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View Full Version : Thyroid folks, need your experience.



trales
05-03-2010, 06:13 PM
So I had a reg doc visit with bloodwork today. B/C of some tiredness etc, she threw in the free t4, free t3 and tsh. So the free t4 came back below normal, but the t3 and TSH were right in the middle of the range. What does this mean. I am meeting with her tomorrow to talk about Synthyroid, she thinks it is a good idea. I don't know, a friend freaked out saying that once you started it you have to be on it for life.

I know nothing about thyroids and hormones, this has never been on my radar before.

Throw info and resources at me. I need to get an education.

PunkyBoo
05-03-2010, 06:38 PM
I didn't know anything about thyroid stuff when I was diagnosed with Hashimotos 7 years ago. I didn't even know I had symptoms, but bloodwork during TTC DS1 and subsequent thyroid ultrasound showed the problem. Supposedly it's hereditary, yet nobody else in my family has any thyroid problems.

I am on a very low dose of Synthroid (50mcg/day) and my endocrinologist told me that if I feel good and my bloodwork is showing within the "normal" range, he would have me stop taking it for a while. But he is a firm believer in using how you FEEL rather than what the bloodwork says as a guide. So no, I don't think you have to take it forever just becuase you start it. He has also made adjustments in my dosage as my body has changed, after pregnancy, etc. But changes can take a month or longer to see/ feel any difference - it's not an immediate thing.

JTsMom
05-03-2010, 06:56 PM
Typically, you will have to be on it for life, b/c the problem usually gets worse (not b/c of the drug- that's just the nature of thyroid disease). If anything, they'll likely increase the dosage with time. But, what's wrong with that? Seriously, not being snarky. It just replaces the hormone that you're missing, and without it, you'd be risking other problems, kwim? It's a really simple drug, and it's safe to take during pregnancy and nursing. Not that I love having to take a pill every day or anything, but it's certainly better than risking my health and feeling like doody. :)

Seriously, I wouldn't waste a minute stressing about it, and that's coming from someone who stresses about everything.

trales
05-03-2010, 07:01 PM
Oh I am not worried about taking the medication. It is more the suddeness of all this. What if this has been going on for the last three years and I could have done this earlier.

I have a new PCP who I really like and admire. She is the one that found this.

I hate to take or change something until I have a full understanding of everything that is going on. My little quirk.

Continue to educate me.

ThreeofUs
05-03-2010, 07:02 PM
I was in almost the same situation and made the mistake of NOT going on synthroid. I do not like to take any medications that are unnecessary, kwim?

What I would do, if I were to be in the same situation with the benefit of hindsight, is go see a good endocrinologist. Get your blood retested, and talk with an expert about why you might need to take thyroid meds.

Read this and see what you think:
http://www.endocrineweb.com/hypo1.html

PM if you'd like more info.

GL!

elizabethkott
05-03-2010, 07:03 PM
FWIW, I was diagnosed with a thyroid disorder when I was 6. I was on synthroid until I was 21 when my endo thought I might be able to wean off. I was fine without it until my 1st pregnancy, and now I'm back on a natural thyroid replacement treatment. So it's not necessarily a given that you will have to be on it for EVER. Every patient is different - are there other factors that might be contributing to your thyroid going wacky - pregnancy? Post partum? Added stress? And I agree with Lori - it's not the worst thing in the world to take a little pill every day to replace what your body needs but isn't making on its own.
:)

trales
05-03-2010, 07:03 PM
Good info. I will read the website tonight and talk to her tomorrow about an endo visit.

alirebco
05-03-2010, 07:24 PM
check out stopthethyroidmadness.com. there are some natural thyroid meds you can take, armour for one.

fortato
05-03-2010, 07:34 PM
Tracey- I didn't realize how common thyroid issues were until I had one, and EVERY female blood relative on my dad's side of the family said that they had issues too. This prompted my sister to get her's checked, and lo and behold... she had issues.
It was startling to find out that these women had this information, and I could have had a heads up about it years before finding out that I had a goiter and was severely hypothyroid.

Did you find out how low of a dose you'd need of the Synthroid? Have they recommended an endocrinologist? (Dr.Levine in Nashua is fantastic.)

I would love to start a poll here to see how many of the members are on the meds.

JTsMom
05-03-2010, 07:41 PM
It's my whole family too.

:grouphug: It's never fun to hear you have some type of medical condition, but I swear, if you have to have something, this is what you want to get! Once you get your levels to the right place, you will feel so much better. Having your thyroid be even a little off can really make you feel awful. My mom went through a serious depression the last time her meds needed tweaked- and it was just the tiniest bit.

Definitely keep reading. Normally I would second/thrid/whatever the rec to see an endo, but your FP actually sounds really on top of things, so I might stick with her personally. The fact that she checked all of the levels is a really good sign that she knows more than the average GP would about this.

trales
05-03-2010, 07:42 PM
25 ug of meds. No rec yet, but I will ask about the Nashua guy. Sounds good.
Now that I have mentioned it to friends, they all seem to be on meds. Really interesting.

chlobo
05-03-2010, 08:41 PM
I'm not being snarky here b/c I know a bunch of people on meds as well as a couple of people who've had their thyroids removed. But does it strike anyone as odd that so many women have issues? I mean it doesn't seem like a good evolutionary strategy. It makes me wonder if there isn't something else going on with all us women that causes the thyroid problems and if there isn't something we can do to correct the problem.

Again, not being snarky. I just find it weird.

trales
05-03-2010, 08:58 PM
I hear you. That is one of my reasons for wanting to find out more. It just seems odd. I don't understand it all.

funda62
05-03-2010, 09:51 PM
:hug: Dealing with thyroid issues sucks.

fortato
05-03-2010, 09:56 PM
I never realized all that the thyroid did until they took mine out...

The raging PMS I had, and not losing weight, and feeling cold... all thyroid related. I know when my meds need adjusting because I become more of a bitch than usual.

trales
05-03-2010, 10:06 PM
The whole thing is really crazy and I feel really ignorant about it. I have so much to learn and figure out.

MSWR0319
05-03-2010, 10:27 PM
I just got diagnosed two months ago with only my T4 being low as well. Given my symptoms, she put me on the same dose you doctor recommended and let me tell you, I feel human again!! It was so bad I was falling asleep an hour after getting up. Taking the medicine forever doesn't bother me. I just wanted to feel good again. My mom and both grandma's have it as well, so I've grown up with it and am fairly educated just by being exposed to them. I don't have any specific websites I use, but I do surf the web and read articles, studies, etc. I go back next month for a recheck of my levels and we'll see where it goes from there. I'm thinking about going to an endo just to make sure everything is ok, even though my regular doctor seems to be on top of things.

niccig
05-03-2010, 10:32 PM
I'm not being snarky here b/c I know a bunch of people on meds as well as a couple of people who've had their thyroids removed. But does it strike anyone as odd that so many women have issues? I mean it doesn't seem like a good evolutionary strategy. It makes me wonder if there isn't something else going on with all us women that causes the thyroid problems and if there isn't something we can do to correct the problem.

Again, not being snarky. I just find it weird.


I think part of the reason for more diagnoses of thyroid issues is that they have refined the normal range. It used to be that you weren't considered hypothyroid until TSH was over 4.0 or even 5.0. Now it's anything over 3.0. So lowering that level has caused more people to be diagnosed and go on medication. I know that I start to feel "off" when my levels go over 2.0. I put on 10lbs and my medicine hadn't been adjusted yet as I hadn't gone in, and my levels went back to being just over 3.0 and I couldn't get off the couch again. I don't know how people can function if their levels were over 5.0 before being diagnosed - I wouldn't be able to move it that was me.

So I do think refining of tests has caused more diagnoses. My grandmother was diagnosed in the 1980's. She was totally crazy and my grandfather was told that it was early dementia, she was in her 50's, and was told to put her in a nursing home. They saw another doctor, part of the tests included thyroid tests, she went on synthyroid and was back to normal again. I wonder how many other women were told it was "all in their head." or "part of change of life so deal with it".

I do know that my medicine will need to be adjusted as I get older as hypothyroid normally gets worse - the thyroid will produce less and less natural hormone as we age. I'm on a pretty high does becuase I only have half my thyroid. I grew a nodule the size of an orange that was pushing on trachea and oesophagus, so I had to have it removed. Most don't get big like that. My synthroid dose is also to make sure the thyroid isn't stressed and hopefully so that no other nodules grow. If I do get another nodule, I'll most likely lose the other half the thyroid. The surgeon and endo. said they won't risk a 2nd nodule growing so big. I'm also on orders to keep my weight down and stable. I'm trying to lose 10 more lbs and keep it at that level - If I go up or down 10lbs, my medicine levels need to be adjusted. So I could in theory lower my dose by losing some weight. We'll see though.

randomkid
05-04-2010, 12:00 AM
I agree with the recommendation to see an endocrinologist. Try to find one that deals with hypothyroidism a lot. Some endos are more about diabetes. It definitely takes a good endo to help you find the right balance with your meds and blood levels. I was diagnosed when TTC because it was taking a while and my OB ordered bloodwork. My OB thought my levels were fine, but being in healthcare, I did some research. I found that I had Subclinical Hypothyroidism. Basically, abnormal thyroid levels without symptoms. Believe me, I'm clinical now. I can definitely tell when my levels are off and I've had to increase my dosage over time. My endo explained that whatever process is causing my thyroid to fail (I don't have a goiter or Hashimoto's) will continue. They think it could be an autoimmune response, but don't really know for sure. Here is some good info on Subclinical Hypothyroidism and the importance of treating it. http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/subclinicalhypofaq.htm It is especially important to treat if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Scroll down and you can see the risks of subclinical hypothyroidism related to pregnancy. I was actually pregnant when I first went to the endocrinologist and those reasons listed are exactly why. My LC also told me that milk supply can be affected adversely by hypothyroidism.

BTW, if you are put on meds, make sure you use brand name. Your MD will likely have to write "Medically Necessary" for your insurance to pay for it if yours is anything like mine. Generics have too many variations in dosage and it only takes being off slightly to mess you up. I have a friend who tried generics and she said it was a disaster. The dosages are measured in micrograms, so the tiniest variation can be problematic. FWIW, I pay out of pocket because I can buy a bottle of 100 pills at Costco for less than my co-pay. Do some research. Thyroid meds are relatively inexpensive, even brand name.

tiapam
05-04-2010, 12:30 AM
Trales, I think your feelings are completely normal. I had my thyroid (which was too active, the opposite of what you have) radiated and I thought it would be no big deal so I went to the hospital by myself, even though I had more than one offer to accompany me. Right before I had to drink the cocktail, I got upset and started crying. Part of it was realizing that I would probably have to take meds for the rest of my life.

I don't want to depress you but it's not always so easy to treat hypothyroidism. The truth is for some people it's very hard to get back to a point where they feel 100%. Have you been feeling poorly for three years? I think it's fairly common for onset to be gradual, so it's very hard to notice. You may not even realize you did not feel so great until after you start treatment and feel the difference. It's amazing what the body (particularly a woman's body) can get used to and endure.

Chlobo, I do think there is something going on. It may be linked to environmental factors. The prevalence in women may also be related to how we handle (or rather don't handle) stress. Autoimmune diseases sometimes have a trigger, and you can be prone to them. I think my thyroid disorder (Grave's Disease) was triggered by a stressful period in my life. I had a secondary AI disease triggered later by a virus. This is my opinion after doing research, not necessarily the doctor's.

I love the work Mary Shomon does as a patient advocate. She has the about.com website about thyroid issues. She also just started this:

http://www.betterthyroidcare.org/

I will say that some of what you are feeling may be part of the disease. IME, thyroid disease can have major mental and emotional symptoms.

There is an autoimmune BBB group for thyroid and other issues. Anyone who wants to join can PM me. We aren't very active but hopefully with more members we can change that. I think this is a huge national (global??) health issue, particularly for women.

tiapam
05-04-2010, 12:43 AM
OK, just saw that a new drug may be available soon. It's called Tirosint, don't know much about it, but looks like a different formulation (gel cap??) of thyroid hormone. So may be absorbed differently??

Anyway, lots of good posts in this thread so thought I would add this recent development. Anyone who knows more about it, please do post! I gotta go to bed now, sometimes I think all the night owls on this board must have thyroid problems...

niccig
05-04-2010, 01:55 AM
Chlobo, I do think there is something going on. It may be linked to environmental factors. The prevalence in women may also be related to how we handle (or rather don't handle) stress. Autoimmune diseases sometimes have a trigger, and you can be prone to them. I think my thyroid disorder (Grave's Disease) was triggered by a stressful period in my life. I had a secondary AI disease triggered later by a virus. This is my opinion after doing research, not necessarily the doctor's.

.

Mine was triggered by pregnancy. I had nothing until 6 months postpartum. Many women have postpartum thyroiditis, and it resolves on it's own. Mine didn't. I have family history of thyroid disorders, so it wasn't out of the blue.

I do wonder if stressful hormonal periods like preganancy, post-partum and menopause could be a trigger for thyroid stress and dysfunction. I know 3 other mothers who were all diagnosed after their first child.

niccig
05-04-2010, 01:56 AM
OK, just saw that a new drug may be available soon. It's called Tirosint, don't know much about it, but looks like a different formulation (gel cap??) of thyroid hormone. So may be absorbed differently??

Anyway, lots of good posts in this thread so thought I would add this recent development. Anyone who knows more about it, please do post! I gotta go to bed now, sometimes I think all the night owls on this board must have thyroid problems...

I don't know anything about it, but I'll ask my Dr. at my next app, it's not for a couple of months though. He's at an academic hospital and seems to know latest research, so he might know something. I bet it will be more expensive too, so it might take a little while before it's cost-effective from synthyroid.

MontrealMum
05-04-2010, 02:38 AM
Trales, I pm'ed you.

Pam, I'm very interested in any new med news, thanks for mentioning it. I'm *still* working on getting the right mix :(

niccig
05-04-2010, 04:39 AM
Oh I am not worried about taking the medication. It is more the suddeness of all this. What if this has been going on for the last three years and I could have done this earlier.

I have a new PCP who I really like and admire. She is the one that found this.



It may have been going on for a while, but at least you found out NOW, so you can do something about it. My dentist noticed my thyroid was swollen, if he didn't say something I wouldn't have realised for a while longer. Then I was with an endo that said I didn't need medication and I did - he was using the old test range of having to be over 5.0 before need medicine, despite narrower test range being adopted by American Association of Endocrinology. And I stayed with him for 2.5 years...Grrrrrr. I went to get a 2nd opinion from a surgeon and he told me I should have been on medicine from the beginning. All along I thought I was going crazy, I'm surprised DH stayed married to me through that period, it was bad. I've learned my lesson - educate myslef, get a 2nd opinion.

Your PCP sounds like she's on top of this. Try and see if you start to feel better - if not, head to endocrinologist, but check that they specialise in thyroid disorders. My endo is now relasing me back to my PCP for regular check-ups if all goes well at my next appt. wtih him. I've been stable for a while, and as long as I have regular blood work with PCP and feel fine, I don't have to see him and pay the extra specialist fee.

SnuggleBuggles
05-04-2010, 08:37 AM
Where I live there is a very high rate of thyroid disorders, according to a few people that I talked to. I mentioned that to my sister and she had heard that too. But, rather than an environmental trigger she had read that it is a result of having a lot of people with Eastern European backgrounds here- the genetic make up makes us more predisposed to thyroid issues. I wonder about it all though; environmental, genetic, more sensitive testing...and how to treat and manage.

I was dx a few months ago and stared meds at the end of January. I never felt bad even before the meds. I was just gaining weight inexplicably and come from a long line of hypothyroid people. Tests showed hypo and I started meds. They actually upped the dose to 50 when they did the bloodwork after 6 weeks. Still feel no different. I think I am an anomaly.

I have an appt. with an endocrinologist but they are so hard to get an appt with here!!! I called a month ago and they scheduled me for the end of July. So, don't be like me and wait to call. Get your name in the book soon.

GL!!
Beth

fortato
05-04-2010, 10:10 AM
Trales, I pm'ed you.

Pam, I'm very interested in any new med news, thanks for mentioning it. I'm *still* working on getting the right mix :(

What???? You don't like getting bloodwork every 6 weeks??? I'm almost done with this pregnancy and they are STILL trying to get my numbers right.

trales
05-04-2010, 10:14 AM
Wow.

Thanks guys. You have given me a lot of information to digest. I might be up all night reading tonight.

I will let you know what I find out from the doc today.

jse107
05-04-2010, 10:56 AM
Ok, so now y'all have me checking my last bloodwork again. Here were my numbers with the lab's range of normal:
Free T4 .88 (.61--1.76)
TSH 2.35 (.450--4.5)
T3 Uptake (24-39)
T3 Free 2.1 (2.3--4.2)

These numbers are from last summer. The OB/GYN noted that the free T3 was a little low but said everything else is fine. FWIW, I am tired, have low libido, am cold, and am anxious/depressed (I am medicated for that).

Should I see an endocrinologist or is this just motherhood?

catpagmo
05-04-2010, 12:03 PM
Should I see an endocrinologist or is this just motherhood?

This is what I'm always wondering, too. How do you know when it's not "normal" and you need to see someone?

Also, for those of you who said you felt crazy, or had a rough time in your marriage, can you elaborate on that? Often, I feel crazy, or like I'm in the twilight zone or something, and I don't know if that's normal, or thyroid related. FWIW, I've been on a very low dose of synthroid for the last 4.5 years.

niccig
05-04-2010, 04:16 PM
This is what I'm always wondering, too. How do you know when it's not "normal" and you need to see someone?

Also, for those of you who said you felt crazy, or had a rough time in your marriage, can you elaborate on that? Often, I feel crazy, or like I'm in the twilight zone or something, and I don't know if that's normal, or thyroid related. FWIW, I've been on a very low dose of synthroid for the last 4.5 years.

I'm not a doctor, so this is NOT medical advice.

For me, a TSH of 2.35 is too high, even though it is within normal range. I was told by my Dr. that most people feel best between 1.0 adn 2.0 for TSH. I know this though as I had half-thyroid removed and it took about 9 months to get right amount of synthyroid. During that time I ping-ponged back forth between hypothyroidism (not enough thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid), so I know the range of symptoms on both ends of the spectrum. I feel better when my TSH is around 1.5. Everyone is different though.

If I get to over 2.0, I start to get tired and bitchy. The key in all of this is I now KNOW how my body feels, and if I start to feel "off", I go have a blood test.

When I'm hypothyroid, I am bone weary tired. I'm not talking tired from having a late night, like I did last night, in bed at 1.30am and up at 7.30am. It's a "don't have the energy to move" tiredness. DS was nearly 3 years old, and I would nap during his nap, and he would wake up, and I would put the TV on and pass out on the couch again for another hour or two. He had free range of the house, and I would finally wake up and ask him to get me a cheese stick and some water to drink - the only things he could reach. Then I could get up off the couch. Turns out I do not have restful sleep at night when hypothyroid.

As for being cranky, you wake up and you are pissed off. Nothing has happened, you're just pissed at everything and everyone. DH just had to look at me and I would be yelling at him. Irrational too. I remember having this argument with DH and he's saying "you're not making any sense." And I fell to my knees on the floor crying and telling him "I'm going crazy." My good friend gets very depressed. I knew she had thyroid issues, and she started talking about divorce. She saw my endocrinologist and he increased her dose, and she's feeling better about her life and how to handle things. I don't get depressed. I am a much more even-keeled person with the synthyroid. It was difficult to adjust to taking the medication first thing in the morning and then not eating, but I finally realised that I"m a better/happier person/wife/mother when I take the medicine correctly. It's not fair on DS to have cranky, blow a gasket Mummy when he's done nothing wrong, it's because I didn't take my medicine.

I was lucky because I had to have surgery, I had to see an endocrinologist and I shopped around to find someone that listens to you and wants you to listen to your body, and he's willing to tweak medication until you feel better. What is important to know though, is that you don't go back to feeling like what you did pre-thyroid issues. It's a new normal. The synthyroid is a good substitute, but my endo said it is not the same as what you body produces, so yes you will feel better, but it won't be the "same" as before.

If you do think you have more going on with your thyroid, then I would go to an endo who specialises in thyroid disorders for a consult. It can't hurt, and you might find that you do need more medication. My friend who went to my Dr, found out she had Hashimotos, her regular Dr. never did the test to check that. Her medicine was increased, she's feeling better, but Hashimotos means you cycle from being hypo to hyper, so she HAS to have more check-ups to adjust medication. Her regular Dr. was only testing once a year, and it's not enough for her. A consult won't hurt, and it might give peace of mind.

Aarohismom
05-04-2010, 04:51 PM
Ok, so now y'all have me checking my last bloodwork again. Here were my numbers with the lab's range of normal:
Free T4 .88 (.61--1.76)
TSH 2.35 (.450--4.5)
T3 Uptake (24-39)
T3 Free 2.1 (2.3--4.2)



Your TSH is on the upper side of the normal range. I have hashimotos, according to my endo TSH between 1.0-2.0 is ideal for me, you should check with your endo.

niccig
05-04-2010, 04:57 PM
Ok, so now y'all have me checking my last bloodwork again. Here were my numbers with the lab's range of normal:
Free T4 .88 (.61--1.76)
TSH 2.35 (.450--4.5)
T3 Uptake (24-39)
T3 Free 2.1 (2.3--4.2)

These numbers are from last summer. The OB/GYN noted that the free T3 was a little low but said everything else is fine. FWIW, I am tired, have low libido, am cold, and am anxious/depressed (I am medicated for that).

Should I see an endocrinologist or is this just motherhood?


That test range for TSH says normal is under 4.5 - that is an old test range, but some labs and dr.s still use it. There's disagreement about what the test range should be. Newer limit adopted by American Association of Endocrinology is that hypothyroid is over 3.0, so yes at 2.35 you are closer to being hypothyroid. 2.35 is too high TSH for me, and I would be having symptoms. I'm better around 1.5.

I agree with going to an endo. They know more about this then regular doctor or OB. It's worth a check, but call around to find someone who deal with thyroid issues a lot. Maybe ask your friends as many women are hypothyroid. I know I tell everyone to go see my endo.

tiapam
05-04-2010, 06:50 PM
So much to think about and process here. One other thing I would like to add about meds is that I *think* I have read that some hypo patients do well by being made hyper by taking too much thyroid supplement and then taking a drug (such as tapazole) that suppresses the thyroid. Sounds a little crazy but I think the idea is that for some people at least, the body is better able to right itself with this approach. Come to think of it, I put off getting RAI (radioactive iodine) treatment for a good three years or so and was on tapazole during that time. That might have been the best I felt since my diagnosis! Of course, anything would have been an improvement from how I was feeling, I was about ready to break in half by the time I got some beta blockers and the tapazole. I think it's not generally recommended to stay on thyroid suppressants for long term, and it was not compatible with my plans to have children, as I think it's not the best thing to be on when pregnant, either that or you really cannot be on it at all. I don't recall any side effects from the tapazole, but I tried another drug (PTU?) before which did not agree with me for some reason.

In summary, if you are hypo and not feeling well despite supplements and done having kids, it might be worth mentioning to your doctor.

Also, for anyone newly diagnosed as hyper, and really feeling like carp, I highly recommend getting yourself feeling better (with meds) before making any decisions about more permanent treatment, such as RAI or surgery. Another tip - make a spreadsheet or database to track your test results yourself, along with other data (your weight, how you are feeling at the time of the test, your periods, etc ) I used to do this a while back but stopped. I will try to find it to see what other categories I had.

FYI, I am also not a doctor or other health professional.

Another interesting link:

http://www.brodabarnes.org/

trales
05-04-2010, 08:28 PM
With all this talk of 1-2 being normal for TSH, what about it being .7 and the t4 being .7 also. t3 right in the middle.

I had a great conversation with the doc today. I just want to do a lot of reading and research. I must have complete understanding of something before I jump in.

tiapam
05-05-2010, 12:53 AM
Just wanted to add that Mary Shomon has written several books on thyroid and AI disease.
In particular, her book Living Well with Hypothyroidism has a passage called "On Being Thoughtless" -Marge's Story that is very illuminating about how thyroid patients can go undiagnosed for so long.

Also, I highly recommend The Thyroid Solution by Ridha Arem. It has a section for SOs and I think other people close to a thyroid sufferer. I made a copy of that section and gave it to my boyfriend, now husband.

SammyeGail
05-05-2010, 04:00 AM
Also, I highly recommend The Thyroid Solution by Ridha Arem. It has a section for SOs and I think other people close to a thyroid sufferer. I made a copy of that section and gave it to my boyfriend, now husband.

I sent you a PM about the group. How big is the section in the book for the SO? DH acts understanding sometimes, then is a jerk about the chronic fatigue other times. Maybe you could recommend a book for me about dealing with the side effects and how they affect you mentally, you can PM me.

Also, is there anything about adrenal gland disorders? Anything about any of this having to do with your pituitary gland?


OP, so glad you're getting things looked into, great that you are doing your research :). I won't even tell you my story, I don't want to scare you, lol. I am on the severe end and have other issues, I'm a case of my own!

You are doing great, educating yourself, keep yourself tested, etc, you'll be fine :).

niccig
05-05-2010, 04:42 AM
With all this talk of 1-2 being normal for TSH, what about it being .7 and the t4 being .7 also. t3 right in the middle.

I had a great conversation with the doc today. I just want to do a lot of reading and research. I must have complete understanding of something before I jump in.

I can't say for sure about a 0.7 TSH level. I *think* anything under 0.3 is definitely considered hyper, so 0.7 will be heading to that. I know for me, it's not as good as a TSH around 1.5, but only because I've bounced from having TSH of 0.1 to 4.0 over the last 2 years, so I've worked out where I feel best.

Have a look at the symptoms for hyper (too much thyroid hormone) and hypo (not enough thyroid hormone). Hyper: http://www.endocrineweb.com/hyper1.html
Hypo: http://www.endocrineweb.com/hypo1.html

Everyone has different severity of symptoms. When I'm hyper, I get chest pains, and that's my first sign to get levels checked. When I'm hypo I have extreme fatigue and just cranky at the world - if it lasts a couple of weeks, I have another blood test.

We've just been talking about TSH, but you can't do that. You do need to take into account the T3 and the T4 - this is where an endocrinologist can tell from the combination of the 3 results what could be going on.

On another note with the amount of synthryoid you take - you will find that it will change. You can't work out that 112mcg is perfect and stay at that level for the rest of your life. Eg. I put on 10lbs and I need to increase amount of synthyroid as I'm heavier. I lose 10lbs and it needs to be decreased. I do really need to keep my weight stable. My natural thyroid function will probably decrease as I get older, so I will need more synthyroid as that happens.

I know it's a lot of new information, but you'll adjust and work out what's best for you.

niccig
05-05-2010, 04:52 AM
Also, I highly recommend The Thyroid Solution by Ridha Arem. It has a section for SOs and I think other people close to a thyroid sufferer. I made a copy of that section and gave it to my boyfriend, now husband.

This is a great idea. When I friend was diagnosed, she had me tell her DH what it was like. He can be ajerk and didn't "get" that she had no control over how she was feeling, being irrational etc. I think it helped to hear from someone else what it was like.

We have a few women in our circle of friends with hypothyroidism. I overheard the DH's having a chat with each other about dealing with thyroid disorders. It was like a mini support group for them.

tiapam
05-05-2010, 06:24 PM
I sent you a PM about the group. How big is the section in the book for the SO? DH acts understanding sometimes, then is a jerk about the chronic fatigue other times. Maybe you could recommend a book for me about dealing with the side effects and how they affect you mentally, you can PM me.

Also, is there anything about adrenal gland disorders? Anything about any of this having to do with your pituitary gland?



I don't remember if there is anything about adrenal disorders or the pituitary in that book. My sister keeps borrowing it and has not returned it. I think the section for SOs may have been a whole chapter that included a bulleted list, maybe?

If I lived closer to Dr. Arem, I would absolutely go see him, and I sometimes think about doing it even now. Imagine an airplane ride and hotel room just to see a doctor who will listen and knows what he is doing! I did call the office once to see if they would recommend an endo near me who follows his philosophy on thyroid treatment. Unfortunately, they would not. I wish doctors like that could train other doctors so we could all get better treatment no matter where we live. It's sad that I am in Chicago and have not found a great endo yet. I went to a wholistic "fair" recently and one of the speakers was a GP I was interested in seeing. Unfortunately he does not take my insurance and when I asked him if he could recommend an endo, he said no, he thought their training in thyroid health was very poor. :( Sad, very sad.

alirebco
05-06-2010, 07:00 PM
Please please check out stopthethyroidmadness.com website. It talks about meds and bloodwork and also deals with adrenal fatigue. Some people don't have success with Synthyroid since it is only a T4 med.

1964pandora
05-06-2010, 07:59 PM
FYI, I am a TOTALLY alternative medicine, outside-the-mainstream type person who has had hypothyroidism and Hashimotos for over twenty years, but when I started to research thyroid issues I came down COMPLETELY on the side of mainstream medicine. I started out with Armour because that is SO my style (!) and now would never take anything but Synthroid. Everyone has to read, read, read and decide what makes sense to them. I fully expected to think that mainstream medicine had it completely wrong, since that's what I always conclude, but that's not what I found. I WANTED to think that mainstream medicine was wrong and that everyone should be taking Armour for hypothyroidism. Do the research by reading both sides of the thyroid arguments and decide for YOURSELF.