The Thyroid Thread
Aug 3rd 2008 | 8:57 pm
#272
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,768
Re: The Thyroid Thread
Firstly thanks for the reply ... 
No, she was started on what was supposed to be 100mcg a day, but the pharmacist cocked up and she was told to take 1 tablet (200mcg) a day, which she did for first 3 weeks. She went back to GP for another blood test and he said it was moving in the right direction, but VERY quickly so he said for her to halve her dose (50mcg).
Now the thing is, she's continued to take 200mcg a day, even tho I tell her to at least drop to half a tab (100mcg) but she won't listen ...
I'm now hoping this is what is causing her to be 'speeding' all the time as the girl can chat, but these days I just sit there and listen ...
What an excellent post ... 
Thank you very much for taking the time, and I'll get her to read EVERY bit!
Oh and she had an apt to see the GP today but blew out as she was tired and went to bed! ...
I've told her to find a 'specialist' as like you say, after all these people are GP's ... NOT specialists, and I seriously think she needs to see one now!
No, she was started on what was supposed to be 100mcg a day, but the pharmacist cocked up and she was told to take 1 tablet (200mcg) a day, which she did for first 3 weeks. She went back to GP for another blood test and he said it was moving in the right direction, but VERY quickly so he said for her to halve her dose (50mcg).
Now the thing is, she's continued to take 200mcg a day, even tho I tell her to at least drop to half a tab (100mcg) but she won't listen ...
I'm now hoping this is what is causing her to be 'speeding' all the time as the girl can chat, but these days I just sit there and listen ...
Hi Paul. Poor Nic. I really feel for you both.
I agree with Mrs J totally. 200mcg is a very hefty dose and it sounds like it's not truly working because on this sort of dose, I'd expect to see some weight loss/water loss, less sleeping, less symptoms all round... and possibly a bit hyper to be honest. I'm 5'10" and actually, the only time I ever got up to that sort of dose was when the Thyroxine wasn't working. There are a few things to look at for you both.
However, thyroxine on its own truly isn't a complete medication for the thyroid. It might bring the TSH level down in the test results, but it may not actively fix the problem until Nic's on a more effective drug with T3 in it!
One of the most common causes of T4 not converting is due to something called 'Reverse T3'.
Now, imagine the cell as a hexagon shaped thing with walls on each side. In normal circumstances, the T4 (thyroxine) passes straight through these walls without a blip, and sits inside the cell where it's converted to T3. T3 is what gives us the energy within our cells. Without that, we're stuffed.
In some circumstances, such as stress, adrenal fatigue (which is really partially what we call 'stress') or long term mineral depletion (very common with us thyroid girls), those walls on the cell get blocked up by something called Reverse T3 or rT3 as it's written in biology.
That rT3 sits there and it won't let any of the thyroxine (T4) into the cells. This means hardly anything's converting to T3 and therefore, there's no energy.
Now the only way to get rid of the rT3 situation is to increase T3 going into the body!
Weird or what?
Here's a nice diagram for you to view.
http://www.home.duq.edu/~harrold/Che...roid_cmpds.jpg
(Cut along dotted lines, roll up, take to doctor and beat over head)
Anyway, instead of taking Thyroxine, or T4, and hoping it will convert, you get either something called 'Armour' or 'Natural thyroid'... or you get the other synthesised form of T3, which Wendy takes ... (this is made in a lab and isn't a natural form of T3, but just copies it)
After a few weeks or months of using this, the difference should start to become noticeable more and more as more T3 enters the cells and the rT3 dissipates.
You keep taking the T3 meds instead of the T4 meds. Like Mrs J points out, some people just can't take T4.
You might want to read this on Thyroid Hormone Resistance... it's also a possibility:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid_hormone_resistance
Other reasons that might be an issue are that the brand of T4 Nic is taking might not work for her. She might try changing brands. I think that's slim, to be honest, but it might be worth a try to see if she's constantly on a named brand, or whether she's being given a generic copy (cheaper) by the chemist when she gets her script. I know that changing brands at one point helped me... different filler=more uptake of drug/reduction in an allergy to said filler (latter is rare). But the difference was just a couple of pounds weight loss. Didn't make any difference in the long run. I know some cases where it has though... so it's worth trying.
Now, I guess the other thing to look at would be adrenal fatigue.
Here's the best site on it, which I always post:
http://www.drlam.com/a3r_brief_in_do...al_fatigue.cfm
Dr Lam truly rocks.
The theory which is widely accepted now by many docs, is that the thyroid is the line of 'last defence'... It's the thing which goes when everything else is shot. That 'everything else' is the adrenal system. You know when you're ill or stressed, you pump out a load of cortisol? You get that 'fight or flight' thing going on with your adrenalin?
Well once that mechanism is disturbed, you end up getting it all the time and eventually, you just get knackered. Cortisol is what puts all that weight on around your middle... That's why people who are stressed and their adrenal system's up the creek get that paunchy middle fat - very common in women too... and it's an unhealthy place to put weight on because it's sitting around the major organs.....
Anyway, adrenal issues should ALWAYS be treated BEFORE the thyroid... but in many cases, this doesn't happen and the patient gets put straight onto T4 without a glance at the adrenals.
One of the most telling things is when said patient moves to T3 only and gets a whole heap of weird symptoms... if the adrenals are out, then this is how you find out, but ideally , it's better to find out by blood test.
A good doc will test DHEA levels, cortisol, etc. Cortisol is usually done by a blood test but that's not very reliable because as soon as most people see a needle, their cortisol zooms up from the fear factor... so the most reliable test is to test the cortisol level throughout the day within the saliva ... simple to do and easily available if ordered by your doc. You can even order it online yourself and send it away to get your own results, but a good doc should be testing this anyway.
Either way, you can treat adrenals on your own without your doctor... have a look at Dr Lam's page and see what you can do from his big list of things that will help.
Nic should be treating her adrenals regardless.
The other thing is that she could really be just not on a high enough dose! Some docs stop at a certain amount and won't go over.... but I'm sceptical. If she still wants to sleep all day, it doesn't sound like anything's working.
You might want to read the following from Dr Lowe... This guy is a brilliant bloke... have a nosey and see if anything rings bells here:
http://www.drlowe.com/QandA/askdrlowe/t4therapy.htm
The only clear pic we'll be able to get is with a full thyroid panel, measuring TSH, FT3, FT4 and rT3. Also, she needs thyroid antibodies checking.
Then we'll be able to see what's working or isn't working.
Now, vitamins:
Selenium - vastly important. If she takes nothing else, make her take this. Take high dose until starting to feel better.
Here's a good link to see what other people take:
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/supplements/
Also, she should have NO wheat/gluten in her diet whatsoever. Even check sweeteners from wheat and other fillers.
She needs to cut out fluoride too. VERY BAD FOR THYROID!!! This means limiting cups of tea as it's high in fluoride or finding a brand which isn't so high. Think about getting a filter on your tap to get rid of fluoride in drinking water... or get bottled water for her. Spring water=no or little natural fluoride.
Also NO SOY PRODUCTS EVER!!! VERY BAD!
No GOITROGENIC foods:
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/goitrogens/
Coffee not good for thyroid either.... limit caffeine.
Now, is her GP treating her? Or is she seeing an endo? I suspect that it's a GP from what you say and you need to bypass him immediately and get a qualified endo working on your wife's issues. A GENERAL PRAC is just that... general medicine. Nic needs an expert in endocrinology.
Here's a list of top docs in Australia. Have a look to see where the nearest is for Nic and get an appt of one you like the sound of:
http://thyroid.about.com/gi/dynamic/.../australia.htm
Oh, and I want you to get all her blood test results from that doctor regardless. She needs a history to present to a new doc.
That's all I can think of for now hon but if anything else occurs, I'll post it.
It's not her fault... she's doing everything right. She IS sick, she CAN be well again and you are a good, good man to be helping her like this.
She won't have the energy to push for her own treatment, so you're going to have to do it, but I tell you it'll be worth every effort because she'll get back to normal eventually.
My advice... don't be fobbed off. Keep pushing for her and better health.
Kick some ass, my friend.
x
I agree with Mrs J totally. 200mcg is a very hefty dose and it sounds like it's not truly working because on this sort of dose, I'd expect to see some weight loss/water loss, less sleeping, less symptoms all round... and possibly a bit hyper to be honest. I'm 5'10" and actually, the only time I ever got up to that sort of dose was when the Thyroxine wasn't working. There are a few things to look at for you both.
However, thyroxine on its own truly isn't a complete medication for the thyroid. It might bring the TSH level down in the test results, but it may not actively fix the problem until Nic's on a more effective drug with T3 in it!
One of the most common causes of T4 not converting is due to something called 'Reverse T3'.
Now, imagine the cell as a hexagon shaped thing with walls on each side. In normal circumstances, the T4 (thyroxine) passes straight through these walls without a blip, and sits inside the cell where it's converted to T3. T3 is what gives us the energy within our cells. Without that, we're stuffed.
In some circumstances, such as stress, adrenal fatigue (which is really partially what we call 'stress') or long term mineral depletion (very common with us thyroid girls), those walls on the cell get blocked up by something called Reverse T3 or rT3 as it's written in biology.
That rT3 sits there and it won't let any of the thyroxine (T4) into the cells. This means hardly anything's converting to T3 and therefore, there's no energy.
Now the only way to get rid of the rT3 situation is to increase T3 going into the body!
Weird or what?
Here's a nice diagram for you to view.
http://www.home.duq.edu/~harrold/Che...roid_cmpds.jpg
(Cut along dotted lines, roll up, take to doctor and beat over head)
Anyway, instead of taking Thyroxine, or T4, and hoping it will convert, you get either something called 'Armour' or 'Natural thyroid'... or you get the other synthesised form of T3, which Wendy takes ... (this is made in a lab and isn't a natural form of T3, but just copies it)
After a few weeks or months of using this, the difference should start to become noticeable more and more as more T3 enters the cells and the rT3 dissipates.
You keep taking the T3 meds instead of the T4 meds. Like Mrs J points out, some people just can't take T4.
You might want to read this on Thyroid Hormone Resistance... it's also a possibility:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thyroid_hormone_resistance
Other reasons that might be an issue are that the brand of T4 Nic is taking might not work for her. She might try changing brands. I think that's slim, to be honest, but it might be worth a try to see if she's constantly on a named brand, or whether she's being given a generic copy (cheaper) by the chemist when she gets her script. I know that changing brands at one point helped me... different filler=more uptake of drug/reduction in an allergy to said filler (latter is rare). But the difference was just a couple of pounds weight loss. Didn't make any difference in the long run. I know some cases where it has though... so it's worth trying.
Now, I guess the other thing to look at would be adrenal fatigue.
Here's the best site on it, which I always post:
http://www.drlam.com/a3r_brief_in_do...al_fatigue.cfm
Dr Lam truly rocks.
The theory which is widely accepted now by many docs, is that the thyroid is the line of 'last defence'... It's the thing which goes when everything else is shot. That 'everything else' is the adrenal system. You know when you're ill or stressed, you pump out a load of cortisol? You get that 'fight or flight' thing going on with your adrenalin?
Well once that mechanism is disturbed, you end up getting it all the time and eventually, you just get knackered. Cortisol is what puts all that weight on around your middle... That's why people who are stressed and their adrenal system's up the creek get that paunchy middle fat - very common in women too... and it's an unhealthy place to put weight on because it's sitting around the major organs.....
Anyway, adrenal issues should ALWAYS be treated BEFORE the thyroid... but in many cases, this doesn't happen and the patient gets put straight onto T4 without a glance at the adrenals.
One of the most telling things is when said patient moves to T3 only and gets a whole heap of weird symptoms... if the adrenals are out, then this is how you find out, but ideally , it's better to find out by blood test.
A good doc will test DHEA levels, cortisol, etc. Cortisol is usually done by a blood test but that's not very reliable because as soon as most people see a needle, their cortisol zooms up from the fear factor... so the most reliable test is to test the cortisol level throughout the day within the saliva ... simple to do and easily available if ordered by your doc. You can even order it online yourself and send it away to get your own results, but a good doc should be testing this anyway.
Either way, you can treat adrenals on your own without your doctor... have a look at Dr Lam's page and see what you can do from his big list of things that will help.
Nic should be treating her adrenals regardless.
The other thing is that she could really be just not on a high enough dose! Some docs stop at a certain amount and won't go over.... but I'm sceptical. If she still wants to sleep all day, it doesn't sound like anything's working.
You might want to read the following from Dr Lowe... This guy is a brilliant bloke... have a nosey and see if anything rings bells here:
http://www.drlowe.com/QandA/askdrlowe/t4therapy.htm
The only clear pic we'll be able to get is with a full thyroid panel, measuring TSH, FT3, FT4 and rT3. Also, she needs thyroid antibodies checking.
Then we'll be able to see what's working or isn't working.
Now, vitamins:
Selenium - vastly important. If she takes nothing else, make her take this. Take high dose until starting to feel better.
Here's a good link to see what other people take:
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/supplements/
Also, she should have NO wheat/gluten in her diet whatsoever. Even check sweeteners from wheat and other fillers.
She needs to cut out fluoride too. VERY BAD FOR THYROID!!! This means limiting cups of tea as it's high in fluoride or finding a brand which isn't so high. Think about getting a filter on your tap to get rid of fluoride in drinking water... or get bottled water for her. Spring water=no or little natural fluoride.
Also NO SOY PRODUCTS EVER!!! VERY BAD!
No GOITROGENIC foods:
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/goitrogens/
Coffee not good for thyroid either.... limit caffeine.
Now, is her GP treating her? Or is she seeing an endo? I suspect that it's a GP from what you say and you need to bypass him immediately and get a qualified endo working on your wife's issues. A GENERAL PRAC is just that... general medicine. Nic needs an expert in endocrinology.
Here's a list of top docs in Australia. Have a look to see where the nearest is for Nic and get an appt of one you like the sound of:
http://thyroid.about.com/gi/dynamic/.../australia.htm
Oh, and I want you to get all her blood test results from that doctor regardless. She needs a history to present to a new doc.
That's all I can think of for now hon but if anything else occurs, I'll post it.
It's not her fault... she's doing everything right. She IS sick, she CAN be well again and you are a good, good man to be helping her like this.
She won't have the energy to push for her own treatment, so you're going to have to do it, but I tell you it'll be worth every effort because she'll get back to normal eventually.
My advice... don't be fobbed off. Keep pushing for her and better health.
Kick some ass, my friend.
x
Thank you very much for taking the time, and I'll get her to read EVERY bit!
Oh and she had an apt to see the GP today but blew out as she was tired and went to bed! ...
I've told her to find a 'specialist' as like you say, after all these people are GP's ... NOT specialists, and I seriously think she needs to see one now!
Aug 3rd 2008 | 11:22 pm
#273
Just Joined
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 11
Re: The Thyroid Thread
Firstly thanks for the reply ...
No, she was started on what was supposed to be 100mcg a day, but the pharmacist cocked up and she was told to take 1 tablet (200mcg) a day, which she did for first 3 weeks. She went back to GP for another blood test and he said it was moving in the right direction, but VERY quickly so he said for her to halve her dose (50mcg).
Now the thing is, she's continued to take 200mcg a day, even tho I tell her to at least drop to half a tab (100mcg) but she won't listen ...
I'm now hoping this is what is causing her to be 'speeding' all the time as the girl can chat, but these days I just sit there and listen ...
What an excellent post ...
Thank you very much for taking the time, and I'll get her to read EVERY bit!
Oh and she had an apt to see the GP today but blew out as she was tired and went to bed! ...
I've told her to find a 'specialist' as like you say, after all these people are GP's ... NOT specialists, and I seriously think she needs to see one now!
No, she was started on what was supposed to be 100mcg a day, but the pharmacist cocked up and she was told to take 1 tablet (200mcg) a day, which she did for first 3 weeks. She went back to GP for another blood test and he said it was moving in the right direction, but VERY quickly so he said for her to halve her dose (50mcg).
Now the thing is, she's continued to take 200mcg a day, even tho I tell her to at least drop to half a tab (100mcg) but she won't listen ...
I'm now hoping this is what is causing her to be 'speeding' all the time as the girl can chat, but these days I just sit there and listen ...
What an excellent post ...
Thank you very much for taking the time, and I'll get her to read EVERY bit!
Oh and she had an apt to see the GP today but blew out as she was tired and went to bed! ...
I've told her to find a 'specialist' as like you say, after all these people are GP's ... NOT specialists, and I seriously think she needs to see one now!
Joint pain
Thin hair
Water retention in ankles mainly
Cold intolerance
Poorer memory than most
Decreased libido - was hopoing this was down to the depo!
Bad skin
Deeper voice (begining to sound attractive!!)
I have heard that some of these symptoms exist with Depo Provera and can take a while to return back to normal when you come off the injection, has anyone heard of this? Can anyone recommend a doctor in Melbourne to see about Hypo?
Thanks - Vicky
Aug 4th 2008 | 10:14 am
#274
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,020
From: brisbane
Re: The Thyroid Thread
What an excellent post ...
Thank you very much for taking the time, and I'll get her to read EVERY bit!
Oh and she had an apt to see the GP today but blew out as she was tired and went to bed! ...
I've told her to find a 'specialist' as like you say, after all these people are GP's ... NOT specialists, and I seriously think she needs to see one now!
See post 257,cos even the so called specialists are not up to speed on things.
donna
Thank you very much for taking the time, and I'll get her to read EVERY bit!
Oh and she had an apt to see the GP today but blew out as she was tired and went to bed! ...
I've told her to find a 'specialist' as like you say, after all these people are GP's ... NOT specialists, and I seriously think she needs to see one now!
See post 257,cos even the so called specialists are not up to speed on things.
donna
Aug 4th 2008 | 8:13 pm
#276
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,668
Re: The Thyroid Thread
No, she was started on what was supposed to be 100mcg a day, but the pharmacist cocked up and she was told to take 1 tablet (200mcg) a day, which she did for first 3 weeks. She went back to GP for another blood test and he said it was moving in the right direction, but VERY quickly so he said for her to halve her dose (50mcg).
Now the thing is, she's continued to take 200mcg a day, even tho I tell her to at least drop to half a tab (100mcg) but she won't listen ...
I'm now hoping this is what is causing her to be 'speeding' all the time as the girl can chat, but these days I just sit there and listen ...
See, the thing is, that there's a reason why the medication starts off slow... it's so that it gives the body time to get used to it. Going straight onto 200mcg a day from the get go is not a good plan. She should have taken the doc's advice and dropped the dose. Usually you start off at 50mcg and move up to 75, then 100 etc. Each rise is done over a 4-6 week increment so that the body can use up the meds and heal itself. I am worried you say that she's speeding ...
If she's taking too much, she'll actually be hyper, not hypo and hyper symptoms are sometimes similar to hypo and this needs to be defined by an expert. If she's speeding one minute and exhausted the next AND on 200mcg from the get go, then I'd be very worried about that and she needs to see a specialist.
Whilst I realise that many doctors can't treat this properly and that Nic's own treatment has been far from good so far, the doc was right to move her dose down. Actually, he shouldn't have started her even on 100mcg, it should have been 50mcg.
You need time to heal with this condition... it can't be just fixed overnight with a pill and taking too much is dangerous.....
Get in to see that doc Donna recommended if she's nearby. You both need to get to the bottom of this.
Aug 4th 2008 | 8:37 pm
#277
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,768
Re: The Thyroid Thread
Hang on Paul.... you say she's 'speeding' ?
See, the thing is, that there's a reason why the medication starts off slow... it's so that it gives the body time to get used to it. Going straight onto 200mcg a day from the get go is not a good plan. She should have taken the doc's advice and dropped the dose. Usually you start off at 50mcg and move up to 75, then 100 etc. Each rise is done over a 4-6 week increment so that the body can use up the meds and heal itself. I am worried you say that she's speeding ...
If she's taking too much, she'll actually be hyper, not hypo and hyper symptoms are sometimes similar to hypo and this needs to be defined by an expert. If she's speeding one minute and exhausted the next AND on 200mcg from the get go, then I'd be very worried about that and she needs to see a specialist.
Whilst I realise that many doctors can't treat this properly and that Nic's own treatment has been far from good so far, the doc was right to move her dose down. Actually, he shouldn't have started her even on 100mcg, it should have been 50mcg.
You need time to heal with this condition... it can't be just fixed overnight with a pill and taking too much is dangerous.....
Get in to see that doc Donna recommended if she's nearby. You both need to get to the bottom of this.
See, the thing is, that there's a reason why the medication starts off slow... it's so that it gives the body time to get used to it. Going straight onto 200mcg a day from the get go is not a good plan. She should have taken the doc's advice and dropped the dose. Usually you start off at 50mcg and move up to 75, then 100 etc. Each rise is done over a 4-6 week increment so that the body can use up the meds and heal itself. I am worried you say that she's speeding ...
If she's taking too much, she'll actually be hyper, not hypo and hyper symptoms are sometimes similar to hypo and this needs to be defined by an expert. If she's speeding one minute and exhausted the next AND on 200mcg from the get go, then I'd be very worried about that and she needs to see a specialist.
Whilst I realise that many doctors can't treat this properly and that Nic's own treatment has been far from good so far, the doc was right to move her dose down. Actually, he shouldn't have started her even on 100mcg, it should have been 50mcg.
You need time to heal with this condition... it can't be just fixed overnight with a pill and taking too much is dangerous.....
Get in to see that doc Donna recommended if she's nearby. You both need to get to the bottom of this.
That's one minute tho, the next she's feeling knackered and asleep ... like she is now!
Weight isn't shifting, tired a lot, and all the rest! ... but she doesn't seem to feel the cold as much as she used to!
If I get home tomorrow and she hasn't made an apt to see the doc Donna has recommended then I'LL make one!
This REALLY needs to be sorted out.
Aug 4th 2008 | 8:48 pm
#278
Auntie Fa
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 7,344
From: Seattle
Re: The Thyroid Thread
Well I don't know the history so forgive me for being so personal, but she might feel better if she can get off the ADs. See above - theory is they don't go well with thyroid problems.
Aug 4th 2008 | 11:41 pm
#279
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,768
Re: The Thyroid Thread
I agree as I've been through 4 bouts of depression with her and if there's anything that can prevent it, or at least make the chances of happening again slimmer, then THAT'S gotta be the priority.
Aug 5th 2008 | 12:28 am
#280
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,668
Re: The Thyroid Thread
Well yeah she is half of the time. She's permanently on AD's and they make her rabbit, but now she's almost uncontrollable with her chattin, very similar to someone who IS on speed!
That's one minute tho, the next she's feeling knackered and asleep ... like she is now!
Weight isn't shifting, tired a lot, and all the rest! ... but she doesn't seem to feel the cold as much as she used to!
If I get home tomorrow and she hasn't made an apt to see the doc Donna has recommended then I'LL make one!
This REALLY needs to be sorted out.
That's one minute tho, the next she's feeling knackered and asleep ... like she is now!
Weight isn't shifting, tired a lot, and all the rest! ... but she doesn't seem to feel the cold as much as she used to!
If I get home tomorrow and she hasn't made an apt to see the doc Donna has recommended then I'LL make one!
This REALLY needs to be sorted out.
The AD's will make things worse. I'll find you a link tomorrow.
Paul, make the appt yourself anyway. Nic won't be well enough to drive her own recovery. It's part of the condition, sadly... Amazed I managed it, to be honest.
The AD's shouldn't be making her speed at all.
I suspect that's the bloody huge dose of thyroxine!
Aug 5th 2008 | 12:35 am
#281
On the Dark Side :-)
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,065
From: South Wales to New South Wales!
Re: The Thyroid Thread
She shouldn't be on the AD's. She really needs to come off them. AD's are given to people when doctors think they have depression, but a slow thyroid can mimic depression symptoms and really isn't that at all.
The AD's will make things worse. I'll find you a link tomorrow.
Paul, make the appt yourself anyway. Nic won't be well enough to drive her own recovery. It's part of the condition, sadly... Amazed I managed it, to be honest.
The AD's shouldn't be making her speed at all.
I suspect that's the bloody huge dose of thyroxine!
The AD's will make things worse. I'll find you a link tomorrow.
Paul, make the appt yourself anyway. Nic won't be well enough to drive her own recovery. It's part of the condition, sadly... Amazed I managed it, to be honest.
The AD's shouldn't be making her speed at all.
I suspect that's the bloody huge dose of thyroxine!
I also agree that she needs her dosage sorted out asap. She may feel that going on 200mcg will help, but seriously it wont if its the wrong dose. As TP says, treating thyroid disease is a slow and time consuming (and frustrating, and difficult) process.
Get her to see a specialist asap. Those ADs obviously arent helping and she is obviously not optimised on thyroid meds. Sort out the thyroid meds and I'd pretty much guarantee the ADs can go in the bin!
Aug 5th 2008 | 12:46 am
#282
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,768
Re: The Thyroid Thread
She shouldn't be on the AD's. She really needs to come off them. AD's are given to people when doctors think they have depression, but a slow thyroid can mimic depression symptoms and really isn't that at all.
The AD's will make things worse. I'll find you a link tomorrow.
Paul, make the appt yourself anyway. Nic won't be well enough to drive her own recovery. It's part of the condition, sadly... Amazed I managed it, to be honest.
The AD's shouldn't be making her speed at all.
I suspect that's the bloody huge dose of thyroxine!
The AD's will make things worse. I'll find you a link tomorrow.
Paul, make the appt yourself anyway. Nic won't be well enough to drive her own recovery. It's part of the condition, sadly... Amazed I managed it, to be honest.
The AD's shouldn't be making her speed at all.
I suspect that's the bloody huge dose of thyroxine!
I agree with all the posts above. ADs make thyroid symptoms worse! I took 2 ADs and they sent my anxiety through the roof...never again!
I also agree that she needs her dosage sorted out asap. She may feel that going on 200mcg will help, but seriously it wont if its the wrong dose. As TP says, treating thyroid disease is a slow and time consuming (and frustrating, and difficult) process.
Get her to see a specialist asap. Those ADs obviously arent helping and she is obviously not optimised on thyroid meds. Sort out the thyroid meds and I'd pretty much guarantee the ADs can go in the bin!
I also agree that she needs her dosage sorted out asap. She may feel that going on 200mcg will help, but seriously it wont if its the wrong dose. As TP says, treating thyroid disease is a slow and time consuming (and frustrating, and difficult) process.
Get her to see a specialist asap. Those ADs obviously arent helping and she is obviously not optimised on thyroid meds. Sort out the thyroid meds and I'd pretty much guarantee the ADs can go in the bin!
I know a lot of people don't agree with AD's but we've seen too many specialists over the years to just say "oh we'll ditch em!" We tried this last year when everything was going great, but an abrupt about turn shortly after she stopped and all hell broke loose! Things were so bad I had to fly her dad here to look after her while I went back to school.
Nic HAS to stay on them as both myself and the professionals think so!
The thyroid we'll sort out, but I think we just need to see someone who actually knows what they're on about!
I tried to phone the doc Donna mentioned earlier but the practice is only 9 - 5 so Nic is gonna ring them tomorrow. I'll prob check in the arvo to see if the apt has been made! ...
Aug 5th 2008 | 3:18 am
#283
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 477
From: Perth, WA
Re: The Thyroid Thread
I just wanted to say hope you're okay Paul. Big hugs to Nic. It must be hard on you also, look after yourself aswell. Take care, thinking of you and hope you can both get the help she needs.
Tracy
Tracy
Aug 5th 2008 | 10:50 am
#284
On the Dark Side :-)
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,065
From: South Wales to New South Wales!
Re: The Thyroid Thread
The thing you both have to realise is Nic has been on AD's on and off for almost 20 years, a lot longer than the thyroid issue that's for sure. Depression runs in her family and her mum was Bi Polar.
I know a lot of people don't agree with AD's but we've seen too many specialists over the years to just say "oh we'll ditch em!" We tried this last year when everything was going great, but an abrupt about turn shortly after she stopped and all hell broke loose! Things were so bad I had to fly her dad here to look after her while I went back to school.
Nic HAS to stay on them as both myself and the professionals think so!
The thyroid we'll sort out, but I think we just need to see someone who actually knows what they're on about!
I tried to phone the doc Donna mentioned earlier but the practice is only 9 - 5 so Nic is gonna ring them tomorrow. I'll prob check in the arvo to see if the apt has been made! ...
I know a lot of people don't agree with AD's but we've seen too many specialists over the years to just say "oh we'll ditch em!" We tried this last year when everything was going great, but an abrupt about turn shortly after she stopped and all hell broke loose! Things were so bad I had to fly her dad here to look after her while I went back to school.
Nic HAS to stay on them as both myself and the professionals think so!
The thyroid we'll sort out, but I think we just need to see someone who actually knows what they're on about!
I tried to phone the doc Donna mentioned earlier but the practice is only 9 - 5 so Nic is gonna ring them tomorrow. I'll prob check in the arvo to see if the apt has been made! ...
Heres a link which will probably explain to you a little better why we are so 'gungho' about this.
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com...mental-health/
I'm hoping the ADs or Thyroid meds start to do more for Nic than they currently are. She def needs to see a specialist, as you know, because being on the wrong dose can either cause, or worsen, the symptoms shes experiencing.
Good luck - you're doing a grand job
Aug 5th 2008 | 1:03 pm
#285
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,668
Re: The Thyroid Thread
Here's a few links for you to check out:
http://counsellingresource.com/featu...oid-condition/
http://news.bio-medicine.org/biology...ition-11312-2/
I don't 'not agree' with AD's. I think they're brilliant in the right place at the right time. However, I truly don't know whether the specialists that you've seen over the years have actually tested Nic for any sort of thyroid disorder. I'm not saying it is auto immune, and that the bi-polar is linked for sure, but it's a large possibility that hasn't been ruled out. If it is auto immune, AD's are the worst possible thing to be taking and only effective thyroid treatment can help.
Thyroid probs don't just pop up out of no-where. They actually take years to develop to the point of failure. In my own case, I had thyroid symptoms as a young child - dry skin on shins, excessive tiredness, long hours of sleep (got myself the nickname of 'dormouse' in my family due to my ability to sleep anywhere whenever I wanted!), feeling cold, low motivation etc. It was only when I was pregnant with my son nearly 7 years ago that it all kicked in good and proper. Then it took me a further year to identify what was wrong with me and climb out of that hell hole that was my life by pushing for the root cause of my illness and find a quality doctor who could treat it.
I don't say 'ditch the AD's' because that's dangerous, but I suspect that your wife may well have had a long standing mis-diagnosis, and the longer it's mal treated in the way it is, the worse the damage will be. Thyroid damage can take many years to heal. It will never be an overnight thing.
The more you tell us about Nic, the less you need a GP who's good with thyroid and the more you need an expert endocrinologist who can accurately give you both the low down on what's happening to Nic and start to treat it effectively.
I can only recommend the person I see in Sydney, and people do fly in to see her from all over Aus. However, there has to be a good GP you can visit to get a refrerral because Nic's condition sounds extremely serious and needs treatment from a pro.
Go see the lady that Donna recommended, both go to the appointment and tell her that you want a referral to an endo (pick the best sounding one from the list of Top Docs) and give her the name of said top doc. If she refers you, then you have more chance of getting in. In the meantime, she might also be able to more effectively treat Nic by running the right tests, and giving a more accurate picture.
I hope that helps. Good luck.
