Guest guest Posted October 10, 2004 Report Share Posted October 10, 2004 Caroline, these are some things to put on a list of what you have to address first. If you'll concentrate on what tests need to be ran, and why they are useful, it's not near as confusing. You are most likely having problems with brainfog if not properly dosed, and these things will be in your mind one minute, and gone the next. I had that happen many times. Always get copies of labs if you're seeing any type of dr! If you ask for labs, & they aren't available at your appt, be sure a xerox copy of all labs are mailed to you. I insist on the xerox as it shows me everything that was ran. That is how most of us finally figure out we're being mismanaged on our thyroid meds. You may have to sign a paper stating that you want actual copies of all labs mailed to you. Don't be afraid to ask for these. They have to give them to you. First thing to learn is that TSH is not near as important as Endo's make it out to be. Don't argue with your dr on this issue, as he/she may get turned off and fire you, but..... ignore it for the time being. Most useless test: T3 and T4 (dr has to do an equation to 'guesstimate' how your doing). The way it was explained to me is that T3 and T4 are bound hormones & are affected by other things. FreeT3 and FreeT4 in the upper ranges are usually when we feel our best and is what is available to our cells to use. I've yet to see this disputed by anybody who's feeling well and keeps up with labs and symptoms. Without a log of info on your tests and how you're feeling, you'd never be able to see this. I certainly didn't. It's also how I found out I was not being treated properly. I had too much brain fog from the hypo to be able to comprehend it without seeing it in black and white. Now I can look back and see what was going on, per symptoms and dosages. It's been a big help. If you complain about symptoms not on the hypo list, dr's tend to turn a deaf ear, and think we're just needy individuals who need some attention. I've had this happen, and it's quite frustrating. Once they tune us out, we're not going to have much luck convincing them of anything. And always remember, Depression is not a mandatory way to live and is most definately a symptom of hypoT. Not enuff medication is just as bad as too much. SandyE~Houston Re: Re: Dosage conversion from T4 or cytomel to all Armour Oh geez...this just gets more complicated as I keep reading here. I'm already in overwhelm. All I need is to go one step at a time here & I'm not sure I even know what the next step is since I've seen my new doctor & gotten new blood tests that all say " normal " including thyroid. So obviously she's not going to want me to stop taking Synthroid if she thinks it's making me " normal " . All she's prescribed otherwise is Motrin which I haven't gotten at the drug store yet. And told me to start walking 5-10 minutes a day. She advised counseling for me too for the depression which I can't afford. So that's out. Then she wants me come back next week so she can get me onto an anti-depressant. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 10, 2004 Report Share Posted October 10, 2004 Caroline, these are some things to put on a list of what you have to address first. If you'll concentrate on what tests need to be ran, and why they are useful, it's not near as confusing. You are most likely having problems with brainfog if not properly dosed, and these things will be in your mind one minute, and gone the next. I had that happen many times. Always get copies of labs if you're seeing any type of dr! If you ask for labs, & they aren't available at your appt, be sure a xerox copy of all labs are mailed to you. I insist on the xerox as it shows me everything that was ran. That is how most of us finally figure out we're being mismanaged on our thyroid meds. You may have to sign a paper stating that you want actual copies of all labs mailed to you. Don't be afraid to ask for these. They have to give them to you. First thing to learn is that TSH is not near as important as Endo's make it out to be. Don't argue with your dr on this issue, as he/she may get turned off and fire you, but..... ignore it for the time being. Most useless test: T3 and T4 (dr has to do an equation to 'guesstimate' how your doing). The way it was explained to me is that T3 and T4 are bound hormones & are affected by other things. FreeT3 and FreeT4 in the upper ranges are usually when we feel our best and is what is available to our cells to use. I've yet to see this disputed by anybody who's feeling well and keeps up with labs and symptoms. Without a log of info on your tests and how you're feeling, you'd never be able to see this. I certainly didn't. It's also how I found out I was not being treated properly. I had too much brain fog from the hypo to be able to comprehend it without seeing it in black and white. Now I can look back and see what was going on, per symptoms and dosages. It's been a big help. If you complain about symptoms not on the hypo list, dr's tend to turn a deaf ear, and think we're just needy individuals who need some attention. I've had this happen, and it's quite frustrating. Once they tune us out, we're not going to have much luck convincing them of anything. And always remember, Depression is not a mandatory way to live and is most definately a symptom of hypoT. Not enuff medication is just as bad as too much. SandyE~Houston Re: Re: Dosage conversion from T4 or cytomel to all Armour Oh geez...this just gets more complicated as I keep reading here. I'm already in overwhelm. All I need is to go one step at a time here & I'm not sure I even know what the next step is since I've seen my new doctor & gotten new blood tests that all say " normal " including thyroid. So obviously she's not going to want me to stop taking Synthroid if she thinks it's making me " normal " . All she's prescribed otherwise is Motrin which I haven't gotten at the drug store yet. And told me to start walking 5-10 minutes a day. She advised counseling for me too for the depression which I can't afford. So that's out. Then she wants me come back next week so she can get me onto an anti-depressant. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 12, 2004 Report Share Posted October 12, 2004 Caroline, the only thing I could focus on in the beginning was just feeling better, and ordering Armour. I didn't have to treat adrenals, so I guess in that respect I'm lucky. You can order the generic Armour from myrxforless.com even cheaper than the actual Armour. I don't know about potency, but a lot of people take it. It's real cheap if my memory serves me correctly. If you had to get tested for Ferritin, that isn't very expensive, and your dr could do that. I can have it done for 18.00 on my own, and intend to do that shortly. As for the adrenals, I don't worry about that so much unless I'm having something specific happen to make me have to check into it. The ferritin and the adrenals are the last two things I was worried about, in the beginning. I read about them, but I've not had to incorporate that into my daily life just yet. On Tue, 12 Oct 2004 13:33:32 -0700 " Caroline Pollak " wrote: > Looks like that's what I'm going to have to do...self-medicate. >But that ain't gonna happen until I get a car to get to a store that >sells one of the natural thyroid supplements or more money to afford >to buy those or to order the Armour anyway since it won't be paid for >by Medicare. It's the pits to be poor & very unhealthy I'm >discovering. > Re: Moving? How to get Armour >from new dr? > > > You will be lucky to get just any dr to give you Armour. that's >why > so many of us order online and self medicate. If I waited to get >a > prescription for Armour, I'd probably still be waiting. > > SandyE~Houston > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 12, 2004 Report Share Posted October 12, 2004 Caroline, the only thing I could focus on in the beginning was just feeling better, and ordering Armour. I didn't have to treat adrenals, so I guess in that respect I'm lucky. You can order the generic Armour from myrxforless.com even cheaper than the actual Armour. I don't know about potency, but a lot of people take it. It's real cheap if my memory serves me correctly. If you had to get tested for Ferritin, that isn't very expensive, and your dr could do that. I can have it done for 18.00 on my own, and intend to do that shortly. As for the adrenals, I don't worry about that so much unless I'm having something specific happen to make me have to check into it. The ferritin and the adrenals are the last two things I was worried about, in the beginning. I read about them, but I've not had to incorporate that into my daily life just yet. On Tue, 12 Oct 2004 13:33:32 -0700 " Caroline Pollak " wrote: > Looks like that's what I'm going to have to do...self-medicate. >But that ain't gonna happen until I get a car to get to a store that >sells one of the natural thyroid supplements or more money to afford >to buy those or to order the Armour anyway since it won't be paid for >by Medicare. It's the pits to be poor & very unhealthy I'm >discovering. > Re: Moving? How to get Armour >from new dr? > > > You will be lucky to get just any dr to give you Armour. that's >why > so many of us order online and self medicate. If I waited to get >a > prescription for Armour, I'd probably still be waiting. > > SandyE~Houston > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 12, 2004 Report Share Posted October 12, 2004 Ok, I'll do that & get back to you. Maybe tomorrow. Caroline Would it be possible for you to call your dr's office, last testing dr, and find out which tests she had ran on your bloodwork? If she says TSH, write it down, and also ask for the ranges of the lab. Find out exactly which tests she ran, with actual #'s and ranges. That is the first starting point. All the rest is completely inconsequential at this point till we know what you're being tested for and which tests these are being done with. Be sure to find out if she's doing T4, or FreeT4. And don't let them off the phone till you know these answers. SandyE~Houston Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 12, 2004 Report Share Posted October 12, 2004 I think I've got low adrenal problems. Don't know about the Ferritin/iron levels. and like you, not about to have them checked until I feel a bit better & find a better doctor I can drive to get tested examined by. So maybe I should just order the Armour from the site you said sells it cheaper & start there? I have no car now anyway so can't get far with new doctors or other tests until I get one or start feeling better enough to drive that far anyway. Maybe the self-medicating with the Armour would help with helping me to feel bettere enough to do all that? Sure hope so. I'll check that Armour sales website. Not today tho. Maybe tomorrow when I'm feeling better. I'll call my doctor then about the lab tests & results too. Just can't do any of that today. Going back to bed now...just want to be unconscious...dead to the world. Re: Caroline Caroline, the only thing I could focus on in the beginning was just feeling better, and ordering Armour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 25, 2007 Report Share Posted December 25, 2007 Caroline - That is so great that you were able to give your time and service to the Salvation Army on Christmas Eve. I hope it gave you a good feeling, helping those in need. I'm sorry your brain fog is so bad. This is a rough time of year to be transitioning your meds. I'm glad your daughter will be with you after the new year. Hope you were able to rest last night. I feel I am up way too early this morning, with a long day ahead of me. Maybe I can grab a quick nap. Here's hoping. Jeanne in WI > Hi, I went and did my 'thing' for the Salvation Army today. I was really > tired when I got home, so napped for a while. My daughter is gone, as I > said. She won't be back til after the 3rd. She is going to spend two or > three days with me after that, so that I have here here when I begin the > Lyrica. I'm really feeling stressed and crabby right now, so I probably > won't be doing a lot of posting for a bit. I am reading them right now. > Not only am I crabby, I have major brain fog. > Talk to you soon. I did just talk to my daughter, (for about 3 minutes) > but she's at her friend's mother's for Christmas Eve and her birthday. She > said the mother made her a special dinner, but didn't say what. I guess > that's why I'm crabby...she's spending the holiday at another mother's > home. > > Talk to you later > > Peace and Love > Caroline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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