Re: New to group - living in Japan

[Guest guest]

Hi , welcome

Your numbers don't look so hot.. but they don't look bad bad.. I can see

why your doc is sitting back...

The TSH is quite high. Average TSH for normal folks is 1.25, Current lab

ranges, (your docs is four years behind on that) is 3.0. Anything over

2.0 begs that further testing be done to find out what is wrong.

You had tests on your thyroid hormones, too, that's good (TSH is a

pituitary hormone, BTW). If we zero in on the Free T4 and the Free T3 we

can see that they are both lower than what they are for most folks to

feel well... but within range. That's what's stopping to doc from doing

anything.. He is seeing that y our body is still keeping the values

within range and he's not understanding enough about thyroid care to know

that there seems to be something 'off' here.

When you went back in for the second TSH test, which is also over the

current range for TSH, did they check antibodies again?

Antibody levels can fluctuate.

Did you have hypo symptoms in the states, how long have you been in

Japan?

We have another member that is in Japan, her hubby in the service.

... I'm sure she'll be bopping in to say hi..

For now your body is saying that things are off.... it's good that you

are catching things before they are horribly bad.. but it's also gonna be

difficult to find a doc that will take steps with these numbers.

Knowing and understanding the hormones, tests and such is going to be

very important for you, I'm guessing you are going to end up having some

serious discussions with docs before someone will pay attention and start

taking steps.

I'll invite you to that same info page that I just suggested for Ali.

www.thyrophoenix.com/thyroid_101.htm

Topper ()

On Tue, 08 May 2007 03:13:53 -0000 " ga_smb " GAsmb@...> writes:

> Hello everyone. My name is and I live in Japan. Thank you for

> allowing me to join your group.

>

> I was recently tested and would like to post my labs for you to look

> at. The Japanese doctor has no plans to treat me - feels that I am

> normal. So, I plan to see a doc this summer when I'm in the US.

>

> Here's the first set of labs:

>

> TSH 9.69 (0.49 - 4.67)

> F-T3 2.20 (1.45 -3.48)

> F-T4 0.77 (0.71 - 1.85)

> T3 1.52 (0.80 - 1.60)

> T4 7.62 (6.10 - 12.4)

> Antibody test neg

>

> One month later TSH retested, now 3.65

>

> I have had symptoms for years - that seem to be getting worse. Any

> thoughts?

>

> in Okinawa

[Guest guest]

Hi Topper - and thank you for looking over my test results.

When you went back in for the second TSH test, which is also over the

current range for TSH, did they check antibodies again?>>no

Did you have hypo symptoms in the states, how long have you been in

Japan? I never knew anything about what hypothyroid symptoms were

until I got these test results - but now that I do, I see that I've

had symptoms all my life. I went through years of infertility and

this testing was done because I'm now in perimenopause (I'm almost

50) and am thinking about bioidentical hormone treatment.

We've lived overseas since 1999. We're not active duty anymore - my

hubby works for the US govt. We just got a wild hair and decided to

sell our house in the states, and move overseas. We had no idea we'd

stay this long. We love it and plan to stay here until we retire.

I saw an American doc yesterday on an unrelated issued (I threw out

my back) and I showed him the tests. He ordered additional testing. I

am hoping he will start me on thyroid medication.

In the meantime, I'm going to take your advice and get more

information.

Thanks again,

in Okinawa

[Guest guest]

Interesting... your choice to stay over seas... and 'adventure'! hehehe

Good that the second doc wants to look closer.

If you've been over there some 8 years already, and had symptoms before..

I'm not wondering if it's not a major diet change that threw your body

off... that's why I asked that question.

You'll keep us posted on how things go with the second doc and such,

right??

Topper ()

On Wed, 09 May 2007 09:38:17 -0000 " ga_smb " GAsmb@...> writes:

> Hi Topper - and thank you for looking over my test results.

>

> When you went back in for the second TSH test, which is also over

> the

> current range for TSH, did they check antibodies again?>>no

> Did you have hypo symptoms in the states, how long have you been in

> Japan? I never knew anything about what hypothyroid symptoms were

> until I got these test results - but now that I do, I see that I've

> had symptoms all my life. I went through years of infertility and

> this testing was done because I'm now in perimenopause (I'm almost

> 50) and am thinking about bioidentical hormone treatment.

>

> We've lived overseas since 1999. We're not active duty anymore - my

> hubby works for the US govt. We just got a wild hair and decided to

> sell our house in the states, and move overseas. We had no idea we'd

> stay this long. We love it and plan to stay here until we retire.

>

> I saw an American doc yesterday on an unrelated issued (I threw out

> my back) and I showed him the tests. He ordered additional testing.

> I am hoping he will start me on thyroid medication.

>

> In the meantime, I'm going to take your advice and get more

> information.

>

> Thanks again,

> in Okinawa