General Medicine

» aviano - High TSH and TSI

Elaine:
While trying to explain how TSH/TSI get measured, my doc showed me (confidentiality preserved, of course) a set of labs where the individual in question had a TSH of 54 and a TSI of 254. What is your off the top of your head assessment of this?
Avi

-- posted by aviano

» aviano - high normal calcium levels; autoimmune parathyroid disease?

Elaine:
In reading up on Vit D, I have found that it is NOT wise to supplement Vit D IF your calcium levels are high/high normal which mine consistently are; (Ionized Ca sat right on the borderline of high)..When I take Vit D (50,000/wk ergocalciferol)..I feel BAD in a day or two..Without D or supplements (I do 2-4 servings of dairy daily), again..my calcium levels stay up.
While I'm not hugely concerned about parathyroid (my PTH's have been low side of normal) issues, I wonder what the likelihood is..and also I'd like to know a little bit more about autoimmune parathyroid illness. Is this a subject you are versed in? I've read up on the web, but can't really find much of significance except where related to tumors.
Avi

-- posted by aviano

» Elaine Moore - Internal Racing Feeling

In response to Internal Racing Feeling posted by nurseheatherone:

Hi Heather,
Sounds like you're doing great and have seen lots of recent improvement.
TSI can block both TSI and TSH from reacting with the thyroid receptor and causing hyperthyroidism.
You could still have transient hyper symptoms from times when TSI are able to latch on to thyroid cell receptors and stimulate hormone production. Normally, your pituitary via TSH works hard to keep your thyroid hormone levels pretty stable. So you'll normally see some changes in TSH and thyroid hormone levels will stay the same. But with TSI affecting things, you can have some slight changes in thyroid hormone levels. So even though the levels aren't abnormal, symptoms can occur. Thyroid hormone is very potent and even slight changes can be noticed depending on your sensitivity to thyroid hormone.
As your healing continues and TSI levels fall, these transient symptoms should improve. Best, Elaine

» Elaine Moore - Found Bipolar Article

In response to Found Bipolar Article posted by aviano:

Hi Avi,
I think research in the last decade showing the autoimmune nature of thyroid disorders has improved the way thyroid diseases are viewed and treated. Here's some of the links I came across
www.mhsource.com/expert/exp1070802b.html
www.medscape.com/medline/abstract/16033289?prt=true

You might want to look for journal abstracts on the pub med library of medicine search engine. Many of the abstracts contain contact info and tell where studies are being conducted. In this way you can find the top researchers. Best, Elaine

» Elaine Moore - high normal calcium levels; autoimmune parathyroid disease?

In response to high normal calcium levels; autoimmune parathyroid disease? posted by aviano:

Hi Avi,

Both Vitamin D and PTH help regulate calcium levels. But other things affect your calcium levels too, including phosphorus and magnesium levels and medications. Vitamin D helps increase calcium absorption. The small amounts in supplements shouldn't cause your calcium levels to rise too high. Higher amounts in prescription medicines like rocalciferol are used for people with PTH deficiency. You can do some searches for causes of elevated calcium but unless your levels are consistently elevated significantly, I wouldn't worry about it. Best, Elaine

» nurseheatherone - Internal Racing Feeling

In response to Internal Racing Feeling posted by daisyelaine:
Thanks Elaine, about how often should you check TSI to see if you are heading towards remission? Is it strange that I have TSI but am still technically Euthyroid?
Thanks, Heather

-- posted by nurseheatherone

» Elaine Moore - Internal Racing Feeling

In response to Internal Racing Feeling posted by nurseheatherone:

Hi Heather,
No, it's not strange to have TSI and be euthyroid. If you also have blocking antibodies, they prevent TSI from reacting with your thyroid cells and causing hyperthyroidism. There is also some variety in the subtypes of TSH receptors that your have on your thyroid cells. You may have ones that only cause TSI to have a mild effect. In general, levels of TSI higher than 125% cause hyperthyroidism, but this varies. Some people have hyperthyroidism with lower levels and some people remain euthyroid at higher levels.
Because TSI are proteins that remain in your circulation for several months before breaking down, there's no reason to have TSI levels and more often than every 6 months. Best, Elaine

» nurseheatherone - Internal Racing Feeling

In response to Internal Racing Feeling posted by daisyelaine:

Thanks Elaine, I must have soem varaiation, I just think it is soo strange that I was hyperthyroid with TSI of 143% and then when I am Euthyroid my antibodies are higher. I am trying to reduce the stress and the anxiety to help lower these antibodies, I did have food allergy testing that are still pending. What are some other ways to help lower antibodies? I remember selenium but when I took it that is when I had that reaction.
Thanks, Heather

-- posted by nurseheatherone

» petersonc - advice on grave's

Hi, I am new to this. I stumbled onto this site yesterday and am trying to figure it out..
I was diagnosed last year.. I don't have my test results written down. I was treated with methimazole and metaprolol. It did work and I went into remission. I was checked in september and was still inremission. I had some major stressors recently my son broke his arm while at grandmas two hours away and my dad was diagnosed with cancer. I am taking classes online to change careers and hit college algebra (major stress!). Anyway, the symptoms returned and I am back on the meds but my endo wants to do the rai which i do not! I did ask about vitamin deficienies and stress conrol but he said stress doesn't cause thyroid to be hyper. any advice on how to help heal my system would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
carla

-- posted by petersonc

» Elaine Moore - Internal Racing Feeling

In response to Internal Racing Feeling posted by nurseheatherone:

Hi Heather,
Anything that helps strengthen, but not stimulate, your immune system can help. This includes avoiding processed foods, cigarette smoke, allergens, chemical cleaning agents, excess dietary iodine, aspartame,etc.; eating a nutrient rich diet and more whole foods; and incorporating some stress reduction techniques such as yoga, meditation, or tai chi. Supplements known as immunomodulators are helpful because they help balance the immune system. These include plant sterols and sterolins, German chamomile, and others. I hope this helps, Elaine