The Thyroid Thread
Feb 20th 2008 | 3:32 pm
#46
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,668
Re: Underactive thyroid club (oh and high cholesterol too just for good measure!)
Feb 20th 2008 | 3:34 pm
#47
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,668
Re: Underactive thyroid club (oh and high cholesterol too just for good measure!)
Agreed. I just hear stuff about gaining all knowledge about an illness almost before being diagnosed and it makes me wonder if you (general) could cause more health problems by knowing too much if you know what I mean.
If a doctor treats you and you get better, do you still need to read everything available on the subject?
If a doctor treats you and you get better, do you still need to read everything available on the subject?
Feb 20th 2008 | 3:42 pm
#48
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 28,175
From: at the bottom of a wine glass
Re: Underactive thyroid club (oh and high cholesterol too just for good measure!)
My TSH was 3.4 last test, so my doctor took me off the Tertroxine as she said it was too high 
within 3 days I felt like crap so I went back and she put me back on them and I felt better again (after 3 weeks 
). I have to have another test next month.
I have had this for 9 years now, and am still having my doses adjusted and messed about with so it is an ongoing thing, and you have to have some knowledge of it to be able to discuss your treatment with the doctor, because they go on the 'results' when in fact it's more of a 'how you feel' thing. You know when you're 'not right' and sometimes getting the correct treatment is really difficult. Not all doctors do all the tests they should, like TP said they more often than not just test your TSH and that doesn't always indicate what is going on.
My antibodies at one point were 2400+
within 3 days I felt like crap so I went back and she put me back on them and I felt better again (after 3 weeks ). I have to have another test next month.I have had this for 9 years now, and am still having my doses adjusted and messed about with so it is an ongoing thing, and you have to have some knowledge of it to be able to discuss your treatment with the doctor, because they go on the 'results' when in fact it's more of a 'how you feel' thing. You know when you're 'not right' and sometimes getting the correct treatment is really difficult. Not all doctors do all the tests they should, like TP said they more often than not just test your TSH and that doesn't always indicate what is going on.
My antibodies at one point were 2400+
Feb 20th 2008 | 3:53 pm
#49
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,668
Re: Underactive thyroid club (oh and high cholesterol too just for good measure!)
My antibodies were 1300 and I thought that was high! No wonder you felt lousy.
Yes, anyone who gets a thyroid panel needs to be tested for antibodies. Got them, got Hashimoto's...
Yes, anyone who gets a thyroid panel needs to be tested for antibodies. Got them, got Hashimoto's...
Feb 20th 2008 | 3:55 pm
#50
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 28,175
From: at the bottom of a wine glass
Re: Underactive thyroid club (oh and high cholesterol too just for good measure!)
They were that high the endo specialist at the hospital in Adelaide took some blood samples for research
Feb 20th 2008 | 5:53 pm
#51
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,020
From: brisbane
Re: Underactive thyroid club (oh and high cholesterol too just for good measure!)
Mine were 3500 and the first dr didnt blink an eyelid.She said that she wouldnt treat me until my thyroid had stopped working altogether
Donna
Donna
Feb 20th 2008 | 7:13 pm
#53
Account Closed
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,768
Re: Underactive thyroid club (oh and high cholesterol too just for good measure!)
Thanks for the well wishes.
Yeah Nic will be over the moon once she starts losing weight and especially getting some energy as she's struggling to keep down her job at the mo ...
She's put on 2 stone since we arrived and looking VERY much forward to losing it!!
We're not expecting miracles and it to drop off straight away, but I know once it starts she'll be off on one doing everything to lose the rest.
Cheers for the advice and support ...
Oh and the GP is good, we both have faith in him ...
Yeah Nic will be over the moon once she starts losing weight and especially getting some energy as she's struggling to keep down her job at the mo ...
She's put on 2 stone since we arrived and looking VERY much forward to losing it!!
We're not expecting miracles and it to drop off straight away, but I know once it starts she'll be off on one doing everything to lose the rest.
Cheers for the advice and support ...
Oh and the GP is good, we both have faith in him ...
Feb 20th 2008 | 7:33 pm
#54
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,020
From: brisbane
Re: Underactive thyroid club (oh and high cholesterol too just for good measure!)
Yes i did .I was hoping you'd come on tiddlyPom,whats your thoughts on this.
Been on NTH for sometime now,was on 6 grains but by default ended up on 3 grains with no ill effects,also on DHEA,progesterone cream,etc.Recently massive hairloss,tingling in hands ,feet returned along with tearfulness and generally feeling shite again.I also lost 13 kilos around the time i went onto 3 grains.Have increased dose to 6 grains again but seem to be no better.Have huge watery retention and can lose 3/4 kilos in the first week of cutting out all the crap even when on meds.Cortisol was not too bad and i was a little low on b12 when tested.Cant get to see dr until middle of next month hence the request for your input.
Any ideas would be appreciated
thx donna
Been on NTH for sometime now,was on 6 grains but by default ended up on 3 grains with no ill effects,also on DHEA,progesterone cream,etc.Recently massive hairloss,tingling in hands ,feet returned along with tearfulness and generally feeling shite again.I also lost 13 kilos around the time i went onto 3 grains.Have increased dose to 6 grains again but seem to be no better.Have huge watery retention and can lose 3/4 kilos in the first week of cutting out all the crap even when on meds.Cortisol was not too bad and i was a little low on b12 when tested.Cant get to see dr until middle of next month hence the request for your input.
Any ideas would be appreciated
thx donna
Feb 21st 2008 | 3:31 am
#55
Former Resident Visa
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,887
From: Mornington Peninsula
Re: Thyroid friends....
well, I phoned at 8.30 and got in to see the doctor this morning. What a waste of time 
I felt like telling him this was his last chance, maybe it would have put a rocket up his jacksy
Anyway, he said that the collection I have on my leg just lower than my knee is fatty tissue ..... and people with thyroid problems do get fluid retention.
Well, sorry mate but you are SACKED!!
My legs are fine except this bulge that either collects just below the knee or it goes to my ankles. FFS, if I take the water tablets they go. I told him this too.
That's it, I'm not looking back now - but need to find another doctor
Thanks to everyone again for the advice.
J x
I felt like telling him this was his last chance, maybe it would have put a rocket up his jacksy
Anyway, he said that the collection I have on my leg just lower than my knee is fatty tissue ..... and people with thyroid problems do get fluid retention.
Well, sorry mate but you are SACKED!!
My legs are fine except this bulge that either collects just below the knee or it goes to my ankles. FFS, if I take the water tablets they go. I told him this too.
That's it, I'm not looking back now - but need to find another doctor
Thanks to everyone again for the advice.
J x
Feb 21st 2008 | 6:49 am
#56
On the Dark Side :-)
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,065
From: South Wales to New South Wales!
Re: Thyroid friends....
There are lots of good books at the library which may help - I think one is called Thyroid for Dummies but if you just go and ask for any thyroid books you should do ok.
If you're getting symptoms of hypo then tell your doc.....if your doc wont do anything about it then find a new one....simple as.
Good luck
Rach
Edit: just read your update on doc...........SACK him definitely and try to get some recommendations for a decent one.
Heres a great forum with lots of people who are really knowledgable - they should be able to help you big time
http://www.healthboards.com/boards/f...FQc-gwod6lcqaQ
Last edited by Mrs Jackaroo; Feb 21st 2008 at 6:53 am.
Feb 21st 2008 | 5:05 pm
#57
Crazy Cat Lady
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 65,493
Re: The Thyroid Thread
Hope I haven't confused too many of you 
I've merged the two current thyroid threads into this one. You guys may as well keep it going, rather than starting a new one every now and then. It seems to be coming up more and more and should make it easier for people to search for in future.
I've merged the two current thyroid threads into this one. You guys may as well keep it going, rather than starting a new one every now and then. It seems to be coming up more and more and should make it easier for people to search for in future.
Feb 21st 2008 | 10:24 pm
#58
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,020
From: brisbane
Re: The Thyroid Thread
Hope I haven't confused too many of you I've merged the two current thyroid threads into this one. You guys may as well keep it going, rather than starting a new one every now and then. It seems to be coming up more and more and should make it easier for people to search for in future.
I've merged the two current thyroid threads into this one. You guys may as well keep it going, rather than starting a new one every now and then. It seems to be coming up more and more and should make it easier for people to search for in future.donna
Feb 22nd 2008 | 12:16 am
#59
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 776
From: Perth ( via Adelaide )
Re: Underactive thyroid club (oh and high cholesterol too just for good measure!)
Hi.
The lab range for the test you had varies but generally it creates a 'normal' range by testing a load of people - say about 100 - who are 'well'. This gives a result for what range the TSH test should fall into.
Sadly some of those people themselves would have undiagnosed thyroid problems, statistically speaking. So this means the range includes people who are not so well. Anyway, that's how they get the 'normal' range.
By the sound of it you had a TSH test and yours came out 'borderline' so it will have been right on the upper end of normal.
The range is usually 0.4 - 4.0 or thereabouts.
This means if your TSH test falls into that range, you're classed as 'normal'. Perhaps your TSH was about 3.8 or something similar... just a guess, ok? You should get the results from your doctor.
However, what is 'normal' for one person is very ill for another person. Generally it's now considered that a TSH over 1 (where it should be) is incorrect and should be treated.
My TSH result went from 6.8 to 7.9 to 4.6 and then at one point to 3.8
My doctor said at the point it was 3.8 that there was nothing wrong with me! No explanation of anything or why it had been so high. He also told me that my antibodies were within range, when in fact, if you've got them then you have Hashi's, end of story. No such thing as 'in range' antibodies.
Your doctor is a numbers doctor, not a symptoms doctor and I suggest you either ask to be referred to a good Endo or you go see another doctor and pay for some good advice. There's a list of recommendations for certain areas of compassionate doctors who are experts in the field. Your doc is most certainly not on this list!
The test you have had sounds like the TSH test. This stands for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone and it's your pituitary gland which is making this stuff to stimulate your thyroid into working. A high TSH therefore means that your thyroid isn't working properly.
There are several things which affect your TSH result... so it's not a great test,,, It's just a vague indicator of a test that something may be wrong. If that's the case, then further investigation is required...
A free T4 and free T3 test, plus T4 etc. It's called a thyroid panel. You'd need liver function and cholesterol checking too, as well as cortisol to check function of your adrenals.
This is why you need a good thyroid doctor not just a GP who's going to brush you off as 'normal' when quite clearly you are suffering.
Hope that helps.
x
The lab range for the test you had varies but generally it creates a 'normal' range by testing a load of people - say about 100 - who are 'well'. This gives a result for what range the TSH test should fall into.
Sadly some of those people themselves would have undiagnosed thyroid problems, statistically speaking. So this means the range includes people who are not so well. Anyway, that's how they get the 'normal' range.
By the sound of it you had a TSH test and yours came out 'borderline' so it will have been right on the upper end of normal.
The range is usually 0.4 - 4.0 or thereabouts.
This means if your TSH test falls into that range, you're classed as 'normal'. Perhaps your TSH was about 3.8 or something similar... just a guess, ok? You should get the results from your doctor.
However, what is 'normal' for one person is very ill for another person. Generally it's now considered that a TSH over 1 (where it should be) is incorrect and should be treated.
My TSH result went from 6.8 to 7.9 to 4.6 and then at one point to 3.8
My doctor said at the point it was 3.8 that there was nothing wrong with me! No explanation of anything or why it had been so high. He also told me that my antibodies were within range, when in fact, if you've got them then you have Hashi's, end of story. No such thing as 'in range' antibodies.
Your doctor is a numbers doctor, not a symptoms doctor and I suggest you either ask to be referred to a good Endo or you go see another doctor and pay for some good advice. There's a list of recommendations for certain areas of compassionate doctors who are experts in the field. Your doc is most certainly not on this list!
The test you have had sounds like the TSH test. This stands for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone and it's your pituitary gland which is making this stuff to stimulate your thyroid into working. A high TSH therefore means that your thyroid isn't working properly.
There are several things which affect your TSH result... so it's not a great test,,, It's just a vague indicator of a test that something may be wrong. If that's the case, then further investigation is required...
A free T4 and free T3 test, plus T4 etc. It's called a thyroid panel. You'd need liver function and cholesterol checking too, as well as cortisol to check function of your adrenals.
This is why you need a good thyroid doctor not just a GP who's going to brush you off as 'normal' when quite clearly you are suffering.
Hope that helps.
x
....you have given me some 'ammo' with which to confront him when I see him next week....I'll tell him I researched it on the internet For some odd reason I did keep thinking about the pituitary gland, strange
Liver and Cholesterol are fine as are my pancreas, spleen, kidneys, etc...but I'm not a happy little vegemite...my weight has doubled in less than 3 years and I feel very uncomfortable. That was an excellent reply to my query so please know that you are very much appreciated...many thanks again
Bindi.
Feb 22nd 2008 | 8:45 am
#60
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,668
Re: Underactive thyroid club (oh and high cholesterol too just for good measure!)
Many many thanks A ....you have given me some 'ammo' with which to confront him when I see him next week....I'll tell him I researched it on the internet
For some odd reason I did keep thinking about the pituitary gland, strange
Liver and Cholesterol are fine as are my pancreas, spleen, kidneys, etc...but I'm not a happy little vegemite...my weight has doubled in less than 3 years and I feel very uncomfortable. That was an excellent reply to my query so please know that you are very much appreciated...many thanks again
Bindi.
....you have given me some 'ammo' with which to confront him when I see him next week....I'll tell him I researched it on the internet For some odd reason I did keep thinking about the pituitary gland, strange
Liver and Cholesterol are fine as are my pancreas, spleen, kidneys, etc...but I'm not a happy little vegemite...my weight has doubled in less than 3 years and I feel very uncomfortable. That was an excellent reply to my query so please know that you are very much appreciated...many thanks again
Bindi.
x
