Cortisol, thyroid and other stuff??

October 12, 2004

Hi, I don't think too many of you know me. I'm one of the 'old

timers' on the list but I only pop in occasionally. When I popped in

today I happened on a discussion of thyroid, etc. I was just tested

last week for cortisol AM and PM and thyroid tests plus others. I am

so miserable today that I called the lab and asked them to fax the

results to me. I was hoping for a clue about the pain I'm having.

Well, I can see that some things are out of whack but I don't know

what they mean. I'm hoping someone here can help. My cortisol AM was

17, PM was 24.5. The PM is supposed to be about one half of the AM.

TSH 2.72, my TSH varies with each test I've had. All the way from 2.0

to 5.0, is this usual? I'm not taking thyroid. T3 144, T4 8.7. Also,

my sodium and carbon dioxide have been just below the usual level for

the past several years. My neurologis ordered the testing and I had

the results faxed to him but I don't think he had a chance to look at

them. Has any one else had results like this and if so, doe you think

they stem from Mito? Thanks all

Pat K

October 12, 2004

Pat,

I can't help you with the test results, but are you going to be also

seen by an endocrinologist too? I would think they would be the best to

tell you what is up with your results. I sure hope you feel better

soon. I'm glad you popped in, we miss hearing from you.

Pat wrote:

>Hi, I don't think too many of you know me. I'm one of the 'old

>timers' on the list but I only pop in occasionally. When I popped in

>today I happened on a discussion of thyroid, etc. I was just tested

>last week for cortisol AM and PM and thyroid tests plus others. I am

>so miserable today that I called the lab and asked them to fax the

>results to me. I was hoping for a clue about the pain I'm having.

>Well, I can see that some things are out of whack but I don't know

>what they mean. I'm hoping someone here can help. My cortisol AM was

>17, PM was 24.5. The PM is supposed to be about one half of the AM.

>TSH 2.72, my TSH varies with each test I've had. All the way from 2.0

>to 5.0, is this usual? I'm not taking thyroid. T3 144, T4 8.7. Also,

>my sodium and carbon dioxide have been just below the usual level for

>the past several years. My neurologis ordered the testing and I had

>the results faxed to him but I don't think he had a chance to look at

>them. Has any one else had results like this and if so, doe you think

>they stem from Mito? Thanks all

>Pat K

>

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October 12, 2004

I agree with . It's been a long time since we have heard from you Pat and

you have been missed. I hope you solved your sleep disorder problems and now

are getting a restful night's sleep.

About the thyroid issues. You should be seen by an endocrinologist for this. I

have a thyroid condition too and am now on Levelthyroid which is the same thing

as Synthroid only the generic version. My T4 was lower than yours so I believe

you have a sluggish thyroid that requires medication. My PCP tried to take care

of this for me but she didn't give me the right dosage and I felt terrible. This

was when I decided that I needed to see the endo. She has regulated the dose

and has also determined that I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis along with a cyst on

the thyroid that needs to be monitored. Likewise, she has brought my blood

sugar issues under control when the PCP was not able to get me regulated. I am

so glad I made the decision to go to the endocrinologist as I only met her three

weeks ago and already, I've seen the improvements.

Please let us know how this all turns out.

Alice

October 12, 2004

Dear Pat,

I have endocrine problems, too, and am on meds. However, I'm not an

expert on what the readings should be. Usually the normal references

ranges are indicated on each lab result, and often unusual results are

flagged. Look at our results again, and see if they are flagged for < or

> results.

Hope you get some useful help from the doc, and feel better soon.

S.

October 12, 2004

I forgot to mention that when your thyroid is not working properly, this causes

sleep problems.

Alice

October 12, 2004

Dear Alice and Pat,

Studies have shown that people with endocrine problems do MUCH better

with endocrinologists, than with gps and the like.

Having received excellent endocrine care in NYC, I hear true horror

stories from people here in our area about what bad care they are

getting for diabetes. But many don't even know it, or won't even accept

when gently told that they shouldn't be passing out on the floor all

the time. Or having to call 911. Most have only been put on the

sulfonylureas and then

onto insulin. Their docs are bypassing all the classes of newer drugs

for dm.

Good luck!

S.

October 12, 2004

Dear Alice and Pat,

Studies have shown that people with endocrine problems do MUCH better

with endocrinologists, than with gps and the like.

Having received excellent endocrine care in NYC, I hear true horror

stories from people here in our area about what bad care they are

getting for diabetes. But many don't even know it, or won't even accept

when gently told that they shouldn't be passing out on the floor all

the time. Or having to call 911. Most have only been put on the

sulfonylureas and then

onto insulin. Their docs are bypassing all the classes of newer drugs

for dm.

Good luck!

S.

October 12, 2004

Alice

I'm so glad the endocrinologist has helped you. I have found that the two I

have seen (one local and highly thought of at one at a teaching hospital) do

a great job with diabetes and thyroid disorders, but weren't any help at all

with the strange hyperparathyroid condition I had for a long time. My labs

just didn't make sense, so they sluffed them off. I'm glad yours is doing

what you need.

>

> Reply-To:

> Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004 16:14:01 -0600

> To: >

> Subject: Re: Cortisol, thyroid and other stuff??

>

> I agree with . It's been a long time since we have heard from you Pat

> and you have been missed. I hope you solved your sleep disorder problems and

> now are getting a restful night's sleep.

>

> About the thyroid issues. You should be seen by an endocrinologist for this.

> I have a thyroid condition too and am now on Levelthyroid which is the same

> thing as Synthroid only the generic version. My T4 was lower than yours so I

> believe you have a sluggish thyroid that requires medication. My PCP tried to

> take care of this for me but she didn't give me the right dosage and I felt

> terrible. This was when I decided that I needed to see the endo. She has

> regulated the dose and has also determined that I have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

> along with a cyst on the thyroid that needs to be monitored. Likewise, she

> has brought my blood sugar issues under control when the PCP was not able to

> get me regulated. I am so glad I made the decision to go to the

> endocrinologist as I only met her three weeks ago and already, I've seen the

> improvements.

>

> Please let us know how this all turns out.

>

> Alice

>

October 12, 2004