General Medicine

» nurseheatherone - Internal Racing Feeling

In response to Internal Racing Feeling posted by daisyelaine:

Hi Elaine I agree with you, I think I was definetely overtreated. Since I did not have RAI, could all of these changed over time have cause these anxiety issues, or triggered them?
Thanks, Heather

-- posted by nurseheatherone

» Elaine Moore - Internal Racing Feeling

In response to Internal Racing Feeling posted by nurseheatherone:

Hi Heather,
Yes, when your thyroid hormone levels drop suddenly, you can develop some serious psychological symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and even psychotic episodes. Thyroid hormone is very potent and subtle changes tend to work best. Best,Elaine

» kitykatt - Help with labs

Hi Elaine, I was wondering if you would help me with understanding my last labs? I just got back from the endo. After being on 10mgs. of methimizole for 16 weeks and feeling crummy, I asked for a copy of my last labs; witch was my first set since diagnosis. ASTL-16 ALT-22 T4,free-1.8 TSH-0.01 T3,free-620. She explained to me that it was because of the T3 that she wanted to keep me on the extended dose. She kindly listened to my symptoms and she thinks I may be hypo. I was instructed to not take my meds and to call her Friday after she receives new labs. I gained 7 lbs. since my last visit. I don't think I'm being monitored frequently enough to figure out the meds piece. I go for my new endo appointment this Friday. What do you think? I feel like a fat slug. I've been off my meds for eight days now. I took myself off when I stopped functioning. Thank you so very much. I truly appreciate your help. Jackie

-- posted by kitykatt

» Elaine Moore - Help with labs

In response to Help with labs posted by kitykatt:

Hi Jackie,
If those labs were taken more than a week ago, it's possible that your FT4 has fallen too low.
Current labs would help tell, but your symptoms sound like you may have moved into hypothyroidism.
When FT3 is disproportionately higher than FT4 it's important to use only enough ATD to keep FT4 in range (since we have far more FT4 than FT3). What many doctors do is add a beta blocker, like atenolol or propranolol to help reduce the conversion of T4 into T3. This helps reduce your FT3 level without needing a high ATD dose. Perhaps your doctor will lower your ATD dose to 5 mg and add a beta blocker. Best, Elaine

» kitykatt - Help with labs

In response to Help with labs posted by daisyelaine:

Hi Elaine, Thank You. These labs were taken eight weeks ago. It was after my doc reviewed these results, that she told me to stay on the 10mg. dose once a day. I was so reluctant to follow her instructions with the meds because I felt pretty good. I have taken a great deal of time researching this; truly because I wanted to be an active part in my care. Who could know my body better than myself? I've been taking her recommended dosage for the past six weeks. It was only a week ago or so when I became angry and took myself completely off. It never made any sense to me to wait so long in between monitoring meds. I was so happy that I had not gained any weight when these labs were taken. I was exercising every day and had great energy, moods were great etc... then BLAMO! out of nowhere I start feeling lethargic, sleepy, stopped exercising. My family has been concerned. I just had new labs taken yesterday with being off the meds for nine days.( I didn't tell her) I have an appointment with the new doc Friday. She is actually quite young, so perhaps she will be a refreshing new pair of eyes with all of this. The old doc looked a bit funny when I asked for a copy of my labs and interjected by telling me she's also tested my liver. I don't have a lot of doctor experience and have not really been sick up until OCT.07 What I also don't understand is if docs don't know how to regulate meds, why do they tend to over medicate? It would make more sense to me to perscribe a little less and see the patient more frequently and have a wait and see approach. I would love to post my new numbers when I have them. Had you not been here I would be flying a little blind. Thanks so much. Jackie

-- posted by kitykatt

» nurseheatherone - Internal Racing Feeling

In response to Internal Racing Feeling posted by daisyelaine:
Hi Elaine,
I just went to chiropractor this week for the ongoing upper back and chest ache thatI have been complaining of for all this time, especially around the time of my periods, and he said that he is pretty sure I have costochondritis or tietze syndrome. I looked in to this and am wondering if this has anything to do with the thyroid since I only developed it a couple of months into ATD's. This explains the pain, breathing issues and one of the main triggers for my aniety attacks. I am hoping with some rest and chiropractic manipulations I may be back to myself.
Thanks, Heather

-- posted by nurseheatherone

» cowlover614 - Please Help

Hi Elaine, Help!!!!! I got the other labs from the endo for Dec and Jan. I thought she was doing FT4's but on these labs it just says Thyroxine [T4] Here they are Dec. TSH 0.036 low [0.350-5.500] T4 7.0 [4.5-12.0] Jan TSH 0.014 low [0.350-5.500] and T4 6.5 [4.5-12.0] this is what she based 150mgs of PTU's which I didn't take. I am so confused. Please I really need some help understanding all this. Shirl

-- posted by cowlover614

» Elaine Moore - Help with labs

In response to Help with labs posted by kitykatt:

Hi Jackie,
I agree that it would be better to undermedicate and not have thyroid hormone levels fall too quickly or get to low.
But many doctors mistakenly think it's better to be hypo than hyper, which is wrong and totally unnecessary. I hope your new doctor works out better. Best, Elaine

» Elaine Moore - Internal Racing Feeling

In response to Internal Racing Feeling posted by nurseheatherone:

Hi Heather,
I had costochrondritis or a similar condition when I was hypothyroid and also under stress. It healed with manipulations and physical therapy and getting my thyroid hormone levels back to where they needed to be. Best, elaine

» Elaine Moore - Please Help

In response to Please Help posted by cowlover614:

Hi,
The total T4 is often falsely elevated in women and yours is already on the low side. Maybe a lower dose of meds like 50 mg PTU would be more appropriate. TSH can be falsely decreased from both stimulating and blocking TSH receptor antibodies so it's often misleading. Your FT4 and FT3 tests are much better for assessing your thyroid status. Best, Elaine