Re: TSH levels

September 27, 2005

That seems odd.... did they give you any numbers?

Low TSH could be because you are in a hyper swing, that they took the test wrong.... all kinds of things... I wouldn't go into any kind of a panic... I'd wait to see what the tests on the thyroid hormones are showing....

When are you going in to see the doc?

What is your diagnosis, why are you hypo?

What dose of Levothyroxine are you on?

Topper ()

On Tue, 27 Sep 2005 05:10:18 +0100 "Gwynneth Broxton" writes:

Hello. This is the first time I have written so please forgive my ignorance. I don't even know

if I am writing to the correct address!

I just want to ask about TSH. I went to my doctor's surgery to find out the results of my blood

test and the receptionist said that the doctor is about to ring me because "TSH not detected".

I have been having levothyroxine for just over a year now for hypothyroidism.

Thankyou

Gwynneth

September 27, 2005

That seems odd.... did they give you any numbers?

Low TSH could be because you are in a hyper swing, that they took the test wrong.... all kinds of things... I wouldn't go into any kind of a panic... I'd wait to see what the tests on the thyroid hormones are showing....

When are you going in to see the doc?

What is your diagnosis, why are you hypo?

What dose of Levothyroxine are you on?

Topper ()

On Tue, 27 Sep 2005 05:10:18 +0100 "Gwynneth Broxton" writes:

Hello. This is the first time I have written so please forgive my ignorance. I don't even know

if I am writing to the correct address!

I just want to ask about TSH. I went to my doctor's surgery to find out the results of my blood

test and the receptionist said that the doctor is about to ring me because "TSH not detected".

I have been having levothyroxine for just over a year now for hypothyroidism.

Thankyou

Gwynneth

September 27, 2005

That seems odd.... did they give you any numbers?

Low TSH could be because you are in a hyper swing, that they took the test wrong.... all kinds of things... I wouldn't go into any kind of a panic... I'd wait to see what the tests on the thyroid hormones are showing....

When are you going in to see the doc?

What is your diagnosis, why are you hypo?

What dose of Levothyroxine are you on?

Topper ()

On Tue, 27 Sep 2005 05:10:18 +0100 "Gwynneth Broxton" writes:

Hello. This is the first time I have written so please forgive my ignorance. I don't even know

if I am writing to the correct address!

I just want to ask about TSH. I went to my doctor's surgery to find out the results of my blood

test and the receptionist said that the doctor is about to ring me because "TSH not detected".

I have been having levothyroxine for just over a year now for hypothyroidism.

Thankyou

Gwynneth

September 27, 2005

Dear Topper

Thanks so much for replying.

Numbers? I suppose it's different in the USA. You all seem so educated on this subject - so aware of your rights, etc. All I know is what the receptionist said; "TSH not detected". I only know what TSH is because I have tried to find out on the internet, but I don't really know whether that is a good or bad thing. I didn't write because I was worried - more that I don't have a clue what it all means.

When I have a blood test I am never offered ACTUAL NUMBERS. I am only told to raise/lower my medication (usually the latter). In England you don't ASK for a blood test - only the doctor can do that.

On odd occasions I have asked if my medication could be increased but have just been told it is ok. I sometimes wonder if anybody listens to me. I am always SO tired. Most days I have to force myself to just get out of bed. Before I started medication so much of my hair fell out that I had hair extensions put in. I was so *nearly-bald* that I looked very ill. God forgive me, but for a while I even envied people on chemo because their hair would grow back! (My hair has improved somewhat since I have been on medication.) My face was terribly swollen and I ached all over. My tummy was so swollen that I even wore my old maternity clothes. I would have to wear a down-filled jacket - sometimes two - around the house because I felt so cold it was like I had been thrown into an icy pond.

In 2003 I put on 4 1/2 stones within the year (63 pounds). Before that I had been stick-thin. Nowadays I don't have/don't want any friends because I feel such a frump. Also I can't remember the simplest things, having to write notes everywhere and even on my palms if I am out of the house (I don't know what I'd do without a computer).

I know that gradually since I have been taking medication I have improved greatly health-wise. But I still feel that there is a long way to go. Once I had been diagnosed I kind of expected the excess weight to drop off but I still weigh 11 1/2 stones (I weighed 7 stones most of my adult life until 2003. I suspect that I had been hypo for years and just didn't know as I wasn't tested.

In answer to your question - I am currently on 125 mcg of levothyroxine per day. It has been varying between 100mcg and 200 mcg over this last year. I honestly think I need to be back on 200 mcg or more but I worry that the doctor will think I am trying to manipulate him. I am also on Dothiepin 150 mg per day and several drugs for arthritis and IBS.

I have been a member of this mailing list for nearly a year now (I think) but rarely read the mails because even THAT is too much effort. I will try to make up for that now.

And when you all talk about ARMOUR - what IS Armour?

I am sorry if this sounds like I am feeling sorry for myself but this illness makes me feel and look so OLD.

Thanks for listening.

Gwynneth

Re: TSH levels

That seems odd.... did they give you any numbers?

Low TSH could be because you are in a hyper swing, that they took the test wrong.... all kinds of things... I wouldn't go into any kind of a panic... I'd wait to see what the tests on the thyroid hormones are showing....

When are you going in to see the doc?

What is your diagnosis, why are you hypo?

What dose of Levothyroxine are you on?

Topper ()

On Tue, 27 Sep 2005 05:10:18 +0100 "Gwynneth Broxton" writes:

Hello. This is the first time I have written so please forgive my ignorance. I don't even know

if I am writing to the correct address!

I just want to ask about TSH. I went to my doctor's surgery to find out the results of my blood

test and the receptionist said that the doctor is about to ring me because "TSH not detected".

I have been having levothyroxine for just over a year now for hypothyroidism.

Thankyou

Gwynneth

September 27, 2005

Gwynn:

TSH...you want it lower..like bottom of your range pretty much. The higher it is..the more hypo.

I really feel for you guys over there across the pond. My mom's from there and two of her sisters have hypo. Its sounds like good treatment is near impossible.

I guess if I were there..if my parents had their kids here, I would be in the same boat.

I would try to order some Armour online..and experiment with it a bit. Don't do anything drastic like dumping your t4 pill outright or anything...just sprinkle some armour on top of what you are doing now. See if it helps. YES...you can take both at the same time. I call it comboing...lots of folks do it. Some..can only feel well that way.

In the meantime...I would be hunting around for a new doc. They have some good ones in Birmingham from what I hear...but its critical to keep looking.

Please don't give up!

~E:) Gwynneth Broxton wrote:

Dear Topper

Thanks so much for replying.

Numbers? I suppose it's different in the USA. You all seem so educated on this subject - so aware of your rights, etc. All I know is what the receptionist said; "TSH not detected". I only know what TSH is because I have tried to find out on the internet, but I don't really know whether that is a good or bad thing. I didn't write because I was worried - more that I don't have a clue what it all means.

When I have a blood test I am never offered ACTUAL NUMBERS. I am only told to raise/lower my medication (usually the latter). In England you don't ASK for a blood test - only the doctor can do that.

On odd occasions I have asked if my medication could be increased but have just been told it is ok. I sometimes wonder if anybody listens to me. I am always SO tired. Most days I have to force myself to just get out of bed. Before I started medication so much of my hair fell out that I had hair extensions put in. I was so *nearly-bald* that I looked very ill. God forgive me, but for a while I even envied people on chemo because their hair would grow back! (My hair has improved somewhat since I have been on medication.) My face was terribly swollen and I ached all over. My tummy was so swollen that I even wore my old maternity clothes. I would have to wear a down-filled jacket - sometimes two - around the house because I felt so cold it was like I had been thrown into an icy pond.

In 2003 I put on 4 1/2 stones within the year (63 pounds). Before that I had been stick-thin. Nowadays I don't have/don't want any friends because I feel such a frump. Also I can't remember the simplest things, having to write notes everywhere and even on my palms if I am out of the house (I don't know what I'd do without a computer).

I know that gradually since I have been taking medication I have improved greatly health-wise. But I still feel that there is a long way to go. Once I had been diagnosed I kind of expected the excess weight to drop off but I still weigh 11 1/2 stones (I weighed 7 stones most of my adult life until 2003. I suspect that I had been hypo for years and just didn't know as I wasn't tested.

In answer to your question - I am currently on 125 mcg of levothyroxine per day. It has been varying between 100mcg and 200 mcg over this last year. I honestly think I need to be back on 200 mcg or more but I worry that the doctor will think I am trying to manipulate him. I am also on Dothiepin 150 mg per day and several drugs for arthritis and IBS.

I have been a member of this mailing list for nearly a year now (I think) but rarely read the mails because even THAT is too much effort. I will try to make up for that now.

And when you all talk about ARMOUR - what IS Armour?

I am sorry if this sounds like I am feeling sorry for myself but this illness makes me feel and look so OLD.

Thanks for listening.

Gwynneth

Re: TSH levels

That seems odd.... did they give you any numbers?

Low TSH could be because you are in a hyper swing, that they took the test wrong.... all kinds of things... I wouldn't go into any kind of a panic... I'd wait to see what the tests on the thyroid hormones are showing....

When are you going in to see the doc?

What is your diagnosis, why are you hypo?

What dose of Levothyroxine are you on?

Topper ()

On Tue, 27 Sep 2005 05:10:18 +0100 "Gwynneth Broxton" writes:

Hello. This is the first time I have written so please forgive my ignorance. I don't even know

if I am writing to the correct address!

I just want to ask about TSH. I went to my doctor's surgery to find out the results of my blood

test and the receptionist said that the doctor is about to ring me because "TSH not detected".

I have been having levothyroxine for just over a year now for hypothyroidism.

Thankyou

Gwynneth

~EG Connecticut Total-T 16 months ago / 37.5 mg Synthetic/120mg Armour since August 7th

Yahoo! for Good Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

September 27, 2005

Gwynn:

TSH...you want it lower..like bottom of your range pretty much. The higher it is..the more hypo.

I really feel for you guys over there across the pond. My mom's from there and two of her sisters have hypo. Its sounds like good treatment is near impossible.

I guess if I were there..if my parents had their kids here, I would be in the same boat.

I would try to order some Armour online..and experiment with it a bit. Don't do anything drastic like dumping your t4 pill outright or anything...just sprinkle some armour on top of what you are doing now. See if it helps. YES...you can take both at the same time. I call it comboing...lots of folks do it. Some..can only feel well that way.

In the meantime...I would be hunting around for a new doc. They have some good ones in Birmingham from what I hear...but its critical to keep looking.

Please don't give up!

~E:) Gwynneth Broxton wrote:

Dear Topper

Thanks so much for replying.

Numbers? I suppose it's different in the USA. You all seem so educated on this subject - so aware of your rights, etc. All I know is what the receptionist said; "TSH not detected". I only know what TSH is because I have tried to find out on the internet, but I don't really know whether that is a good or bad thing. I didn't write because I was worried - more that I don't have a clue what it all means.

When I have a blood test I am never offered ACTUAL NUMBERS. I am only told to raise/lower my medication (usually the latter). In England you don't ASK for a blood test - only the doctor can do that.

On odd occasions I have asked if my medication could be increased but have just been told it is ok. I sometimes wonder if anybody listens to me. I am always SO tired. Most days I have to force myself to just get out of bed. Before I started medication so much of my hair fell out that I had hair extensions put in. I was so *nearly-bald* that I looked very ill. God forgive me, but for a while I even envied people on chemo because their hair would grow back! (My hair has improved somewhat since I have been on medication.) My face was terribly swollen and I ached all over. My tummy was so swollen that I even wore my old maternity clothes. I would have to wear a down-filled jacket - sometimes two - around the house because I felt so cold it was like I had been thrown into an icy pond.

In 2003 I put on 4 1/2 stones within the year (63 pounds). Before that I had been stick-thin. Nowadays I don't have/don't want any friends because I feel such a frump. Also I can't remember the simplest things, having to write notes everywhere and even on my palms if I am out of the house (I don't know what I'd do without a computer).

I know that gradually since I have been taking medication I have improved greatly health-wise. But I still feel that there is a long way to go. Once I had been diagnosed I kind of expected the excess weight to drop off but I still weigh 11 1/2 stones (I weighed 7 stones most of my adult life until 2003. I suspect that I had been hypo for years and just didn't know as I wasn't tested.

In answer to your question - I am currently on 125 mcg of levothyroxine per day. It has been varying between 100mcg and 200 mcg over this last year. I honestly think I need to be back on 200 mcg or more but I worry that the doctor will think I am trying to manipulate him. I am also on Dothiepin 150 mg per day and several drugs for arthritis and IBS.

I have been a member of this mailing list for nearly a year now (I think) but rarely read the mails because even THAT is too much effort. I will try to make up for that now.

And when you all talk about ARMOUR - what IS Armour?

I am sorry if this sounds like I am feeling sorry for myself but this illness makes me feel and look so OLD.

Thanks for listening.

Gwynneth

Re: TSH levels

That seems odd.... did they give you any numbers?

Low TSH could be because you are in a hyper swing, that they took the test wrong.... all kinds of things... I wouldn't go into any kind of a panic... I'd wait to see what the tests on the thyroid hormones are showing....

When are you going in to see the doc?

What is your diagnosis, why are you hypo?

What dose of Levothyroxine are you on?

Topper ()

On Tue, 27 Sep 2005 05:10:18 +0100 "Gwynneth Broxton" writes:

Hello. This is the first time I have written so please forgive my ignorance. I don't even know

if I am writing to the correct address!

I just want to ask about TSH. I went to my doctor's surgery to find out the results of my blood

test and the receptionist said that the doctor is about to ring me because "TSH not detected".

I have been having levothyroxine for just over a year now for hypothyroidism.

Thankyou

Gwynneth

~EG Connecticut Total-T 16 months ago / 37.5 mg Synthetic/120mg Armour since August 7th

Yahoo! for Good Click here to donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

September 28, 2005

Hi Gwynneth,

I'm in the UK too, but I went along to my doctor and told her I was getting the Free T3 and Free T4 and the two antibodies tests done privately, so she said she would ask for them to be done on the NHS. Whether or not they were all done, I'm still waiting to find out - won't get the test results until Friday week, but at least she tried. LIke you, I've always trotted along, been told 'I was normal' (after the first diagnosis was made and I was put on T4) and that was it, and there I was, wondering why I was getting more and more ill. If I take a cat to the vet for something, I want to know EVERYTHING, and I'll research it all. What on earth possessed me not to do that with an illness I had! Gwynneth, you sound SO like I felt just three or four weeks ago!!!!!!! I can't believe it was such a short time ago! I'd been on 125mcg thyroxene for years and years (regular tests coming back as normal), but my brain was in a complete fog (really embarassing) and a state of total confusion, which made me lack confidence to even speak to people. I gained a quarter of a stone every month, despite dieting with all sorts of diets that doctors suggested, my body ached, especially legs and feet with pain, and the muscle weakness was so bad that I struggled to get up and down stairs or walk a short way. I'd broken a bone in my foot with a stress fracture, had a sore throat ALL the time, had been on anti-depressants constantly for years (about 30 years roughly) and felt a total utter wreck. Then someone on a breeders cat group mentioned thyroid, and I joined this group and heard about Armour. I couldn't wait for my next appointment with my doctor - 4 weeks later. I bought Armour on the net, under the guidance of this bunch on here. One day I stopped the thyroxene and took half a 60 mcg tablet (called half a grain) of Armour (First thing in the morning, letting it disolve in my mouth). If there had been a priest praying over me, anyone watching would have been without doubt that a miracle had truly occurred. Within half an hour, I was thinking 'this can't be happening! It must be in my head!' and within an hour I was posting on this group saying 'surely I'm imagining this, but it feels like I've just got back in my body, like someone has switched the light on!' and replied saying let's dance for because she's found the right medication for her! I'm not saying for a moment that this will affect everyone like it did me, but if it's because your body needs the T3, then I gather it will work for you. Not necessarily that quickly - I've heard some say it took a few weeks, and that was what I was expecting, but it all depends on what hormones are doing what in your body. Others on here can help you with the more technical stuff:-))) I'm still very much a newbie:-))))

Armour is dessicated pigs thyroid:-))))) Unfortunately it doesn't taste like roast pork, but it's not unpleasant:-))))

I do have a list of doctors who will prescribe Armour in the UK, that came from the Thyroid Patients' Advocacy Group, if you'd like it. If you want to get your doctor to prescribe it, then go armed with all the info you can to back you up.

So Gwynneth, hang in with this group, and if you can't get your doctor to help, then you do have the option of self treating like I did. I'm going to ask my doctor on my next appointment if she'll take it over. If she does, she does, if she doesn't she doesn't, but I'm one heck of a lot better off going it without her than deteriorating as I was! I feel I've got my life back. Before I felt my body and my brain was slowly winding down ready for death.

My apologies to those on here who have heard my story before:-))))

Love Chris

Dear Topper

Thanks so much for replying.

Numbers? I suppose it's different in the USA. You all seem so educated on this subject - so aware of your rights, etc. All I know is what the receptionist said; "TSH not detected". I only know what TSH is because I have tried to find out on the internet, but I don't really know whether that is a good or bad thing. I didn't write because I was worried - more that I don't have a clue what it all means.

When I have a blood test I am never offered ACTUAL NUMBERS. I am only told to raise/lower my medication (usually the latter). In England you don't ASK for a blood test - only the doctor can do that.

On odd occasions I have asked if my medication could be increased but have just been told it is ok. I sometimes wonder if anybody listens to me. I am always SO tired. Most days I have to force myself to just get out of bed. Before I started medication so much of my hair fell out that I had hair extensions put in. I was so *nearly-bald* that I looked very ill. God forgive me, but for a while I even envied people on chemo because their hair would grow back! (My hair has improved somewhat since I have been on medication.) My face was terribly swollen and I ached all over. My tummy was so swollen that I even wore my old maternity clothes. I would have to wear a down-filled jacket - sometimes two - around the house because I felt so cold it was like I had been thrown into an icy pond.

In 2003 I put on 4 1/2 stones within the year (63 pounds). Before that I had been stick-thin. Nowadays I don't have/don't want any friends because I feel such a frump. Also I can't remember the simplest things, having to write notes everywhere and even on my palms if I am out of the house (I don't know what I'd do without a computer).

I know that gradually since I have been taking medication I have improved greatly health-wise. But I still feel that there is a long way to go. Once I had been diagnosed I kind of expected the excess weight to drop off but I still weigh 11 1/2 stones (I weighed 7 stones most of my adult life until 2003. I suspect that I had been hypo for years and just didn't know as I wasn't tested.

In answer to your question - I am currently on 125 mcg of levothyroxine per day. It has been varying between 100mcg and 200 mcg over this last year. I honestly think I need to be back on 200 mcg or more but I worry that the doctor will think I am trying to manipulate him. I am also on Dothiepin 150 mg per day and several drugs for arthritis and IBS.

I have been a member of this mailing list for nearly a year now (I think) but rarely read the mails because even THAT is too much effort. I will try to make up for that now.

And when you all talk about ARMOUR - what IS Armour?

I am sorry if this sounds like I am feeling sorry for myself but this illness makes me feel and look so OLD.

Thanks for listening.

Gwynneth

September 28, 2005

Gwynneth, you're not feeling sorry for yourself... you've reached that magical point where you know it's 'not right' and you're trying to figure out what to do about it... that is a GOOD thing....

It helps a LOT to be able to see your numbers. It's harder over there, here it's the law that they give you the numbers when you request.

H.... any one else from over the pond... have any suggestions for getting numbers?

Armour... It's basically freeze dried pig thyroid . Pigs are so close to humans that their organs have actually been used in transplants.... So Armour is whole thyroid gland, so it contains ALL the thyroid hormones... not just one of them, like the synthetics T4 products do (Synthroid, Levothyroxine, Levothroid, etc).

Taking the synthetics you only get T4, it's the thyroid storage hormone... your body then has to convert that into the active thyroid hormones...not all of us have bodies that can do that efficiently so we never get better on T4 only meds. Some can add synthetic T3 (Cytomel, Cynomel) and that helps... but there are a lot of us that need natural thyroid (Armour, Time-Cap Labs, Thyroid-S).

The first, most important part, no matter if you are taking synthetic or natural, is getting your numbers where they need to be for your body to function better, and you to feel better......

That can be a challenge all by it self.. but it's worth figuring out how to get there... sometimes it requires finding a different doc.

Sounds like you're ready to get things rolling.... Let's go!

Topper ()

On Wed, 28 Sep 2005 02:46:59 +0100 "Gwynneth Broxton" writes:

Dear Topper

Thanks so much for replying.

Numbers? I suppose it's different in the USA. You all seem so educated on this subject - so aware of your rights, etc. All I know is what the receptionist said; "TSH not detected". I only know what TSH is because I have tried to find out on the internet, but I don't really know whether that is a good or bad thing. I didn't write because I was worried - more that I don't have a clue what it all means.

When I have a blood test I am never offered ACTUAL NUMBERS. I am only told to raise/lower my medication (usually the latter). In England you don't ASK for a blood test - only the doctor can do that.

On odd occasions I have asked if my medication could be increased but have just been told it is ok. I sometimes wonder if anybody listens to me. I am always SO tired. Most days I have to force myself to just get out of bed. Before I started medication so much of my hair fell out that I had hair extensions put in. I was so *nearly-bald* that I looked very ill. God forgive me, but for a while I even envied people on chemo because their hair would grow back! (My hair has improved somewhat since I have been on medication.) My face was terribly swollen and I ached all over. My tummy was so swollen that I even wore my old maternity clothes. I would have to wear a down-filled jacket - sometimes two - around the house because I felt so cold it was like I had been thrown into an icy pond.

In 2003 I put on 4 1/2 stones within the year (63 pounds). Before that I had been stick-thin. Nowadays I don't have/don't want any friends because I feel such a frump. Also I can't remember the simplest things, having to write notes everywhere and even on my palms if I am out of the house (I don't know what I'd do without a computer).

I know that gradually since I have been taking medication I have improved greatly health-wise. But I still feel that there is a long way to go. Once I had been diagnosed I kind of expected the excess weight to drop off but I still weigh 11 1/2 stones (I weighed 7 stones most of my adult life until 2003. I suspect that I had been hypo for years and just didn't know as I wasn't tested.

In answer to your question - I am currently on 125 mcg of levothyroxine per day. It has been varying between 100mcg and 200 mcg over this last year. I honestly think I need to be back on 200 mcg or more but I worry that the doctor will think I am trying to manipulate him. I am also on Dothiepin 150 mg per day and several drugs for arthritis and IBS.

I have been a member of this mailing list for nearly a year now (I think) but rarely read the mails because even THAT is too much effort. I will try to make up for that now.

And when you all talk about ARMOUR - what IS Armour?

I am sorry if this sounds like I am feeling sorry for myself but this illness makes me feel and look so OLD.

Thanks for listening.

Gwynneth

September 28, 2005

We are entitled to look at our medical records by law now in the UK, so when I go to my doctor I'll be asking for numbers. She did give me numbers last time I went, BUT because she said they vary from laboratory to laboratory, we need to know the norm as well. I think any doctor who won't give these numbers now is probably witholding illegally.

Just heard from someone waiting for two kittens from me - they've read the page on my site about thyroid problems and guess what - they said 'But that's ME!'. I've told them to join this group, so look out for Jacqui from the UK too:-))))

Gwynneth, you are going to be fine - hang in there, and you will be on the road to recovery:-)))))) It's within your reach.