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Old Dec 22, 2008, 08:28 PM
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onlymedid onlymedid is offline
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What the heck does that mean. I tried to read up on it, but it is all Greek to me. I can see a lot of the symptoms in myself and my behavior, but I just don't understand much about the function, etc. is of the thyroid.

Is there something I can do to "fix" it? Are there things/foods I should avoid?

IDK, I am just confused right now.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks
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  #2  
Old Dec 22, 2008, 08:41 PM
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skeeweeaka skeeweeaka is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by onlymedid View Post
What the heck does that mean. I tried to read up on it, but it is all Greek to me. I can see a lot of the symptoms in myself and my behavior, but I just don't understand much about the function, etc. is of the thyroid.

Is there something I can do to "fix" it? Are there things/foods I should avoid?

IDK, I am just confused right now.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks
Have you been officially diagnosed with low thyroid? If so what testing did they do on you. Basically, the appropriate testing for thyroid conditions are TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and Thyroid Antibodies. If you need further information about thyroid disorders you can you to about.com and do a search on thyroid and they have answers to all of your questions. You can also go to stopthethyroidmadness.com

Basically, thyroid diagnosis and treatment is very complicated and it is extremely difficult to find a physician who will treat you properly. First of all obtaining the correct blood tests is crucial and most physicians will only test the TSH and T4! That said, once you find a physician who will order the appropriate tests, then you move on to treatment. If your labs are what they considered within normal range, but you have all of the symptoms, most doctors will not treat you. You basically have to find a doctor that treats subclinical hypothyroidism which means they treat the symptoms even though the lab ranges are coming back normal. I know this because I am going through the exact same thing at the moment!

Also, you need to know whether the doctor is going to treat you based on your TSH or your FT3 and FT4 values... You need a doctor who is going to treat you based on your Ft3 adn Ft4 values, not your TSH. There are synthetic and natural thyroid meds out there. A lot of people feel that Armour which is natural is best because it provides ALL of the thyroid hormones as opposed to just one. For example Synthroid provides T4 only...which could be okay if your T4 numbers are low...but some patients do better when given both T4 and T3.... Trust me it can be a struggle getting all of these hormones in line... Some people have discovered that even on meds they are not feeling better, in this case they could have adrenal fatigue in which case you should be tested for that. Because if your adrenals are not functioning properly, then the thyroid meds will not work properly.

Also, female hormones, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone can wreak havoc on your body as well. And if there are imbalances there, then you won't feel as well as you should on thyroid meds! The endocrine system is very complicated and until everything is balanced it could wreak havoc with your mental and physical capacities...

Best of luck to you...

TJ
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Smooches! Hope you have a Beautiful, Blessed Day!
Thyroid disorders can cause depression and can mimic bipolar disorder... Please read below regarding one form, hypothyroidism, and have your numbers checked...TSH, T3, T4, Free T3, Free T4, and Thyroid Antibodies (for Graves Disease and Hashimotos Disease (which mimics BP)
Thanks for this!
Zorah
  #3  
Old Dec 23, 2008, 06:24 PM
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onlymedid onlymedid is offline
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WOW, TJ! That is lots of great info! Thank you so much. I didn't realize it could be so complicated. It is great because now I have an idea of some questions I should ask my Dr! I am going to look it up and read about it, thanks for the site info!

My Dr just called over the phone and said we would talk more about it on Monday. I will let ya know how it goes!

Thanks again!
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"The mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work unless it’s open."

Don’t look where you fall, but where you slipped.
  #4  
Old Dec 24, 2008, 12:23 AM
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skeeweeaka skeeweeaka is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by onlymedid View Post
WOW, TJ! That is lots of great info! Thank you so much. I didn't realize it could be so complicated. It is great because now I have an idea of some questions I should ask my Dr! I am going to look it up and read about it, thanks for the site info!

My Dr just called over the phone and said we would talk more about it on Monday. I will let ya know how it goes!

Thanks again!
Happy I could help someone with something lol... It is very complicated and usally most of us don't know that... I learned on another board and on the sites I pointed you to. Right now I've seen an alternative doctor and we will see what happens with that. I have an appointment in March with an Endo too...

Good luck to you and I look forward to hearing how it goes...

TJ
__________________
Smooches! Hope you have a Beautiful, Blessed Day!
Thyroid disorders can cause depression and can mimic bipolar disorder... Please read below regarding one form, hypothyroidism, and have your numbers checked...TSH, T3, T4, Free T3, Free T4, and Thyroid Antibodies (for Graves Disease and Hashimotos Disease (which mimics BP)
  #5  
Old Dec 24, 2008, 11:11 AM
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Perna Perna is offline
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Here's how to eat!

http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/...les.asp?id=635
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  #6  
Old Dec 24, 2008, 08:25 PM
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Thanks Perna! I didn't realize there was a new way to eat! This is going to mean many life changes in the face of fear.
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Don’t look where you fall, but where you slipped.
  #7  
Old Dec 25, 2008, 09:48 AM
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It's not "new", just healthy :-) Hormones change over the course of one's life, especially with women but you probably already know how stress can wear out some, etc. Eating well just helps keep them bolstered.

If you take replacement thyroid hormone, as Skee says, it's complicated. You have to take the pill so many hours before/after you've eaten, can't have calcium/supplements so many hours before/after, etc. and trying to figure out when to take the dang thing gets frustrating. I figured out to take mine in the middle of the night when I get up to pee! It works out well that way because you ate dinner awhile ago and breakfast isn't for hours and any vitamins or dairy or antacids isn't for awhile, etc.

It is a good idea to do a bit of reading but not believe all you read; there are a lot of quacks out there claiming things out of thin air; one's doctor is the best bet but they can be a bit "bored" or cavalier about it, just looking at your numbers on tests and not worrying about symptoms or what have you. It takes awhile to figure out the right level of hormone, my doctor and I are still fighting, er, working :-) on that and it's been over a year.
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  #8  
Old Dec 25, 2008, 10:21 AM
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Angel_of_the_Past Angel_of_the_Past is offline
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Hi,
I take "Levothyroxine". It helped with my feelings of depression, fatigue, and weakness but aggravated my anxiety. But the trade off was worth it to me.
Hugs,
Angel
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  #9  
Old Dec 25, 2008, 12:41 PM
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onlymedid onlymedid is offline
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I really appreciate all the personal information so much because there is SO much to read about and learn. Part of me is scared of the newness of it all and not knowing enough. Part of me is excited, as weird as that sounds, to finally have something that I can do myself to help myself feel better.

Thanks so much for all the help!
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Don’t look where you fall, but where you slipped.
  #10  
Old Dec 26, 2008, 09:06 PM
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skeeweeaka skeeweeaka is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Angel_of_the_Past View Post
Hi,
I take "Levothyroxine". It helped with my feelings of depression, fatigue, and weakness but aggravated my anxiety. But the trade off was worth it to me.
Hugs,
Angel
I'm wondering if you have had blood tests since you started this and if so what are your labs like? Does he dose you to Tsh or to T3 and T4.... Levothyroxine is T4 only, I believe so I'm wondering if you are converting that to T3. If not, that could be causing the anxiety so you might need some T3... I'm still researching for myself, so I am no expert but this is what I have read recently. Basically, if your body is not converting T4 to T3 successfully, then your body does not have any T3 hormone and needs to be supplemented with it.... Most doctors, from what I have read based on a lot of peoples experiences, don't really know how to regulate the meds properly...

I've also read that if your adrenals are compromised...not up to par, then you will still have anxiety too....

TJ
__________________
Smooches! Hope you have a Beautiful, Blessed Day!
Thyroid disorders can cause depression and can mimic bipolar disorder... Please read below regarding one form, hypothyroidism, and have your numbers checked...TSH, T3, T4, Free T3, Free T4, and Thyroid Antibodies (for Graves Disease and Hashimotos Disease (which mimics BP)
  #11  
Old Dec 26, 2008, 09:11 PM
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skeeweeaka skeeweeaka is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by onlymedid View Post
I really appreciate all the personal information so much because there is SO much to read about and learn. Part of me is scared of the newness of it all and not knowing enough. Part of me is excited, as weird as that sounds, to finally have something that I can do myself to help myself feel better.

Thanks so much for all the help!
I totally understand how you feel... I am going through the same things, gettting some testing done and hoping for some answers. Finding a good doctor though has really been horrible, they all just want to test TSH and T4....which is NOT CORRECT! You need thyroid antibodies and Free T3 and Free T4!!! They also want to tell you your labs are normal, when they are not!

I'm paying out of pocket right now in hopes of getting proper treatment...

TJ
__________________
Smooches! Hope you have a Beautiful, Blessed Day!
Thyroid disorders can cause depression and can mimic bipolar disorder... Please read below regarding one form, hypothyroidism, and have your numbers checked...TSH, T3, T4, Free T3, Free T4, and Thyroid Antibodies (for Graves Disease and Hashimotos Disease (which mimics BP)
  #12  
Old Dec 27, 2008, 08:50 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by skeeweeaka View Post
I totally understand how you feel... I am going through the same things, gettting some testing done and hoping for some answers. Finding a good doctor though has really been horrible, they all just want to test TSH and T4....which is NOT CORRECT! You need thyroid antibodies and Free T3 and Free T4!!! They also want to tell you your labs are normal, when they are not!

I'm paying out of pocket right now in hopes of getting proper treatment...

TJ
I am taking tons of notes from you, TJ! I am going to ask her to test the thyroid antibodies, Free T3 and Free T4! I can't afford out of pocket and my dr, so far, has done all the tests I have asked her to do, so hopefully she will be willing to do this one!

Thanks!
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"The mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work unless it’s open."

Don’t look where you fall, but where you slipped.
  #13  
Old Dec 27, 2008, 08:39 PM
Peppermint_Patty Peppermint_Patty is offline
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Hi OnlyMedID,

I have low thyroid levels too and currently take levothyroxin for this problem.

Regarding the other posters' posts... I just want to say...DO NOT expect a quick fix!!!

It sometimes can take several months before you start feeling better.

Also... while some people do need to take Armour, the vast majority of people do just fine fine on levothyroxin (generic is just fine) because their body is able to efficiently convert the T4 that is contained in the medicine into T3.

So... the big thing to keep in mind.... is that whatever your doc decides to do, just be patient with it!!!

Taking thyroid hormones, or any hormone for that matter, is sort of like suddenly starting a pendulum to swing back and forth on a mechanical old fashioned wind-up style clock.

There is a very delicate interplay of many different kinds of hormones and biological processes which your body will have to re-adjust as you start taking your thyroid meds.

In my situation, I physically started feeling much, much better almost immediately, however I had sleep difficulties because I suddenly became so damn energetic.

I went through some severe mood swings for several months as a result of not getting enough sleep... however now I feel absolutely terrific!!!

I sleep well, have plenty of energy, and my mood is generally positive (My current sanity score is 18).

It was a long process, however in 1.5 years, I went from a slow moving Eeyore to a frisky Tigger, lol.

Before taking thyroid medication I felt tired all the time (even after a good night's sleep and plenty of caffeine), cold (I was always freezing), very, very sad/emotional and mentally in sort of a fog.

Anywho... keep us posted as to how everything turns out.

One other thing I want to mention is that taking thyroid hormone should also help lower your cholesterol levels too. Typically low thyroid levels can dramatically elevate a person's level of bad (LDL) cholesterol.

Before meds, my LDL cholesterol was at 150 but now it is at 102 and I have not made any changes to my diet.

Anyway... take care and all the best!

Peppermint Patty
  #14  
Old Dec 27, 2008, 09:57 PM
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onlymedid onlymedid is offline
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WOW! Months?! Shoot, I hope I feel better sooner, rather than later. Knowing that it might take a while helps because I always expect quick fixes unless the dr specifically tells me that it takes however much time to work.

Besides, I have no friskiness in my system at all and always would rather sleep than just about anything else. Coffee really doesn't do anything and even though I take sleeping meds (I have some insomnia), with the new Relafen (SP?) I wake up every morning around 2:00am. So, there are tons of things going on and I am hoping on Monday my dr will have some solutions, long or short term.

Thanks so much, Peppermint Patty!
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"The mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work unless it’s open."

Don’t look where you fall, but where you slipped.
  #15  
Old Dec 27, 2008, 10:31 PM
Peppermint_Patty Peppermint_Patty is offline
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Hi onlymedid,

Regarding waking up at 2:00 am.. when I was having sleep difficulties I got a book out about insomnia and read up on the topic.

From what I read ... sometimes early morning wakefulness can be caused by not being exposed to enough sunlight during the morning hours.

Apparently sunlight helps regulate the production of melatonin which is a hormone that your body produces to control your circadian (sleep/wake) clock.

Interestingly enough... over 90% of blind people have severe insomnia issues just because they are unable to see enough sunlight to get their body's circadian clock set.

Anywho... just a thought... but do try to get outside in the morning when the sun is up and go for a walk or something.

Also it is very important to get up at the same time every day regardless of how tired you feel and to avoid napping for more than 30 minutes in duration. And if you like coffee and tea like I do, try to avoid the caffeinated varieties after lunch otherwise they might affect your sleep.

Caffeine can stay in your body for up to 8 hours.

A regular sleep schedule and practicing good sleep hygiene should help get that circadian clock of yours working properly again.

Hugs,

Peppermint Patty
  #16  
Old Dec 28, 2008, 02:13 AM
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skeeweeaka skeeweeaka is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Peppermint_Patty View Post
Hi OnlyMedID,

I have low thyroid levels too and currently take levothyroxin for this problem.

Regarding the other posters' posts... I just want to say...DO NOT expect a quick fix!!!

It sometimes can take several months before you start feeling better.

Also... while some people do need to take Armour, the vast majority of people do just fine fine on levothyroxin (generic is just fine) because their body is able to efficiently convert the T4 that is contained in the medicine into T3.

So... the big thing to keep in mind.... is that whatever your doc decides to do, just be patient with it!!!

Taking thyroid hormones, or any hormone for that matter, is sort of like suddenly starting a pendulum to swing back and forth on a mechanical old fashioned wind-up style clock.

There is a very delicate interplay of many different kinds of hormones and biological processes which your body will have to re-adjust as you start taking your thyroid meds.

In my situation, I physically started feeling much, much better almost immediately, however I had sleep difficulties because I suddenly became so damn energetic.

I went through some severe mood swings for several months as a result of not getting enough sleep... however now I feel absolutely terrific!!!

I sleep well, have plenty of energy, and my mood is generally positive (My current sanity score is 18).

It was a long process, however in 1.5 years, I went from a slow moving Eeyore to a frisky Tigger, lol.

Before taking thyroid medication I felt tired all the time (even after a good night's sleep and plenty of caffeine), cold (I was always freezing), very, very sad/emotional and mentally in sort of a fog.

Anywho... keep us posted as to how everything turns out.

One other thing I want to mention is that taking thyroid hormone should also help lower your cholesterol levels too. Typically low thyroid levels can dramatically elevate a person's level of bad (LDL) cholesterol.

Before meds, my LDL cholesterol was at 150 but now it is at 102 and I have not made any changes to my diet.

Anyway... take care and all the best!

Peppermint Patty

Great points Peppermint....I've heard that it can take a very long time to get everything straightened out but for me I am desperate so I just take it one day at a time. I personally believe that for me it is a matter of adrenal fatigue, hypothyroidism, and female hormones gone awry... That is a complicated mix and the alternative doctor seems to be on the right track. I will be contacting her on Monday to make sure that she is testing the correct hormones in terms of thyroid because at the first visit I was focused only on adrenals and BHRT. Since then I thought I might as well make sure she tests the thyroid correctly and then work from there...

I'm so happy things are working well for you. Getting doctors to listen is a pain though, for some!

Stopthethyroidmadness.com has a tone of information as does all about.com... I've also ordered a few books to read up on as well...

TJ
__________________
Smooches! Hope you have a Beautiful, Blessed Day!
Thyroid disorders can cause depression and can mimic bipolar disorder... Please read below regarding one form, hypothyroidism, and have your numbers checked...TSH, T3, T4, Free T3, Free T4, and Thyroid Antibodies (for Graves Disease and Hashimotos Disease (which mimics BP)
  #17  
Old Dec 28, 2008, 12:02 PM
Peppermint_Patty Peppermint_Patty is offline
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Hi Skeeweeaka,

When did you get diagnosed?

I was diagnosed as being in hypothyroid in June of 2007 and as I think I mentioned earlier, it took me over a year to finally feel like my old self.

Physically I felt better almost immediately but it took a long time to get rid of the mood swings and the "woe is me" blues.

Anyway... when I think back on it now, I was having bouts of the "woe is me" blues as far back as 2003 so I can't help but feel that it was my hypothyroidism that was doing a number on my emotions. After all, one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism is that it can mimic depression.

Anyway... the one thing I also want to mention is that treating hypothyroidism will not be a cure-all for every problem you might be having. It is important to take other necessary steps in your life to help your body get back on track.

A good diet, getting regular exercise (I can't say enough about exercise... it REALLY DOES do wonders!!), practicing good sleep habits, giving up cigarettes, alcohol, illicit drugs etc (if you do those sort of things) and doing your best to minimize toxic situations/people from your life (either on your own or with the help of therapy) will also help in making you feel better too.

Anyway... hang in there and let us know how everything turns out.

All the best!

Peppermint Patty

Quote:
Originally Posted by skeeweeaka View Post
Great points Peppermint....I've heard that it can take a very long time to get everything straightened out but for me I am desperate so I just take it one day at a time. I personally believe that for me it is a matter of adrenal fatigue, hypothyroidism, and female hormones gone awry... That is a complicated mix and the alternative doctor seems to be on the right track. I will be contacting her on Monday to make sure that she is testing the correct hormones in terms of thyroid because at the first visit I was focused only on adrenals and BHRT. Since then I thought I might as well make sure she tests the thyroid correctly and then work from there...

I'm so happy things are working well for you. Getting doctors to listen is a pain though, for some!

Stopthethyroidmadness.com has a tone of information as does all about.com... I've also ordered a few books to read up on as well...

TJ
  #18  
Old Dec 28, 2008, 09:23 PM
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skeeweeaka skeeweeaka is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Peppermint_Patty View Post
Hi Skeeweeaka,

When did you get diagnosed?

I was diagnosed as being in hypothyroid in June of 2007 and as I think I mentioned earlier, it took me over a year to finally feel like my old self.

Physically I felt better almost immediately but it took a long time to get rid of the mood swings and the "woe is me" blues.

Anyway... when I think back on it now, I was having bouts of the "woe is me" blues as far back as 2003 so I can't help but feel that it was my hypothyroidism that was doing a number on my emotions. After all, one of the symptoms of hypothyroidism is that it can mimic depression.

Anyway... the one thing I also want to mention is that treating hypothyroidism will not be a cure-all for every problem you might be having. It is important to take other necessary steps in your life to help your body get back on track.

A good diet, getting regular exercise (I can't say enough about exercise... it REALLY DOES do wonders!!), practicing good sleep habits, giving up cigarettes, alcohol, illicit drugs etc (if you do those sort of things) and doing your best to minimize toxic situations/people from your life (either on your own or with the help of therapy) will also help in making you feel better too.

Anyway... hang in there and let us know how everything turns out.

All the best!

Peppermint Patty
Hey Patty,

I know it isn't going to be a cure all, but perhaps a step back into mainstream society for me... I'm hoping to get some of my life back by balancing my hormones. I haven't been diagnosed officially, but my labs show hypo....everything is like 10 points from the low end of the range... It's just a matter of getting a doc to buy into that and treat for hypo, as well as getting adrenals and female hormones balanced...

I've alleviated most of those things from my life except the toxic people and sleep, and I am working on those!

TJ
__________________
Smooches! Hope you have a Beautiful, Blessed Day!
Thyroid disorders can cause depression and can mimic bipolar disorder... Please read below regarding one form, hypothyroidism, and have your numbers checked...TSH, T3, T4, Free T3, Free T4, and Thyroid Antibodies (for Graves Disease and Hashimotos Disease (which mimics BP)
  #19  
Old Dec 30, 2008, 11:02 PM
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Hey, all!

So, I went to the dr and she said that my levels were not low enough to warrant any medications at this point, so it must not be a big deal. She said it is the TSH test and she will retest me in March.

There were no results from the ultrasound other than I have a slightly larger kidney than some.

Thanks for the support. I am still going to be proactive about my health.
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Don’t look where you fall, but where you slipped.
  #20  
Old Dec 31, 2008, 11:23 PM
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Did your doctor say what your TSH level is? New "normal" levels were established a few years ago. http://thyroid.about.com/od/getteste...altshlevel.htm

The level at which a person feels good can vary also.

Also, in some disorders such as Hashimoto's, thyroid levels can fluctuate and show as in the normal range one time and below that the next.

It's good that your doctor is going to follow up with repeat labs to get a better picture.
  #21  
Old Jan 01, 2009, 05:28 PM
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My Doctor said that I was at 5. She said that was a little low, but nothing to worry about right now. Thanks for the information that I can read up on!
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"The mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work unless it’s open."

Don’t look where you fall, but where you slipped.
  #22  
Old Jan 01, 2009, 06:38 PM
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Your doctor must not be aware that the 'normal' range changed a few years ago. 5 is actually high for TSH meaning that it is being forced to work harder because your thyroid level is low. TSH is the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, provoked into action when the thyroid level is low.
The new range is also gender-specific. A male may feel okay at 5, but a female does not.

You might want to take those results to an Internal Medicine doctor or an Endocrinologist.
  #23  
Old Jan 01, 2009, 06:44 PM
Peppermint_Patty Peppermint_Patty is offline
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Hi onlymedid,

The new levels of measurement are 0.3 to 3.0. Anything above a 3.0 but lower than a 10.0 is considered subclinical hypothyroidism. When I was diagnosed, I was at 7.54. Now that I take medication, my TSH is at 0.5.

Anywho... there is currently some debate as to whether subclinical hypothyroidism needs to be treated, however more and more doctors are going for the treatment route.

From what I have read, whether your doctor decides to treat you at this point, depends a lot on if your cholesterol levels are good or not. If your bad cholesterol (LDL) levels ARE NOT too out of whack... your doctor will probably just keep an eye on things.

In my case... as I mentioned earlier, my LDL cholesterol levels were really high... so treating me with thyroid meds certainly made those levels go back down into a healthy range.

I also felt a heck of a lot better too. I definitely have a lot more energy now. When I first started taking the meds, the energy difference was so dramatic, that I felt almost super-human... lol.

While I haven't lept over any buildings as of yet, I can now clean my house, do 6 loads of laundry in a single day, and go out later for a 4 mile walk, lol.

Oh one other thing... "TSH".... btw.... means "Thyroid Stimulating Hormone"... it is a chemical signal that is put out by your pituitary gland. It is the pituitary's way of telling the thyroid gland that it needs to pump out more thyroid hormone.

When your TSH is high... it just means that your pituitary is screaming louder at your thyroid gland to get its lazy arse in gear, lol.

Anyway.. even though your doctor is just going to monitor you for now... DEFINITELY DO let your doctor know if you start feeling more and more tired, cold, sad, if you are gaining weight, etc, as these can all be signs of a worsening hypothyroid state.

It might be wise to keep a health diary to keep track of things like your weight, your energy level, how well you are sleeping, etc to see if things are trending towards the worse.

Anyway... good luck and let us know how everything works out.

Peppermint Patty

Quote:
Originally Posted by onlymedid View Post
My Doctor said that I was at 5. She said that was a little low, but nothing to worry about right now. Thanks for the information that I can read up on!
  #24  
Old Jan 04, 2009, 02:42 AM
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skeeweeaka skeeweeaka is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Peppermint_Patty View Post
Hi onlymedid,

The new levels of measurement are 0.3 to 3.0. Anything above a 3.0 but lower than a 10.0 is considered subclinical hypothyroidism. When I was diagnosed, I was at 7.54. Now that I take medication, my TSH is at 0.5.

Anywho... there is currently some debate as to whether subclinical hypothyroidism needs to be treated, however more and more doctors are going for the treatment route.

From what I have read, whether your doctor decides to treat you at this point, depends a lot on if your cholesterol levels are good or not. If your bad cholesterol (LDL) levels ARE NOT too out of whack... your doctor will probably just keep an eye on things.

In my case... as I mentioned earlier, my LDL cholesterol levels were really high... so treating me with thyroid meds certainly made those levels go back down into a healthy range.

I also felt a heck of a lot better too. I definitely have a lot more energy now. When I first started taking the meds, the energy difference was so dramatic, that I felt almost super-human... lol.

While I haven't lept over any buildings as of yet, I can now clean my house, do 6 loads of laundry in a single day, and go out later for a 4 mile walk, lol.

Oh one other thing... "TSH".... btw.... means "Thyroid Stimulating Hormone"... it is a chemical signal that is put out by your pituitary gland. It is the pituitary's way of telling the thyroid gland that it needs to pump out more thyroid hormone.

When your TSH is high... it just means that your pituitary is screaming louder at your thyroid gland to get its lazy arse in gear, lol.

Anyway.. even though your doctor is just going to monitor you for now... DEFINITELY DO let your doctor know if you start feeling more and more tired, cold, sad, if you are gaining weight, etc, as these can all be signs of a worsening hypothyroid state.

It might be wise to keep a health diary to keep track of things like your weight, your energy level, how well you are sleeping, etc to see if things are trending towards the worse.

Anyway... good luck and let us know how everything works out.

Peppermint Patty
Good advice Patty and all. She definitely needs to keep a watchful eye on how she feels....also I wonder what the other test values are the FT3 and FT4 as well as the thyroid antibodies... Going untreated can possibly lead to other problems down the road...

TJ
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Smooches! Hope you have a Beautiful, Blessed Day!
Thyroid disorders can cause depression and can mimic bipolar disorder... Please read below regarding one form, hypothyroidism, and have your numbers checked...TSH, T3, T4, Free T3, Free T4, and Thyroid Antibodies (for Graves Disease and Hashimotos Disease (which mimics BP)
  #25  
Old Jan 04, 2009, 11:05 AM
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onlymedid onlymedid is offline
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Thanks everyone! I am reading up on it more and watching how I feel closely. The one thing I don't want to become is a hypochondriac. I am very careful to keep track of the things that bother me on a day to day basis and not just a headache here or there.

The information you have provided me is SOOO helpful and I really, truly appreciate the time you have taken to reply in this thread.

I hope that more people see this thread and can get help, if they need it.
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