Hi, I'm new

[Guest guest]

huh? are you a new Tara?

welcome

we love Tara s

there is a Tara on this list and if you are a new one, you need a new

name for this list

our old Tara is very very much " our Tara "

felicity

> just wanted to say hello. my hubby and i are on day sixteen. we love

> it! he has dropped 6 pounds and I have dropped 2.5. today i am wearing

> jeans that haven't fit in three years.

> thanks so much to all of you contributing to this site. I have learned

> so much already!!

>

>

> Tara

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Aww...thanks Felicity! Hi Tara! I don't run into very many other Taras! Welcome

and good luck! Although, I don't really like the term " old " ...lol...geez! I'm

only 26!

Old Tara

Felicity wrote:

huh? are you a new Tara?

welcome

we love Tara s

there is a Tara on this list and if you are a new one, you need a new

name for this list

our old Tara is very very much " our Tara "

felicity

> just wanted to say hello. my hubby and i are on day sixteen. we love

> it! he has dropped 6 pounds and I have dropped 2.5. today i am wearing

> jeans that haven't fit in three years.

> thanks so much to all of you contributing to this site. I have learned

> so much already!!

>

>

> Tara

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

thanks for the welcome. I will sign off as Tara K from now on. :-)

[Guest guest]

Hi Savvy.

Welcome to the group. I hope we can help you out. Feel free to ask

questions.

Tom

>

> Just introducing myself. My name is Savannah and I live in Webster

> City, Iowa. I'm 43 yrs old and am a single mother of 5 yr old twin

> boys. Divorced for 4 years. I have FMS/CMP/Degenerative Disc

Disease

> and Arthritis. Life is interesting! Ack!

> Is anyone else here from Iowa?

>

> Have a great day and God Bless!

> {{{{{HUGS}}}}}

> Savvy

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome Trish. What program are you interested in following? We have many going on. Foodmover, self made, simmons, WW, jenny craig, and I could go on. Baby steps are key. Best advice start a journal.

NHMom to AbnEm...

[Guest guest]

Hi Trish and welcome. It is always nice to have new faces around. Blessed be,

[Guest guest]

Hi Trish,

Welcome - look forward to getting to know you. I'm , have lost 31 lbs and am on my way to 100+ lost :-)

Baby steps - what's your plan: WW, food mover, just healthy choices?

Good ideas: water, exercise, journal, portion control

[Guest guest]

Hi Jackie don't listen to horror stories. Tx today is better than years ago and

everyone has a different reaction to being on it. I have been on 11 weeks now

and have had some minor effect and I am 61. It does cause a great amount of

fatigue so perhaps someone could help with the baby. Good luck sweetie. pat

thehoytfamily <jaclyn.hoyt@...> wrote: Hi, my name is Jackie. I

found out I have HepC through routine blood

work when I became pregnant. My son is now 6 months old so I just

started getting information on this condition. I have a liver biopsy

scheduled in 2 weeks and I am really nervous. I am also really nervous

about all the side effects that come with Peg-Intron and Ribavarin.

Will i be able to take care of my son like i want to?? I am also on

anti anxiety meds as it is and dr. said the meds may lead to underlying

psych problems. It is scary typing in the meds online and what some ppl

say about the treatments.

Anyway, nice to meet all of you.

[Guest guest]

Hi Jackie don't listen to horror stories. Tx today is better than years ago and

everyone has a different reaction to being on it. I have been on 11 weeks now

and have had some minor effect and I am 61. It does cause a great amount of

fatigue so perhaps someone could help with the baby. Good luck sweetie. pat

thehoytfamily <jaclyn.hoyt@...> wrote: Hi, my name is Jackie. I

found out I have HepC through routine blood

work when I became pregnant. My son is now 6 months old so I just

started getting information on this condition. I have a liver biopsy

scheduled in 2 weeks and I am really nervous. I am also really nervous

about all the side effects that come with Peg-Intron and Ribavarin.

Will i be able to take care of my son like i want to?? I am also on

anti anxiety meds as it is and dr. said the meds may lead to underlying

psych problems. It is scary typing in the meds online and what some ppl

say about the treatments.

Anyway, nice to meet all of you.

[Guest guest]

Jackie,

Wow, what a bummer of a way to find out!!! I didn't have a good experience

with the treatment, BUT that was before the PEG came out. Now I am in end-stage

liver disease with cirrhosis. I don't say this to scare you, but that is the

way things go sometime.

I was a heavy drinker for a long time so that progressed the disease faster.

The only psych problems that I know of is severe depression which can be treated

with an anti-depressant. You will probably have to take the meds throughout the

treatment, but hopefully come off them after the treatment is completed. Be sure

and be honest with your docs about when and if you begin to be depressed.

From what I understand the side effects with PEG are not as bad as the

original treatment. I found out today that my sister-in-law has Hep C and will

be undergoing treatment in the next few months.

Good luck on your biopsy!!! Let us know how it goes.

GOD BLESS YOU,

I AM PRAYING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!!!

Tricia

thehoytfamily <jaclyn.hoyt@...> wrote:

Hi, my name is Jackie. I found out I have HepC through routine blood

work when I became pregnant. My son is now 6 months old so I just

started getting information on this condition. I have a liver biopsy

scheduled in 2 weeks and I am really nervous. I am also really nervous

about all the side effects that come with Peg-Intron and Ribavarin.

Will i be able to take care of my son like i want to?? I am also on

anti anxiety meds as it is and dr. said the meds may lead to underlying

psych problems. It is scary typing in the meds online and what some ppl

say about the treatments.

Anyway, nice to meet all of you.

---------------------------------

Get the free toolbar and rest assured with the added security of spyware

protection.

[Guest guest]

Jackie,

Wow, what a bummer of a way to find out!!! I didn't have a good experience

with the treatment, BUT that was before the PEG came out. Now I am in end-stage

liver disease with cirrhosis. I don't say this to scare you, but that is the

way things go sometime.

I was a heavy drinker for a long time so that progressed the disease faster.

The only psych problems that I know of is severe depression which can be treated

with an anti-depressant. You will probably have to take the meds throughout the

treatment, but hopefully come off them after the treatment is completed. Be sure

and be honest with your docs about when and if you begin to be depressed.

From what I understand the side effects with PEG are not as bad as the

original treatment. I found out today that my sister-in-law has Hep C and will

be undergoing treatment in the next few months.

Good luck on your biopsy!!! Let us know how it goes.

GOD BLESS YOU,

I AM PRAYING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!!!

Tricia

thehoytfamily <jaclyn.hoyt@...> wrote:

Hi, my name is Jackie. I found out I have HepC through routine blood

work when I became pregnant. My son is now 6 months old so I just

started getting information on this condition. I have a liver biopsy

scheduled in 2 weeks and I am really nervous. I am also really nervous

about all the side effects that come with Peg-Intron and Ribavarin.

Will i be able to take care of my son like i want to?? I am also on

anti anxiety meds as it is and dr. said the meds may lead to underlying

psych problems. It is scary typing in the meds online and what some ppl

say about the treatments.

Anyway, nice to meet all of you.

---------------------------------

Get the free toolbar and rest assured with the added security of spyware

protection.

[Guest guest]

Hello Peggy and welcome from another newcomer

I was " mis " diagnosed with arthritis and then osteoarthritis of the shoulder for

three yrs before I was ever fully diagnosed with Degenerative Disk Disease of

the Cervical Spine. The Dr's saw a young 30-something woman who showed no signs

of " major " damage on MRI complaining of pain and immediately decided it had to

be arthritis. It took several yrs and a few Dr changes (9 total) to finally come

down to the root of the problem - my spine in the neck area. I would (IMHO)

suggest a second, even third opinion to clarify your husband's condition.

As for natural remedies there are several on the market, and I think I have

personally tried every one Spent 7yrs fighting the pain before I finally had

surgery, and even that has not been a fix. I believe what helped the most was

physical therapy, biofeedback, and researching on my own. Not everything that

works for one person will work for another, only your husband can tell you what

helps him - and what he is willing to try. Unfortunately I know of no quick

fixes, hopefully someone else on this group will know of someone or something

that can help ease your husband's pain quickly.

Having a Dr you can talk to, trust in and count on to work with you as a

partner in your health care is a major plus! I personally didn't get the kind of

one on one care I needed and deserved until I went to a neurologist and

neurosurgeon. If a Dr wont listen to you, answer your questions and work with

you - find another Dr. Don't give up, the gems are out there, you just have to

look hard to find them.

I wish you the best of luck, and hope he gets to feeling better soon!

Blessings,

Callie

>Hi, I'm new

>Posted by: " Peggy " Peggy_Oregon@... sandinmyshoesoregon

>Tue Nov 13, 2007 3:42 am (PST)

>Hi Everyone,

>My husband was just diagnosed with " Lumbar Arthritis " ....

>The diagnosis was made with an MRI..... Are there any natural >remedies that

would help him? Should he seek the advice of a >specialist?

_____________________________________________________________

Click to learn how you can earn extra cash in day trading.

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aDXFAX9U8f3GjfKTgB/

[Guest guest]

Hi is. Welcome. I'm new too.

I've been sick for almost four years--just recently diagnosed.

chelsea

alexis24564 <alexis24564@...> wrote:

Hi, I'm new.

I've had Lyme for about 8 years and have been treating for

7 1/2 months. Now I have more good hours than I did early in

the treatment. I don't usually have a whole " good day " , but

most days have at least a few good hours now. The first 6

months were really rough, but I'm doing better now.

Anyway, I'd like to say hi to everyone here.

is

Chelsea

---------------------------------

Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search.

[Guest guest]

Hi, Chelsea...

Are you treating? Lyme stinks. I miss the days of worrying

about stupid little things like what shirt I want to wear

and whether or not I'll get another year out of my car.

Now my worries are simpler...will I beat the Lyme or will it

beat me?

Sorry...today was a rough day for me, and I guess it shows.

Hugs to you,

is

> Hi, I'm new.

>

> I've had Lyme for about 8 years and have been treating for

> 7 1/2 months. Now I have more good hours than I did early in

> the treatment. I don't usually have a whole " good day " , but

> most days have at least a few good hours now. The first 6

> months were really rough, but I'm doing better now.

>

> Anyway, I'd like to say hi to everyone here.

>

> is

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Chelsea

>

> ---------------------------------

> Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with

Search.

>

>

[Guest guest]

hi alexis.

i will be starting treatment soon. i've just been diagnosed--been sick for

almost four years. yes, i know what you mean about remembering the simple

problems in life. Lyme sux..... you can e-mail me if you want.

chelseacsu@...

chelsea

alexis24564 <alexis24564@...> wrote:

Hi, Chelsea...

Are you treating? Lyme stinks. I miss the days of worrying

about stupid little things like what shirt I want to wear

and whether or not I'll get another year out of my car.

Now my worries are simpler...will I beat the Lyme or will it

beat me?

Sorry...today was a rough day for me, and I guess it shows.

Hugs to you,

is

[Guest guest]

Hello India - and welcome to our forum where I hope you get all the help and support that you need.

Can you let us know what dose of L-thyroxine your GP has put you on and when this was last increased. You should post your thyroid function test blood results to us together with the reference ranges - as your GP saying they are 'normal' is not always the case. Have you had your blood checked to see if you have antibodies to your thyroid. If this test is positive, it means the antibodies see your thyroid gland as public enemy number one and set about its destruction. Hypothyroid patients are usually started on a small dose of L-thyroxine and this is gradually increased until symptoms disappear and you get your health back. The average dose is around 100mcgs to 150 mcgs.

Before you go on holiday (which I hope you thoroughly enjoy) and if you opted to receive 'Individual Emails' to get your messages, I would opt to receive either a daily digest or to receive no emails until your return - otherwise, because this forum is VERY busy, you will come back to a very over-flowing Inbox. You can change your option by going to the Home Page of this forum, and click on 'Edit Membership' on the top left - just above the wide green bar and then click the option you would like.

This applies to all you 'newbies' who are finding the traffic too heavy and you opted for 'Individual Emails'

Luv - Sheila

I was only diagnosed a few months ago after suffering from so many of the symptoms for considerably longer & have been on a low dose of Thyroxine which according to my GP has normalised the condition, but I still don't feel well, it almost feels as if I need to increase my medication. I hadn't thought to get copies of my blood tests before but will ask for these & hope someone here can help me with them.I am going on holiday this Saturday so will have to wait until I am home again before I can see my GP & ask more questions. No virus found in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.5.10/1585 - Release Date: 01/08/2008 06:39

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the group Phyllis. Where to begin.... I guess the beginning.

1) Patch tests are not a good indicator of total body saturation. You will need to do an iodine loading tests (references for where to order are in the files section).

2) You should read Dr. Brownstein's book www.drbrownstein.com on Salt. It opened my eyes to why I needed it to stay hydrated, help my adrenals and more.

3) What supplements are you taking? For thyroid you need a lot of nutrients (sounds like you probably have absorption issues with being Celiac) so you can check out the list on www.naturalthyroidchoices.com (my website). There is one nutrient missing and that is L-Tyrosine.

4) You say that your thyroid numbers are normal (in the range) but most of the time this is not an indication of good thyroid levels. It depends on WHERE you are in the range. If you have them post them with the ranges. Vertigo is often tied to undertreated thyroid (I know because I had this).

5) Having Celiac makes me wonder if you also suffer from a gene defect called the MTHFR which makes people struggle to detox things they come in contact with. There are more things this can affect as well.

That should get you started.

Hi, I'm new

Hi, my name is Phyllis. I''m new on the board, recommended by a friend already on this board. I did the iodine patch test this week with some really old iodine from my medicine cabinet. I painted it on very heavy in numerous locations, let it dry and painted a second coat on very heavy and let it dry again. It all disappeared in 30 minutes. Down to barely visible in 20 minutes. I did this 2 days in a row with the same results-disappearing very quickly.

I put the iodine on both wrists and it turned green, then black. Has anyone had this happen to them? I use no skin creams, no body products due to my chemical sensitivity. Nothing on my wrists that would hav been different than the other locations (abdomen, throat, temples, thigh, wrists and top of hand at base of thumb). I put it on my wrists b/c I just read an article on iodine on the wrists for infections and I've been fighting a respiratory infection.

After I did the iodine topically, I had several days that I felt better, more energy. I'm chemically sensitive, gluten intolerant (celiac) have exhausted adrenals, asthma, chronic head pain and migraines , vertigo and a lot of other problems. Could it ALL be related to iodine? I've read the references here to detox. I was pesticide poisoned and have been doing detox protocols for years-and it has helped and I'm much better now, but still not where I want to be-back to normal.

I've been on compounded T3 and T4 for quite a few years and it helps, but I never get totally over the fatigue. My thyroid tests are all right on target on my current meds and according to the newer reference guidelines. This iodine stuff and all the various forms is confusing-hope I figure it out. I have a conversion problem-don't convert the T4 to T3 very well.

A gazillion yrs. ago a dr. told me to quit salt b/c my B/P went up during last month of pregnancy and I had a salt free diet for decades. So no iodine at all from salt. He said salt was bad for me and never use salt any more. I use sea salt now, but know it's not enough iodine. I think that "no salt"diet wrecked my health, but I also may have had thyroid problems all my life.

My biggest worry is whether it's gluten free and whether it will it make me react. Glute is hidden in a lot of stuff, even medications, OTC things, cosmetics/topicals and it really makes me sick. And finding a dr. I can afford who knows about this and can lead me through it.

Phyllis

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[Guest guest]

thanks and yes, I do have MTHFR. Didn't know it related to detox-the only thing they knew when i was tested was cardio/clotting/stroke risk.

Yes, celiac gives a lot of deficiencies-damaged gut-and also associated with a lot of "separate" illnesses and problems. Geesh, can't even remember all of them-dental problems, not having enamel form properly on teeth, thyroid, pain, inflammation, fibro, fibrocystic stuff, miscarriages, increased chance of Down Syndrome births, migraines, a ton of stuff I'd have to dig out to remember. Been on the GF diet for 7 years and it helps. But still not "there" yet. My daughters and I all feel the effects on thryoid if we get gluten-we take a dive. That's why I'm hoping the iodine will be a helpful addition. Gluten really gunks up the system (in addition to my other toxic issues) and hoping this will all help me get more gunk out. When my thyroid levels go out of whack, everything gets worse-pain, chemical sensitivity, etc.

Haven't started iodine yet-still looking for a dr. and reading and thinking.

Don't want to jump in to fast before I know all the ropes and pitfalls.

Someone on the list posted OT on NAC. I got some and tried it. Well, don't take it at night! It's really loosened things up, made my cough worse and keeping me up. But it's supposed to be good for the asthma. Tomorrow i'm taking it early.'

PhyllisNew MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News more. Try it out!

[Guest guest]

Phyllis where are you located. Maybe we can point you in the direction of a doctor. Honestly you don't need to have one if you want to start on a lower dose - or even a high one. Many are doing that. You can use the loading test to find out your levels and go from there. Both Hakala and FFP labs offer consults with them.

Steph

Re: Hi, I'm new

thanks and yes, I do have MTHFR. Didn't know it related to detox-the only thing they knew when i was tested was cardio/clotting/stroke risk.

Yes, celiac gives a lot of deficiencies-damaged gut-and also associated with a lot of "separate" illnesses and problems. Geesh, can't even remember all of them-dental problems, not having enamel form properly on teeth, thyroid, pain, inflammation, fibro, fibrocystic stuff, miscarriages, increased chance of Down Syndrome births, migraines, a ton of stuff I'd have to dig out to remember. Been on the GF diet for 7 years and it helps. But still not "there" yet. My daughters and I all feel the effects on thryoid if we get gluten-we take a dive. That's why I'm hoping the iodine will be a helpful addition. Gluten really gunks up the system (in addition to my other toxic issues) and hoping this will all help me get more gunk out. When my thyroid levels go out of whack, everything gets worse-pain, chemical sensitivity, etc.

Haven't started iodine yet-still looking for a dr. and reading and thinking.

Don't want to jump in to fast before I know all the ropes and pitfalls.

Someone on the list posted OT on NAC. I got some and tried it. Well, don't take it at night! It's really loosened things up, made my cough worse and keeping me up. But it's supposed to be good for the asthma. Tomorrow i'm taking it early.'

Phyllis

New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out!

[Guest guest]

....try your local Goodwill or second hand store....

Perhaps you might even find a coffeemaker with a glass carafe there that

would suffice to heat the water for your tea.

Aluminum really is not such a good thing to use for any cooking....but,

again, if that is all you have to use, just heat your water to boiling and

transfer it to a glass or plastic pitcher or jar to let the tea steep

in....you could even steep it in your brewing container.

If you have more questions...please, just ask.

Oh...welcome!! :-)

GayleM

Hi, I'm new

> Nice to meet you folks.

>

> I just went to a kombucha workshop the other day. I was kind of excited

> and happy to get started on my first batch of kombucha. They gave us

> the scoby as part of a kit that they have there. That was very nice.

>

> But, when I got home and read the directions, I noticed they say to

> boil the water either in stainless steel or glass.

>

> I don't have either. My pots are all aluminum.

>

> So, I'm wondering if this will make such a big difference that I

> shouldn't go ahead and make my first batch. Do I have to wait until I

> can afford a stainless steel pot to boil the water in? That may take a

> while, because stainless steel is very expensive.

>

> Thanks for your help.

>

> Very truly yours,

>

[Guest guest]

,

Welcome! I actually don't even boil my water ... I cold brew. I simply open

a gallon of bottled water, pour out a little and stuff my 8 teabags in. I

either do it at night and add the sugar in the morning (after pulling out

the teabags, of course) or do it in the morning and finish the process in

the evening. Sugar doesn't need hot water to dissolve - I just hold the lid

on well and shake, shake, shake My purpose for doing it this way is to

lower the caffeine levels, but you could cold brew until you can afford a

stainless steel pot.

Blessings,

Rissa

--

Raise money for Rancho 3M just by searching the Internet or shopping online

with GoodSearch - www.goodsearch.com - powered by

[Guest guest]

Hi a and welcome to the group.

I am fairly new here and have found the information to be far superior to any

you will get from a doctor on the NHS.

I am absolutely appalled that your GP has refused to do further tests as he must

surely be aware that by having a partial thyroidectomy you will need to be

tested continually for any changes.

I only know this because my mother had a partial thyroidectomy and has been

monitored constantly for hypothyroism, she is now on 200mcgs of Levothyroxine

daily.

I think you need to insist on tests and also on a print out of the results.

Perhaps you need to be referred back to your endocrinologist too.

I aren't nearly as informed as so many other people here and I am sure they will

offer up their advice.

Take care,

Lynne

> From your experience, does this sound sufficient to warrant a further

> test? At my surgery they won't do blood tests unless they are certain that one

is required, so I don't want to go only to be sent away with a flea in my ear!

I'd rather go knowing I have a good case!

>

> Any advice or information would be most grateful as I'm fed up with

> feeling wretched!

>

> Thanks

>

> a x

>

[Guest guest]

Morning a,

Your symptoms do sound a bit suspicious don't they. Are you able to see another

GP at your practice and ask for a second opinion?

Also, you do have the right to seee and know your exact blood results. It's

important to get the reference ranges too, as they differ around the country.

Dr's tend to go by one result only called tsh (thyoid stimulating hormone), but

it does not tell the full story. Your Dr should have a least run a t4 test

too.It's all a contentious issue in this country.

I found it very helpful to read up on the files on tpa about hypothyroidism and

associated conditions. You'll get to understand the wider picture.

I too had a partial thyroidectomy, 21 years ago. Have another goitre now, have

hypo symptoms, but remain undiagnosed due to blood results only. It's

frustrating.

You've come to a good place, lots of support here.

Take care for now, keep posting.

x

>

> Hello everyone.

>

> My name is a and I live in Kent.

>

> I had a partial thyroidectomy to remove a nodule in 2007. Following

> the surgery I had a blood test and was told all was fine and that I

> would need no further treatment and no further checks.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi a and welcome to our forum where I hope you get

the support and information you need.

It is NOT sufficient that a GP tests your thyroid function only

once a year, especially after having a partial thyroidectomy. I would send a

letter to your GP with a copy to the Head of Practice. List all of your

symptoms (you can check yours against the list of symptoms in our web site www.tpa-uk.org.uk ) and list alongside your

basal temperature for say, 5 mornings, before getting out of bed, and before

drinking anything. Normal temperature is 98.6. If your metabolism is low (as it

is in hypothyroidism) you might get a reading of o97.8 - or it could be much

less). List any members of your family who have a thyroid or autoimmune disease

too. If your GP never tested to see whether you have antibodies to your

thyroid, please ask him to test this. At the same time, ask him to test to see

if any of the following are low in the reference range: Ferritin, B12, Vitamin

D3, magnesium, zinc and copper. If they are low, this could be a reason that the

thyroid hormone you are making is not being absorbed and the reason you are

getting the symptoms that you are.

Ask for a copy of your last thyroid function tests, together

with the reference range for each test. A doctor CANNOT withhold these from

you. Tell him you need these for your records so you can keep a diary of what

is happening.

Tell your GP in the letter that you need a referral to an

endocrinologist who specialises in thyroid disease because you are not prepared

to suffer the symptoms and because you need a second opinion and you feel a

year in your particular circumstances is too long to wait for further thyroid

function testing.

Lastly, ask that your letter be placed into your medical

records. Should you later be found to be hypothyroid and your GP refused to

refer you to an endocrinologist at your request and he left you without the necessary

thyroid hormone replacement, he will have a few questions to answer. Send a

copy to the Head of Practice and make sure you put a Cc at the bottom of the

letter to the GP so he is aware of this.

Good luck

Luv - Sheila

From your experience, does this sound sufficient to warrant a further

test? At my surgery they won't do blood tests unless they are certain that one

is required, so I don't want to go only to be sent away with a flea in my ear!

I'd rather go knowing I have a good case!

[Guest guest]

PREVIOUS MESSAGES DELETED. PLEASE CHECK YOU HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE CLICKING SEND

AND LEAVE JUST A SMALL PORTION OF WHAT YOU ARE RESPONDING TO. LUV - SHEILA

___________________________________________________________

Hi Sheila

Thank you so much for all of that information. I have checked the symptom list

and while I do have quite a few symptoms, there are many many more that I don't

have which makes me nervous about going back to the GP. I will have to do it

because I do feel rotten and I can't cope with keep gaining weight for no

particular reason.

I've never seen an endocrinologist. I saw an ENT surgeon at the hospital and it

was he who performed my partial thyroidectomy. The hospital did a blood test

about 6 weeks after the surgery and then discharged me and told me that I would

not need any more tests. The GP seems to agree with this. He did the test last

year because I saw him a few times as I just felt unwell but couldn't quite put

my finger on it, except that I was permanantly exhausted - that certainly hasn't

changed. He sent me an email to tell me that 'the results are normal. This

does not however explain your tiredness. Regards Dr H' And that was it. I've

been back since and he keeps refering back to the test that was done over a year

ago saying 'Well we've already tested your thyroid and that was fine'.

My mum has many medical problems and she is possibly going to have to have her

parathyroid gland/s removed - I'm not sure how closely these are linked to

thyroid problems and whether these sort of things are hereditary. I too suffer

from other problems. I have Crohn's disease (although yet again I get regularly

fobbed off by the consultant as being " fine " ) and I suffer badly from IBS and

constipation. I'm in quite a lot of pain as I type. I just need to pluck up

the courage and energy to visit the doctor again. Don't get me wrong, he's no

monster, but I hate the idea of going and almost questioning his opinion when it

may just be that there is nothing wrong with me. I certainly don't feel like

there's nothing wrong with me though!

Anyway, I've rambled enough, but it is so good to have found somewhere that I

can get advice from people who REALLY understand.

Thanks again

a x

>

> It is NOT sufficient that a GP tests your thyroid function only once a year,

> especially after having a partial thyroidectomy. I would send a letter to

> your GP with a copy to the Head of Practice. List all of your symptoms (you

> can check yours against the list of symptoms in our web site

> www.tpa-uk.org.uk ) and list alongside your basal temperature for say, 5

> mornings, before getting out of bed, and before drinking anything.