Re: Had my labs done....

[Guest guest]

Just a thought, can you develop the eye disease after the commencement of

medication? I started twelve months or more before finding I had GD with

'eye migranes'. Am I out of the woods? I have noticed in the past week or

so that my eyes are very dry and that I find I am blinking to ajust.

Sue

Mollymook, Australia

At 04:19 PM 18/03/2002 -0500, you wrote:

> Jody,

>

> Nor, does it seem, anybody particularly cares.

>

>

>

>

> This drags on and there is no notable improvement in any

>sphere,

>except

>that my heart is beating normally (except for the

>discovery in the

>records

>that I seem to have a left ventricular defect

>and some

>regurgitation in the

>tricuspid and mitral valves--a fact rather

>like the

>pituitary adenoma,

>nobody felt the need to let me know.)

>

>

>And still,

>I don't know what I'm shooting for or what to ask for and,

>it

>seems, the

>doctors aren't going to worry about it.

>

> How does one

>achieve the elusive remission?

> Laurel

[Guest guest]

Just a thought, can you develop the eye disease after the commencement of

medication? I started twelve months or more before finding I had GD with

'eye migranes'. Am I out of the woods? I have noticed in the past week or

so that my eyes are very dry and that I find I am blinking to ajust.

Sue

Mollymook, Australia

At 04:19 PM 18/03/2002 -0500, you wrote:

> Jody,

>

> Nor, does it seem, anybody particularly cares.

>

>

>

>

> This drags on and there is no notable improvement in any

>sphere,

>except

>that my heart is beating normally (except for the

>discovery in the

>records

>that I seem to have a left ventricular defect

>and some

>regurgitation in the

>tricuspid and mitral valves--a fact rather

>like the

>pituitary adenoma,

>nobody felt the need to let me know.)

>

>

>And still,

>I don't know what I'm shooting for or what to ask for and,

>it

>seems, the

>doctors aren't going to worry about it.

>

> How does one

>achieve the elusive remission?

> Laurel

[Guest guest]

Just a thought, can you develop the eye disease after the commencement of

medication? I started twelve months or more before finding I had GD with

'eye migranes'. Am I out of the woods? I have noticed in the past week or

so that my eyes are very dry and that I find I am blinking to ajust.

Sue

Mollymook, Australia

At 04:19 PM 18/03/2002 -0500, you wrote:

> Jody,

>

> Nor, does it seem, anybody particularly cares.

>

>

>

>

> This drags on and there is no notable improvement in any

>sphere,

>except

>that my heart is beating normally (except for the

>discovery in the

>records

>that I seem to have a left ventricular defect

>and some

>regurgitation in the

>tricuspid and mitral valves--a fact rather

>like the

>pituitary adenoma,

>nobody felt the need to let me know.)

>

>

>And still,

>I don't know what I'm shooting for or what to ask for and,

>it

>seems, the

>doctors aren't going to worry about it.

>

> How does one

>achieve the elusive remission?

> Laurel

[Guest guest]

Hi Val-

I don't do anything different. My abs are probably so low because I have no

(or very little) thyroid tissue left. I have no idea what they were when I

had active Graves'.

Even if you don't have a lot of circulating abs (which is what the blood

test picks up) you can still have plenty within your thyroid gland so, yes,

they are something to be concerned about as long as you have a thyroid

gland.

Normal people and patients with active Graves' both can have normal levels

of circulating thyroid abs. The difference is that normal people don't have

a lot of abs within their thyroid tissue stimulating them to make more

thyroid hormone like Graves' patients do. It's a shortcoming of relying on

a bloodtest (as it is in almost every aspect of this disease in my

experience).

Take care,

>

> > Hi Jody and Val-

> >

> > I know I just posted about this. I think Jody means that she wants her

TSI

> > antibody level much lower which they could be if her disease is not

active.

> > Hers were significantly elevated.

> >

> > For example, even though I have some (even lower than most normal

people)

> > they are low.

> >

> > Take care,

> >

> >

>

> and everyone on the Antibody discussion.

>

> I think I understand now. But in my case, I wonder. I have never had

> TED symptoms and it's my understanding that my antibodies were low

> at the onset of diagnosis, during treatment, and after remission.

> They are just under normal range.

>

> Should I be concerned about them still?

>

> , with your low antibodies, do you do anything to keep them low,

> or are they just that way? Could mine rise if I don't do preventative

> measures?

>

> Val

[Guest guest]

Hi Val-

I don't do anything different. My abs are probably so low because I have no

(or very little) thyroid tissue left. I have no idea what they were when I

had active Graves'.

Even if you don't have a lot of circulating abs (which is what the blood

test picks up) you can still have plenty within your thyroid gland so, yes,

they are something to be concerned about as long as you have a thyroid

gland.

Normal people and patients with active Graves' both can have normal levels

of circulating thyroid abs. The difference is that normal people don't have

a lot of abs within their thyroid tissue stimulating them to make more

thyroid hormone like Graves' patients do. It's a shortcoming of relying on

a bloodtest (as it is in almost every aspect of this disease in my

experience).

Take care,

>

> > Hi Jody and Val-

> >

> > I know I just posted about this. I think Jody means that she wants her

TSI

> > antibody level much lower which they could be if her disease is not

active.

> > Hers were significantly elevated.

> >

> > For example, even though I have some (even lower than most normal

people)

> > they are low.

> >

> > Take care,

> >

> >

>

> and everyone on the Antibody discussion.

>

> I think I understand now. But in my case, I wonder. I have never had

> TED symptoms and it's my understanding that my antibodies were low

> at the onset of diagnosis, during treatment, and after remission.

> They are just under normal range.

>

> Should I be concerned about them still?

>

> , with your low antibodies, do you do anything to keep them low,

> or are they just that way? Could mine rise if I don't do preventative

> measures?

>

> Val

[Guest guest]

> Hi Val-

>

> I don't do anything different. My abs are probably so low because I have no

> (or very little) thyroid tissue left. I have no idea what they were when I

> had active Graves'.

Prior to going on ATD's they were within the normal ranges (high

normal) for me. But I have a whole big thyroid left waiting in silence

to attack!

> Even if you don't have a lot of circulating abs (which is what the blood

> test picks up) you can still have plenty within your thyroid gland so, yes,

> they are something to be concerned about as long as you have a thyroid

> gland.

hmm, is there a way to check the ones hiding in the gland?

> Normal people and patients with active Graves' both can have normal levels

> of circulating thyroid abs. The difference is that normal people don't have

> a lot of abs within their thyroid tissue stimulating them to make more

> thyroid hormone like Graves' patients do. It's a shortcoming of relying on

> a bloodtest (as it is in almost every aspect of this disease in my

> experience).

So in my case, is it safe to use the TSH and FT4 and lack of TED

symptoms to gauge remission?

Val

[Guest guest]

> Hi Val-

>

> I don't do anything different. My abs are probably so low because I have no

> (or very little) thyroid tissue left. I have no idea what they were when I

> had active Graves'.

Prior to going on ATD's they were within the normal ranges (high

normal) for me. But I have a whole big thyroid left waiting in silence

to attack!

> Even if you don't have a lot of circulating abs (which is what the blood

> test picks up) you can still have plenty within your thyroid gland so, yes,

> they are something to be concerned about as long as you have a thyroid

> gland.

hmm, is there a way to check the ones hiding in the gland?

> Normal people and patients with active Graves' both can have normal levels

> of circulating thyroid abs. The difference is that normal people don't have

> a lot of abs within their thyroid tissue stimulating them to make more

> thyroid hormone like Graves' patients do. It's a shortcoming of relying on

> a bloodtest (as it is in almost every aspect of this disease in my

> experience).

So in my case, is it safe to use the TSH and FT4 and lack of TED

symptoms to gauge remission?

Val

[Guest guest]

> Hi Val-

>

> I don't do anything different. My abs are probably so low because I have no

> (or very little) thyroid tissue left. I have no idea what they were when I

> had active Graves'.

Prior to going on ATD's they were within the normal ranges (high

normal) for me. But I have a whole big thyroid left waiting in silence

to attack!

> Even if you don't have a lot of circulating abs (which is what the blood

> test picks up) you can still have plenty within your thyroid gland so, yes,

> they are something to be concerned about as long as you have a thyroid

> gland.

hmm, is there a way to check the ones hiding in the gland?

> Normal people and patients with active Graves' both can have normal levels

> of circulating thyroid abs. The difference is that normal people don't have

> a lot of abs within their thyroid tissue stimulating them to make more

> thyroid hormone like Graves' patients do. It's a shortcoming of relying on

> a bloodtest (as it is in almost every aspect of this disease in my

> experience).

So in my case, is it safe to use the TSH and FT4 and lack of TED

symptoms to gauge remission?

Val

[Guest guest]

,

What about the folks who have had RAI. I know that they say it " destroys " the

thyroid gland but the tissue is still in there. Unless the gland has to be

active to produce the antigens, the inactive gland will continue to cause

problems?

I'm thinking that if the inactive gland can still stimulate the production of

antibodies then all the other tissue that has receptor sites will continue to be

problematic. Please tell me that inactive glands no longer stimulate the

production of antibodies. Otherwise to do RAI just became even more ridiculous.

Laurel

Re: Had my labs done....

Hi Val-

I don't do anything different. My abs are probably so low because I have no

(or very little) thyroid tissue left. I have no idea what they were when I

had active Graves'.

Even if you don't have a lot of circulating abs (which is what the blood

test picks up) you can still have plenty within your thyroid gland so, yes,

they are something to be concerned about as long as you have a thyroid

gland.

Normal people and patients with active Graves' both can have normal levels

of circulating thyroid abs. The difference is that normal people don't have

a lot of abs within their thyroid tissue stimulating them to make more

thyroid hormone like Graves' patients do. It's a shortcoming of relying on

a bloodtest (as it is in almost every aspect of this disease in my

experience).

Take care,

>

> > Hi Jody and Val-

> >

> > I know I just posted about this. I think Jody means that she wants her

TSI

> > antibody level much lower which they could be if her disease is not

active.

> > Hers were significantly elevated.

> >

> > For example, even though I have some (even lower than most normal

people)

> > they are low.

> >

> > Take care,

> >

> >

>

> and everyone on the Antibody discussion.

>

> I think I understand now. But in my case, I wonder. I have never had

> TED symptoms and it's my understanding that my antibodies were low

> at the onset of diagnosis, during treatment, and after remission.

> They are just under normal range.

>

> Should I be concerned about them still?

>

> , with your low antibodies, do you do anything to keep them low,

> or are they just that way? Could mine rise if I don't do preventative

> measures?

>

> Val

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

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

to replace expert medical care.

Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments.

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

DISCLAIMER

Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement of

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\

------

[Guest guest]

,

What about the folks who have had RAI. I know that they say it " destroys " the

thyroid gland but the tissue is still in there. Unless the gland has to be

active to produce the antigens, the inactive gland will continue to cause

problems?

I'm thinking that if the inactive gland can still stimulate the production of

antibodies then all the other tissue that has receptor sites will continue to be

problematic. Please tell me that inactive glands no longer stimulate the

production of antibodies. Otherwise to do RAI just became even more ridiculous.

Laurel

Re: Had my labs done....

Hi Val-

I don't do anything different. My abs are probably so low because I have no

(or very little) thyroid tissue left. I have no idea what they were when I

had active Graves'.

Even if you don't have a lot of circulating abs (which is what the blood

test picks up) you can still have plenty within your thyroid gland so, yes,

they are something to be concerned about as long as you have a thyroid

gland.

Normal people and patients with active Graves' both can have normal levels

of circulating thyroid abs. The difference is that normal people don't have

a lot of abs within their thyroid tissue stimulating them to make more

thyroid hormone like Graves' patients do. It's a shortcoming of relying on

a bloodtest (as it is in almost every aspect of this disease in my

experience).

Take care,

>

> > Hi Jody and Val-

> >

> > I know I just posted about this. I think Jody means that she wants her

TSI

> > antibody level much lower which they could be if her disease is not

active.

> > Hers were significantly elevated.

> >

> > For example, even though I have some (even lower than most normal

people)

> > they are low.

> >

> > Take care,

> >

> >

>

> and everyone on the Antibody discussion.

>

> I think I understand now. But in my case, I wonder. I have never had

> TED symptoms and it's my understanding that my antibodies were low

> at the onset of diagnosis, during treatment, and after remission.

> They are just under normal range.

>

> Should I be concerned about them still?

>

> , with your low antibodies, do you do anything to keep them low,

> or are they just that way? Could mine rise if I don't do preventative

> measures?

>

> Val

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

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

to replace expert medical care.

Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments.

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

DISCLAIMER

Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement of

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\

------

[Guest guest]

,

What about the folks who have had RAI. I know that they say it " destroys " the

thyroid gland but the tissue is still in there. Unless the gland has to be

active to produce the antigens, the inactive gland will continue to cause

problems?

I'm thinking that if the inactive gland can still stimulate the production of

antibodies then all the other tissue that has receptor sites will continue to be

problematic. Please tell me that inactive glands no longer stimulate the

production of antibodies. Otherwise to do RAI just became even more ridiculous.

Laurel

Re: Had my labs done....

Hi Val-

I don't do anything different. My abs are probably so low because I have no

(or very little) thyroid tissue left. I have no idea what they were when I

had active Graves'.

Even if you don't have a lot of circulating abs (which is what the blood

test picks up) you can still have plenty within your thyroid gland so, yes,

they are something to be concerned about as long as you have a thyroid

gland.

Normal people and patients with active Graves' both can have normal levels

of circulating thyroid abs. The difference is that normal people don't have

a lot of abs within their thyroid tissue stimulating them to make more

thyroid hormone like Graves' patients do. It's a shortcoming of relying on

a bloodtest (as it is in almost every aspect of this disease in my

experience).

Take care,

>

> > Hi Jody and Val-

> >

> > I know I just posted about this. I think Jody means that she wants her

TSI

> > antibody level much lower which they could be if her disease is not

active.

> > Hers were significantly elevated.

> >

> > For example, even though I have some (even lower than most normal

people)

> > they are low.

> >

> > Take care,

> >

> >

>

> and everyone on the Antibody discussion.

>

> I think I understand now. But in my case, I wonder. I have never had

> TED symptoms and it's my understanding that my antibodies were low

> at the onset of diagnosis, during treatment, and after remission.

> They are just under normal range.

>

> Should I be concerned about them still?

>

> , with your low antibodies, do you do anything to keep them low,

> or are they just that way? Could mine rise if I don't do preventative

> measures?

>

> Val

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

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

to replace expert medical care.

Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments.

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

DISCLAIMER

Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list does not have the endorsement of

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\

------

[Guest guest]

Hi Laurel-

As thyroid cells die they are resorbed so eventually there won't be an

actual gland there although a few cells may remain even if they they

completely ablated it. The endo can find absolutely nothing to palpate on

me. That and my lower than normal ab levels lead him to believe that I have

no thyroid left at all.

Jody has some thyroid function left meaning that she still has an active

gland. She has enough to stimulate ab production. I probably don't.

Does that make sense?

Take care,

> ,

>

> What about the folks who have had RAI. I know that they say it " destroys "

the thyroid gland but the tissue is still in there. Unless the gland has to

be active to produce the antigens, the inactive gland will continue to cause

problems?

>

> I'm thinking that if the inactive gland can still stimulate the production

of antibodies then all the other tissue that has receptor sites will

continue to be problematic. Please tell me that inactive glands no longer

stimulate the production of antibodies. Otherwise to do RAI just became

even more ridiculous.

>

> Laurel

>

> Re: Had my labs done....

>

> Hi Val-

>

> I don't do anything different. My abs are probably so low because I have

no

> (or very little) thyroid tissue left. I have no idea what they were when

I

> had active Graves'.

>

> Even if you don't have a lot of circulating abs (which is what the blood

> test picks up) you can still have plenty within your thyroid gland so,

yes,

> they are something to be concerned about as long as you have a thyroid

> gland.

>

> Normal people and patients with active Graves' both can have normal levels

> of circulating thyroid abs. The difference is that normal people don't

have

> a lot of abs within their thyroid tissue stimulating them to make more

> thyroid hormone like Graves' patients do. It's a shortcoming of relying

on

> a bloodtest (as it is in almost every aspect of this disease in my

> experience).

>

> Take care,

>

>

>

>

>

> >

> > > Hi Jody and Val-

> > >

> > > I know I just posted about this. I think Jody means that she wants

her

> TSI

> > > antibody level much lower which they could be if her disease is not

> active.

> > > Hers were significantly elevated.

> > >

> > > For example, even though I have some (even lower than most normal

> people)

> > > they are low.

> > >

> > > Take care,

> > >

> > >

> >

> > and everyone on the Antibody discussion.

> >

> > I think I understand now. But in my case, I wonder. I have never had

> > TED symptoms and it's my understanding that my antibodies were low

> > at the onset of diagnosis, during treatment, and after remission.

> > They are just under normal range.

> >

> > Should I be concerned about them still?

> >

> > , with your low antibodies, do you do anything to keep them low,

> > or are they just that way? Could mine rise if I don't do preventative

> > measures?

> >

> > Val

>

>

>

>

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

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

intended to replace expert medical care.

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

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

> DISCLAIMER

>

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

endorsement of

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

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

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

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Laurel-

As thyroid cells die they are resorbed so eventually there won't be an

actual gland there although a few cells may remain even if they they

completely ablated it. The endo can find absolutely nothing to palpate on

me. That and my lower than normal ab levels lead him to believe that I have

no thyroid left at all.

Jody has some thyroid function left meaning that she still has an active

gland. She has enough to stimulate ab production. I probably don't.

Does that make sense?

Take care,

> ,

>

> What about the folks who have had RAI. I know that they say it " destroys "

the thyroid gland but the tissue is still in there. Unless the gland has to

be active to produce the antigens, the inactive gland will continue to cause

problems?

>

> I'm thinking that if the inactive gland can still stimulate the production

of antibodies then all the other tissue that has receptor sites will

continue to be problematic. Please tell me that inactive glands no longer

stimulate the production of antibodies. Otherwise to do RAI just became

even more ridiculous.

>

> Laurel

>

> Re: Had my labs done....

>

> Hi Val-

>

> I don't do anything different. My abs are probably so low because I have

no

> (or very little) thyroid tissue left. I have no idea what they were when

I

> had active Graves'.

>

> Even if you don't have a lot of circulating abs (which is what the blood

> test picks up) you can still have plenty within your thyroid gland so,

yes,

> they are something to be concerned about as long as you have a thyroid

> gland.

>

> Normal people and patients with active Graves' both can have normal levels

> of circulating thyroid abs. The difference is that normal people don't

have

> a lot of abs within their thyroid tissue stimulating them to make more

> thyroid hormone like Graves' patients do. It's a shortcoming of relying

on

> a bloodtest (as it is in almost every aspect of this disease in my

> experience).

>

> Take care,

>

>

>

>

>

> >

> > > Hi Jody and Val-

> > >

> > > I know I just posted about this. I think Jody means that she wants

her

> TSI

> > > antibody level much lower which they could be if her disease is not

> active.

> > > Hers were significantly elevated.

> > >

> > > For example, even though I have some (even lower than most normal

> people)

> > > they are low.

> > >

> > > Take care,

> > >

> > >

> >

> > and everyone on the Antibody discussion.

> >

> > I think I understand now. But in my case, I wonder. I have never had

> > TED symptoms and it's my understanding that my antibodies were low

> > at the onset of diagnosis, during treatment, and after remission.

> > They are just under normal range.

> >

> > Should I be concerned about them still?

> >

> > , with your low antibodies, do you do anything to keep them low,

> > or are they just that way? Could mine rise if I don't do preventative

> > measures?

> >

> > Val

>

>

>

>

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

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

intended to replace expert medical care.

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

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

> DISCLAIMER

>

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

endorsement of

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

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

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

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Laurel-

As thyroid cells die they are resorbed so eventually there won't be an

actual gland there although a few cells may remain even if they they

completely ablated it. The endo can find absolutely nothing to palpate on

me. That and my lower than normal ab levels lead him to believe that I have

no thyroid left at all.

Jody has some thyroid function left meaning that she still has an active

gland. She has enough to stimulate ab production. I probably don't.

Does that make sense?

Take care,

> ,

>

> What about the folks who have had RAI. I know that they say it " destroys "

the thyroid gland but the tissue is still in there. Unless the gland has to

be active to produce the antigens, the inactive gland will continue to cause

problems?

>

> I'm thinking that if the inactive gland can still stimulate the production

of antibodies then all the other tissue that has receptor sites will

continue to be problematic. Please tell me that inactive glands no longer

stimulate the production of antibodies. Otherwise to do RAI just became

even more ridiculous.

>

> Laurel

>

> Re: Had my labs done....

>

> Hi Val-

>

> I don't do anything different. My abs are probably so low because I have

no

> (or very little) thyroid tissue left. I have no idea what they were when

I

> had active Graves'.

>

> Even if you don't have a lot of circulating abs (which is what the blood

> test picks up) you can still have plenty within your thyroid gland so,

yes,

> they are something to be concerned about as long as you have a thyroid

> gland.

>

> Normal people and patients with active Graves' both can have normal levels

> of circulating thyroid abs. The difference is that normal people don't

have

> a lot of abs within their thyroid tissue stimulating them to make more

> thyroid hormone like Graves' patients do. It's a shortcoming of relying

on

> a bloodtest (as it is in almost every aspect of this disease in my

> experience).

>

> Take care,

>

>

>

>

>

> >

> > > Hi Jody and Val-

> > >

> > > I know I just posted about this. I think Jody means that she wants

her

> TSI

> > > antibody level much lower which they could be if her disease is not

> active.

> > > Hers were significantly elevated.

> > >

> > > For example, even though I have some (even lower than most normal

> people)

> > > they are low.

> > >

> > > Take care,

> > >

> > >

> >

> > and everyone on the Antibody discussion.

> >

> > I think I understand now. But in my case, I wonder. I have never had

> > TED symptoms and it's my understanding that my antibodies were low

> > at the onset of diagnosis, during treatment, and after remission.

> > They are just under normal range.

> >

> > Should I be concerned about them still?

> >

> > , with your low antibodies, do you do anything to keep them low,

> > or are they just that way? Could mine rise if I don't do preventative

> > measures?

> >

> > Val

>

>

>

>

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

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

intended to replace expert medical care.

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

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

> DISCLAIMER

>

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

endorsement of

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

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

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

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Val-

There's not a way that I know of to check for abs in thyroid tissue. If I

was in your position, I'd use TSH and FT4 mostly. You can still check ab

blood levels once in a while because if you had lower levels (than show up

now) when you were healthy, they might drop more than they are at now. You

just couldn't know whether that's always been normal for you or if it

increased when you became ill because most people have no idea what their

blood levels are when they're healthy.

Take care,

>

> > Hi Val-

> >

> > I don't do anything different. My abs are probably so low because I

have no

> > (or very little) thyroid tissue left. I have no idea what they were

when I

> > had active Graves'.

>

> Prior to going on ATD's they were within the normal ranges (high

> normal) for me. But I have a whole big thyroid left waiting in silence

> to attack!

>

> > Even if you don't have a lot of circulating abs (which is what the blood

> > test picks up) you can still have plenty within your thyroid gland so,

yes,

> > they are something to be concerned about as long as you have a thyroid

> > gland.

>

> hmm, is there a way to check the ones hiding in the gland?

>

> > Normal people and patients with active Graves' both can have normal

levels

> > of circulating thyroid abs. The difference is that normal people don't

have

> > a lot of abs within their thyroid tissue stimulating them to make more

> > thyroid hormone like Graves' patients do. It's a shortcoming of relying

on

> > a bloodtest (as it is in almost every aspect of this disease in my

> > experience).

>

> So in my case, is it safe to use the TSH and FT4 and lack of TED

> symptoms to gauge remission?

>

> Val

[Guest guest]

Hi Val-

There's not a way that I know of to check for abs in thyroid tissue. If I

was in your position, I'd use TSH and FT4 mostly. You can still check ab

blood levels once in a while because if you had lower levels (than show up

now) when you were healthy, they might drop more than they are at now. You

just couldn't know whether that's always been normal for you or if it

increased when you became ill because most people have no idea what their

blood levels are when they're healthy.

Take care,

>

> > Hi Val-

> >

> > I don't do anything different. My abs are probably so low because I

have no

> > (or very little) thyroid tissue left. I have no idea what they were

when I

> > had active Graves'.

>

> Prior to going on ATD's they were within the normal ranges (high

> normal) for me. But I have a whole big thyroid left waiting in silence

> to attack!

>

> > Even if you don't have a lot of circulating abs (which is what the blood

> > test picks up) you can still have plenty within your thyroid gland so,

yes,

> > they are something to be concerned about as long as you have a thyroid

> > gland.

>

> hmm, is there a way to check the ones hiding in the gland?

>

> > Normal people and patients with active Graves' both can have normal

levels

> > of circulating thyroid abs. The difference is that normal people don't

have

> > a lot of abs within their thyroid tissue stimulating them to make more

> > thyroid hormone like Graves' patients do. It's a shortcoming of relying

on

> > a bloodtest (as it is in almost every aspect of this disease in my

> > experience).

>

> So in my case, is it safe to use the TSH and FT4 and lack of TED

> symptoms to gauge remission?

>

> Val

[Guest guest]

Hi Val-

There's not a way that I know of to check for abs in thyroid tissue. If I

was in your position, I'd use TSH and FT4 mostly. You can still check ab

blood levels once in a while because if you had lower levels (than show up

now) when you were healthy, they might drop more than they are at now. You

just couldn't know whether that's always been normal for you or if it

increased when you became ill because most people have no idea what their

blood levels are when they're healthy.

Take care,

>

> > Hi Val-

> >

> > I don't do anything different. My abs are probably so low because I

have no

> > (or very little) thyroid tissue left. I have no idea what they were

when I

> > had active Graves'.

>

> Prior to going on ATD's they were within the normal ranges (high

> normal) for me. But I have a whole big thyroid left waiting in silence

> to attack!

>

> > Even if you don't have a lot of circulating abs (which is what the blood

> > test picks up) you can still have plenty within your thyroid gland so,

yes,

> > they are something to be concerned about as long as you have a thyroid

> > gland.

>

> hmm, is there a way to check the ones hiding in the gland?

>

> > Normal people and patients with active Graves' both can have normal

levels

> > of circulating thyroid abs. The difference is that normal people don't

have

> > a lot of abs within their thyroid tissue stimulating them to make more

> > thyroid hormone like Graves' patients do. It's a shortcoming of relying

on

> > a bloodtest (as it is in almost every aspect of this disease in my

> > experience).

>

> So in my case, is it safe to use the TSH and FT4 and lack of TED

> symptoms to gauge remission?

>

> Val

[Guest guest]

Hi Sue,

We are at risk of the eye disease as long as we have elevated TSI

antibodies. I had what my ophtho called *chronic*, would have problems now

and again, but nothing like what many have experienced. Since last April I

have what he called *acute* GO, my TSI ab's are elevated and it has stayed

with me this past year...though it is much better than it was since being on

the atd's for it.

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

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

[Guest guest]

Hi Sue,

We are at risk of the eye disease as long as we have elevated TSI

antibodies. I had what my ophtho called *chronic*, would have problems now

and again, but nothing like what many have experienced. Since last April I

have what he called *acute* GO, my TSI ab's are elevated and it has stayed

with me this past year...though it is much better than it was since being on

the atd's for it.

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

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

[Guest guest]

Hi Sue,

We are at risk of the eye disease as long as we have elevated TSI

antibodies. I had what my ophtho called *chronic*, would have problems now

and again, but nothing like what many have experienced. Since last April I

have what he called *acute* GO, my TSI ab's are elevated and it has stayed

with me this past year...though it is much better than it was since being on

the atd's for it.

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

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

[Guest guest]

,

I'm not good at looking back through the posts, but I thought you recently

mentioned eye involvement? If it's caused by the ab's and yours are low, am

I missing something?

Thanks,

Terry

>

> Reply-To: graves_support

> Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2002 17:37:28 -0800

> To: <graves_support >

> Subject: Re: Had my labs done....

>

>

> Hi Laurel-

>

> As thyroid cells die they are resorbed so eventually there won't be an

> actual gland there although a few cells may remain even if they they

> completely ablated it. The endo can find absolutely nothing to palpate on

> me. That and my lower than normal ab levels lead him to believe that I have

> no thyroid left at all.

>

> Jody has some thyroid function left meaning that she still has an active

> gland. She has enough to stimulate ab production. I probably don't.

>

> Does that make sense?

>

> Take care,

>

>

>

>> ,

>>

>> What about the folks who have had RAI. I know that they say it " destroys "

> the thyroid gland but the tissue is still in there. Unless the gland has to

> be active to produce the antigens, the inactive gland will continue to cause

> problems?

>>

>> I'm thinking that if the inactive gland can still stimulate the production

> of antibodies then all the other tissue that has receptor sites will

> continue to be problematic. Please tell me that inactive glands no longer

> stimulate the production of antibodies. Otherwise to do RAI just became

> even more ridiculous.

>>

>> Laurel

>>

>> Re: Had my labs done....

>>

>> Hi Val-

>>

>> I don't do anything different. My abs are probably so low because I have

> no

>> (or very little) thyroid tissue left. I have no idea what they were when

> I

>> had active Graves'.

>>

>> Even if you don't have a lot of circulating abs (which is what the blood

>> test picks up) you can still have plenty within your thyroid gland so,

> yes,

>> they are something to be concerned about as long as you have a thyroid

>> gland.

>>

>> Normal people and patients with active Graves' both can have normal levels

>> of circulating thyroid abs. The difference is that normal people don't

> have

>> a lot of abs within their thyroid tissue stimulating them to make more

>> thyroid hormone like Graves' patients do. It's a shortcoming of relying

> on

>> a bloodtest (as it is in almost every aspect of this disease in my

>> experience).

>>

>> Take care,

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>>

>>>> Hi Jody and Val-

>>>>

>>>> I know I just posted about this. I think Jody means that she wants

> her

>> TSI

>>>> antibody level much lower which they could be if her disease is not

>> active.

>>>> Hers were significantly elevated.

>>>>

>>>> For example, even though I have some (even lower than most normal

>> people)

>>>> they are low.

>>>>

>>>> Take care,

>>>>

>>>>

>>>

>>> and everyone on the Antibody discussion.

>>>

>>> I think I understand now. But in my case, I wonder. I have never had

>>> TED symptoms and it's my understanding that my antibodies were low

>>> at the onset of diagnosis, during treatment, and after remission.

>>> They are just under normal range.

>>>

>>> Should I be concerned about them still?

>>>

>>> , with your low antibodies, do you do anything to keep them low,

>>> or are they just that way? Could mine rise if I don't do preventative

>>> measures?

>>>

>>> Val

>>

>>

>>

>>

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

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

> intended to replace expert medical care.

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

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

>> DISCLAIMER

>>

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

> endorsement of

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

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

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

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

,

I'm not good at looking back through the posts, but I thought you recently

mentioned eye involvement? If it's caused by the ab's and yours are low, am

I missing something?

Thanks,

Terry

>

> Reply-To: graves_support

> Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2002 17:37:28 -0800

> To: <graves_support >

> Subject: Re: Had my labs done....

>

>

> Hi Laurel-

>

> As thyroid cells die they are resorbed so eventually there won't be an

> actual gland there although a few cells may remain even if they they

> completely ablated it. The endo can find absolutely nothing to palpate on

> me. That and my lower than normal ab levels lead him to believe that I have

> no thyroid left at all.

>

> Jody has some thyroid function left meaning that she still has an active

> gland. She has enough to stimulate ab production. I probably don't.

>

> Does that make sense?

>

> Take care,

>

>

>

>> ,

>>

>> What about the folks who have had RAI. I know that they say it " destroys "

> the thyroid gland but the tissue is still in there. Unless the gland has to

> be active to produce the antigens, the inactive gland will continue to cause

> problems?

>>

>> I'm thinking that if the inactive gland can still stimulate the production

> of antibodies then all the other tissue that has receptor sites will

> continue to be problematic. Please tell me that inactive glands no longer

> stimulate the production of antibodies. Otherwise to do RAI just became

> even more ridiculous.

>>

>> Laurel

>>

>> Re: Had my labs done....

>>

>> Hi Val-

>>

>> I don't do anything different. My abs are probably so low because I have

> no

>> (or very little) thyroid tissue left. I have no idea what they were when

> I

>> had active Graves'.

>>

>> Even if you don't have a lot of circulating abs (which is what the blood

>> test picks up) you can still have plenty within your thyroid gland so,

> yes,

>> they are something to be concerned about as long as you have a thyroid

>> gland.

>>

>> Normal people and patients with active Graves' both can have normal levels

>> of circulating thyroid abs. The difference is that normal people don't

> have

>> a lot of abs within their thyroid tissue stimulating them to make more

>> thyroid hormone like Graves' patients do. It's a shortcoming of relying

> on

>> a bloodtest (as it is in almost every aspect of this disease in my

>> experience).

>>

>> Take care,

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>>

>>>> Hi Jody and Val-

>>>>

>>>> I know I just posted about this. I think Jody means that she wants

> her

>> TSI

>>>> antibody level much lower which they could be if her disease is not

>> active.

>>>> Hers were significantly elevated.

>>>>

>>>> For example, even though I have some (even lower than most normal

>> people)

>>>> they are low.

>>>>

>>>> Take care,

>>>>

>>>>

>>>

>>> and everyone on the Antibody discussion.

>>>

>>> I think I understand now. But in my case, I wonder. I have never had

>>> TED symptoms and it's my understanding that my antibodies were low

>>> at the onset of diagnosis, during treatment, and after remission.

>>> They are just under normal range.

>>>

>>> Should I be concerned about them still?

>>>

>>> , with your low antibodies, do you do anything to keep them low,

>>> or are they just that way? Could mine rise if I don't do preventative

>>> measures?

>>>

>>> Val

>>

>>

>>

>>

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

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

> intended to replace expert medical care.

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

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

>> DISCLAIMER

>>

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

> endorsement of

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

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

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

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

,

I'm not good at looking back through the posts, but I thought you recently

mentioned eye involvement? If it's caused by the ab's and yours are low, am

I missing something?

Thanks,

Terry

>

> Reply-To: graves_support

> Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2002 17:37:28 -0800

> To: <graves_support >

> Subject: Re: Had my labs done....

>

>

> Hi Laurel-

>

> As thyroid cells die they are resorbed so eventually there won't be an

> actual gland there although a few cells may remain even if they they

> completely ablated it. The endo can find absolutely nothing to palpate on

> me. That and my lower than normal ab levels lead him to believe that I have

> no thyroid left at all.

>

> Jody has some thyroid function left meaning that she still has an active

> gland. She has enough to stimulate ab production. I probably don't.

>

> Does that make sense?

>

> Take care,

>

>

>

>> ,

>>

>> What about the folks who have had RAI. I know that they say it " destroys "

> the thyroid gland but the tissue is still in there. Unless the gland has to

> be active to produce the antigens, the inactive gland will continue to cause

> problems?

>>

>> I'm thinking that if the inactive gland can still stimulate the production

> of antibodies then all the other tissue that has receptor sites will

> continue to be problematic. Please tell me that inactive glands no longer

> stimulate the production of antibodies. Otherwise to do RAI just became

> even more ridiculous.

>>

>> Laurel

>>

>> Re: Had my labs done....

>>

>> Hi Val-

>>

>> I don't do anything different. My abs are probably so low because I have

> no

>> (or very little) thyroid tissue left. I have no idea what they were when

> I

>> had active Graves'.

>>

>> Even if you don't have a lot of circulating abs (which is what the blood

>> test picks up) you can still have plenty within your thyroid gland so,

> yes,

>> they are something to be concerned about as long as you have a thyroid

>> gland.

>>

>> Normal people and patients with active Graves' both can have normal levels

>> of circulating thyroid abs. The difference is that normal people don't

> have

>> a lot of abs within their thyroid tissue stimulating them to make more

>> thyroid hormone like Graves' patients do. It's a shortcoming of relying

> on

>> a bloodtest (as it is in almost every aspect of this disease in my

>> experience).

>>

>> Take care,

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>>

>>>> Hi Jody and Val-

>>>>

>>>> I know I just posted about this. I think Jody means that she wants

> her

>> TSI

>>>> antibody level much lower which they could be if her disease is not

>> active.

>>>> Hers were significantly elevated.

>>>>

>>>> For example, even though I have some (even lower than most normal

>> people)

>>>> they are low.

>>>>

>>>> Take care,

>>>>

>>>>

>>>

>>> and everyone on the Antibody discussion.

>>>

>>> I think I understand now. But in my case, I wonder. I have never had

>>> TED symptoms and it's my understanding that my antibodies were low

>>> at the onset of diagnosis, during treatment, and after remission.

>>> They are just under normal range.

>>>

>>> Should I be concerned about them still?

>>>

>>> , with your low antibodies, do you do anything to keep them low,

>>> or are they just that way? Could mine rise if I don't do preventative

>>> measures?

>>>

>>> Val

>>

>>

>>

>>

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

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

> intended to replace expert medical care.

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

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

>> DISCLAIMER

>>

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

> endorsement of

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

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

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

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jody

What is TSI? Is this a blood test or something I should know? Sorry, just

a beginner.

Sue

Mollymook, Australia

At 09:17 PM 19/03/2002 -0500, you wrote:

> Hi Sue,

> We are at risk of the eye disease as long as we have elevated

>TSI I had what my ophtho called *chronic*, would have problems now

>

>Since last April I

> have what he called *acute* GO, my TSI ab's are

>elevated and it has stayed

> with me this past year...though it is much

>better than it was since being on

> the atd's for it.

> Jody

[Guest guest]

Hi Sue,

Don't ever apologize for asking questions...I think, in the beginning I was

asking the same questions over and over again because I just couldn't get my

mind to work and remember <sigh>

The TSI are Thryoid Stimulating Immunoglobulins and these are autoantibodies

and are what attack our thyroids and our eyes. It is a test I would

recommend to EVERYONE diagnosed with graves from the beginning. It does not

need to be taken at every blood draw, but from time to time to see if these

are wanning with treatment and and indicator of remission.

Some doctors just don't see the need for these to be drawn, but from my own

experience of not having them drawn in the beginning nor for over 5 years

until my eye doctor did them to make sure my eye disease was caused by

graves and they were elevated. Had they been done in the beginning and

periodically since then, maybe I would/could have done things differently in

treatment and avoided any eye involvement. My doctor didn't think they were

important before, she does now.

Hope this helps,

Jody

_________________________________________________________________

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