General Medicine

» cowlover614 - Endo

Hi Elaine and everyone, I went to the endo today he cut my snythroid in half said I'm getting to much again. The reason he said my antibodies are so high is due to the hashis. Also he noticed my eyes aren't any better he said he's worried about that and even though I went to the regular eye doc he wants me to see the TED Graves specialist. I told him the eye doctor thought if my levels got normal my eyes should go down,but the endo said my levels aren't that much off. Also he did my labs again Ft's TSI and TSH. I told him I've been really tired again he said I should be feeling a bit hyper.I'm so stressed out he said that does play an important part in all of this. I'm putting mom in the rest home Tuesday I really feel guilty and I've cried alot over it but she needs so much care and I just can't do it. My husband can't get the gist of what's going on he kept me up till 3:30 this morning going on about when was I gonna get better. He just can't seem to understand. This hasn't been any fun for me either. And to top it off my hair is falling out. I think from the snythroid? Also I have to have a ultrasound done. Elaine I know I've asked this before but what is the TSI and what does that tell? I will post my new labs when I get them thanks Shirl

-- posted by cowlover614

» Elaine Moore - Endo

In response to Endo posted by cowlover614:
Hi,
TSI are thyroid stimulating immunoglobulins (antibodies) and they're also known as stimulating TSH receptor antibodies. These are the antibodies that cause hyperthyroidism in Graves' disease. They do this by acting in place of TSH and ordering thryoid cells to produce more hormone. TSI also contribute to TED, and they falsely lower the TSH results, making these results often misleading. This may be what's happening to you. It sounds like you may have Hashitoxicosis. Here, you're primarily hypothyroid but you have TSI that cause transient hyper symptoms. The hair loss can be caused by hyper but it's more often caused by hypothyroidism. Get copies of your labs and make sure your actual thyroid hormone levels, FT4 and FT3, were measured. Best, Elaine

» u25000 - Lt4 and FSH Injections (gonalF)

Elaine, what are the chances that after RAI and now on Lt4 100 that once I begin Fertility injections of FSH that they will affect my thyroid levels?

-- posted by u25000

» Elaine Moore - Lt4 and FSH Injections (gonalF)

In response to Lt4 and FSH Injections (gonalF) posted by u25000:
Hi,
I haven't seen much written on this, but here's a link that describes the hormones involved in reproduction, http://www.holisticonline.com/Remedies/H...
I suspect that FSH would cause estrogen to fall, and a lowered estrogen usually frees up more binding proteins. The increase in binding proteins allows for an increased transport of thyroid hormone in the blood circulation and higher thyroid hormone levels.
Here's another site with a discussion board on Gonal-F http://www.resolve.org/site/PageServer?p...
that may address your question or you could post your question there.
I've read that Gonal-F shouldn't be used in people whose thyroid or adrenal levels aren't well controlled, which suggests there's an effect on thyroid function. Best, Elaine

» cybee - Endo

In response to Endo posted by cowlover614:

Hi, Cowlover,
Just a bit of empathy here. I know how hard it is to have to place your Mother with assisted living. I had to do that too and saw the need for you to do that from your posts. It is very difficult, but it is clear that you have enough on your plate and you need to reduce stress and take care of yourself. You could not give your all to your Mother also due to having your own situation to deal with! Such a very , very difficult decision, but ultimately I think it was correct in your case. Don't cry over it anymore (if possible)(not good for you eyes! ) You absolutely did your best to your ability and more! Others did not step up to help and this was your only realistic solution! Others should understand that..whether they do or not is another thing. I know your hubby doesn't....oh, dear. I think it is hard for others to understand who are not in your shoes! Anyway, take care! Reducing stress is so difficult but also so important in the battle for health! A good assisted living place should provide proper care for your Mother when you are not visiting!

-- posted by cybee

» beccav - Post TT contemplating pregnancy, still significant ab levels

I had a TT in August of last year. It has taken me awhile to figure out my set points, but I think I am close. Along the way, I have discovered that my symptoms were more likely because of hypoglycemia rather than thryoid replacement. Setting aside the fact that I am still not very strong right now, I would possibly like a second child. I have been concerned about finding out my current ab levels before attempting pregnancy. My OBGYN was gracious to order both a TSI and a TRab for me. I have included the results of all my ab tests below. My TSI is "in range", but significantly there and my TRab is double the max range, though it is lower than my original TRab test. I was unable to talk to my OB about the results and only talked to her nurse today who told me to consult an endo. I am not currently seeing an endo, but rather a GP as he has been the best to work with. However, when it comes to specifics, both my GP and OB want me to go back to an endo. I decided to go one that I have not seen for a long time (don't really care for the one I had been seeing preop during ATDs) and so I have to be reestablished like a new patient. My appointment is not until September. I was hoping to get some insight on my situation before then.
Can both TSI and TRab cross the placenta and attack the baby's thyroid? If that happens, what can be done? What has your doctor said about such cases? Is it better not to risk it and better to not have any more children? etc. etc. etc. Any info you have would be very helpful.
Thank you.

6/22/07:TSI: 95
0-129
negative 139

6/22/07:TRab: 3.0
0.0-1.0
borderline 1.0-1.5
positive 1.5

3/16/06:TSI: 93
0-129
negative 139

7/20/05:TSI: 143
0-129
negative 139

7/1/05:TRab: 4.5
0.0-1.0
borderline 1.0-1.5
positive 1.5

3/17/05:TRab: 4.7
0.0-1.0
borderline 1.0-1.5
positive 1.5

-- posted by beccav

» Elaine Moore - Post TT contemplating pregnancy, still significant ab levels

In response to Post TT contemplating pregnancy, still significant ab levels posted by beccav:
Hi Becca,
The Total TRAb test measures the total of TSI (thyroid stimulating immunoglobulin or stimulating TRAb) and blocking TRAb. Because you're secreting TSI but not at the level that causes hyperthyroidism (125%) and your TRAb are slightly elevated, you can assume that some of your total TRAb are blocking TRAb.
These levels are much lower than levels that cause thyroid dysfunction in the fetus. Only a small percentage of women have problems with TRAb crossing the placenta and in these cases the levels are much higher than yours.
Best, Elaine

» Elaine Moore - Lt4 and FSH Injections (gonalF)

In response to Lt4 and FSH Injections (gonalF) posted by u25000:
Hi,
I just came across a good article discussing infertility in the Feb 07 issue of Natural Health that you might want to read. The article is on polycystic ovarian syndrome, which isn't always easy to diagnose, and the symptoms often mimic those of infertility. The article also discusses the weight gain seen in 50% of people with PCOS and is titled Weight Matters, Polycystic ovary syndrome can cause weight gain and infertility and lead to life-threatening diseases. Here's how to avoid the risks by Lisa Drayer. You can probably find a copy of this magazine at your local library. Best, Elaine

» cowlover614 - Endo

In response to Endo posted by cybee:

Hey girl, Hope your doing better. Sorry it's taken me so long to get back here. Well when it came down to putting my mom in the resthome I didn't. My brother said if I did it would do her in. So once again everyone told me they would help and of course I bit right into that crap. Guess what no help!!! So I told them I would do it a little longer. I'm still pretty well stressed. My hair is falling out really bad I'm very depressed about that. My eyes aren't any better. And I have no energy. So really nothing is getting any better on my end.I'm still waiting on better days ahead! Hope it's not to far away. Shirl

-- posted by cowlover614

» cowlover614 - July5 labs

Hi Elaine here are my new labs from July 5th, Any ideas about what they say. FT3 499H (230-420) FT4 1.8 (0.7-1.8) TSH L0.03A (0.50-6.00) TSI 282H % baseline (=125). My hair is really falling out bad is it because of these levels? I'm taking 37.5 snythroid. The endo's office talked like I have Graves but don't you have to be hyper to have graves. I am really tired and have been very depressed but I don't know if it is stress or my thyroid? Shirl

-- posted by cowlover614