JOE - Re: MESSAGE FOR KATIE RE: TSH :JOE

[Guest guest]

joeraso2000 wrote:

> I am really confused now .

>

> I was taking T4 only for the 2 weeks before my LID.

> Since RAI I haven't taken anything other than my regular 200mcg

> of Thyroxine in the morning.

I think, I hope, I understand some of the confusion.

PLEASE say it wasn't T4 you were taking before the LID, but T3 (Cytomel here,

not sure what it's called Down Under). Then, you were on the LID and no meds

at all for two weeks before the RAI.

Am I right, so far?

Thyroxine = levothyroxine = T4 (Synthroid, etc.)

I'm guessing that 200 mcg is a bit too low a dose for you, but I also have a

feeling that you weren't given proper instructions about how to take thyroxine

(it's an easy bet, since most of us

never got proper instructions until we subscribed to this list). In short, T4

should be taken on an empty stomach, at least an hour away from food, and 4-5

hours from soy, iron and calcium

See http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Thyca/message/11763 for Dr. Ain's

instructions.

> What would you suggest I do? Does this mean I need an increase in

> meds???

First, read Dr. Ain's letter.

If you're already taking T4 correctly, then I'd say you definitely need an

increase. You probably do anyway, but that's the first step. What did your

doctor say about your TSH of 78?

> I just had RAI in September, does that matter.

Nope. You've been taking thyroxine for 2 months, and that's long enough to get

your TSH moving downward.

> Please advise me on what I shoudl do as I am getting a little worried.

> In all honesty I feel pretty good health and phsically.

Don't worry. It's amazing that you're feeling so good with such a high TSH,

but then again, as I recall, you pretty much breezed through the whole hypo

experience, even breaking all the rules

about limiting alcohol consumption while hypo ;-)

I would call the doctor and ask what he thinks about the fact that your TSH is

still so elevated.

Be sure you're taking the T4 correctly. If so, then an increase is definitely

called for. If not, it might be anyway, but I'd test my TSH again in 4-6

weeks, to be sure the TSH was dropping.

And while you're waiting, get copies of all your records :-)

-

NYC