it still

> > possible? Also why is my progesterone so low and cortisol so low?

> > As I view this now, why didn't someone remedy that? At times I

> > wonder about medical professionals.

> >

> > I've also been investigating vitamins/minerals. Any

> > recommendations? I don't know if this helps but I am 5'2 " and 118

> > lbs. I take Centrum Performance. I've been eying Biotin for

> > vertical ridge nails, selenium, magnesium, B complex, Vit E, Omega

> > fatty acids and Zinc. Would taking this be appropriate and if so

> > what dosages?

> >

> > ALL advice and observations are welcome - even if I don't like the

> > answers. Especially on conception. I fear my time is over no

matter

> > how hard I have tried to get well. Is it true or when " normal "

> > will I still have a chance to conceive?

> >

> > I may have missed some blood work stuff but I think you've got the

> > overal picture. If you have questions, don't hold back. I'll

answer

> > them to the best of my ability. Please pardon any missed typos.

I'm

> > so anxious to get advice that may help. Thanks in advance to

anyone

> > who responds.

> >

> > I really need some pep. I've been trying to potty train my

daughter

> > (2 1/2) and feel asleep in a chair next to her during a " big

> > moment " . All I heard was mommy, get down. She was finished and I

> > missed it but praised her when noticed. Hopefully she'll be

trained

> > soon I would so love to give her a sibling but I'm becoming

very

> > pessimistic.

> >

> > Best Regards,

> >

> >

> >

> > All help is wanted and appreciated. Lately I have had little

faith

> > in the medical profession and feeling more and more confused and

> > helpless as time marches on. Thank you in advance to all who may

> > read this and even respond.

[Guest guest]

I sent Dr. an e-mail for the hair test. Is there is also

another way to contact him? If there is, feel free to e-mail me

privately at

nmh@...

I have been glued to the internet reading through the recommeded

sites. All are very good and informative. I'm trying to put together

something on vitamins and minerals with the proper ratio. I will

also take your recommendation to get off Centrum Performance. It

contains 150 mg of iodine which is 100% of what they say is required.

I will be looking into that TSI antibody test. I still haven't found

it in my papers. I have been spending more time on the internet,

learning ALOT!

I am hoping ot get it together and post the different ratios of these

vitamins and minerals.

Thank you so much!

Best Regards,

> Hi -

>

> Glad you found us - hope we can be of help! I think most of us have

been

> frustrated with finally getting the initial diagnosis of Graves'. I

don't

> know that I can be much help for some of your questions, but I am

the

> who Jody's talking about below. I was recently diagnosed

with mild

> GD after my last pregnancy. Incidentally, the development of GD is

common

> after pregnancy (peak time is 4 to 7 months postpartum). Don't know

how that

> info may fit in with your onset of problems. Anyway, I was given

the start

> treatment options, but didn't really want do to any because of the

_lack_ of

> severity of my GD. I did a ton of reading and found an internet

site that

> talks about supplements and dietary changes. I figured, what the

heck? Might

> as well give it a try since all my other options seemed so severe.

The site

> is www.ithyroid.com There are links to some of Elaine's info here

and

> B's (both from this board) success story as well. Give it a look

and see

> what you think. I have been doing about half of the supplements now

for

> almost 4 months. At diagnosis, my FT4 was 1.97 (slightly high) and

my TSH

> was .01. Three months later, after 2 months of supplements, my FT4

has

> dropped to 1.57 (now in normal range) and my TSH is .03. So far the

> supplements are doing something for me - I'm not on any other

medications.

> My heart rate has also dropped from 100 to 80's.

>

> I did get a hair analysis after the first month and found it very

helpful.

> I got my hair analysis from the Dr. recommended on the

> www.ithyroid.com site since there aren't any docs in my area that

do that

> sort of thing. I emailed him at Larry@d... with my address

> information and he mailed the information and kit to send in your

hair

> sample. From what I understand, the lab he uses is preferred

because they

> don't wash the hair in detergents before testing which can alter the

> results - so that's something to consider when getting a hair

analysis. If

> you mention the ithyroid site, it is $100 for the test. It took 2

weeks to

> get the results back. You get a 4-5 page of results back. The main

info is

> contained in 2 pages that gives the different minerals, what your

levels

> were, and range of what normal levels should be. It's all in a

graph type

> format, so you really get a good view of what you're deficient in.

Dr.

> also provides some info on your specific results, what they

mean, and

> what supplements you might want to take, foods you might want to

eat, etc.

> You can take that for what it's worth. I found the mineral levels

most

> helpful.

>

> For the multi you're taking now - the Centrum Performance - I would

look

> around for a different vitamin if I were you. I used to take just

the

> regular Centrum and I know it contains iodine, I'm assuming the

Centrum

> Perf. does too. Hypers like us don't need any more extra iodine -

bad for

> the already overactive thyroid. I'm sure Elaine can explain more

about this.

> A lot of people on this board also try and stay away from too much

shellfish

> and other food sources high in iodine for the same reason. So far,

I haven't

> found a multi that doesn't have iodine (except children's

vitamins!). The

> other supplements you mention are a good start - hold off on the

zinc,

> though. An important one is copper. Copper, iron, and zinc have

dependencies

> on one another, so you might want to take copper before starting

zinc. All

> this is very nicely explained on the ithyroid site and it provided

some

> guideline dosages for each supplement. I recommend starting there

if you are

> serious about trying supplements. Another good tip is to start

slowly to see

> what effect each one has on you.

>

> I'd second Jody's recommendation on getting your TSI antibodies

checked and

> read all you can on GD. In this case, knowledge really is power. Do

> concentrate on your GD, it can cause some serious health problems

if left

> untreated. Can't help much with the fertility issues, but GD can

cause

> problems with fertility. Gave you a lot of info, more than you

wanted

> probably. Hope some of it is helpful!

>

>

>

> Re: New and looking for help with

> Graves/Hashimoto's

>

>

> >Hi ,

> >Welcome to the group. I'm not going to be of much service to you

because I

> >just don't know what to say, except that you have been on one hell

of a

> >roller coaster ride this past year!

> >

> >Regarding the hair analysis, in this group has done this

and you

> >can read her comments by doing a search on the message page under

> >or try hair, but I'm sure she will pop in and be very helpful to

you on

> >this.

> >

> >You can read B's story in the archives also by doing a search

on her.

> >She has been diagnosed with both Hashi's and Graves Disease.

> >

> >I would suggest that you get at least one of the 2 books following,

> >Dr. Ridha (sp?) Arem The Thyroid Solution

> >Elaine Graves Disease; A Practical Guide

> >

> >Both of these books are absolutely great. You can get them both

from

> >Amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com and Elaine's book is discounted

at B and

> >N...plus free shipping when ordering 2 or more books. Elaine is a

member

> of

> >this group also and hopefully she can say something about your

labs.

> >

> >Do you know if you have had a TSI antibody test done? If so what

is it?

> >Also the antibody test for TSH blocking receptors? Are you having

problems

> >with your eyes? Somewhere around message 3700 there is a list of

symptoms

> >for hyperT, hypoT and eye disease, it is a much more extensive

list put

> >together by Terry ding from group with input by many of us.

Not

> >everyone has all of the symptoms, but all of the symptoms are

possible with

> >GD.

> >

> >When I was first diagnosed, I thought I was starting menopause, my

first

> >endo (fired her) told me that GD symptoms very often mimic

menopause and

> >that is why GD is often misdiagnosed.

> >

> >I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful, just tell you keep reading,

keep

> >asking questions and please hang in here. This disease can be a

real trip

> >on its own, but add all the stress you have had on top of it and

it has to

> >have been so hard for you. I am so sorry about the losses you

have had

> this

> >past year.

> >

> >Take care and again, welcome,

> >Jody

> >

> >_________________________________________________________________

> >Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at

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

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I sent Dr. an e-mail for the hair test. Is there is also

another way to contact him? If there is, feel free to e-mail me

privately at

nmh@...

I have been glued to the internet reading through the recommeded

sites. All are very good and informative. I'm trying to put together

something on vitamins and minerals with the proper ratio. I will

also take your recommendation to get off Centrum Performance. It

contains 150 mg of iodine which is 100% of what they say is required.

I will be looking into that TSI antibody test. I still haven't found

it in my papers. I have been spending more time on the internet,

learning ALOT!

I am hoping ot get it together and post the different ratios of these

vitamins and minerals.

Thank you so much!

Best Regards,

> Hi -

>

> Glad you found us - hope we can be of help! I think most of us have

been

> frustrated with finally getting the initial diagnosis of Graves'. I

don't

> know that I can be much help for some of your questions, but I am

the

> who Jody's talking about below. I was recently diagnosed

with mild

> GD after my last pregnancy. Incidentally, the development of GD is

common

> after pregnancy (peak time is 4 to 7 months postpartum). Don't know

how that

> info may fit in with your onset of problems. Anyway, I was given

the start

> treatment options, but didn't really want do to any because of the

_lack_ of

> severity of my GD. I did a ton of reading and found an internet

site that

> talks about supplements and dietary changes. I figured, what the

heck? Might

> as well give it a try since all my other options seemed so severe.

The site

> is www.ithyroid.com There are links to some of Elaine's info here

and

> B's (both from this board) success story as well. Give it a look

and see

> what you think. I have been doing about half of the supplements now

for

> almost 4 months. At diagnosis, my FT4 was 1.97 (slightly high) and

my TSH

> was .01. Three months later, after 2 months of supplements, my FT4

has

> dropped to 1.57 (now in normal range) and my TSH is .03. So far the

> supplements are doing something for me - I'm not on any other

medications.

> My heart rate has also dropped from 100 to 80's.

>

> I did get a hair analysis after the first month and found it very

helpful.

> I got my hair analysis from the Dr. recommended on the

> www.ithyroid.com site since there aren't any docs in my area that

do that

> sort of thing. I emailed him at Larry@d... with my address

> information and he mailed the information and kit to send in your

hair

> sample. From what I understand, the lab he uses is preferred

because they

> don't wash the hair in detergents before testing which can alter the

> results - so that's something to consider when getting a hair

analysis. If

> you mention the ithyroid site, it is $100 for the test. It took 2

weeks to

> get the results back. You get a 4-5 page of results back. The main

info is

> contained in 2 pages that gives the different minerals, what your

levels

> were, and range of what normal levels should be. It's all in a

graph type

> format, so you really get a good view of what you're deficient in.

Dr.

> also provides some info on your specific results, what they

mean, and

> what supplements you might want to take, foods you might want to

eat, etc.

> You can take that for what it's worth. I found the mineral levels

most

> helpful.

>

> For the multi you're taking now - the Centrum Performance - I would

look

> around for a different vitamin if I were you. I used to take just

the

> regular Centrum and I know it contains iodine, I'm assuming the

Centrum

> Perf. does too. Hypers like us don't need any more extra iodine -

bad for

> the already overactive thyroid. I'm sure Elaine can explain more

about this.

> A lot of people on this board also try and stay away from too much

shellfish

> and other food sources high in iodine for the same reason. So far,

I haven't

> found a multi that doesn't have iodine (except children's

vitamins!). The

> other supplements you mention are a good start - hold off on the

zinc,

> though. An important one is copper. Copper, iron, and zinc have

dependencies

> on one another, so you might want to take copper before starting

zinc. All

> this is very nicely explained on the ithyroid site and it provided

some

> guideline dosages for each supplement. I recommend starting there

if you are

> serious about trying supplements. Another good tip is to start

slowly to see

> what effect each one has on you.

>

> I'd second Jody's recommendation on getting your TSI antibodies

checked and

> read all you can on GD. In this case, knowledge really is power. Do

> concentrate on your GD, it can cause some serious health problems

if left

> untreated. Can't help much with the fertility issues, but GD can

cause

> problems with fertility. Gave you a lot of info, more than you

wanted

> probably. Hope some of it is helpful!

>

>

>

> Re: New and looking for help with

> Graves/Hashimoto's

>

>

> >Hi ,

> >Welcome to the group. I'm not going to be of much service to you

because I

> >just don't know what to say, except that you have been on one hell

of a

> >roller coaster ride this past year!

> >

> >Regarding the hair analysis, in this group has done this

and you

> >can read her comments by doing a search on the message page under

> >or try hair, but I'm sure she will pop in and be very helpful to

you on

> >this.

> >

> >You can read B's story in the archives also by doing a search

on her.

> >She has been diagnosed with both Hashi's and Graves Disease.

> >

> >I would suggest that you get at least one of the 2 books following,

> >Dr. Ridha (sp?) Arem The Thyroid Solution

> >Elaine Graves Disease; A Practical Guide

> >

> >Both of these books are absolutely great. You can get them both

from

> >Amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com and Elaine's book is discounted

at B and

> >N...plus free shipping when ordering 2 or more books. Elaine is a

member

> of

> >this group also and hopefully she can say something about your

labs.

> >

> >Do you know if you have had a TSI antibody test done? If so what

is it?

> >Also the antibody test for TSH blocking receptors? Are you having

problems

> >with your eyes? Somewhere around message 3700 there is a list of

symptoms

> >for hyperT, hypoT and eye disease, it is a much more extensive

list put

> >together by Terry ding from group with input by many of us.

Not

> >everyone has all of the symptoms, but all of the symptoms are

possible with

> >GD.

> >

> >When I was first diagnosed, I thought I was starting menopause, my

first

> >endo (fired her) told me that GD symptoms very often mimic

menopause and

> >that is why GD is often misdiagnosed.

> >

> >I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful, just tell you keep reading,

keep

> >asking questions and please hang in here. This disease can be a

real trip

> >on its own, but add all the stress you have had on top of it and

it has to

> >have been so hard for you. I am so sorry about the losses you

have had

> this

> >past year.

> >

> >Take care and again, welcome,

> >Jody

> >

> >_________________________________________________________________

> >Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at

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

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Thank you so MUCH for recommending it!

My endo on Monday decided to let things ride a bit - another two

months! He didn't want to rpescibe more PTU for fear of goiter. I

did ask him how a .01 TSh would affect a FSH on day 3 even though I

had the test on day two. He thought it would supress it but on the

web I found this:

" For the treatment of infertility related to anovulation or

oligoovulation, clomiphene citrate (CC, Clomid) is the initial

treatment. Before initiating therapy with CC, hypothyroidism,

hyperprolactinemia, and adrenal hyperplasia should be excluded. CC is

a weak synthetic estrogen which induces ovulation by blocking

estrogen receptors in the hypothalamus, causing the pituitary gland

to increase levels of LH and FSH. "

Found at:

http://www.medical-

library.org/journals/secure/gynecol/secure/infertility.htm

It's a bit contradictory but I'm remain optimistic till the numbers

under ideal conditions, that is befor hot flashes kick in, see what

the number say then.

I'm also curious about saliva tests and how accurate they are. They

are controversial.

Again, thank you so much. I really mean it when I say I appreciate

it. It's a very nice group and I hope tobe able to contribute

something in return.

Best Regards,

> Hi ,

> Glad you finally got here O.K. Isn't this a great place?

> So many smart people here

> How was your app. today? Mine was a bit frustrating, but I'll let

you go first.

>

> -Pam- Now back on the 'wait for labs' wagon

[Guest guest]

Thank you so MUCH for recommending it!

My endo on Monday decided to let things ride a bit - another two

months! He didn't want to rpescibe more PTU for fear of goiter. I

did ask him how a .01 TSh would affect a FSH on day 3 even though I

had the test on day two. He thought it would supress it but on the

web I found this:

" For the treatment of infertility related to anovulation or

oligoovulation, clomiphene citrate (CC, Clomid) is the initial

treatment. Before initiating therapy with CC, hypothyroidism,

hyperprolactinemia, and adrenal hyperplasia should be excluded. CC is

a weak synthetic estrogen which induces ovulation by blocking

estrogen receptors in the hypothalamus, causing the pituitary gland

to increase levels of LH and FSH. "

Found at:

http://www.medical-

library.org/journals/secure/gynecol/secure/infertility.htm

It's a bit contradictory but I'm remain optimistic till the numbers

under ideal conditions, that is befor hot flashes kick in, see what

the number say then.

I'm also curious about saliva tests and how accurate they are. They

are controversial.

Again, thank you so much. I really mean it when I say I appreciate

it. It's a very nice group and I hope tobe able to contribute

something in return.

Best Regards,

> Hi ,

> Glad you finally got here O.K. Isn't this a great place?

> So many smart people here

> How was your app. today? Mine was a bit frustrating, but I'll let

you go first.

>

> -Pam- Now back on the 'wait for labs' wagon

[Guest guest]

Thank you so MUCH for recommending it!

My endo on Monday decided to let things ride a bit - another two

months! He didn't want to rpescibe more PTU for fear of goiter. I

did ask him how a .01 TSh would affect a FSH on day 3 even though I

had the test on day two. He thought it would supress it but on the

web I found this:

" For the treatment of infertility related to anovulation or

oligoovulation, clomiphene citrate (CC, Clomid) is the initial

treatment. Before initiating therapy with CC, hypothyroidism,

hyperprolactinemia, and adrenal hyperplasia should be excluded. CC is

a weak synthetic estrogen which induces ovulation by blocking

estrogen receptors in the hypothalamus, causing the pituitary gland

to increase levels of LH and FSH. "

Found at:

http://www.medical-

library.org/journals/secure/gynecol/secure/infertility.htm

It's a bit contradictory but I'm remain optimistic till the numbers

under ideal conditions, that is befor hot flashes kick in, see what

the number say then.

I'm also curious about saliva tests and how accurate they are. They

are controversial.

Again, thank you so much. I really mean it when I say I appreciate

it. It's a very nice group and I hope tobe able to contribute

something in return.

Best Regards,

> Hi ,

> Glad you finally got here O.K. Isn't this a great place?

> So many smart people here

> How was your app. today? Mine was a bit frustrating, but I'll let

you go first.

>

> -Pam- Now back on the 'wait for labs' wagon

[Guest guest]

I will definitely get these two:

Dr. Ridha (sp?) Arem The Thyroid Solution

Elaine Graves Disease; A Practical Guide<<<<

I find that people who want to help themselves find out very quickly

who is good and who isn't.

Here I thought it might just be old age. In fact, I no longer drive

at night. Last time I did. I got a ticket. This cop claimed I

almost caused an accident when pulling out from a restaurant. My

husband didn't agree because he was watching too. He thought I

pulled out in front of the cop and annoyed him. Still, I don't need

tickets or the two points! This was the first ticket for points that

I have had in about 10 years!

I may try the sunglasses and make th eye appt.. I almost feel like

I'm writing about someone else. Moving up in age sure is a treat

Indeed more and more patients are asking questions. The first endo I

went to, I asked questions. His response was the HE asks the

questions. That along with the nearly nose to nose, " are you SURE

you're not having hot flashes and night sweats " encouraged me to move

on.

I prefer one who wants to be challenged, isn't intimidated by

explaining in layman terms what is going on or what they think could

e going on and acts on it. Sometimes the cookie cutter solutions

don't work. Thinking and analyzing is required and some aren't able

to do this. Okay, having blasted some I have encountered, I need to

say that I know there are some good ones out there. They're not all

bad.

To be honest with you, I have no idea what this is ->

visual evoked potential test (VEP) . As long as it is not an MRI or

blood work, I can easily deal with it - oops almost forgot, not fond

of eye drops either unless I put them in. My appt. is Dec. 19, so

I'll let you know.

What kind of treatment did you take for the blurry eyes? Was that

prescribed by the eye doctor? As for me, I'm only on PTU at 150

mgs. I've been trying to take it every 8 hours on an empty stomach.

I'm calmer and hair loss seems to be less and thankfully no more

heart palps and tremors. The heart palps were scary. I though, now

what's going on? When they first started I was reading a magazine.

I don't knwo what an ATD is. I'm only on PTU.

I also don't want M.S.. My mom and I attended a seminar on it. I

felt so bad for some of the people there. Some were very advanced

and all the " abc " drugs require needle injection every day. I'm

terrible with needles. It's an unpleasant disease that they really

don't understand. They just try to stabalize you so you don't

deteriorate further when you have an attack. For the moment I've put

it out of my mind.

I thought it was genetic. It's not. They try to look for similar

attributes of people that have it but for every one they develop they

find exceptions. For example in the U.S. from Seattle to Boston is

considered the " M.S. belt " . I don't live there, no family there

either and many others don't and get it. THey're just groping to

find reasons for it. Some will blame the environment but can't

explain why Sweedish people get it more often when they have a good

enviromental record.

Best Regards,

> Hi ,

>

> >>>Despite my numerous typos, I should correct one. I had a c-

section

> and not a D & C for delivery of my daughter.<<<

>

> I have had 2 C-Sections also so figured that is what you meant

>

> >>>I will do a search on Michele to see what's what about hair

analysis.

> >>>This is totally new to me. Since I've always been healthy I

find it

> >>>scary that a doctor isn't suggesting this or ordering it.<<<<

>

> did a post to you last night, if you didn't see it, go to

the home

> page and click on messages, you should find it on the first page.

She also

> gave you lots of great information and some urls.

>

> Being diagnosed with a chronic disease that by many is not taken as

> seriously as it should be is a tough thing. It is tougher when

many of the

> old timers in the endo field stick to the old methods, but we are

finding

> more and more really good endos out there, and/or as in Terry's

case (Terry

> ding) she has educated her endo into new areas and he appears

to be

> accepting them. So we need to be involved in that too with all of

our

> docs...the down side is, some docs consider 14 years of school and

a piece

> of paper enough to make them an expert on everything and anyone

without that

> paper is not capable of making a valid point.

>

> With this disease, the more you know, the more in charge of your

disease,

> your body and overall health and treatment you will become. It is a

huge

> factor for all of us. As is lifestyle changes...they are very very

> important to us...learning to breath and relax and find a way of

reducing

> stress, eating right (do not eat shellfish right now as it is

loaded with

> iodine, something you do not need at this point!)

> and other changes as you can make them.

>

> I have a couple books on thyroid:

>

> >>>>The Thyroid Sourcebook M. Sara Rosenthal<<<<

> I am going out on a limb here, but I too started with this book and

since

> have put it in the garbage. It is not thorough, uses snipets of

reports and

> a lot of interpretation of medial reports that are her own. I lost

a lot of

> respect for Ms. Rosenthal when I read an article of hers on another

web site

> that she stated Armour Thyroid was to *new* to be considered

useful...she

> does NOT know her facts at all. Armour Thyroid has been around a

whole lot

> longer than ANY of the synthetics and for me, it has improved the

quality of

> my life in many ways...she also touts the wonderful benefits of

synthroid,

> which for me is what kept me into a hypO state for 4 years. I have

also

> heard how synthroid isn't working for many many people out there.

You can

> read more about this on Shomons about.com web site when you

are ready.

> Okay off my soapbox on this one, this woman irratates me so badly

with a lot

> of misperceptions on her part. She has no medical degree and she

doesn't

> have Graves.

>

> and

>

> >>>>Your Thyroid

> Lawrence C. Wood, and E.Chester Ridgway<<<<

>

> I haven't heard of this one at all.

>

> >>>>However I will make is a point of going to Borders and checking

into

> >>>>these two:

>

> Dr. Ridha (sp?) Arem The Thyroid Solution

> Elaine Graves Disease; A Practical Guide<<<<

>

> Elaines book will give you a good handle on labs and treatments, it

has

> become my bible for GD. Dr. Arems book is a wonderful overall book

on

> thyroids! I used it a lot in the past.

>

> Ahhh Borders! It is my favorite bookstore in the whole world! We

have to

> go 2 hours to get to one, but since I see my docs in Buffalo, I get

there

> several times a year...and if they don't have either of these books

(they

> should have Dr. Arems) I know they will order them for you in a

heartbeat!

>

>

> >>>>I honestly don't know if the TSI antibody or TSI antibody test

for

> TSH blocking receptors was ever done. I've tried to keep a copy of

> everything in blood work but I don't see anything for that. I also

> had alot of blood work done for the M.S. possibility. I have

partial

> results since some was still pending. It's been completed so I'll

> ask for all of what they did. I think that may have been on there.

> I'll have to hunt around for it. They were the ones that took the 7

> or 9 viles of blood. If I find it, I'll post it too.<<<<

>

> My TSI's are usually on the bottom of the list of thyroid tests. I

have had

> trouble locating them too. You may want to consider getting a

notebook, 3

> ring paper punch and putting your labs in there as you get them so

you have

> them at hand. I now do that after misplacing way to many of them

LOL.

> Another thing you may want to do for now at least, is journal how

your doing

> each day, or a few times a week. Especially on the days when you

have labs

> done...it will be a wealth of information with you as you make this

journey.

>

> >>>>I am scheduled for a visual evoked potential test (VEP) ordered

by my

> >>>>neurologist on Decemeber 19th. I do have blurry vision at

times and my

> >>>>night vision such as driving at night is bad. I can no longer

> accurately judge distances. When in the food store the lighting

> drives me crazy. Alot of this could be because of age. Maybe the

> VEP will indicate otherwise.<<<<

>

> I have never heard of this, and would be very interested in hearing

more as

> you can offer it. Or anyone in group, if they can.

>

> I am just now dealing with the eye disease, since April and it is

the pits!

> I have had the blurry vision (cleared up since new treatment). My

night

> vision has gotten so bad I no longer drive at night. I have started

driving

> again in the day time though. I had quit in June and just started

again,

> good feeling! The judging distance is the pits isn't it! My big

thing has

> been stairs...they all look like they are on the same level so I

have been

> very careful.

>

> When I am shopping , I have to wear sunglasses in the stores.

The

> lighting in them is so hard on my eyes that it can cause physical

pain. I

> don't think it is age, your younger than I am...(49 here) and I'm

not old!

> LOL. Your symptoms do sound a lot like the Graves Eye disease and

you

> should probably get an appointment with an ophthamologist that is

familiar

> with treating graves eyes. To many don't know or understand this

disease.

>

> >>>>I really wonder more and more about the competency of the

medical

> field at large. We shouldn't have to ask one another for advice.

> They should be forth coming with a diagnosis and be thorough in it.

> Call me naieve but I fell like I'm going through a crash course in

> thyroid and perimenapause.<<<<

>

> I can understand your feelings. After being rushed into RAI and

left to go

> hypO with this disease and 2 endos and a primary who either

wouldn't or

> couldnt' answer my questions or passed off my symptoms as those

needing

> anti-depressants I have found an absolutely wonderful endo...she

always

> takes time with me, answers my questions, listens to my concerns,

is open to

> a lot of different treatment options and will read anything I bring

into

> her...as well as research the urls on the internet I take her.

don't give

> up hope , there are good docs out there...and we do need them.

It is

> great to have the internet for us though, it has brought so many

good people

> together who understand what we go through, who can offer good

suggestions

> or a shoulder to cry on if need be. I think most docs think it is

a

> nightmare because more and more patients (with all diseases) are

making them

> actually do work, and keep up on the newest treatments and

reports...so we

> make their lives a little more hectic. I know sometimes I drive my

doc nuts

> but she loves me

>

> >>>I'll be doing some searching in the archives. I see there is

alot of

> >>>knowledgeable people here that may not want to wait months for

> tidbits of information. That's another thing, everything take sooo

> long. The MRI pointed out the potential M.S. problem. Prior to

> calling My GP told me to ask for a certain person. When I called,

> she wasn't available so I spoke to who was. The neuroologist is the

> son-in-law of my GP. If I had scheduled with the first person I

> would have had to have waited till October for my first appt.,

> whereas following up with the other it was July 13. I'm fortunate

> but what about others who have a progressive disease?<<<<

>

> Reading, learning and questioning is the most powerful thing you

can do for

> yourself and your health. The more you know and learn, the more

you will

> understand and question. I pray you don't have M.S. along with

> Graves...both are autoimmune diseases though, so it is a

possibility.

>

> Hang in here, things do get easier and better in time. What

medicines do

> they have you on right now? Beta Blockers and/or ATD's?

> Take care and talk to you soon.

> Jody

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at

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

[Guest guest]

I will definitely get these two:

Dr. Ridha (sp?) Arem The Thyroid Solution

Elaine Graves Disease; A Practical Guide<<<<

I find that people who want to help themselves find out very quickly

who is good and who isn't.

Here I thought it might just be old age. In fact, I no longer drive

at night. Last time I did. I got a ticket. This cop claimed I

almost caused an accident when pulling out from a restaurant. My

husband didn't agree because he was watching too. He thought I

pulled out in front of the cop and annoyed him. Still, I don't need

tickets or the two points! This was the first ticket for points that

I have had in about 10 years!

I may try the sunglasses and make th eye appt.. I almost feel like

I'm writing about someone else. Moving up in age sure is a treat

Indeed more and more patients are asking questions. The first endo I

went to, I asked questions. His response was the HE asks the

questions. That along with the nearly nose to nose, " are you SURE

you're not having hot flashes and night sweats " encouraged me to move

on.

I prefer one who wants to be challenged, isn't intimidated by

explaining in layman terms what is going on or what they think could

e going on and acts on it. Sometimes the cookie cutter solutions

don't work. Thinking and analyzing is required and some aren't able

to do this. Okay, having blasted some I have encountered, I need to

say that I know there are some good ones out there. They're not all

bad.

To be honest with you, I have no idea what this is ->

visual evoked potential test (VEP) . As long as it is not an MRI or

blood work, I can easily deal with it - oops almost forgot, not fond

of eye drops either unless I put them in. My appt. is Dec. 19, so

I'll let you know.

What kind of treatment did you take for the blurry eyes? Was that

prescribed by the eye doctor? As for me, I'm only on PTU at 150

mgs. I've been trying to take it every 8 hours on an empty stomach.

I'm calmer and hair loss seems to be less and thankfully no more

heart palps and tremors. The heart palps were scary. I though, now

what's going on? When they first started I was reading a magazine.

I don't knwo what an ATD is. I'm only on PTU.

I also don't want M.S.. My mom and I attended a seminar on it. I

felt so bad for some of the people there. Some were very advanced

and all the " abc " drugs require needle injection every day. I'm

terrible with needles. It's an unpleasant disease that they really

don't understand. They just try to stabalize you so you don't

deteriorate further when you have an attack. For the moment I've put

it out of my mind.

I thought it was genetic. It's not. They try to look for similar

attributes of people that have it but for every one they develop they

find exceptions. For example in the U.S. from Seattle to Boston is

considered the " M.S. belt " . I don't live there, no family there

either and many others don't and get it. THey're just groping to

find reasons for it. Some will blame the environment but can't

explain why Sweedish people get it more often when they have a good

enviromental record.

Best Regards,

> Hi ,

>

> >>>Despite my numerous typos, I should correct one. I had a c-

section

> and not a D & C for delivery of my daughter.<<<

>

> I have had 2 C-Sections also so figured that is what you meant

>

> >>>I will do a search on Michele to see what's what about hair

analysis.

> >>>This is totally new to me. Since I've always been healthy I

find it

> >>>scary that a doctor isn't suggesting this or ordering it.<<<<

>

> did a post to you last night, if you didn't see it, go to

the home

> page and click on messages, you should find it on the first page.

She also

> gave you lots of great information and some urls.

>

> Being diagnosed with a chronic disease that by many is not taken as

> seriously as it should be is a tough thing. It is tougher when

many of the

> old timers in the endo field stick to the old methods, but we are

finding

> more and more really good endos out there, and/or as in Terry's

case (Terry

> ding) she has educated her endo into new areas and he appears

to be

> accepting them. So we need to be involved in that too with all of

our

> docs...the down side is, some docs consider 14 years of school and

a piece

> of paper enough to make them an expert on everything and anyone

without that

> paper is not capable of making a valid point.

>

> With this disease, the more you know, the more in charge of your

disease,

> your body and overall health and treatment you will become. It is a

huge

> factor for all of us. As is lifestyle changes...they are very very

> important to us...learning to breath and relax and find a way of

reducing

> stress, eating right (do not eat shellfish right now as it is

loaded with

> iodine, something you do not need at this point!)

> and other changes as you can make them.

>

> I have a couple books on thyroid:

>

> >>>>The Thyroid Sourcebook M. Sara Rosenthal<<<<

> I am going out on a limb here, but I too started with this book and

since

> have put it in the garbage. It is not thorough, uses snipets of

reports and

> a lot of interpretation of medial reports that are her own. I lost

a lot of

> respect for Ms. Rosenthal when I read an article of hers on another

web site

> that she stated Armour Thyroid was to *new* to be considered

useful...she

> does NOT know her facts at all. Armour Thyroid has been around a

whole lot

> longer than ANY of the synthetics and for me, it has improved the

quality of

> my life in many ways...she also touts the wonderful benefits of

synthroid,

> which for me is what kept me into a hypO state for 4 years. I have

also

> heard how synthroid isn't working for many many people out there.

You can

> read more about this on Shomons about.com web site when you

are ready.

> Okay off my soapbox on this one, this woman irratates me so badly

with a lot

> of misperceptions on her part. She has no medical degree and she

doesn't

> have Graves.

>

> and

>

> >>>>Your Thyroid

> Lawrence C. Wood, and E.Chester Ridgway<<<<

>

> I haven't heard of this one at all.

>

> >>>>However I will make is a point of going to Borders and checking

into

> >>>>these two:

>

> Dr. Ridha (sp?) Arem The Thyroid Solution

> Elaine Graves Disease; A Practical Guide<<<<

>

> Elaines book will give you a good handle on labs and treatments, it

has

> become my bible for GD. Dr. Arems book is a wonderful overall book

on

> thyroids! I used it a lot in the past.

>

> Ahhh Borders! It is my favorite bookstore in the whole world! We

have to

> go 2 hours to get to one, but since I see my docs in Buffalo, I get

there

> several times a year...and if they don't have either of these books

(they

> should have Dr. Arems) I know they will order them for you in a

heartbeat!

>

>

> >>>>I honestly don't know if the TSI antibody or TSI antibody test

for

> TSH blocking receptors was ever done. I've tried to keep a copy of

> everything in blood work but I don't see anything for that. I also

> had alot of blood work done for the M.S. possibility. I have

partial

> results since some was still pending. It's been completed so I'll

> ask for all of what they did. I think that may have been on there.

> I'll have to hunt around for it. They were the ones that took the 7

> or 9 viles of blood. If I find it, I'll post it too.<<<<

>

> My TSI's are usually on the bottom of the list of thyroid tests. I

have had

> trouble locating them too. You may want to consider getting a

notebook, 3

> ring paper punch and putting your labs in there as you get them so

you have

> them at hand. I now do that after misplacing way to many of them

LOL.

> Another thing you may want to do for now at least, is journal how

your doing

> each day, or a few times a week. Especially on the days when you

have labs

> done...it will be a wealth of information with you as you make this

journey.

>

> >>>>I am scheduled for a visual evoked potential test (VEP) ordered

by my

> >>>>neurologist on Decemeber 19th. I do have blurry vision at

times and my

> >>>>night vision such as driving at night is bad. I can no longer

> accurately judge distances. When in the food store the lighting

> drives me crazy. Alot of this could be because of age. Maybe the

> VEP will indicate otherwise.<<<<

>

> I have never heard of this, and would be very interested in hearing

more as

> you can offer it. Or anyone in group, if they can.

>

> I am just now dealing with the eye disease, since April and it is

the pits!

> I have had the blurry vision (cleared up since new treatment). My

night

> vision has gotten so bad I no longer drive at night. I have started

driving

> again in the day time though. I had quit in June and just started

again,

> good feeling! The judging distance is the pits isn't it! My big

thing has

> been stairs...they all look like they are on the same level so I

have been

> very careful.

>

> When I am shopping , I have to wear sunglasses in the stores.

The

> lighting in them is so hard on my eyes that it can cause physical

pain. I

> don't think it is age, your younger than I am...(49 here) and I'm

not old!

> LOL. Your symptoms do sound a lot like the Graves Eye disease and

you

> should probably get an appointment with an ophthamologist that is

familiar

> with treating graves eyes. To many don't know or understand this

disease.

>

> >>>>I really wonder more and more about the competency of the

medical

> field at large. We shouldn't have to ask one another for advice.

> They should be forth coming with a diagnosis and be thorough in it.

> Call me naieve but I fell like I'm going through a crash course in

> thyroid and perimenapause.<<<<

>

> I can understand your feelings. After being rushed into RAI and

left to go

> hypO with this disease and 2 endos and a primary who either

wouldn't or

> couldnt' answer my questions or passed off my symptoms as those

needing

> anti-depressants I have found an absolutely wonderful endo...she

always

> takes time with me, answers my questions, listens to my concerns,

is open to

> a lot of different treatment options and will read anything I bring

into

> her...as well as research the urls on the internet I take her.

don't give

> up hope , there are good docs out there...and we do need them.

It is

> great to have the internet for us though, it has brought so many

good people

> together who understand what we go through, who can offer good

suggestions

> or a shoulder to cry on if need be. I think most docs think it is

a

> nightmare because more and more patients (with all diseases) are

making them

> actually do work, and keep up on the newest treatments and

reports...so we

> make their lives a little more hectic. I know sometimes I drive my

doc nuts

> but she loves me

>

> >>>I'll be doing some searching in the archives. I see there is

alot of

> >>>knowledgeable people here that may not want to wait months for

> tidbits of information. That's another thing, everything take sooo

> long. The MRI pointed out the potential M.S. problem. Prior to

> calling My GP told me to ask for a certain person. When I called,

> she wasn't available so I spoke to who was. The neuroologist is the

> son-in-law of my GP. If I had scheduled with the first person I

> would have had to have waited till October for my first appt.,

> whereas following up with the other it was July 13. I'm fortunate

> but what about others who have a progressive disease?<<<<

>

> Reading, learning and questioning is the most powerful thing you

can do for

> yourself and your health. The more you know and learn, the more

you will

> understand and question. I pray you don't have M.S. along with

> Graves...both are autoimmune diseases though, so it is a

possibility.

>

> Hang in here, things do get easier and better in time. What

medicines do

> they have you on right now? Beta Blockers and/or ATD's?

> Take care and talk to you soon.

> Jody

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at

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

[Guest guest]

I will definitely get these two:

Dr. Ridha (sp?) Arem The Thyroid Solution

Elaine Graves Disease; A Practical Guide<<<<

I find that people who want to help themselves find out very quickly

who is good and who isn't.

Here I thought it might just be old age. In fact, I no longer drive

at night. Last time I did. I got a ticket. This cop claimed I

almost caused an accident when pulling out from a restaurant. My

husband didn't agree because he was watching too. He thought I

pulled out in front of the cop and annoyed him. Still, I don't need

tickets or the two points! This was the first ticket for points that

I have had in about 10 years!

I may try the sunglasses and make th eye appt.. I almost feel like

I'm writing about someone else. Moving up in age sure is a treat

Indeed more and more patients are asking questions. The first endo I

went to, I asked questions. His response was the HE asks the

questions. That along with the nearly nose to nose, " are you SURE

you're not having hot flashes and night sweats " encouraged me to move

on.

I prefer one who wants to be challenged, isn't intimidated by

explaining in layman terms what is going on or what they think could

e going on and acts on it. Sometimes the cookie cutter solutions

don't work. Thinking and analyzing is required and some aren't able

to do this. Okay, having blasted some I have encountered, I need to

say that I know there are some good ones out there. They're not all

bad.

To be honest with you, I have no idea what this is ->

visual evoked potential test (VEP) . As long as it is not an MRI or

blood work, I can easily deal with it - oops almost forgot, not fond

of eye drops either unless I put them in. My appt. is Dec. 19, so

I'll let you know.

What kind of treatment did you take for the blurry eyes? Was that

prescribed by the eye doctor? As for me, I'm only on PTU at 150

mgs. I've been trying to take it every 8 hours on an empty stomach.

I'm calmer and hair loss seems to be less and thankfully no more

heart palps and tremors. The heart palps were scary. I though, now

what's going on? When they first started I was reading a magazine.

I don't knwo what an ATD is. I'm only on PTU.

I also don't want M.S.. My mom and I attended a seminar on it. I

felt so bad for some of the people there. Some were very advanced

and all the " abc " drugs require needle injection every day. I'm

terrible with needles. It's an unpleasant disease that they really

don't understand. They just try to stabalize you so you don't

deteriorate further when you have an attack. For the moment I've put

it out of my mind.

I thought it was genetic. It's not. They try to look for similar

attributes of people that have it but for every one they develop they

find exceptions. For example in the U.S. from Seattle to Boston is

considered the " M.S. belt " . I don't live there, no family there

either and many others don't and get it. THey're just groping to

find reasons for it. Some will blame the environment but can't

explain why Sweedish people get it more often when they have a good

enviromental record.

Best Regards,

> Hi ,

>

> >>>Despite my numerous typos, I should correct one. I had a c-

section

> and not a D & C for delivery of my daughter.<<<

>

> I have had 2 C-Sections also so figured that is what you meant

>

> >>>I will do a search on Michele to see what's what about hair

analysis.

> >>>This is totally new to me. Since I've always been healthy I

find it

> >>>scary that a doctor isn't suggesting this or ordering it.<<<<

>

> did a post to you last night, if you didn't see it, go to

the home

> page and click on messages, you should find it on the first page.

She also

> gave you lots of great information and some urls.

>

> Being diagnosed with a chronic disease that by many is not taken as

> seriously as it should be is a tough thing. It is tougher when

many of the

> old timers in the endo field stick to the old methods, but we are

finding

> more and more really good endos out there, and/or as in Terry's

case (Terry

> ding) she has educated her endo into new areas and he appears

to be

> accepting them. So we need to be involved in that too with all of

our

> docs...the down side is, some docs consider 14 years of school and

a piece

> of paper enough to make them an expert on everything and anyone

without that

> paper is not capable of making a valid point.

>

> With this disease, the more you know, the more in charge of your

disease,

> your body and overall health and treatment you will become. It is a

huge

> factor for all of us. As is lifestyle changes...they are very very

> important to us...learning to breath and relax and find a way of

reducing

> stress, eating right (do not eat shellfish right now as it is

loaded with

> iodine, something you do not need at this point!)

> and other changes as you can make them.

>

> I have a couple books on thyroid:

>

> >>>>The Thyroid Sourcebook M. Sara Rosenthal<<<<

> I am going out on a limb here, but I too started with this book and

since

> have put it in the garbage. It is not thorough, uses snipets of

reports and

> a lot of interpretation of medial reports that are her own. I lost

a lot of

> respect for Ms. Rosenthal when I read an article of hers on another

web site

> that she stated Armour Thyroid was to *new* to be considered

useful...she

> does NOT know her facts at all. Armour Thyroid has been around a

whole lot

> longer than ANY of the synthetics and for me, it has improved the

quality of

> my life in many ways...she also touts the wonderful benefits of

synthroid,

> which for me is what kept me into a hypO state for 4 years. I have

also

> heard how synthroid isn't working for many many people out there.

You can

> read more about this on Shomons about.com web site when you

are ready.

> Okay off my soapbox on this one, this woman irratates me so badly

with a lot

> of misperceptions on her part. She has no medical degree and she

doesn't

> have Graves.

>

> and

>

> >>>>Your Thyroid

> Lawrence C. Wood, and E.Chester Ridgway<<<<

>

> I haven't heard of this one at all.

>

> >>>>However I will make is a point of going to Borders and checking

into

> >>>>these two:

>

> Dr. Ridha (sp?) Arem The Thyroid Solution

> Elaine Graves Disease; A Practical Guide<<<<

>

> Elaines book will give you a good handle on labs and treatments, it

has

> become my bible for GD. Dr. Arems book is a wonderful overall book

on

> thyroids! I used it a lot in the past.

>

> Ahhh Borders! It is my favorite bookstore in the whole world! We

have to

> go 2 hours to get to one, but since I see my docs in Buffalo, I get

there

> several times a year...and if they don't have either of these books

(they

> should have Dr. Arems) I know they will order them for you in a

heartbeat!

>

>

> >>>>I honestly don't know if the TSI antibody or TSI antibody test

for

> TSH blocking receptors was ever done. I've tried to keep a copy of

> everything in blood work but I don't see anything for that. I also

> had alot of blood work done for the M.S. possibility. I have

partial

> results since some was still pending. It's been completed so I'll

> ask for all of what they did. I think that may have been on there.

> I'll have to hunt around for it. They were the ones that took the 7

> or 9 viles of blood. If I find it, I'll post it too.<<<<

>

> My TSI's are usually on the bottom of the list of thyroid tests. I

have had

> trouble locating them too. You may want to consider getting a

notebook, 3

> ring paper punch and putting your labs in there as you get them so

you have

> them at hand. I now do that after misplacing way to many of them

LOL.

> Another thing you may want to do for now at least, is journal how

your doing

> each day, or a few times a week. Especially on the days when you

have labs

> done...it will be a wealth of information with you as you make this

journey.

>

> >>>>I am scheduled for a visual evoked potential test (VEP) ordered

by my

> >>>>neurologist on Decemeber 19th. I do have blurry vision at

times and my

> >>>>night vision such as driving at night is bad. I can no longer

> accurately judge distances. When in the food store the lighting

> drives me crazy. Alot of this could be because of age. Maybe the

> VEP will indicate otherwise.<<<<

>

> I have never heard of this, and would be very interested in hearing

more as

> you can offer it. Or anyone in group, if they can.

>

> I am just now dealing with the eye disease, since April and it is

the pits!

> I have had the blurry vision (cleared up since new treatment). My

night

> vision has gotten so bad I no longer drive at night. I have started

driving

> again in the day time though. I had quit in June and just started

again,

> good feeling! The judging distance is the pits isn't it! My big

thing has

> been stairs...they all look like they are on the same level so I

have been

> very careful.

>

> When I am shopping , I have to wear sunglasses in the stores.

The

> lighting in them is so hard on my eyes that it can cause physical

pain. I

> don't think it is age, your younger than I am...(49 here) and I'm

not old!

> LOL. Your symptoms do sound a lot like the Graves Eye disease and

you

> should probably get an appointment with an ophthamologist that is

familiar

> with treating graves eyes. To many don't know or understand this

disease.

>

> >>>>I really wonder more and more about the competency of the

medical

> field at large. We shouldn't have to ask one another for advice.

> They should be forth coming with a diagnosis and be thorough in it.

> Call me naieve but I fell like I'm going through a crash course in

> thyroid and perimenapause.<<<<

>

> I can understand your feelings. After being rushed into RAI and

left to go

> hypO with this disease and 2 endos and a primary who either

wouldn't or

> couldnt' answer my questions or passed off my symptoms as those

needing

> anti-depressants I have found an absolutely wonderful endo...she

always

> takes time with me, answers my questions, listens to my concerns,

is open to

> a lot of different treatment options and will read anything I bring

into

> her...as well as research the urls on the internet I take her.

don't give

> up hope , there are good docs out there...and we do need them.

It is

> great to have the internet for us though, it has brought so many

good people

> together who understand what we go through, who can offer good

suggestions

> or a shoulder to cry on if need be. I think most docs think it is

a

> nightmare because more and more patients (with all diseases) are

making them

> actually do work, and keep up on the newest treatments and

reports...so we

> make their lives a little more hectic. I know sometimes I drive my

doc nuts

> but she loves me

>

> >>>I'll be doing some searching in the archives. I see there is

alot of

> >>>knowledgeable people here that may not want to wait months for

> tidbits of information. That's another thing, everything take sooo

> long. The MRI pointed out the potential M.S. problem. Prior to

> calling My GP told me to ask for a certain person. When I called,

> she wasn't available so I spoke to who was. The neuroologist is the

> son-in-law of my GP. If I had scheduled with the first person I

> would have had to have waited till October for my first appt.,

> whereas following up with the other it was July 13. I'm fortunate

> but what about others who have a progressive disease?<<<<

>

> Reading, learning and questioning is the most powerful thing you

can do for

> yourself and your health. The more you know and learn, the more

you will

> understand and question. I pray you don't have M.S. along with

> Graves...both are autoimmune diseases though, so it is a

possibility.

>

> Hang in here, things do get easier and better in time. What

medicines do

> they have you on right now? Beta Blockers and/or ATD's?

> Take care and talk to you soon.

> Jody

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at

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

[Guest guest]

You are equiping me well for that visit. I do have a good one to go

to but of course he is not on the insurance list. After my first

meeting with him, he told me all the wrong turns I took when younger

such as refusing to wear sunglasses and damage it caused as well as

some other stupid things. Now, I wear them.

Best Regards,

> Hi ,

> The Field Of Vision test is also used to monitor for glaucoma as

well as the

> pressure tests for it. I have to have them every 3 months now.

Glaucoma

> took my moms eyesight in one eye completely and most of it in the

other eye.

> My Ophtho says the graves eye disease can raise the glaucoma

pressure and

> vice versa. When you get to a good ophtho skilled in our eye

disease you

> will learn more than you ever wanted to know about eyes

> Jody

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at

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

[Guest guest]

You are equiping me well for that visit. I do have a good one to go

to but of course he is not on the insurance list. After my first

meeting with him, he told me all the wrong turns I took when younger

such as refusing to wear sunglasses and damage it caused as well as

some other stupid things. Now, I wear them.

Best Regards,

> Hi ,

> The Field Of Vision test is also used to monitor for glaucoma as

well as the

> pressure tests for it. I have to have them every 3 months now.

Glaucoma

> took my moms eyesight in one eye completely and most of it in the

other eye.

> My Ophtho says the graves eye disease can raise the glaucoma

pressure and

> vice versa. When you get to a good ophtho skilled in our eye

disease you

> will learn more than you ever wanted to know about eyes

> Jody

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at

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

[Guest guest]

You are equiping me well for that visit. I do have a good one to go

to but of course he is not on the insurance list. After my first

meeting with him, he told me all the wrong turns I took when younger

such as refusing to wear sunglasses and damage it caused as well as

some other stupid things. Now, I wear them.

Best Regards,

> Hi ,

> The Field Of Vision test is also used to monitor for glaucoma as

well as the

> pressure tests for it. I have to have them every 3 months now.

Glaucoma

> took my moms eyesight in one eye completely and most of it in the

other eye.

> My Ophtho says the graves eye disease can raise the glaucoma

pressure and

> vice versa. When you get to a good ophtho skilled in our eye

disease you

> will learn more than you ever wanted to know about eyes

> Jody

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at

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