General Medicine

» trinity2 - just which disorder is it????

In response to just which disorder is it???? posted by daisyelaine:

Thanks so much for your feedback, Elaine, it is much appreciated. Am going for more blood tests in 2 weeks and then to endo once again that same week.

Will keep you posted on results,

Tanya

-- posted by trinity2

» cowlover614 - Mixed up Help!!!!!

In response to Mixed up Help!!!!! posted by cybee:

Hey Girl I just wanted to wish you Good Luck know your going to Endo tomorrow! I'll be thinking of you. Shirl aka cowlover614

-- posted by cowlover614

» u25000 - Dosing

started 50mcg Oct 06 lower tsh 1.96 but very low range ft's; then I self increased to 75 (per reading of higher ft's) and after 2 mths my tsh was 1.66 my ft3 went up 1 point and ft4 went up only 6 points still in low end of the "lab range". So I still had some odd numbness in right big toe and seemed lethargic so I felt okay to increase but didn't know how to get to 88 so I'm taking 112 (75 + 1/2 tab of 75). My tsh after 3 weeks was below range while my ft's had increased to hi range; then I just ordered new labs last Thurs (4 weeks a/last lab) new tsh is .011 ft3 is 3.8 (2.3-4.2) ft4 is 1.77 (.61-1.76). I've been trying to get optimal as only I care about me as well w/concern of TTC levels but now that I'm over doing (due to my lack of experienced GPs,endo's,Gyns) I clearly over did the med, when I just needed someone to agree on a higher dose (from 75) for higher ft's; but as I was in range in their eyes, they saw no reason "see ya in a year" that was the last direction from my newest now forgotten GP, so thats when I felt necessity to go up 1/2 tablet. I just want to get normal fast w/out the loss of time I suffered (1st five years) being ignorant and relying on ignorant to thyroid doctors as experts. So now I'm waiting for the RE (who is the only doctor I find to be concerned of my levels) to prescribe 88 or whatever; but I'm wondering should I not take any meds for 5-7 days and restart whatever he prescribes based on my last 3-4 labs. Please help.

-- posted by u25000

» cowlover614 - Mixed up Help!!!!!

In response to Mixed up Help!!!!! posted by daisyelaine:

Hi Elaine thanks so much for your help. I made a doctors appt. for tomorrow morning with my PC. I really hope this time she will listen to me. If not then it's time to change doctors again. I'll let you know hoping she'll do my labs and order ultrasound! Keep your fingers crossed for me. Shirl

-- posted by cowlover614

» cybee - Mixed up Help!!!!!

In response to Mixed up Help!!!!! posted by cowlover614:

So sweet of you to think of me! Yes, I had my appt and basically waiting for lab results now! (won't know until next week). I actually really liked my Endo as she seemed very smart, nice and down to earth and not one to rush into the most extreme measures if unwarranted! So hopefully.....

Hope all goes well with your next doc appt!!!! No fun anticipating them, I know! B^)

-- posted by cybee

» cowlover614 - Mixed up Help!!!!!

In response to Mixed up Help!!!!! posted by cybee:

I'm really glad for you! How are your eye's doing? Mine is still swollen. AS you know I'm going to see my reg doctor tomorrow, I just hope she'll do my labs. I'll let you know! Shirl

-- posted by cowlover614

» Elaine Moore - Dosing

In response to Dosing posted by u25000:
Hi,
It seems that a dose of 100 mcg would work for you since a dose of 112 mcg is borderline high for FT4 and just right for FT3. With autoimmune thyroid disease the TSH isn't always reliable. Your actual levels of thyroid hormone, FT4 and FT3 give a clearer picture of your thyroid status.
Avoiding levels that are too low for your body's needs is important.
By the way, if you've had RAI for hyperthyroidism, the average dose of replacement hormone 1 year post RAI is 100 mcg. Best to you, Elaine

» fivebreaths - prescribed dosage excessive?

hello Elaine,
thank you for your reply last week.
I have been to my Endocrinologist, and with levels of FT3 at 1270, (that's the only level I remember--don't have the others on hand ) she wants me to take Methimazole, but a higher dose than what I wanted to take and higher than what you had recommended(10mgs). For some reason I found her convincing, which is so unlike me! I generally am wary of conventional medical protocol. But maybe after months of attempting to effect changes naturally and not succeeding yet (yet being the operative word), I am ready to 'comply'--anxious for a change in symptoms. I am worried though that this dose will put me into HYPOthyroid before the chance to monitor it. Is 3wks at 40mgs/day crazy? That's her recommendation--that I take 40mgs/day, have bloodwork done in 3 wks, and then again every 4 wks have blood drawn, and she will monitor dose I guess.
In reading the communications in these postings, I haven't found what seems to be an average recommended dosage of the Methimazole.
I told her I am taking the L-carnitine(she didn't know what that was for), and the herbs, both Chinese herbs and Western (includes Bugleweed). My thinking was that the ATD would be sort of supplemental. The doctor didn't see it that way. Didn't want me to wait in hope for all that to work, and wants me to get my levels down asap.
I started the ATD's 3 days ago, and so far so good, no side effects to speak of, possibly even less ravenous already, if that's possible. But, as said, am worried----that if the dose is high---that even tho the doc assures me this is the right amount for me, that I may look back and feel I was reckless or something.
Any thoughts or advice?
Thank you so much. You have no idea what an oasis of sanity it is to read your articles and be able to send questions to you. Bless you.

-- posted by fivebreaths

» Elaine Moore - Mixed up Help!!!!!

In response to Mixed up Help!!!!! posted by cowlover614:
Hi Shirl,
Fingers are crossed. Let us know how your appointment goes. If your doctor orders more labs, you could ask for a TSI blood test (stimulating TSH receptor antibody test) to help diagnose or rule out Graves' disease as the cause of your hyperthyroidism. Best, Elaine

» fivebreaths - P.S...

Also---meant to ask---could you say more about 'block&replace;---what that is, and how that works, and when would one look to use it?
thanks!

-- posted by fivebreaths