Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Hi all................it has been ages since I last had a nosey on BE. I posted something on here on behalf of my S-I-L, and then I found this thread.

I have just been diagnosed with underactive thyroid - Hoshimotos (sp?). I have been started on 50mg Oroxine/Thyroxine tablets, bloods taken every 6 weeks to find my level, with the next bloods due beginning of September. I am presuming I will have to 'up' my dose.

Since I started taking the medication, I have put on weight - is this because of the medication? I have had a scan of my thyroid as it was very painful 2/3 weeks ago, which came back as 'expected' - inflamed, not smooth, undulating, and inflamed lymph nodes.

Since the diagnosis, I seem to be having more 'symptoms' of an underactive thyroid then I did before I was diagnosed :confused::unsure:

I have no idea of my levels - I don't know what it should be to be in the healthy range.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Hello SB. Sorry to hear that chick. Right, what you have is 'Hashimoto's' which is the same thing I have. It's an auto immune condition where your immune system cells attack your thyroid.
You may have other immune symptoms too - such as hives, itching, asthma or anything similar.... got allergies? Then this is part of it.

Your dose will have to go up. 50 is not very much but can suit some people. You need to take enough to be symptom free though... regardless of what the numbers say.

Right, well it can be. It can also be that you were going to put on weight anyway and it's just happened to co-incide with the T4 (thyroxine) that you are taking. Some people do have an allergy to T4, especially when it's been lab synthesised, though this is rare. Other allergies can come from the fillers that they use in the pills, but once again, rare. The most likely reason behind this is that your body is just wondering what's happened to it. The weight could be a little water, or just your system starting to shift after starting meds.

That should all settle down as you optimise your medication..... I would agree that's 'expected' too.


You may be having more symtoms because your bod has started to take up the drugs and it's not getting enough .. .I've heard of it happening before - happened to me too here and there.

Has your doc done a thyroid panel? IF so, then he or she should be aware of what your TSH level is, plus other readings - T4, T3, FT3 etc.

I really now need you to read through my and other posts on this thread and the other thread - it will take you hours but it will help you understand what the hell I'm talking about.. :lol:

As a vague indicator, a healthy person's TSH is around 1. The T4/T3 thing is a ratio ...
However, you need to understand that the TSH test is just that, an indicator... not an accurate diagnostic test.

BUT because you have Hashimotos, then you have thyroid antibodies flooding your system. We need to get rid of those and get rid of your symptoms...
So if you have had blood test results, it would be great if you can post on here or PM me with them and I can help you interpret.

Start reading and try to understand what you've got and then we can go from there.


And yes, you'll have to medicate for the rest of your life, but it's possible to be normal, well and happy with this condition now it's been diagnosed.
I don't know what you think of your doc but if he or she is relying only on numbers to get you well, then you may need to consider finding another doc in the future. There are some people who do really well on T4 alone, and others who don't and need to seek more natural treatment (this thing we mention called 'natural thyroid' or 'dessicated thyroid' which is from pigs) which is considered a more natural and complete medication.
Anyway, it's early days for you and what you really need to do is slowly raise your T4 and get your medication to an optimum level where you are feeling really well.

Any questions let me know. Hope that helps as a starter....!

Oh and where in NSW are you?

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Hi TP.........Thanks for your reply, as always :)

I read through this thread last night, doubling with watching the Ashes, and gleaned lots of info from it. I intend to read through the first one as well, possibly later on today.

My doctor seems okay, she did test me for Celeaic, after the initial diagonosis, but that came back okay. I do intend to go Gluten free though to see if that will help me, just been to Bi-Lo and got some bits. This decision is a big thing for me, as I do love my bread :( I will need to get gemmed up on that, as I have no idea about a gluten free diet.

I will ask her for the levels next time I go, and then I can moniter them myself. I was diagnosed with ashma many years ago, but to be honest, it never really kicked in, and i used my inhaler very infrequently. However, I think it has started to become troublesome for me, realising only last week that it is probably linked.

I am not overly concerned with the thyroid problem, it is very common, I just want to be able to be in the position to know about it and to know my body, and what I can do the help it.

I have just started my own business working from home (travel consultant), and so there is lots happening for me. I am also due to have ankle reconstruction surgery mid September, with a minimum of 6 weeks in plaster (oh what joy - I hate to be kept still and immobile and depend on other people), therefore, lots to cope with at the moment.

How is your life at the minute? I hope things have settled down for you.

We live at Port Stephens, stunning place.

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Good result on the cricket, eh? :thumbsup:
Ok, that's good you're reading ... first one has lots of good stuff in it though I'm sure I repeat myself a lot.

The irony with the blood test for celeaic is that sometimes it can come back negative even if you have a wheat or gluten intolerance! The only sure way to know is to have a biopsy of the lining of the gut. My test was neg, yet I go down for about 3-5 days if I have wheat now... so my only choice is to be g free. I don't find it difficult and now bake regularly with g-free flour etc. Did a delicious Madeira cake the other week. You wouldn't have been able to know the difference!

I also had asthma. It's completely gone now.

Excellent diet, good supplements (there's a link to vitamins and I'm sure I go on exhaustively about them on this thread and the other) ... and exercise. And do check out adrenal fatigue and treat yourself for that at the same time as taking your T4. They go hand in hand.
I like this site for readability and understanding:
http://www.drlam.com/articles/adrenal_fatigue.asp

Oh well done girl. That's great. I hope it goes well. Not so fab about the ankle reconstruction but I hope it gets you sorted....

Life is pretty damn good thank you very much. I'm very happy, my kids are great, my business is moving into some interesting areas, and I also met someone too. :wub: Life is good. :cool:

I like port Stephens v much. If you do need a good doc eventually to help you out, then mine is in Sydney and would mean also accessible for you from there if you needed to. She's Dr Berkowski in Chatswood. People fly in from all over to see her.
I hope you continue to improve... let me know if you need any help - can always chat with you on the phone or email. :)

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Hi all,
Hijacked the hubby's log in, to ask a quick question.

Arrived in Melbourne (St Kilda) from the UK yesterday and since the beginning of the journey I have been having single palpitations every 2-3 mins at different times of the day or night. It feels like my heart wants to jump up !! It is also making my head feel light and dizzy.
I am hypothyroid on tablets and have never had this problem before. I am on 100mcg but prior to leaving the UK was a bit intermittent with my daily dose!!

I wondered if anyone else had this issue and did they need to see a doc about it, as we have not got a doctor yet as we dont know where we will end up living.
It is more annoying than anything else as even if I relax it still happens.

Thanx for any help xXx
Blackbag's Missus

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Hi Blackbag
I'm so sorry I missed your post... Your palps could be to being under medicated OR over medicated!
It's hard to tell without accurate tests to know what's going on with you. It's worth your while just to book into a doc and ask for a full thyroid panel which should give you an indication of what's going on.

How long have you been on T4 (thyroxine) at the dose you mention?

It could well be that stress and the move have messed you up a bit, plus a change into warmer weather could also have caused your metabolism to speed up.

How are you feeling now?

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

I think I'm a fellow thyroid sufferer though I did believe that I had once had a problem which had gone away.

I know I need to see a Dr but I just thought I'd put out some feelers first. I suffered with an underactive thyroid after the birth of my third child. I was tested for loads of things but all came up blank until my Dr suggested we test the thyroid. I was put on thyroxine (can't remember what the dose was but it was small) The Dr explained it could be a post -pregnancy blip so after a year on the tablets he suggested I come off them but I went into decline again so got another prescription. Six months after that we tried again and I have been fine for over 6 years.

However, this winter (which has been mild) I have had one cold after another and have generally lacked energy. However, over the last few weeks my neck has been constantly aching and I have had lots of headaches and when I go for a run I have difficulty breathing. I know I have also had a few occasions where my heart has been racing so I suppose this is a palpitation! We have had hazard reduction burns in the area over the last week which have made breathing difficult for me and this is not usually a problem and today with the dust in the air I am struggling a bit again.

Like I said, I will go to the Dr but I just wanted to post here for reassurance. I know I probably got off lightly the first time but it looks like the old thyroid problem is coming back for another go!

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Hello Bin!
Yes you're right, it could be back- or it could have never gone away...... But you need to test to see if you have thyroid antibodies which will tell you if you have Hashimoto's or not and what exactly you do have.

The thyroid is a funny thing and usually takes about 6 months to recover after pregnancy... That 'nesting' thing you get a few days before is the thyroid revving up for the birth.... and then it just goes down for months.
There's also a temporary thyroid condition which can be associated with pregnancy, and then it goes away afterwards, usually.

There are other conditions, where the thyroid goes hyper and then hypo... and quite often, when it's struggling, the thyroid can actually go hyper before burning out completely... It's a sod really.

Now, aren't you Northern beaches? I was up your way at the weekend - fab party! :D Because if you're Sydney based, you can visit the one and only, rather brilliant Dr Ludka Berkowski in Chatswood!

Find here here:
http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/australia.htm

She's responsible for giving me my health back. Well, that and a little hard work from me. ;)

Yes, racing heart is an energy conversion thing... headaches and colds wouldd indicate your immune system is having a tough time, which is why I suggest the Hashimoto's. Don't take any vitamins or anything until you've had your tests... and then we'll go from there. :)

Let us know how you get on at the doc! Good luck.

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Having felt like crap for years I managed to get myself referred to a rhuematologist out here as in my former Uk life an earlier referral suggested monitoring for RA. Still having tests re that but also.....

This Dr immediately picked up on a large lump on my thyroid as beign a possible cause of many of my symptoms. (underactive rather than over).

This week had bloods done (no results yet) and ultrasound on thyroid. Today picked up the results of ultrasound which shows one large lesion which is complex (cystic/solid) and several similar smaller ones as well as colloid ones.

I'd thought that thyroid problems had been ruled out years ago because previous blood tests shows tsh levels of 0.52 and 0.44 and T4 of 18 and 15 which i was told are normal.

I know I need to wait for dr to see what comes next but feeling pretty alone right now and don't know what to expect next.

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Been reading the threads with interest and can't believe how many people suffer from thyroid problems.
I went to the doctors a few weeks ago with my son, he had a virus, the doctor asked me how long had I had an enlarged thyroid and nodule? Didn't have a clue I had anything wrong with me but he could clearly see it.
Had blood tests, scans, radioactive iodine scans and then finally a biopsy of the large nodule all within weeks. It has been a very worrying time for myself and my family and unfortunatley all the results have come back abnormal, apart from the blood tests which showed my thyroid leves as normal!
Met with a thyroid specialist and he has decided to remove half of my thyroid next month and they will check for cancer, if fine then no more treatment but if not they will then remove the other half and I will have to have the replacement tablets for life.
My surgeon did put my mind at ease a little after weeks of worrying, he said it is very common to have thyroid problems and nodules and lots of people live with it and don't even know, he said if it is cancer is it the least aggresive form you could have. He also said because I was young and healthy it is very probably benign and not to worry, although I am.
Strange thing is my mum has just had a radioactive tablet and been in isolation for a few days to reduce her hyperthyroidism and goiters, think is was a done deal that they would operate with there being family history as well.
Just so glad I went to the doctors that day and had a doctor that was alert, don't think it would have been the same at the doctors I went to in the UK - would have still been waiting for an appointment!
Just typical, never had nothing wrong with me when I had support in the UK then move to the other side of the world away from family and friends and this happens.

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Hey Safin.

TSH results can be supressed when there are nodules or other issues with the thyroid and as a result, it's important to press for a full thyroid panel instead of just a TSH. It's not a wholly reliable test.

It is very stressful, but the really good thing is that you are now in a diagnosis situation and this can only be a positive thing. Better now than years later, right?

Lesions and lumps on the thyroid can be malignant, they can be benign... but treatment is very effective for this sort of thing. Once removed they can give you a whole new lease of life with some treatment. Mrs Jackaroo had her entire thyroid removed and she would be a good person to talk to if you find that this is being recommended to you in your case.

Ill drop her a note to see if she's around. She's been in the UK this past couple of weeks for a family situation, so if you don't hear from her immediately this is why.

Most of all, don't worry. Your doc sound competent and has got you an ultrasound and this is great. Nothing invasive so far.
Options can be a 'fine needle aspiration' which is done under a local or general... depending...
Or surgery is an option but this really depends on what the situation is and only your doc can tell you that.

Feel free to blah on here. We're here to support you.

Let us know what your results are and good luck with it.

x

Your doc is right on the ball and I'm glad he picked up on it straight away.

A friend of mine had half her thyroid out and no further issues since then. It might be good to find out exactly WHY this is happening... is it hashi's, is it due to adrenal issues, is it something else? It is hereditary.. but ask your doc.
I'm glad you're on to it and hope you feel better soon. :)

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Thanks TiddlyPom.

Had the ultrasound and it showed a large complex (cystic/solid) nodule and several similar small ones. Waiting to hear back re bloods and what he wants to do as a result of the scan. Think i'd rather the needle first before surgery! They took about half my bodily blood in about a thousand vials so i think they are running a fair few tests not just TSH!

Logistically a problem may be that Dr is on sunshine coast and I am 2.5 hrs away and he is a rhumatologist (being checked out for rhumatoid arthritis again too!) not an endocrinologist. He is the first doc in years to make me feel like there may be a solution to the way i feel though.

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Thanks TiddlyPom, I will ask the doctor why this is happening. Problem is he is Polish and I can bearly understand him, think I will ask the endocrinologist as I have to go back 10 days after the surgery for a check up.
He is English and seems very good, he actually said if I'd have been referred to him straight away and he'd have seen the size of the nodule's (1 is 4.5cm) he would have said removal and not bothered with any of the scans or biopsy - he said the only way you can actually check for cancer is removing the lump nothing else is conclusive.
Debbie

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Hi Safin,
I am going through the same thing, had the blood tests, scans and fine needle biopsy and am having the nodules and half the thyroid removed next month.
Try not to worry, the biopsy if you need it is really not that bad - doesn't hurt at all as they numb your neck first, all over and done with within 10/15 minutes and your on your way.
To be honest once you meet the surgeon you get a sense of relief as you know there are no more tests and agonising waiting for results and they are very straight with you and put your mind at ease.
Feel free to PM me if you need a chat, I know what your going through.
Debbie x

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Well TSH (.48) and free T4 (19.6) normal; antibodies neg; no inflammation in blood and calcium normal. T3 not tested at this stage. Thyroid uptake scan next week to see if its hot or cold! Apparently the fact that there are multiple nodules is good (cancer normally singular)

Dr was surpirsed that bloods not showing underactive thyroid though due to huge list of symptoms that match. Oh and rhumatoid arthritis not indicated as bone scan normal.

So news so far is good but still no bloody idea what is wrong with me! OH compares me to an intermittant electrical fault that the garage can never find!

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

WEll it sounds like you're getting somewhere.... though your doc should know that normal results can be present when nodules are there! You might want to slip him that info somewhere. ;)

Glad the bone scan was normal. That is a relief.

I think your hub's totally on the ball... sometimes it can be like that tracking down what's going on, but I think you'll get there.
Keep going Safin.

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Presumably thats why I am having the Hot/cold scan! Another week to wait now...ho hum

I'm certainly finding out whats not wrong with me:p

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

and that's reassuring... :D

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Hi all! Just an update on things.

Went to a hospital appointment for something else other than the thyroid and the consultant pointed out that i had a large goiter on my neck and asked if i had a thyroid problem.
I stated that i had had hypothyroidism for many years and was referred straight away for an ultrasound scan on the neck, which i have now had and turned out to be fine so i was told.
But the thing is my neck is still quite swollen and feels very tight and hurts and swallowing food is quite difficult at times and my husband (as well as others) have mentioned how large the neck area has swollen.
So where do i go from here, just leave it and hope it settles down? :fingerscrossed:

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

My update - I have a multi nodule goiter that doesn't look to be anything scary. I have now been referred to an endocrinologist in Brisbane. Trouble is the appointment isn't til march and I was referred last month!! Is that sort of wait normal? Is there any Dr north of brissie that anyone can recommend that I can get the referral switched to as I am 4 hrs north of there (Hervey Bay)?

Ausi dream - Sounds like you need to go back to your dr or specialist dealing with the your thyroid and get your meds etc checked - obviously something is a bit out of whack with the symptoms you describe.

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Hello Safin sorry to hear you are having to wait so long for your appointment, i can not help you on any recommendations for doctors over there as i am in the UK, but i wish you all the best.

I must admit some times i have had to wait quite a while for my appointments.

I have booked an appointment for next week with my doctor, so will see how i get on. Apart from the goiter i am feeling not too bad, the other thing that i have noticed is that my gland keeps swelling up and down so i am not sure if that has any thing to do with the goiter. Will ask the doctor when i go next week.

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Nice work by the doc there, picking up your goitre. :thumbup: Sounds quite advanced... no, you don't leave it and hope it settles down! Have I taught you nothing!!! :rofl:
Bad girl! :lol:
I can't quite believe the ultrasound showed up nothing - unless you've got a virus and all your glands are swollen. If I were you I'd go back to the consultant or your doctor and get an endo to look at you. Follow it up..
Goitre's don't really get better and go away on their own... usually. If you're being treated optimally (your medication is balanced and at the right amount for you) then you shouldn't really be having goitre issues such as this. As Safin says, get thee to a doctor, luv. :)



Safin, sorry but yes that sort of wait is normal unless you're going private and skipping the waiting list. Actually, that's not really that long a wait and March will be upon us in a flash.. it's nearly Christmas and the new year will be here in a heartbeat...

I can give you the top docs list again for Australia and you can see if there's anything there that looks good...

http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/australia.htm

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Not sure if i am going private (how dumb am i?) it says private practice suite on the address!?!? I'll check out the list and maybe ring a few. Thanks

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

[QUOTE=TiddlyPom;8089085]Nice work by the doc there, picking up your goitre. :thumbup: Sounds quite advanced... no, you don't leave it and hope it settles down! Have I taught you nothing!!! :rofl:
Bad girl! :lol:
I can't quite believe the ultrasound showed up nothing - unless you've got a virus and all your glands are swollen. If I were you I'd go back to the consultant or your doctor and get an endo to look at you. Follow it up..
Goitre's don't really get better and go away on their own... usually. If you're being treated optimally (your medication is balanced and at the right amount for you) then you shouldn't really be having goitre issues such as this. As Safin says, get thee to a doctor, luv. :)


Hi TiddlyPom, nice to hear from you again.
I spoke to my doctor about it this week when i went about my flu jabs.
You are quite right about my glands. The glands under my arms keep swelling and going back down again, not sure if it has been the entire time i have had my goitre though.
My doctor has asked me to mention it to my consultant at the hospital when i next go as it could be related to my other conditions, but that is not until next april.
My thyroid levels are fine. I am just a bit fed up with every one that meets me commenting on the lump in my throat..

Any way less about me. How are you? Hope all is OK.:)

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Well your glands could be going up and down as part of a low level virus... and you could still have a goitre as they don't always present on the front of your neck... some people get them growing into the back of the throat and down into the aortic arch... I think it's called... and the scan doesn't always pick that up.
Have you had your thyroid antibodies checked? If you have any, you have Hashi's and that can affect your immune system... hence glands. But there's a lot going round at the moment.

And thank you, I am really well. I'm getting back into running, doing lots of gardening, busy running round like a headless chicken working and best of all, the sun is shining, on and off.
I can honestly say I've never been happier.

Life is good. :)

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

I am so glad all is well for you, i wish you all the best with things.
Try not to over do it with the "running around like a headless chicken".
Funny you mention a virus, my doctor picked up i had got an infection in and around the nose area and has given me some cream for it, but i have had the goitre for a lot longer than that though.

I must say that i too am feeling my best at this present time, as i have just had three months in Spain with work and the sunshine and warmth has done me the world of good.
I must say now i am back i really felt the cold today and my body seemed to start its usual shutting down process.
I am back to doing lots of walking for the circulation and finding each week i can do a little bit more.

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Three months in Spain sounds lovely. I know that if you suffer during the winter months then getting a daylight box can really help you out.

They're not cheap but help you feel the way you feel during the summer....

http://www.lighttherapy.com.au/?gcli...FYIvpAodqxHxpQ

Alternatively, looking at Vitamin D supplementation to alleviate symptoms can also help.

:-)

I only do the headless chicken thing when I feel my best too, which as it happens, is all the time at the moment. :D

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

I am just the same, my mother-in-law can not understand how i never stop.
I just never seem to sit down for five mins.
This day light box that you mention, if im referring to the same one i have heard about gives off brightness like the daylight so you dont feel so down over the winter months.
It was the initial warmth of the weather that did me the world of good as i suffer from the Raynauds and as soon as i get back to the cold winters i start to suffer quite bad, but i will look into what you mention just to make sure.
The vitamin D sounds good, but i would have to check with my doctor first to make sure i am allowed to take them.

Thanks TiddlyPom.:)

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Plesh, darlin.

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Just thought I would share my recent experience, went into hospital last Friday to have half of my thryoid removed and a 4.5cm nodule. It had been planned a few months ago following lots of tests and a biopsy.
Was so worried beforehand, mainly about not waking up - silly I know, but with 3 kids you do worry about the furture, I even checked the life insurance was o.k.
Anyway, the operation was quite quick, about 2/3 hours and I was home the following day. Just have a very sore neck now and pretty tired.
Have to see my consultant next week to find out if it was cancer, if it is they will remove the other half of the thyroid. He seems quite positive though that it will probably be benign, so fingers crossed.
There was another lady in the hospital having the exact same thing done as me!
The thing the consultant did say was once you have a nodule the only way to confirm if it is cancer is to remove it and test it, just wished it was all over - it has been months of tests and waiting for results.

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

I hope you feel better soon, munch. Is your voice ok after the op?

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Thank you, yes my voice is fine much to my husband's disappointment!
Debbie

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

:rofl:

Well that's good news for you. :teeth_smile:

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

hi im having trouble starting a new thread...???!!!so ive had to do my best and come on here this way
.Hi. I'm new here. My name is Laureen and Im 44. I have kinda gatecrashed your site as i cam across by surfing the Thyroidabout.com site. But to be fair i have been living in LOndon for the last 1o years and had to come back to NZ to stay with my parents. Anyway i hope its okay to come on here.
I have a very complicated history of battling Graves Disease (overactive thyroid) and am now HYpothyroid after RAI treatment in Jan this year. I am currently taking 135mcg Synthroid per day and I have a lot to discuss and many questions regarding where Im at now healthwise physically and psychologically. But I'll do that when Ive got a bit more time.
I dont feel well by any stretch of the imagination but am alot better than i was when i was severely HYPER and better than when I was severly HYPO.
I havent got time to go into my whole story tonight and to descrive the horrific mental breakdown I have endured and how that has impacted on all aspects of my life.
What I was wondering is that I am now in normal range and have been for five months. I have blood tests every week. Every week the TSH changes. I will list the last two months tests below....
However my Ft4 coverts very well to FT3 and the FT3 is on the higher end. So im thinking that Im not like everyone else who has conversion problems and therefore feels better with ARMOUR or t3 replacement etc
I do have borderline low Ferritin at 28, so will start with Iron supps as soon as poss.
Also with regards to my adrenals Ive had cortisol urine test which was all okay and Hi. I'm new here. I have a very complicated history of battling Graves Disease and am now HYpothyroid after RAI treatment in Jan this year. I am currently taking 135mcg Synthroid per day and I have a lot to discuss and many questions regarding where Im at now healthwise physically and psychologically. But I'll do that when Ive got a bit more time.
I dont feel well by any stretch of the imagination but am alot better than i was when i was severely HYPER and better than when I was severly HYPO.
I havent got time to go into my whole story tonight and to descrive the horrific mental breakdown I have endured and how that has impacted on all aspects of my life.
What I was wondering is that I am now in normal range and have been for five months. I have blood tests every week. Every week the TSH changes. I will list the last two months tests below....
However my Ft4 coverts very well to FT3 and the FT3 is on the higher end so I have no problems there I guess. So i dont see how taking Armour or T3 replacement will help me.
Also they did a cortisol urine test which came back normal and whne i was back in London when this all first went badly out of control I went to see Dr Durrant Peatfield who checked my adrenals and cortisol with saliva tests and the only things that was wrong was the DHEA was elevated.

Anyway Im at my wits end trying to feel like the person I used to be and cannot endure this much longer. But Im even feeling despondent on this website because i feeel that the regime youre describing doestn fit my situation. Here are my labs.....just for background information my worst Graves labs in 1999 were ft4 57, tsh 0.02 and ft3 27 9 ranges 9-19, 0.4-4.0 and 2.5- 6.0) and my worst Hypo labs in March this year were ft4 5.2 tsh 28 and ft3 2.1.
anyway current tests are ....
3/11 ft4 15 tsh 0.58 ft3 4.6
10/11 ft4 15 tsh 0.88 ft3 4.6
17/11 ft4 16 tsh 1.1 ft3 4.6
24/11 ft4 14 tsh 1.6 ft3 4.8
3/12 ft4 15 tsh 2.9 ft3 4.2
10/12 ft4 15 tsh 2.0 ft3 4.7
16/12 ft4 17 tsh 2.5 ft3 4.2
23/12 ft4 15 tsh 2.0 ft3 4.4

on and i have it taken as the same time of day and have my meds in morn with no food or supplements near by. My endo have discharged me now saying this is as good as it gets and my GP who is very caring has said why dont you just beleive the endo and stop going on the internet for more information. I think thye think its all emotional and psychological and alot of it is. I mean i am so stressed every single minute of the day with what ive been through and my life as i knew it almost being destroyed. I left my job, flat, freinds everything in London but cant go back coz I feel so weird and anxious and cant cope with real life like I used to.
Im seeing a psychologist and will be starting a DBT group in January.
But iam am so lonely and scared. I just hope im not permanantly altered. Sorry this is a bit heavy but had to be honest so any light you can shed on this would be great.

Lauren in New Zealand
back 2 years asgo when all this flared up when I was back in the UK i went to see Dr Durrant Peatfeild and had my saliva checked and that was all okay except my DHEA was elevated.
Anyway Im at my wits end trying to feel like the person I used to be and cannot endure this much longer. But Im even feeling despondent on this website because i feeel that the regime youre describing doestn fit my situation. Here are my labs.....just for background information my worst Graves labs in 1999 were ft4 57, tsh 0.02 and ft3 27 9 ranges 9-19, 0.4-4.0 and 2.5- 6.0) and my worst Hypo labs in March this year were ft4 5.2 tsh 28 and ft3 2.1.
anyway current tests are ....
3/11 ft4 15 tsh 0.58 ft3 4.6
10/11 ft4 15 tsh 0.88 ft3 4.6
17/11 ft4 16 tsh 1.1 ft3 4.6
24/11 ft4 14 tsh 1.6 ft3 4.8
3/12 ft4 15 tsh 2.9 ft3 4.2
10/12 ft4 15 tsh 2.0 ft3 4.7
16/12 ft4 17 tsh 2.5 ft3 4.2
23/12 ft4 15 tsh 2.0 ft3 4.4

on and i have it taken as the same time of day and have my meds in morn with no food or supplements near by.
any light you can shed on this would be great.

Lauren in New Zealand

just testing as im new here
 

hi there,

i am having problems posting so this is just a trial run.

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

oh boy oh boy,

just seen that the original post has gone through okay albeit with another half of the post attached to it.

Gosh, so sorry. First i gatecrash and then i ruin the aesthetics of your lovely forum. oh meant to say that im feeling so desperate that im considering coming over to oZ to see Ludka Berkowski but have no idea how i will raise the money nor cope with the mental and physical effort to do that. I have a bit of agorohobia too/

Lauren :o

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Hey Lauren...

Chill... it's fine. Looks like you have a bit of an issue with the server. :D No probs. I got the gist of your post.
I will have to come back to reply in more detail later as I'm just off out to party but just wanted to say that I read your post and you're not being ignored. :D

Later. :)

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Hi Lauren

I'm also busy at the moment but I'll take the time to have a good read through your results later and get back to you... I've had mental breakdown you're talking about so can completely relate to you - my labs have always been all over the place too so I can relate to that... and I too do not have a thyroid... thyroid op rather than RAI but the outcome is the same :)

I'll get back to you shortly!!

Rach xxxx

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

i cannot stop crying 7 hours
my parents are distraught this has been going on for so long...

ive just called the suicide helpline.
im sure its not my thyroid anymore ...its me ...its my life. Ive got noone or nothing. Ive made a mess of my life and xmas has just accentuated that. everyone has someoen and im just a lonely, lost ill mental 44 year old
sorry

Re: Thyroid Thread - Part Deux
 

Trust me Lauren... this is EXACTLY what your thyroid (or lack of) can do to you.

It messes with your head beyond what anyone could imagine. Some sail through thyroid disease with little or no symtpoms... others (like us obviously) are hindered with problems... but they can be overcome.

STOP blaming yourself for feeling this way. It is NOT you and it WILL get better - I'm living proof of it honestly.

I actually drove myself to hospital once because I was so bad - how the hell I got there and back I have no idea... but I did.

Stick with this - try to remain calm and believe that this awful stage WILL pass if you allow it to. Just accept that christmas is always a difficult time for those experiencing health problems and that soon it will pass.

This recovery is going to take time... and its not going to be easy... but trust me... it will happen!

Thinking of you..