General Medicine

» nurseheatherone - New Labs!

In response to New Labs! posted by daisyelaine:

Hi Elaine, that would be wonderful if I were in remission! what about the TSI antibodies being 179%, doesn't that indicate that the disease is still active? I was thinking about pregnancy in the near future if my labs stay stable, but I rememeber you saying that it would be good for TSI to be around 50% or lower before concieving? I will definetely look into lemon balm and the other supplements, I have been off of all supplements for a while now to make sure they were not causing any symptoms, but I will start them again. Thanks again for helping me put all ofthis together!
Heather

-- posted by nurseheatherone

» Elaine Moore - New Labs!

In response to New Labs! posted by nurseheatherone:

Hi Heather,
You want TSI to be around 50% before considering yourself in remission. Some people, who also have blocking TSH receptor antibodies, will remain euthyroid with higher TSI levels because of the blocking antibodies preventing TSI from reacting with thyroid cells. So you could remain euthyroid with your 179% TSI. Because you are euthyroid, you'd be a good candidate for block and replace using a low dose of PTU along with a low dose of thyroid replacement hormone to prevent hypothyroidism. You might want to ask your endo about this.
You might also want to consider what factors are preventing TSI from falling, such as excess dietary iodine, allergens, stress, etc. Even though it sounds too simple to work, stress reduction techniques such as meditation and yoga, really do help the immune system heal.

As far as TSI levels and conception, it's best to have TSI levels below 300% activity. TSI levels normally fall during the second half of pregnancy as the immune system slows down. Early on, TSI can contribute to fetal hyperthyroidism but this occurs in less than 1 % of pregnancies, and is most likely to happen with higher TSI levels (over 300%). Take care, Elaine

» nurseheatherone - New Labs!

In response to New Labs! posted by daisyelaine:
well now I am motivated to get these antibodies lower, about how often do you recheck these? I went to the nutrition center and got lemon balm, calcium and magnesium to take with my Vit D, selenium since my Naturapathic Dr. said that it could help lower my antibodies. I will start taking these tomorrow along with the mediclear shake, pro EFA, and b-complex. I have a feeling all of this stress with this having to think about my health all of the time and my horrible anxiety and panic attacks could be contributing to my antibody increase. I think that I need to start doing Yoga and meditating, before my diagnosis I excercised at least 2-3 days a week and I did not have anxiety. Now I believe that the throat tightening and pressure that probably is caused by anxiety triggers me to semi hyperventilate and then causes my anxiety attacks and overall shakiness. Since my levels are normal at this point have I just developed a anxiety disorder or could my symptoms still be related to GD? I really do not want to take all of these antidepressants and anxiety drugs that all of my Dr's are pushing on me, but am getting kind of desperate to get rid of these symptoms. What about L-carnitine, is it still helpful to take if I am not necessarily hyper right now? I go back to the endo early in February so I will ask him about the block and replace. Thanks for all of the info, again
Heather

-- posted by nurseheatherone

» u25000 - synthroid and Pred

Elaine wondering if you can tell me if Prednisone interferes w/Lt4, like iron and calcium and food?

-- posted by u25000

» acaryjohnson - latest labs

Hi Elaine, I hope you are well. It's been 2-3 months since I last wrote, so I've got my new labs. Per your recommendation I've been down to 25mg PTU/day, but to be honest, most of the days in this last month I've actually taken 12.5mg/day. My latest labs are: TSH: 1.41uIU/ML, FT4: 0.7ng/dL, FT3: 3.0pg/mL. I believe this shows I'm still slightly hypo, does it not? I'm not sure if I can cut the pills up much smaller, but I can try. Or should I go off it altogether? It's frustrating that my doctor, despite the fact that I told him I've been on a lower dose, just offered to put me on a one-a-day (tapazole I think) so that I don't 'forget' to take my full dose rather than actually officially lower my dose. Thanks so much for your advice!
By the way, I'm on facebook now and in a graves disease group and have been referring people to this site to get advice from you.
Amy

-- posted by acaryjohnson

» nurseheatherone - New Labs!

In response to New Labs! posted by nurseheatherone:

Hi Elaine, I am super excited Mary Shoman's DR. ( the one I mentioned a while back) called me and said that they have an opening for tomorrow! I was not able to get a appointment with her until the end of February! I am really hoping she can help!
especially with all of these supplements!
Thanks, Heather

-- posted by nurseheatherone

» Elaine Moore - New Labs!

In response to New Labs! posted by nurseheatherone:

Hi Heather,
Carnitine is helpful for everyone; it helps the cellular mitochondria produce more energy and overall helps with your nutrient assimilation. I agree that exercise would probably help you a great deal. Best, Elaine

» Elaine Moore - latest labs

In response to latest labs posted by acaryjohnson:

Hi Amy,
Thanks for sending people my way.
I agree that with your 0.7 FT4 you'd be considered hypothyroid. I'd try taking the 1.25 mg every other day. If after 6 weeks or so you're secreting TSH normally like with levels between 0.3 and 1.0, you could consider stopping meds as this would indicate remission. Best to you, Elaine

» Elaine Moore - New Labs!

In response to New Labs! posted by nurseheatherone:

Hi Heather,
That's great news. Be sure to let us know how your appointment goes. Take care, Elaine

» aviano - Internal Racing Feeling

Dear Elaine:
Thank you so much for your help on past issues. I wanted to talk to you today about a very uncomfortable symptom which may be related to my Graves/Hashi's, which happens when I add in estrogen/some nutrients, or when I am having "allergic" symptoms..Quite simply, I feel like I am on speed, or have had a triple espresso on an empty stomach. Very wired, very uncomfortable. It seemed to kick in this am about an hour after 1/2 gr of Armour. When this first started in '04, my free T4 levels were higher than normal (1.65), Free T3 was a little higher than normal and TOTAL T3 was seriously elevated (222, scale of 85-205; after decreasing Armour from 1 1/2 grains to 1 1/4 for over a week).
As I've posted many times, TSI/free testosterone were elevated as well, so I'm not sure what to blame for the problem. I think I've also posted that sometimes I can have this "feeling" transiently when Free T4/T3 levels at least APPEAR to look okay (my doc won't check total T3 unless I ask).
What are you thoughts on this and what to do about it? They psy docs want to call this mania, but there seems to be a clear pattern to this. I am also working with an ENT (who incidentally is the one who told me to read your book) that I'm sure will heed your advice.
Thank you ever so much.
Avi

-- posted by aviano