Re: Hi everyone/ I'm new here

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> Last summer I began having what I considered some very strange

> symptoms, and went to the doctor afraid I had diabetes. He ran

some

> tests and discovered that I have hypothyroidism. He put me on

> synthoid 25mg (now on the generic) and I began to feel much, much

> better!

>

> I was thrilled that I didn't have diabetes and that a little,

> inexpensive pill could do so much! I was hoping that the med would

> also help stop weight gain, but just in case, I increased my

> exercise quite a bit. But after several months I am still gaining

> weight! What have you found to be the most effective way to lose?

>

> Also, I noticed that someone else mentioned red eyes. I have that

> too, and need a perscription med for allergies to help that. Is

> there anything else you all do for that?

>

> I am much less thrilled now :-( especially since some of my summer

> clothes from last year don't fit. I'm afraid I won't be able to

turn

> the weight gain around.

>

> Any help?

>

>

>

You say last summer he put you on 25mcg, which is a low dose, but

you do not say why you are hypo? Have you had follow up check pus

and blood work since? When was your last labs and last doctor's

visit?

Kats3boys

[Guest guest]

> >

> >

> You say last summer he put you on 25mcg, which is a low dose, but

> you do not say why you are hypo? Have you had follow up check pus

> and blood work since? When was your last labs and last doctor's

> visit?

>

> Kats3boys

My last blood work were last week when he wanted to check the med

level. I am very new to this, and don't really understand what the

numbers mean. He just told me that the med level I am on is working.

At the same time I was shocked at how much weight I am gaining, even

with the increase in exercise and the med level working.

[Guest guest]

Welcome . Do you have the labs for your TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 along with the lab ranges?? Do you have any other symptoms?? Were you tested for antibodies to see if you have Hashimoto's Disease, the most common form of hypothyroidism?? If you can get your labs and post them here it will give us a better idea of where you are with this disease................Meleese in Oz xxx

----- Original Message -----

From: crramer2000

Hi everyone,Last summer I began having what I considered some very strange symptoms, and went to the doctor afraid I had diabetes. He ran some tests and discovered that I have hypothyroidism. He put me on synthoid 25mg (now on the generic) and I began to feel much, much better!I was thrilled that I didn't have diabetes and that a little, inexpensive pill could do so much! I was hoping that the med would also help stop weight gain, but just in case, I increased my exercise quite a bit. But after several months I am still gaining weight! What have you found to be the most effective way to lose?Also, I noticed that someone else mentioned red eyes. I have that too, and need a perscription med for allergies to help that. Is there anything else you all do for that?I am much less thrilled now :-( especially since some of my summer clothes from last year don't fit. I'm afraid I won't be able to turn the weight gain around.Any help?

[Guest guest]

Yikes! I don't even know what those things are. :-( I guess I need

to call my doctor's office and get them. Do they usually send them

in the mail?

> Welcome . Do you have the labs for your TSH, Free T3 and

Free T4 along with the lab ranges?? Do you have any other

symptoms?? Were you tested for antibodies to see if you have

Hashimoto's Disease, the most common form of hypothyroidism?? If you

can get your labs and post them here it will give us a better idea

of where you are with this disease................Meleese in Oz xxx

> ----- Original Message -----

> From: crramer2000

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> Last summer I began having what I considered some very strange

> symptoms, and went to the doctor afraid I had diabetes. He ran

some

> tests and discovered that I have hypothyroidism. He put me on

> synthoid 25mg (now on the generic) and I began to feel much,

much

> better!

>

> I was thrilled that I didn't have diabetes and that a little,

> inexpensive pill could do so much! I was hoping that the med

would

> also help stop weight gain, but just in case, I increased my

> exercise quite a bit. But after several months I am still

gaining

> weight! What have you found to be the most effective way to lose?

>

> Also, I noticed that someone else mentioned red eyes. I have

that

> too, and need a perscription med for allergies to help that. Is

> there anything else you all do for that?

>

> I am much less thrilled now :-( especially since some of my

summer

> clothes from last year don't fit. I'm afraid I won't be able to

turn

> the weight gain around.

>

> Any help?

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Don't panic, lol...................you usually need to ask your doctor for them, they don't hand them over normally. Legally they can't refuse to give them to you.......so what you need are results for TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone). This is a hormone put out by the pituitary gland to stimulate your thyroid gland into producing thyroid hormone. If your thyroid is kaput, then without meds, it will be sky-high. if you are hypo, the aim is to get it as close to ZERO as possible. You also need FREE T3 and FREE T4 ( not T3 and T4). Once you have these and post them then we can talk about them

DON'T let the doctor fob you off by telling your results are "normal". We have found to our cost it means zip.

Also ask if he did an antibodies test for Hashimoto's Disease.If he did, ask for the results, if he didn't ask for one.

Like a lot of us, if your doctor won't work with you on this, you may need a new doc!!......................Meleese in Oz xxx

----- Original Message -----

From: crramer2000

Yikes! I don't even know what those things are. :-( I guess I need to call my doctor's office and get them. Do they usually send them in the mail?> Welcome . Do you have the labs for your TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 along with the lab ranges?? Do you have any other symptoms?? Were you tested for antibodies to see if you have Hashimoto's Disease, the most common form of hypothyroidism?? If you can get your labs and post them here it will give us a better idea of where you are with this disease................Meleese in Oz xxx> ----- Original Message ----- > From: crramer2000 > > Hi everyone,> > Last summer I began having what I considered some very strange > symptoms, and went to the doctor afraid I had diabetes. He ran some > tests and discovered that I have hypothyroidism. He put me on > synthoid 25mg (now on the generic) and I began to feel much, much > better!

[Guest guest]

Hi , Well some Dr's send them in the mail and most Dr's call you with them and you can request a copy of them, but then again some Dr's don't do either and you have to call them. but if I was you I would call and ask about them it is your TSH your Free's T3 & T4 them some Dr's take the antioxidase also known as your antibodies or TPO . Just Call him and ask for your last thyroid test he had done I go pick mine up at my Dr cause he isn't far from me but some ask to have them mailed to them. If he says he can't give them to you he is wrong cause it is your right to have them that is the law he has to give yo a copy of your test if you request it so don't let him tell you no. Tina crramer2000 wrote: Yikes! I don't even know what those things are. :-( I guess I need to call my doctor's office and get them. Do they usually send them in the mail?> Welcome . Do you have the labs for your TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 along with the lab ranges?? Do you have any other symptoms?? Were

you tested for antibodies to see if you have Hashimoto's Disease, the most common form of hypothyroidism?? If you can get your labs and post them here it will give us a better idea of where you are with this disease................Meleese in Oz xxx> ----- Original Message ----- > From: crramer2000 > > Hi everyone,> > Last summer I began having what I considered some very strange > symptoms, and went to the doctor afraid I had diabetes. He ran some > tests and discovered that I have hypothyroidism. He put me on > synthoid 25mg (now on the generic) and I began to feel much, much > better!> > I was thrilled that I didn't have diabetes and that a little, > inexpensive pill could do so much! I was hoping that the med would > also help stop weight gain, but just in case, I increased my > exercise quite a bit. But after several months I am still

gaining > weight! What have you found to be the most effective way to lose?> > Also, I noticed that someone else mentioned red eyes. I have that > too, and need a perscription med for allergies to help that. Is > there anything else you all do for that?> > I am much less thrilled now :-( especially since some of my summer > clothes from last year don't fit. I'm afraid I won't be able to turn > the weight gain around.> > Any help?> > >

[Guest guest]

>

>

> > >

> > >

> > You say last summer he put you on 25mcg, which is a low dose,

but

> > you do not say why you are hypo? Have you had follow up check

pus

> > and blood work since? When was your last labs and last doctor's

> > visit?

> >

> > Kats3boys

>

>

> My last blood work were last week when he wanted to check the med

> level. I am very new to this, and don't really understand what the

> numbers mean. He just told me that the med level I am on is

working.

> At the same time I was shocked at how much weight I am gaining,

even

> with the increase in exercise and the med level working.

>

>

>

Quick view on thyroid hormones and blood work..

TSH is a thyroid stimulating hormone, it is not a thyroid hormone

but a signal the pituary gland puts out to regulate the thyroid..the

higher the TSH the more your body is calling for more hormone..

Labs use a range of .4-5 although it varys. some controversy exists

to lower the range to 0.3-3..the average range for those with out a

thyroid problem is 1.25..once on thyroid meds it should be below 1.

With out name calling docs, some only test TSH and believe anything

below 10 is fine as anything above 10 is considered overt

hypothyroidism.

FreeT4..T4 is a thyroid hormone, it is a storage hormone and

Synthroid is a synthetic T4 replacement hormone..depending on the

lab different ranges are used but generally speaking the ranges

allow for a high variable and most people feel better with a T4 in

the upper 2/3 of the range.. older tests include a T4 total or index

but you want to avoid these tests for the newer free tests as

estrogen and others can effect the test..

Free T3..T3 is considered the active hormone..the body converts T4

to T3 on a as needed basis. The same rules apply for the older total

tests and lab values vary depending on the testing method used.

Most people feel better with a T3 close to the top end of the range.

Depending on what your doc agrees with the very basic tests you need

done is TSH and a FreeT4..as well as a TPO test every once in a

while..the TPO test measures antibodies and will let the doc know if

your hypothyroidism is caused by an autoimmune disorder..this being

the case you would definitely want your TSH to be kept under 1.

With the few symptoms you do list I suspect you are under medicated

and need an increase in your T4 medication but that is a hard

comment to make without seeing actual labs and ranges..

See if you can get a copy of your labwork and post it here and

others can help you with it, make sure it is the proper

testing..usually seeing it on hardcopy or even just written down

with ranges beside it gives you an idea of where your body stands.

Kats3boys

[Guest guest]

Thanks SO MUCH for the very helpful responses. I will call my doctor

tomorrow, see what I can find out, and post my test results.

> >

> >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > You say last summer he put you on 25mcg, which is a low dose,

> but

> > > you do not say why you are hypo? Have you had follow up check

> pus

> > > and blood work since? When was your last labs and last

doctor's

> > > visit?

> > >

> > > Kats3boys

> >

> >

> > My last blood work were last week when he wanted to check the

med

> > level. I am very new to this, and don't really understand what

the

> > numbers mean. He just told me that the med level I am on is

> working.

> > At the same time I was shocked at how much weight I am gaining,

> even

> > with the increase in exercise and the med level working.

> >

> >

> >

> Quick view on thyroid hormones and blood work..

>

> TSH is a thyroid stimulating hormone, it is not a thyroid hormone

> but a signal the pituary gland puts out to regulate the

thyroid..the

> higher the TSH the more your body is calling for more hormone..

>

> Labs use a range of .4-5 although it varys. some controversy

exists

> to lower the range to 0.3-3..the average range for those with out

a

> thyroid problem is 1.25..once on thyroid meds it should be below 1.

> With out name calling docs, some only test TSH and believe

anything

> below 10 is fine as anything above 10 is considered overt

> hypothyroidism.

>

> FreeT4..T4 is a thyroid hormone, it is a storage hormone and

> Synthroid is a synthetic T4 replacement hormone..depending on the

> lab different ranges are used but generally speaking the ranges

> allow for a high variable and most people feel better with a T4 in

> the upper 2/3 of the range.. older tests include a T4 total or

index

> but you want to avoid these tests for the newer free tests as

> estrogen and others can effect the test..

>

> Free T3..T3 is considered the active hormone..the body converts T4

> to T3 on a as needed basis. The same rules apply for the older

total

> tests and lab values vary depending on the testing method used.

> Most people feel better with a T3 close to the top end of the

range.

>

> Depending on what your doc agrees with the very basic tests you

need

> done is TSH and a FreeT4..as well as a TPO test every once in a

> while..the TPO test measures antibodies and will let the doc know

if

> your hypothyroidism is caused by an autoimmune disorder..this

being

> the case you would definitely want your TSH to be kept under 1.

>

> With the few symptoms you do list I suspect you are under

medicated

> and need an increase in your T4 medication but that is a hard

> comment to make without seeing actual labs and ranges..

>

> See if you can get a copy of your labwork and post it here and

> others can help you with it, make sure it is the proper

> testing..usually seeing it on hardcopy or even just written down

> with ranges beside it gives you an idea of where your body stands.

>

> Kats3boys

>

[Guest guest]

I picked up my lab results from the doc today. It looks like they

only did the TSH. It's at 3.91. The reference range is .34-5.60.

> > >

> > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > You say last summer he put you on 25mcg, which is a low

dose,

> > but

> > > > you do not say why you are hypo? Have you had follow up

check

> > pus

> > > > and blood work since? When was your last labs and last

> doctor's

> > > > visit?

> > > >

> > > > Kats3boys

> > >

> > >

> > > My last blood work were last week when he wanted to check the

> med

> > > level. I am very new to this, and don't really understand what

> the

> > > numbers mean. He just told me that the med level I am on is

> > working.

> > > At the same time I was shocked at how much weight I am

gaining,

> > even

> > > with the increase in exercise and the med level working.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > Quick view on thyroid hormones and blood work..

> >

> > TSH is a thyroid stimulating hormone, it is not a thyroid

hormone

> > but a signal the pituary gland puts out to regulate the

> thyroid..the

> > higher the TSH the more your body is calling for more hormone..

> >

> > Labs use a range of .4-5 although it varys. some controversy

> exists

> > to lower the range to 0.3-3..the average range for those with

out

> a

> > thyroid problem is 1.25..once on thyroid meds it should be below

1.

> > With out name calling docs, some only test TSH and believe

> anything

> > below 10 is fine as anything above 10 is considered overt

> > hypothyroidism.

> >

> > FreeT4..T4 is a thyroid hormone, it is a storage hormone and

> > Synthroid is a synthetic T4 replacement hormone..depending on

the

> > lab different ranges are used but generally speaking the ranges

> > allow for a high variable and most people feel better with a T4

in

> > the upper 2/3 of the range.. older tests include a T4 total or

> index

> > but you want to avoid these tests for the newer free tests as

> > estrogen and others can effect the test..

> >

> > Free T3..T3 is considered the active hormone..the body converts

T4

> > to T3 on a as needed basis. The same rules apply for the older

> total

> > tests and lab values vary depending on the testing method used.

> > Most people feel better with a T3 close to the top end of the

> range.

> >

> > Depending on what your doc agrees with the very basic tests you

> need

> > done is TSH and a FreeT4..as well as a TPO test every once in a

> > while..the TPO test measures antibodies and will let the doc

know

> if

> > your hypothyroidism is caused by an autoimmune disorder..this

> being

> > the case you would definitely want your TSH to be kept under 1.

> >

> > With the few symptoms you do list I suspect you are under

> medicated

> > and need an increase in your T4 medication but that is a hard

> > comment to make without seeing actual labs and ranges..

> >

> > See if you can get a copy of your labwork and post it here and

> > others can help you with it, make sure it is the proper

> > testing..usually seeing it on hardcopy or even just written down

> > with ranges beside it gives you an idea of where your body

stands.

> >

> > Kats3boys

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Was the test taken before they started you on hormone?

When do you go in for your next labs?

Current range for TSH is .3 to 3.0, has been over two years now and there is discussion to drop the high end down to 2.5.. Far too many docs and labs are not current with that... something that totally pisses me off....

Topper ()Yahoo IM: toppertwoDayton, MN USA

On Thu, 04 May 2006 05:27:13 -0000 "crramer2000" writes:

I picked up my lab results from the doc today. It looks like they only did the TSH. It's at 3.91. The reference range is .34-5.60.

[Guest guest]

This is after I've been on the meds for 6 months. He wanted to check

the level and see if my current dosage is enough. That was about 2

weeks ago. With these results, he says that it is fine.

As I said before, I DO feel much better, although when I'm stressed

some of the symptoms still show up. But I am still gaining weight. :-

(

> Was the test taken before they started you on hormone?

>

> When do you go in for your next labs?

>

> Current range for TSH is .3 to 3.0, has been over two years now

and there

> is discussion to drop the high end down to 2.5.. Far too many docs

and

> labs are not current with that... something that totally pisses me

> off....

>

> Topper ()

> Yahoo IM: toppertwo

> Dayton, MN USA

>

> On Thu, 04 May 2006 05:27:13 -0000 " crramer2000 "

> writes:

> I picked up my lab results from the doc today. It looks like they

> only did the TSH. It's at 3.91. The reference range is .34-5.60.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

A TSH of 3.91 isn't good... and if weight is till an issue (assuming that you're being honest with watching what you eat - not eating too much, or too little) I'd say that your dose is too low....

But the way to be sure is to test the thyroid hormones, TSH alone isn't enough to tell how your body is doing... Checking Free T4 tells more, and Free T3 tells the most, since your body has to manufacture it and you can't tell how well your body is using the replacement without it.

If you still feel that things aren't as good as they should be.... it might be a good idea to have the Frees tested and then if they are showing too low in their ranges, increase your dose if the Free T4 is less than mid range and look into things you can do to increase conversion if the Free T3 isn't at the top end of it's range... or consider moving to either natural thyroid or adding synthetic T3.

Granted, conversion of T4 to T3 drops in food intake is too low or sporadic, but with the dose you are on now (25 mcg, right?) that kind of a dose will do more to lower thyroid production than it will to supplement it...

Has he run any tests other than TSH? I'm wondering if he's checked to see what has caused your gland to under produce to begin with.

Topper ()Yahoo IM: toppertwo

On Thu, 04 May 2006 14:40:44 -0000 "crramer2000" writes:

This is after I've been on the meds for 6 months. He wanted to check the level and see if my current dosage is enough. That was about 2 weeks ago. With these results, he says that it is fine.As I said before, I DO feel much better, although when I'm stressed some of the symptoms still show up. But I am still gaining weight. :-(