General Medicine

» u25000 - TRab/TBII/TSI

I really need clarification as the time draws near. As you may recall I am TTC after Aug MC. I read that patients suggest I get a TRab (TBII) before and during preg. That a Peri must monitor this. So far I have yet to meet a Dr who cares about these, so I am desiring to be prepared in case I conceive soon. I have seen an RI and it was she who did the recent TSI (3.1 (1.3pos)). My Mayo endo didn't seem to care recent visit. I read alot about TPOab/TGab effects on Preg and aided by IVig, but nothing on TSI (I even read this in the AI & Preg section of ThyroidManager. There was nothing said about TSI. My TSI last Jan was 164 (130pos) which I presume was due to not having had recent pregnancy. I just don't see what anyone will do about TSI when I read nothing about it. Yet I'm supposed to get (pay) for these tests. BTW, in Jan I also did TRab which was 4.1 (1.9pos) w/lower TSI 164 (still elev), but the TSH was 1.66 (hardly suppressed-a/3m on lt4). I just want to know what I should expect from a Peri during a crucial time. I have gone to Yahoo and Medi, Yahoo seems less technical. Medi is more helpful but still somewhat generic seeming. I just can't get solid info. And it surprises me greatly that after Graves AND after RAI AND with the poorly educated Docs we have, that people get and stay Preg. I go to Graves boards, which should be indicative that every pat.has TSI, yet I rarely see this discussion among those TTC. I beg you for some direction, I realize Preg is not your thing.

-- posted by u25000

» Elaine Moore - New labs

In response to New labs posted by nurseheatherone:

Hi Heather,
If you have gluten or dairy sensitivities, you won't absorb food properly and you'll have loose stools. You can also lose weight. The ND's approach sounds like a good idea. Food sensitivities may be causing more problems than your thyroid levels. Best, Elaine

» Elaine Moore - New labs

In response to New labs posted by nurseheatherone:

Hi Heather,
The trouble finding words or responding to language is common in hypothyroidism. Sometimes the response is slow where it takes several seconds before you fully understand what someone has said. Hypothyroidism can also cause menstrual periods to come more often and to be heavier. I think your doctor would want to stop the ATDs and see what your levels are before putting you on thyroid replacement hormone. Another option would be the block and replace protocol where ATDs and replacement hormone are both used. As the doses are gradually reduced, people are left on thyroid hormone alone to slow the gland down and reduce TSH production. Best, Elaine

» Elaine Moore - TRab/TBII/TSI

In response to TRab/TBII/TSI posted by u25000:

Hi,
If you go to PubMed http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez...
and do a journal search for TSH receptor antibodies in pregnancy you'll find lots of articles. In pregnancy this test is used to predict neonatal hyperthyroidism. This way problems can be watched for, monitored, and treated if need be. These antibodies aren't related to your ability to conceive but they're related to your ability to carry out a healthy pregnancy. Some doctors forget that patients who have had RAI tend to have high levels of TSH receptor antibodies. They mistakenly think that because we're no longer hyperthyroid this isn't a concern. Best, Elaine

» javatlkrs - Graves eye symptoms

Elaine, Can being hypo. cause my graves eye symptoms to return? For a breif time, my eyes returned to normal, now I am beginning to have edema of the upper inside portion of the lid, and sensations of slight pressure on the eye. I'm hoping that the protrusion and grittiness dosen't return. I am still taking 20mg of methimazole as instructed by my Dr. daily. I was using steroid eye drops, but when everything seemed to be better, I stopped. Thank you for all of your help and advise.
-Anne

-- posted by javatlkrs

» nurseheatherone - New labs

In response to New labs posted by daisyelaine:

Hi Elaine, I went to the new Dr. today and he agrees that I may have some sort of metabolic condition goign on, whether it is causing the thyroid issues or on top of it they are goign to look into it. He felt my thyroid and said that I now have a goiter and her feels a nodule now, which I did not have in June. He was OK with me being off of Tap and said that him and his other Dr. are goign to sit down and go over my case and decide on a treatment plan. So I am optimistic and hopeful they will be able to treat me! He also seemed very open to different treatment options which I think is better. I asked him about Gluten sensitivity and he said that they will look into that as well. Do people get goiters and nodules from being overmedicated? is there a way to reduce the goiter without surgery/RAI to reduce the size and decrease the swallowing/breathing symptoms I have been having?
Thanks again!
Heather

-- posted by nurseheatherone

» juicymango - TSH vs TSI

In response to TSH vs TSI posted by u25000:

Hi
Thanks so much for that. I am going to send a copy of the abstract to my consultant, just in case it results in a change in his treatment of subsequent patients.
I was also interested to read about your possible low ferritin levels. I have a haemoglobin level of 11 (up from 9 or 10 after supplementation) and a ferritin level of 5 which I didn't know could be linked to the Grave's. I have been blaming my FT4 levels (currently 14) for feeling depressed but I'll pay more attention to my iron levels now.
Thanks again.
Wishing you loads of luck & happiness through the improving of your fertility.
Helena

-- posted by juicymango

» aviano - Info on Graves and Bipolar

Elaine:
Thanks again for all you do and Happy Holidays! You mentioned a while back an article you wrote on Graves and Bipolar. Can you direct or advise me of title/timeframe?
Thank you,
Aviano

-- posted by aviano

» nurseheatherone - New labs

In response to New labs posted by nurseheatherone:
Hi Elaine, I did get the thyroid sono done and the tech said that she did not see a nodule and that both sides of my thyroid looked about the same. Even if my thyroid measures in the normal range, Why does my throat look more swollen and why do I still have the throat tightening and pressure. I have been off of Tapazole for 5 days now, with being semi hypo do I need to worry about Thyroid storm? I was thinking about trying to wean off of my beta blocker as well but I am wondering if that would be a bad idea? I have been eating edamame and some other goitrogens lightly through the day to hopefully help stabalize my thyroid hormone levels. I follow up on Christmas Eve with the new Dr. to talk about my treatment plan, I am wondering if it is too soon to check my levels again, to see how they have changed since I have stopped the meds. I Hope you have a very happy Holidays!
Thanks again, Heather

-- posted by nurseheatherone

» nurseheatherone - New labs

In response to New labs posted by nurseheatherone:

Hi Elaine, I should probably wait to post after I have seen my Dr. I have been off of Tap for 8 days and already starting to feel better. My Internist wants me to start cutting down my dose of beta blocker and where a holter monitor next week to make sure that my palpitations are not SVT or an arrythmia. My thyroid sono is normal and the throat tighteneing is barely noticable now. I am goign to keep my appointment with the bad endo this week just to give her an update and see what her opinion is of all of this, and what she has to say about me goign hypo on such a low dose of Tap. I am a little fearful of my next menstrual cycle, since that is when I get all of the awful symptoms. Surprisingly my GI system has started to become more normal and my nervousness is lessening, but I do get a nervous stomach after eating, no idea what that comes from? I will get new labs next week and a new TSI to see what is up with my body now! Hope you continue to have a wonderful holidays!
Thanks again! Heather

-- posted by nurseheatherone