Re: Topper - Please can I have your thoughts?

[Guest guest]

Hey - I didn't mean that nobody but Topper should reply to this! I

would be most grateful for any comments.

Katy

>

> Hi Topper (and everyone!)

>

> I just got my latest blood test results. For reference, here is

my

> blood test history:

>

> Fall 2005 (no meds):

>

> FT4: 17 (11-24)

> FT3: 3.7 (3.5-7)

> TSH: 0.89 (0.35-5.5)

>

> Feb 6 2006 (after 4 weeks 1/2 grain):

>

> T4: 17.3 (11-24)

> T3: 3.6 (3.5-7)

> TSH: 2.8 (0.35-5.5)

>

> April 4 2006 (after 5 weeks 1 grain)

>

> T4: 16.5 (11-24)

> T3: 3.9 (3.5-7.0)

> TSH: 2.00 (0.35-5.5)

>

> July 31 2005 (after 5 weeks 2 grains)

>

> T4: 16.4 (11-24)

> T3: 4.8 (3.5-7)

> TSH: 0.06 (0.35-5.5)

>

> September 11 2006 (after 5 weeks 2 ½ grains)

>

> T4: 22.8 (11-24)

> T3: 6.7 (3.5-7)

> TSH: 0.02 (0.35-5.5)

>

> All tests were done when I hadn't had a dose yet that day.

>

> There's been a huge jump in my T4 and T3, compared to previous

> results. I'm quite surprised. Could it be because I had the

latest

> test done earlier in the morning? Previous tests were done at

> lunchtime. My doc will be concerned that my TSH is so low - he

has

> mentioned osteoporosis risk before - but am I right that all

studies

> showing this risk have been done with thyroxine only and not

Armour?

>

> Now with my T3 doing well, you might expect that I'd be feeling

> really good, but the truth is that I am not. For some reason, my

> body temps have been falling with the increase to 2 1/2 grains.

> Although I feel well some days, the majority of days I don't feel

> well. However, I have started very slowly to lose weight - which

is

> fantastic!

>

> I was going to ask to stay at the 2 1/2 grains level (if he

agrees)

> but I also wonder if I should reduce to 2 grains again because in

> general I was feeling better at the 2 grains level, and it's

almost

> as if my hypo symptoms have got *worse* with the rise in dosage!

> Not logical at all. That said, on the day I had the blood test, I

> could only fit in 2 grains in the day, and then for 2-3 days I was

> completely washed out so that makes me think I would feel worse

> reducing to 2 grains! Perhaps I should persevere at 2 1/2 grains

> and my body might settle down over time? What do you think?

>

> TIA

>

> Katy

>

[Guest guest]

Here's your numbers....

When med time FT4 FT3

TSH

(11 - 24) (3.5 -

7) (.35 - 5.5)

Fall 2004 none 17 3.7

.89

Feb 6 2006 1/2 g 4 wks 17.3 3.6

2.8

Apr 4 2006 1 g 5 wks 16.5 3.9

2.0

Jul 31 2006 2 g 5 wks 16.4 4.8

.06

Sept 11 2006 2.5 g 5 wks 22.8 6.7

.02

I look at these numbers... and read how you've been feeling... this is

what my gut says.... ponder on it and see what you think.....

Okay... taking labs later in the day mean that your body was a using what

was in your system.... so I'd venture to say that your Free T3 with this

last test MIGHT BE a wee bit more accurate.... cuz the T3 was from what

your body was making that morning... The T3 looks good.... The higher

T4.. hmmmmmm this is a bit confusing to me.... not having had a dose yet

that day.... How much gland function do you have remaining???

The low TSH... with that I'm in the club that says TSH doesn't mean squat

to most of us once on replacement and has nothing to do with calcium

levels...

More important... how you feel.... you are feeling that 2 1/2 is a bit

too much.. but if you cut it back down to 2 it's not enough.... logical

choice is to meet in the middle...

Two ways to do that... go to 2 1/4 grain per day... if you can't split

the pills to make that dose, alternate days..... an example.... odd

number days take 2 1/2 grain.. even number days take 2 grain.... see if

that lower average hits your body's sweet spot...

I happened to have trouble at the 2 to 2 1/2 grain dose adjustment.. that

was the first time I had a hyper phase and had to back off and start up

again to be more gradual moving up to the full 2 1/2... It's at that

time that I change my interval from 6 weeks between adjustments to 12

weeks. I don't know if there is any significance to that... but that is

what happened to me....

How have you been feeling over the weekend.... ? What have you been doing

for you dose? When do you get to talk to the doc next?

Another thought... if you fear the doc is going to cut the dose back down

to 2.... if might be of benefit to offer up the cut to 2 1/4 before he

says something.... make it a compromise kinda of a deal without having to

start up a negotiation.... To show that you see it isn't quite right and

back off a bit might be to your benefit down the road...

Just my thoughts....

C'mon guys.. the strength of this group is to get thoughts from several

perspectives... what do the rest of you see from Katy's numbers and

response to the new dose??

Topper ()

On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 08:28:10 -0000 " Katy "

writes:

> Hi Topper (and everyone!)

>

> I just got my latest blood test results. For reference, here is my

> blood test history:

***** charted above*********

> All tests were done when I hadn't had a dose yet that day.

> There's been a huge jump in my T4 and T3, compared to previous

> results. I'm quite surprised. Could it be because I had the latest

> test done earlier in the morning? Previous tests were done at

> lunchtime. My doc will be concerned that my TSH is so low - he has

> mentioned osteoporosis risk before - but am I right that all studies

> showing this risk have been done with thyroxine only and not

> Armour?

>

> Now with my T3 doing well, you might expect that I'd be feeling

> really good, but the truth is that I am not. For some reason, my

> body temps have been falling with the increase to 2 1/2 grains.

> Although I feel well some days, the majority of days I don't feel

> well. However, I have started very slowly to lose weight - which is

> fantastic!

>

> I was going to ask to stay at the 2 1/2 grains level (if he agrees)

> but I also wonder if I should reduce to 2 grains again because in

> general I was feeling better at the 2 grains level, and it's almost

> as if my hypo symptoms have got *worse* with the rise in dosage!

> Not logical at all. That said, on the day I had the blood test, I

> could only fit in 2 grains in the day, and then for 2-3 days I was

> completely washed out so that makes me think I would feel worse

> reducing to 2 grains! Perhaps I should persevere at 2 1/2 grains

> and my body might settle down over time? What do you think?

>

> TIA

>

> Katy

[Guest guest]

That formatting sure didn't come through very well...looked a whole lot

better on my end when I wrote it!!! hehehehe

Topper ()

On Sun, 17 Sep 2006 18:03:43 -0500 topper2@... writes:

> Here's your numbers....

>

> When med time FT4 FT3

>

> TSH

> (11 - 24)

> (3.5 -

> 7) (.35 - 5.5)

> Fall 2004 none 17 3.7

>

> .89

< snip >

[Guest guest]

I'm quite late in chipping in on this, but I feel if you can't have

input on your dosage with your doctor, then you need to find a

different doctor. I feel that many of the old school doctors rely

too much on TSH only and don't want to look any further than that.

So don't let the doctor be the only one deciding on your dosage.

Bindner

>

> Here's your numbers....

>

> When med time FT4

FT3

> TSH

> (11 - 24)

(3.5 -

> 7) (.35 - 5.5)

> Fall 2004 none 17

3.7

> .89

> Feb 6 2006 1/2 g 4 wks 17.3

3.6

> 2.8

> Apr 4 2006 1 g 5 wks 16.5

3.9

> 2.0

> Jul 31 2006 2 g 5 wks 16.4

4.8

> .06

> Sept 11 2006 2.5 g 5 wks 22.8

6.7

> .02

>

> I look at these numbers... and read how you've been feeling...

this is

> what my gut says.... ponder on it and see what you think.....

>

> Okay... taking labs later in the day mean that your body was a

using what

> was in your system.... so I'd venture to say that your Free T3

with this

> last test MIGHT BE a wee bit more accurate.... cuz the T3 was from

what

> your body was making that morning... The T3 looks good.... The

higher

> T4.. hmmmmmm this is a bit confusing to me.... not having had a

dose yet

> that day.... How much gland function do you have remaining???

>

> The low TSH... with that I'm in the club that says TSH doesn't

mean squat

> to most of us once on replacement and has nothing to do with

calcium

> levels...

>

> More important... how you feel.... you are feeling that 2 1/2 is a

bit

> too much.. but if you cut it back down to 2 it's not enough....

logical

> choice is to meet in the middle...

>

> Two ways to do that... go to 2 1/4 grain per day... if you can't

split

> the pills to make that dose, alternate days..... an example.... odd

> number days take 2 1/2 grain.. even number days take 2 grain....

see if

> that lower average hits your body's sweet spot...

>

> I happened to have trouble at the 2 to 2 1/2 grain dose

adjustment.. that

> was the first time I had a hyper phase and had to back off and

start up

> again to be more gradual moving up to the full 2 1/2... It's at

that

> time that I change my interval from 6 weeks between adjustments to

12

> weeks. I don't know if there is any significance to that... but

that is

> what happened to me....

>

> How have you been feeling over the weekend.... ? What have you

been doing

> for you dose? When do you get to talk to the doc next?

>

> Another thought... if you fear the doc is going to cut the dose

back down

> to 2.... if might be of benefit to offer up the cut to 2 1/4

before he

> says something.... make it a compromise kinda of a deal without

having to

> start up a negotiation.... To show that you see it isn't quite

right and

> back off a bit might be to your benefit down the road...

>

> Just my thoughts....

>

> C'mon guys.. the strength of this group is to get thoughts from

several

> perspectives... what do the rest of you see from Katy's numbers and

> response to the new dose??

>

> Topper ()

>

>

> On Fri, 15 Sep 2006 08:28:10 -0000 " Katy "

> writes:

> > Hi Topper (and everyone!)

> >

> > I just got my latest blood test results. For reference, here is

my

> > blood test history:

> ***** charted above*********

> > All tests were done when I hadn't had a dose yet that day.

> > There's been a huge jump in my T4 and T3, compared to previous

> > results. I'm quite surprised. Could it be because I had the

latest

> > test done earlier in the morning? Previous tests were done at

> > lunchtime. My doc will be concerned that my TSH is so low - he

has

> > mentioned osteoporosis risk before - but am I right that all

studies

> > showing this risk have been done with thyroxine only and not

> > Armour?

> >

> > Now with my T3 doing well, you might expect that I'd be feeling

> > really good, but the truth is that I am not. For some reason,

my

> > body temps have been falling with the increase to 2 1/2 grains.

> > Although I feel well some days, the majority of days I don't

feel

> > well. However, I have started very slowly to lose weight -

which is

> > fantastic!

> >

> > I was going to ask to stay at the 2 1/2 grains level (if he

agrees)

> > but I also wonder if I should reduce to 2 grains again because

in

> > general I was feeling better at the 2 grains level, and it's

almost

> > as if my hypo symptoms have got *worse* with the rise in

dosage!

> > Not logical at all. That said, on the day I had the blood test,

I

> > could only fit in 2 grains in the day, and then for 2-3 days I

was

> > completely washed out so that makes me think I would feel worse

> > reducing to 2 grains! Perhaps I should persevere at 2 1/2

grains

> > and my body might settle down over time? What do you think?

> >

> > TIA

> >

> > Katy

>

[Guest guest]

Docs aren't gods??? Not to ask them unfortunately. I think they left that part out of their training and they need to be reminded, because I've only met one in my entire life that acknowledged he was human. The rest of them, well, you guys all know the story. I've even met a few er nurses like that. Like the one BONEHEAD that acted all sorts of superior when she gave my dad a box of kleenex for a bloody nose that he come in for. DESPITE having told said bonehead that he'd had the bloody nose for 3 hrs prior to the visit, was being lightheaded and also had bone cancer, which depleted his platelets. He didn't have enuf in his system to even stop a bloody nose! Then she comes in, an hour or 2 later to ask, cheerfully, how he was doing. I mentioned that, "not bad, considering he's bleeding to death...." and got shushed by my mom, ( I was only in grade school then, but this had to do with my daddy and I was speaking my piece! ). Gee....funny how later on they had to

cauterize the vein in his nose! That stupid nurse was more interested in what the helicopter pilot had to say than doing her job. People like her need to be fixed. Spiff ( putting back the soap box she didn't realize she was up on until now....)topper2@... wrote: Good point... docs should work with us.... well.. they are working FORus... without us, their client, they wouldn't have jobs.... I was slow tolearn that docs aren't gods..... It is getting to be an art.. lettingthem think they are in

charge while still steering them in the rightdirection.... *hands on lap, sitting quietly*Topper ()On Mon, 18 Sep 2006 14:29:39 -0000 " Bindner" writes:> I'm quite late in chipping in on this, but I feel if you can't have > input on your dosage with your doctor, then you need to find a > different doctor. I feel that many of the old school doctors rely > too much on TSH only and don't want to look any further than that. > > So don't let the doctor be the only one deciding on your dosage.> > Bindner

Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Yahoo! Small Business.

[Guest guest]

I actually dread ever going to see a doc again.. All the pain I had.. the chronic debilitating stuff that had me on crutches... and falling down.. all from egotestical (I didn't miss spell that, all the docs that did me wrong were male) stupidity, ignorance and selfishness.

..... sliding soap box back into corner...

Topper ()

On Tue, 19 Sep 2006 08:44:04 -0400 "Willyorca" writes:

////////////

Boy aren't you right about that!!!! I've gotten pretty good at it, though I could use some refinement to my technique!

[Guest guest]

*looks back and forth to see that no one is listening*

Next one that gives me attitude about fat and lazy... is going to get a serious 'fat and lazy' hip check.... I'm not as strong as I used to be... but I can get the ole butt moving with enough of a swing to bounce the jerk off the wall of the exam room.....

Think he's gonna call the cops? How would it look on paper... I called her a fat slob and she hit me with her butt....

Topper ()

On Tue, 19 Sep 2006 09:06:27 -0700 (PDT) DerSpiff writes:

I think a 9 volt stock prod would help considerable.

Spiff ( NO, not bitter........lol )

[Guest guest]

How would it look on paper... I called her a fat slob and she hit me with her butt....

OMG TOOOOO FUNNY LOL!!! You should do a “flash animation” of that one and put it on the home page!

LOL

sue

[Guest guest]

Katy.. adding the L-tyrosine and the iodine just a week before your labs

probably threw off your labs.... This kind throws a wrench in the

gears....

Your 'well days' while on the 2 1/2 grains, fewer 'well days' than when

on 2 grain..... how many well days before adding the new supplements

(L-tyrosine and Iodine) verses after adding them?

Have you been consistent with the Adrenal supplement that you've been

taking?

Topper ()

On Tue, 19 Sep 2006 10:23:25 -0000 " Katy "

writes:

> Hi Topper and everyone -

> That's an interesting thought - that my T3 is looking good. Great!

>

> Not sure about the T4 thing either. What do you mean about gland

> function? I haven't had that specifically tested I don't think. As

> for T4, about a week before my blood test I started supplementing

> with L-tyrosine and extra iodine. I wonder if that had a bearing?

>

> > More important... how you feel.... you are feeling that 2 1/2 is a

> bit

> > too much.. but if you cut it back down to 2 it's not enough....

> logical choice is to meet in the middle...

>

> Yes, I felt that 2 1/2 was not enough, but I also meant to say that

>

> I was better at 2 grains. When I look at my notes, I had 30 " well "

> days in the six weeks on 2 grains but only 8 " well " days on 2/12

> grains. I think it's pretty conclusive!

>

> > >

> > How have you been feeling over the weekend.... ? What have you

> been doing

> > for you dose? When do you get to talk to the doc next?

>

> Well I saw the doc yesterday morning, actually (Monday). I had cut

> back to 2 grains as an experiment over the weekend and I did start

> to feel better again. So when I saw him on Monday he was happy for

> me to reduce to 2 grains. We are leaving it for four months now to

> see how it all settles down. He is also reassuring me that my other

> hypo symptoms may well improve over time even if I only stay at 2

> grains, so I am keeping my fingers crossed. My eyebrows are still

> bad, and my memory problems are almost worse, and for some reason my

> body temps have taken a huge plummet since moving to 2 1/2 grains.

> I'm hoping that was just an indication that I was at the wrong

> dose ... Anyway, my doc is always at pains to point out that many

> hypO symptoms can actually be hypER symptoms and in some cases

> completely interchangeable. So getting the dose absolutely right

> can be knife-edge stuff.

>

> So he didn't mention the TSH issue this time. Probably because I am

> happy to move down to 2 grains and we hope the TSH will settle down

> too. I ought to mention that I am going to have a CAT scan in the

> next couple of weeks to check out a long-standing visual disturbance

> I have, which could possibly be connected to a problem with my

> pituitary gland and explain why my TSH has always acted strange ...

> which will of course open another whole can of worms. Sigh.

> Anyway, I am all set at 2 grains for four months and I'm happy with

> that. I just hope that my other symptoms will settle down.

>

> Katy

[Guest guest]

Can I be in my ThyroGeek get-up in the pic... with the braided leg hairs and the Xena breast plate and everything!! hehehehee

Topper ()

On Tue, 19 Sep 2006 12:51:39 -0500 JustYourTypeDTP writes:

How would it look on paper... I called her a fat slob and she hit me with her butt....OMG TOOOOO FUNNY LOL!!! You should do a “flash animation” of that one and put it on the home page!LOLsue _

[Guest guest]

I give my husband such a hard time for being a techno-geek and dork LOL, so sure, go for it!

And I should talk, look who’s ON THE COMPUTER 24/8.........moi?

Sue

P.s. Mine won’t brain — too straight they just fall out LOL!

Can I be in my ThyroGeek get-up in the pic... with the braided leg hairs and the Xena breast plate and everything!! hehehehee

Topper ()

On Tue, 19 Sep 2006 12:51:39 -0500 JustYourTypeDTP writes:

How would it look on paper... I called her a fat slob and she hit me with her butt....

OMG TOOOOO FUNNY LOL!!! You should do a “flash animation” of that one and put it on the home page!

LOL

sue _

[Guest guest]

Brain=braid (<blonde and thyroid moment)

I give my husband such a hard time for being a techno-geek and dork LOL, so sure, go for it!

And I should talk, look who’s ON THE COMPUTER 24/8.........moi?

Sue

P.s. Mine won’t brain — too straight they just fall out LOL!

Can I be in my ThyroGeek get-up in the pic... with the braided leg hairs and the Xena breast plate and everything!! hehehehee

Topper ()

On Tue, 19 Sep 2006 12:51:39 -0500 JustYourTypeDTP writes:

How would it look on paper... I called her a fat slob and she hit me with her butt....

OMG TOOOOO FUNNY LOL!!! You should do a “flash animation” of that one and put it on the home page!

LOL

sue _

[Guest guest]

topper2@... wrote: Think he's gonna call the cops? How would it look on paper... I called her a fat slob and she hit me with her butt.... Topper () . OKAY....you guys are so funny..... THAT is a good one!!! OH...yeah...I'd love to see that doc..bring the fangs out in you!!! LOL:) ~E:) TOTAL-Thyroidectomy 26 months post-op.

Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Yahoo! Small Business.