Thyroid tests are normal?? Are you sure? - Page 71

entwyf · 07-03-2008, 11:40 AM

Hi, Pam,

I am in Rochester, NY. If there's a doctor in my area who "gets it," great!

But first, I would like to know, if possible, any available links to medical articles, information on studies, or anything else in the scientific literature that I can take to my doctor. I want to show her out of her own field what's going on.

Since I myself am just beginning to learn about thyroid issues, I am not willing to diss my doctor just yet. I have found her willing to consider things if I can distill them down, which I can, since I have professional experience in editing and proofreading.

I would like to send her a letter in advance of my appointment. After that, if she is unwilling to do more than what convention dictates, then I will ask for a referral to another doctor.

Thanks for advocating. I am learning how important that is; I was diagnosed a year and a half ago with sleep apnea, and after a few different masks and a trip to the sleep clinic where they told me that a particular concern was unfounded, I am still nodding off in the daytime.

I apparently am getting enough sleep so that I now have energy enough to feel ticked about various health issues, including my thyroid, so I am looking to you to help me join the revolution.

Thanks,
Edith

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonstickpam107

Nope, we can send the doc back to school, but obviously she only respects her paycheck that is dependant upon YOU. If you want a list of thyroid doctors who 'get it' in your area, you'll have to either use the docfinder at ArmourThyroid OR tell me where you are. MOST of us travel up to two HOURS one way for a good thyroid doc. MOST of us go through five doctors like the one you have before we get smart and start getting the lists for good thyroid doctors. You act like your doctor is paying YOU...it's the other way around...go get a doctor who actually works for their money and does what you need. Good luck (and I'm here if ya want a list for your area...give me your nearest major city, and whatever state lines are near to you). Not to say I do NOT have the literature you need..it's just that doctors like the one you are describing don't have 'time' to read and understand it...they just LIKE it one way...easy. You are correct about the TSH, and you need Free T4, Free T3 tests. Want the tests on your own? Online Lab Tests: blood work, blood testing and laboratory tests Thyroid profile II use coupon code: 12345 upon checkout...they send you to a lab near YOU and report back to YOU.

Pam

mrshelenmarie · 07-03-2008, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonstickpam107

Helen, please do let me know if this doctor is doing FT4, FT3 and TPO antibodies testing for thyroid and if he does, indeed, Rx. Armour Thyroid and BHRT. Hope this goes really well for you!

Pam

Pam,
Dr. Adonis Maiquez of Miami, Florida, spent 1+1/2 hours with me going through three years of test results. He actually talked to me about every one of them, he asked questions and he LISTENED, he seemed to REALLY care. He told me I should never have suffered that long. He believes I'm
sub-clinical hypothyroid, progesterone and estradiol deficient, however, wants new hormone tests taken on DAY 21 of the luteal phase to get a better determination of whats going on. He's testing progesterone, estradiol, testosterone(free + total), DHEA, FSH and LH all via blood and Cortisol via saliva. I already had the FT3, FT4 and TPO tests done, so we're using those results, which, according to him, are the only tests that matter for the thyroid. I left there with an RX for Armour .25 grain for 15 days and .50 grain for 30 days. He was happy I had done my homework and I was able to talk with him about what I had learned. The office visit was $150 and the tests were $350. I cried tears of joy during the visit and when I left again. I can't find ALL the words needed to describe how I feel at this very moment Pam, so I'll just list one; GRATITUDE!!!!

PalmTreeGal · 07-03-2008, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrshelenmarie

Pam,
Dr. Adonis Maiquez of Miami, Florida, spent 1+1/2 hours with me going through three years of test results. He actually talked to me about every one of them, he asked questions and he LISTENED, he seemed to REALLY care. He told me I should never have suffered that long. He believes I'm
sub-clinical hypothyroid, progesterone and estradiol deficient, however, wants new hormone tests taken on DAY 21 of the luteal phase to get a better determination of whats going on. He's testing progesterone, estradiol, testosterone(free + total), DHEA, FSH and LH all via blood and Cortisol via saliva. I already had the FT3, FT4 and TPO tests done, so we're using those results, which, according to him, are the only tests that matter for the thyroid. I left there with an RX for Armour .25 grain for 15 days and .50 grain for 30 days. He was happy I had done my homework and I was able to talk with him about what I had learned. The office visit was $150 and the tests were $350. I cried tears of joy during the visit and when I left again. I can't find ALL the words needed to describe how I feel at this very moment Pam, so I'll just list one; GRATITUDE!!!!

Wow, he sounds amazing! I'm so glad for you.

entwyf · 07-03-2008, 01:42 PM

Pam,

Below is a letter I just sent to my doctor. It's long, but the point of it is to show that a) I am reasonable and thoughtful, and b) I want something done. The more I think about it, the more I am convinced that thyroid levels are an issue that definitely needs to be addressed.

In advance of my appointment with you on July 9, 2008 at 4:30 p.m., I want to let you know my perspective on the issues I assume we will be discussing: a) whether or not I want to take anti-depressants for clinical depression, and b) what the results of my recent blood test are. Because we are both busy, I hope this will eliminate the need for a lot of preparatory or explanatory conversation in the office.

First, regarding anti-depressants: I have no problem with taking an anti-depressant for a short amount of time if it is seen as a holding action while the cause or causes of my clinical depression are investigated. I believe there are several contributing factors: stress from major changes at work, stress from the death of my father, effects of sleep apnea that have yet (I feel) to be properly treated, and possible effects from inadequate thyroid hormone levels.

The first two contributing factors, stress from job changes and stress from processing the recent event of my father's death, are not so strong as they were. I don't see them as big problems now.

Work has recently become much less stressful, probably due to the fact that it is now vacation season and the pace at City Hall has slowed down. Dealing with my father's death still produces moment of grief, and I expect it will for some time to come. However, I have derived an immense amount of comfort and encouragement from my particular spiritual community, and as time goes by, grief is more and more replaced by hope.

My perception at this point is that a lot of the way I feel is due to problems with the way my sleep apnea is being treated. I hope to get some things seriously sorted out in an appointment at the Unity Sleep Center on August 4.

Second, that leaves the thyroid test you ordered. You said a while ago that the test looks at the levels of TSH, thyroid stimulating hormone. As I understand this, TSH is what stimulates the thyroid gland to produce other types of thyroid hormones. It seems to me that, for the past twenty years, this particular test has always, in my case, come back showing me in the "low-normal" range. I am convinced that such a reading does not mean I have the proper levels of the thyroid hormones that are supposedly stimulated by TSH.

If things like feelings of depression, fatigue, and dry hair and skin (all of which I have) can be the result of inadequate amounts of thyroid hormones that are not (and cannot be) detected by a TSH test, then I would like to be referred to a thyroid specialist who can test for levels of those hormones.

To sum up, until sleep apnea and thyroid issues get sorted out, it makes sense for me to take an anti-depressant.

I hope that the information here is useful for both of us. I also hope you have an enjoyable Fourth of July weekend.

mrshelenmarie · 07-03-2008, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PalmTreeGal

Wow, he sounds amazing! I'm so glad for you.

Hey Mandy.............thanks for the kind words, it's been rough. The new doc specializes in anti-aging and bio-identical hormones and doesn't take my insurance. At first I was hesitant to go that route because the ones I called were VERY expensive, I was quoted up to $650 for the consultation fee and another $500-1500 for blood work. Pam didn't give up and ultimately referred me to him, he's located in Miami, about 1hour away. Stay the path and don't let them make you think you're crazy!!! Helen

AllieCat0817 · 07-03-2008, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by entwyf

Hi, Pam,

I am in Rochester, NY. If there's a doctor in my area who "gets it," great!

But first, I would like to know, if possible, any available links to medical articles, information on studies, or anything else in the scientific literature that I can take to my doctor. I want to show her out of her own field what's going on.

Since I myself am just beginning to learn about thyroid issues, I am not willing to diss my doctor just yet. I have found her willing to consider things if I can distill them down, which I can, since I have professional experience in editing and proofreading.

I would like to send her a letter in advance of my appointment. After that, if she is unwilling to do more than what convention dictates, then I will ask for a referral to another doctor.

Thanks for advocating. I am learning how important that is; I was diagnosed a year and a half ago with sleep apnea, and after a few different masks and a trip to the sleep clinic where they told me that a particular concern was unfounded, I am still nodding off in the daytime.

I apparently am getting enough sleep so that I now have energy enough to feel ticked about various health issues, including my thyroid, so I am looking to you to help me join the revolution.

Thanks,
Edith

I have found a TON of stuff on Google that I printed out already. Thyroid Disease Information - Hypothyroidism - Hyperthyroidism - Thyroid Cancer - Autoimmune Disease - Hashimoto's - Graves' - Goiter - Nodules can be a start.

Go to Natural Health Information Articles and Health Newsletter by Dr. Joseph Mercola and search 'hypothyroid'....

nonstickpam107 · 07-04-2008, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrzyCatLady

Pam,
This is a little OT but I was reading another thread where you were telling the OP you lived in Youngstown for 15 yrs. It is a small world. I was born and raised in Youngstown/Boardman. Now I live in KY. I just wanted to share. I did have an endo there and he really wasn't worth much.

Oh, it's still 'short' for good thyroid care from what I hear from friends. My bff (who has passed on) was born and raised in Boardman. Have to say that Todd's Babies and Children Hospital was just the best of the best for the kids.

Our bf couple lives in Sharon, PA (and if any of you love chocolate, visit the Daffin's chocolate website Tourism Information for Daffin's Chocolate Candies - The World's Largest Candy Store ) and DH's family near Hubbard, Vienna and out towards Warren, OH.

We come back there a couple of times a year.

Pam

CrzyCatLady · 07-04-2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonstickpam107

Oh, it's still 'short' for good thyroid care from what I hear from friends. My bff (who has passed on) was born and raised in Boardman. Have to say that Todd's Babies and Children Hospital was just the best of the best for the kids.

Our bf couple lives in Sharon, PA (and if any of you love chocolate, visit the Daffin's chocolate website Tourism Information for Daffin's Chocolate Candies - The World's Largest Candy Store ) and DH's family near Hubbard, Vienna and out towards Warren, OH.

We come back there a couple of times a year.

Pam

Gorants chocolates was always my favorite.

And Antones had the best chicken parm. I'm thinking about going up for the Canfield Fair this year. That fair makes the KY State fair look so small.

CrzyCatLady · 07-04-2008, 11:33 AM

I have an appointment with my GP on Monday and they did make me an appointment with an endo for August. We'll see what happens Monday. I was looking online last night and have thought that possibly some of my PCOS symptoms mask others. Like dry skin, my PCOS makes me oily.

nonstickpam107 · 07-05-2008, 04:20 AM

What days are the Canfield Fair?

Do you remember Idora Park?

Pam

olsufka2 · 07-07-2008, 09:31 AM

Pam. Can you please help me out???? Or anybody? I have posted before about my low FT4 ( 0.71) normal range 0.82 is the low end. My TSH was also on the low end of the lab 0.98 So anyways I seen an endo. who is convinced my thyroid is perfectly fine and wanted to run an FT4 equilibrium dialysis test because he said it is more accurate than the FT4, only after I have went off my levo. for two months so he can get an accurate reading.
He will run an FT4 eq. dialysis, FT3, and TSH. I have gotten the results from all of my antibody tests back and they are all normal. I DO NOT WANT TO GO OFF MY MEDICATION!!!! I feel much better on it. What would cause someone to have a low FT4 without having Hashimotos? Is this common?
Is it just regular hypothyroidism? I have mentioned several times how I have read several articles on secondary hypo. caused by a pituitary dysfunction.
A TSH below 1.0 and a low FT4 are indicative of Secondary Hypo. but my Endo. says NO, my TSH is still within normal range at 0.98. BUT ITS LOW!! AND MY FT4 is low also. Shouldnt my TSH be higher??? Any suggestions here, should I follow his advice and go off the levo. for 2 mos and go in and get my TSH, FT4 equilibrium dialysis, FT3 retested? or should i go back to my regular doctor who perscribed me the levo. based on a low FT4 and speak to him? THANKS YOU SO MUCH I APPRECIATE ANY ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE ME.

CrzyCatLady · 07-07-2008, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nonstickpam107

What days are the Canfield Fair?

Do you remember Idora Park?

Pam

The fair is Aug 27 - labor day. My parents never took us to Idora Park. By the time we were old enough to go ourselves it was closed. But everyone always talked about how great it was. We would drive out there to check out the old roller coaster.

I went to my GP today. Strike one! I asked for Armour. They told me there was a problem with the FDA and Armour. She kept pushing the Synthroid and I kept saying no. I ended up with a script for Cytomel. Is it even worth filling? I have an appointment with an endo in the beginning of August. I know they have given Armour since that's where Julia goes and that's what they gave her. Then they gave me another script for follow up blood work. TSH and FT4 and T4. I asked about the FT3 but no luck there.

Oh well I needed to switch docs anyway. She was 45 min away from me and it was getting a little silly to drive that far. I'm going to make an appointment with my parents doc here in town. He's the one that put my Mom on Armour when she asked for it.

I hope the docs listen better than today. This could get quite frustrating.

AllieCat0817 · 07-07-2008, 12:52 PM

Certain dosages of Armour are on backorder because the manufacturer is working through some issues (details are somewhere in this thread).

But you can ask for Westhroid or Naturethroid-- same thing as Armour.

inatic · 07-07-2008, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AllieCat0817

Pam you crack me up. lol

she tells it like it is. No sugah coating here!.

U Pam!

PalmTreeGal · 07-07-2008, 06:37 PM

So now I've been on Armour a week, just went up from 30 to 60 mg. I'm taking it sublingually, half in the AM and half around lunchtime. Those of you who have been taking thyroid meds for a while, how long did it take to see a change? I'm not noticing anything yet. In fact I feel pretty crummy, from stress and weaning off Cymbalta.

Berniece · 07-07-2008, 08:49 PM

Hello,
I am Berniece I wanted to ask a few questions concerning my thyroid. I am currently taking 15mg of armour thyroid (2 months now) I am not seeing too much results. I am still cold and have brittle nails /zero libido/ and very thin hair. I am posting my test results, can you please help me understand them?
TSH is 1.5 uIU/ml Units, T3 free serum 2.5pg/mL, T4 free direct 1.06
The range for TSH is 0.350-5.500, range for T3 is 2.3-4.2, range for T4 is 0.61-1.76. My doctor prescribed the 15mg of armour thyroid because my T3 was on the low range. Please help me understand my results. It seems that my TSH is very low. Thank you NonstickPam for your help.
Berniece

nonstickpam107 · 07-08-2008, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrzyCatLady

The fair is Aug 27 - labor day. My parents never took us to Idora Park. By the time we were old enough to go ourselves it was closed. But everyone always talked about how great it was. We would drive out there to check out the old roller coaster.

I went to my GP today. Strike one! I asked for Armour. They told me there was a problem with the FDA and Armour. She kept pushing the Synthroid and I kept saying no. I ended up with a script for Cytomel. Is it even worth filling? I have an appointment with an endo in the beginning of August. I know they have given Armour since that's where Julia goes and that's what they gave her. Then they gave me another script for follow up blood work. TSH and FT4 and T4. I asked about the FT3 but no luck there.

Oh well I needed to switch docs anyway. She was 45 min away from me and it was getting a little silly to drive that far. I'm going to make an appointment with my parents doc here in town. He's the one that put my Mom on Armour when she asked for it.

I hope the docs listen better than today. This could get quite frustrating.

I'd go for starting on Synthroid and Cytomel (small dosages). Cytomel is T3 ONLY and should be combined with Synthroid if patient doesn't respond to synthroid.

Up to you. And she shouldn't offer T3 if you aren't tested for it..that's just silly, like giving a diabetic insulin without testing BG.

I'd switch to the other doc too!! Thanks for the info about the fair.

Pam

nonstickpam107 · 07-08-2008, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by olsufka2

Pam. Can you please help me out???? Or anybody? I have posted before about my low FT4 ( 0.71) normal range 0.82 is the low end. My TSH was also on the low end of the lab 0.98 So anyways I seen an endo. who is convinced my thyroid is perfectly fine and wanted to run an FT4 equilibrium dialysis test because he said it is more accurate than the FT4, only after I have went off my levo. for two months so he can get an accurate reading.
He will run an FT4 eq. dialysis, FT3, and TSH. I have gotten the results from all of my antibody tests back and they are all normal. I DO NOT WANT TO GO OFF MY MEDICATION!!!! I feel much better on it. What would cause someone to have a low FT4 without having Hashimotos? Is this common?
Is it just regular hypothyroidism? I have mentioned several times how I have read several articles on secondary hypo. caused by a pituitary dysfunction.
A TSH below 1.0 and a low FT4 are indicative of Secondary Hypo. but my Endo. says NO, my TSH is still within normal range at 0.98. BUT ITS LOW!! AND MY FT4 is low also. Shouldnt my TSH be higher??? Any suggestions here, should I follow his advice and go off the levo. for 2 mos and go in and get my TSH, FT4 equilibrium dialysis, FT3 retested? or should i go back to my regular doctor who perscribed me the levo. based on a low FT4 and speak to him? THANKS YOU SO MUCH I APPRECIATE ANY ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE ME.

You have no idea how many doctors we see before one 'gets it'. There's more forms of hypothyroidism that JUST pit involvement. It can be virus involved, it can mean your iron/ferritin is too low, it can mean you aren't eating correctly (too low cals/carbs drop thyroid levels), it can mean other hormones aren't balanced.

Up to you...you can seek out a doctor who works WITH you ... after all, most endo's don't treat a patient until the TSH is a certain number (see?? TSH worshipping). I'd stay on the low dose T4 synthetic, and re test in six months myself.
Pam

nonstickpam107 · 07-08-2008, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PalmTreeGal

So now I've been on Armour a week, just went up from 30 to 60 mg. I'm taking it sublingually, half in the AM and half around lunchtime. Those of you who have been taking thyroid meds for a while, how long did it take to see a change? I'm not noticing anything yet. In fact I feel pretty crummy, from stress and weaning off Cymbalta.

I certainly didn't see much happening for the first year or so. But I'd been sick for a long time.

I certainly wouldn't move up from 1/2 to one grain in a WEEK. The HALF LIFE of T4 is six WEEKS...so if you move up too quickly, in about another three weeks, you'll have some very UNwanted hyPER symptoms. Go slow.

Pam

nonstickpam107 · 07-08-2008, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berniece

Hello,
I am Berniece I wanted to ask a few questions concerning my thyroid. I am currently taking 15mg of armour thyroid (2 months now) I am not seeing too much results. I am still cold and have brittle nails /zero libido/ and very thin hair. I am posting my test results, can you please help me understand them?
TSH is 1.5 uIU/ml Units, T3 free serum 2.5pg/mL, T4 free direct 1.06
The range for TSH is 0.350-5.500, range for T3 is 2.3-4.2, range for T4 is 0.61-1.76. My doctor prescribed the 15mg of armour thyroid because my T3 was on the low range. Please help me understand my results. It seems that my TSH is very low. Thank you NonstickPam for your help.
Berniece

Your TSH is NOT 'very low' (Mine is very low...it's kept around .022). 15mg. isn't enough to do much of anything. You would be considered undermedicated at my doc's office. At least you are getting Armour but most everyone is started at 30mg. then moved to 60 mg. within a month to six weeks, then retest in another two months. TSH means NOTHING...don't dwell on it, cuz on enough Armour for your T4, T3 will sink your TSH very low...if the doc is going by TSH..you'll NEVER be properly medicated.

Pam

Pam

nonstickpam107 · 07-08-2008, 06:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berniece

Hello,
I am Berniece I wanted to ask a few questions concerning my thyroid. I am currently taking 15mg of armour thyroid (2 months now) I am not seeing too much results. I am still cold and have brittle nails /zero libido/ and very thin hair. I am posting my test results, can you please help me understand them?
TSH is 1.5 uIU/ml Units, T3 free serum 2.5pg/mL, T4 free direct 1.06
The range for TSH is 0.350-5.500, range for T3 is 2.3-4.2, range for T4 is 0.61-1.76. My doctor prescribed the 15mg of armour thyroid because my T3 was on the low range. Please help me understand my results. It seems that my TSH is very low. Thank you NonstickPam for your help.
Berniece

Your TSH is NOT 'very low' (Mine is very low...it's kept around .022). 15mg. isn't enough to do much of anything. You would be considered undermedicated at my doc's office. At least you are getting Armour but most everyone is started at 30mg. then moved to 60 mg. within a month to six weeks, then retest in another two months. TSH means NOTHING...don't dwell on it, cuz on enough Armour for your T4, T3 will sink your TSH very low...if the doc is going by TSH..you'll NEVER be properly medicated.

If you haven't had a TPO antibodies done, request one soon.,.you need to know if you have Hashimoto's...and if you do...then you need to be replaced with enough thyroid hormone to balance you.

Pam

Pam

Berniece · 07-08-2008, 09:03 AM

Hi Pam,
Thank you for your reply. I am going to get tested soon and i am hoping my doctor will up my med to 30mg. I am being patient with him because he is the first doctor who is willing to let me take med. I have know for a while that I needed meds because of my symptoms but all of my previous doctors said I did not need meds. I have had a hell of a time losing weight too. My ideal weight is 110, no matter what i do it is very hard for me. I carry all of my weight in my tummy. I am at 135. I was ssing and lost 18lbs but gained 5 back. Is it possible for me to lose the weight once i am on the right dose of armour? Thank you.
Berniece

olsufka2 · 07-08-2008, 02:32 PM

Thank you so much for replying to my post Pam. I do have one question, if I would happen to have a pituitary problem, would it be bad that I have never had my FT3 checked? Is it true that if you have a low FT4 and a low FT3 it is probably pit. involvement? Is it bad then to keep taking the Levo. without having that checked out, and is it possible to get it tested now that I have been on the Levo. for 6 weeks? Would that skew or alter the real reading I would have gotten off medication. I have read FT4 medication supresses not only TSH but FT3 also. So, what if my FT3 was low and I started levo. wouldnt it lower it even more? I have also read that if your FT4 and FT3 are both low there may be hypoadrenal issues. And if that is the case shouldnt one be completely off meds. to get an accurate lab reading as to make sure that is not the case, I have read it is not good to take T4 medication if you have adrenal issues that have not been addressed. Is that true? HUM, I'm a little confused.
Thanks for all you help. I am learning so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

07-07-2008, 08:49 PM	#2116
Berniece Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2 Gallery: Berniece	Nonstickpam- Please answer Hello, I am Berniece I wanted to ask a few questions concerning my thyroid. I am currently taking 15mg of armour thyroid (2 months now) I am not seeing too much results. I am still cold and have brittle nails /zero libido/ and very thin hair. I am posting my test results, can you please help me understand them? TSH is 1.5 uIU/ml Units, T3 free serum 2.5pg/mL, T4 free direct 1.06 The range for TSH is 0.350-5.500, range for T3 is 2.3-4.2, range for T4 is 0.61-1.76. My doctor prescribed the 15mg of armour thyroid because my T3 was on the low range. Please help me understand my results. It seems that my TSH is very low. Thank you NonstickPam for your help. Berniece

07-08-2008, 09:03 AM	#2122
Berniece Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2 Gallery: Berniece	Thank you Pam Hi Pam, Thank you for your reply. I am going to get tested soon and i am hoping my doctor will up my med to 30mg. I am being patient with him because he is the first doctor who is willing to let me take med. I have know for a while that I needed meds because of my symptoms but all of my previous doctors said I did not need meds. I have had a hell of a time losing weight too. My ideal weight is 110, no matter what i do it is very hard for me. I carry all of my weight in my tummy. I am at 135. I was ssing and lost 18lbs but gained 5 back. Is it possible for me to lose the weight once i am on the right dose of armour? Thank you. Berniece

07-03-2008, 01:42 PM	#2104
entwyf Junior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 26 Gallery: entwyf	Pam, Below is a letter I just sent to my doctor. It's long, but the point of it is to show that a) I am reasonable and thoughtful, and b) I want something done. The more I think about it, the more I am convinced that thyroid levels are an issue that definitely needs to be addressed. In advance of my appointment with you on July 9, 2008 at 4:30 p.m., I want to let you know my perspective on the issues I assume we will be discussing: a) whether or not I want to take anti-depressants for clinical depression, and b) what the results of my recent blood test are. Because we are both busy, I hope this will eliminate the need for a lot of preparatory or explanatory conversation in the office. First, regarding anti-depressants: I have no problem with taking an anti-depressant for a short amount of time if it is seen as a holding action while the cause or causes of my clinical depression are investigated. I believe there are several contributing factors: stress from major changes at work, stress from the death of my father, effects of sleep apnea that have yet (I feel) to be properly treated, and possible effects from inadequate thyroid hormone levels. The first two contributing factors, stress from job changes and stress from processing the recent event of my father's death, are not so strong as they were. I don't see them as big problems now. Work has recently become much less stressful, probably due to the fact that it is now vacation season and the pace at City Hall has slowed down. Dealing with my father's death still produces moment of grief, and I expect it will for some time to come. However, I have derived an immense amount of comfort and encouragement from my particular spiritual community, and as time goes by, grief is more and more replaced by hope. My perception at this point is that a lot of the way I feel is due to problems with the way my sleep apnea is being treated. I hope to get some things seriously sorted out in an appointment at the Unity Sleep Center on August 4. Second, that leaves the thyroid test you ordered. You said a while ago that the test looks at the levels of TSH, thyroid stimulating hormone. As I understand this, TSH is what stimulates the thyroid gland to produce other types of thyroid hormones. It seems to me that, for the past twenty years, this particular test has always, in my case, come back showing me in the "low-normal" range. I am convinced that such a reading does not mean I have the proper levels of the thyroid hormones that are supposedly stimulated by TSH. If things like feelings of depression, fatigue, and dry hair and skin (all of which I have) can be the result of inadequate amounts of thyroid hormones that are not (and cannot be) detected by a TSH test, then I would like to be referred to a thyroid specialist who can test for levels of those hormones. To sum up, until sleep apnea and thyroid issues get sorted out, it makes sense for me to take an anti-depressant. I hope that the information here is useful for both of us. I also hope you have an enjoyable Fourth of July weekend.

07-04-2008, 11:33 AM	#2109
CrzyCatLady Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bardstown KY Posts: 974 Blog Entries: 4 Gallery: CrzyCatLady Stats: 244/183/134 WOE: Atkins Start Date: 10/29/07	I have an appointment with my GP on Monday and they did make me an appointment with an endo for August. We'll see what happens Monday. I was looking online last night and have thought that possibly some of my PCOS symptoms mask others. Like dry skin, my PCOS makes me oily.

07-05-2008, 04:20 AM	#2110
nonstickpam107 Thyroid Patient Advocate Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 11,660 Gallery: nonstickpam107 Stats: 230/116/120 (BF<26%) WOE: Started w/Atkins/Now BFFM Start Date: Nov. 23 2000	What days are the Canfield Fair? Do you remember Idora Park? Pam

07-07-2008, 09:31 AM	#2111
olsufka2 Junior LCF Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 26 Gallery: olsufka2	Pam. Can you please help me out???? Or anybody? I have posted before about my low FT4 ( 0.71) normal range 0.82 is the low end. My TSH was also on the low end of the lab 0.98 So anyways I seen an endo. who is convinced my thyroid is perfectly fine and wanted to run an FT4 equilibrium dialysis test because he said it is more accurate than the FT4, only after I have went off my levo. for two months so he can get an accurate reading. He will run an FT4 eq. dialysis, FT3, and TSH. I have gotten the results from all of my antibody tests back and they are all normal. I DO NOT WANT TO GO OFF MY MEDICATION!!!! I feel much better on it. What would cause someone to have a low FT4 without having Hashimotos? Is this common? Is it just regular hypothyroidism? I have mentioned several times how I have read several articles on secondary hypo. caused by a pituitary dysfunction. A TSH below 1.0 and a low FT4 are indicative of Secondary Hypo. but my Endo. says NO, my TSH is still within normal range at 0.98. BUT ITS LOW!! AND MY FT4 is low also. Shouldnt my TSH be higher??? Any suggestions here, should I follow his advice and go off the levo. for 2 mos and go in and get my TSH, FT4 equilibrium dialysis, FT3 retested? or should i go back to my regular doctor who perscribed me the levo. based on a low FT4 and speak to him? THANKS YOU SO MUCH I APPRECIATE ANY ADVICE YOU CAN GIVE ME.

07-07-2008, 12:52 PM	#2113
AllieCat0817 Way too much time on my hands! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Southeastern Coastal SC Posts: 11,190 Gallery: AllieCat0817 Stats: 213.5/130-135/140 WOE: Atkins Maintenance Start Date: 5/23/03	Certain dosages of Armour are on backorder because the manufacturer is working through some issues (details are somewhere in this thread). But you can ask for Westhroid or Naturethroid-- same thing as Armour.

07-07-2008, 06:37 PM	#2115
PalmTreeGal MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: MD Posts: 1,642 Gallery: PalmTreeGal Stats: 181/175.6/120 WOE: Atkins Induction Start Date: 9/1/08	So now I've been on Armour a week, just went up from 30 to 60 mg. I'm taking it sublingually, half in the AM and half around lunchtime. Those of you who have been taking thyroid meds for a while, how long did it take to see a change? I'm not noticing anything yet. In fact I feel pretty crummy, from stress and weaning off Cymbalta.

07-08-2008, 02:32 PM	#2123
olsufka2 Junior LCF Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 26 Gallery: olsufka2	Thank you so much for replying to my post Pam. I do have one question, if I would happen to have a pituitary problem, would it be bad that I have never had my FT3 checked? Is it true that if you have a low FT4 and a low FT3 it is probably pit. involvement? Is it bad then to keep taking the Levo. without having that checked out, and is it possible to get it tested now that I have been on the Levo. for 6 weeks? Would that skew or alter the real reading I would have gotten off medication. I have read FT4 medication supresses not only TSH but FT3 also. So, what if my FT3 was low and I started levo. wouldnt it lower it even more? I have also read that if your FT4 and FT3 are both low there may be hypoadrenal issues. And if that is the case shouldnt one be completely off meds. to get an accurate lab reading as to make sure that is not the case, I have read it is not good to take T4 medication if you have adrenal issues that have not been addressed. Is that true? HUM, I'm a little confused. Thanks for all you help. I am learning so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!