Search
Saturday, July 31, 2010 ..:: Q & A ::.. Register  Login

Q & A FORUM INFO

Registered users can submit a thread (each thread is a single question) on any autoimmune, thyroid or health-related topic – including questions about your pet! Questions will be answered by Elaine Moore.  Because this is not a community forum, members will not be able to reply to threads once questions are asked and answered. Questions may be edited for brevity and grammar. If you need technical help, contact Admin.

Minimize Forum
 
 
ForumForumDiscussionsDiscussionsQuestion and An...Question and An...understanding lab resultsunderstanding lab results
Previous Previous
 
Next Next
New Post
 8/15/2009 3:33 AM
 
kismet
No Ranking

Joined: 8/15/2009
Posts: 1

Hi Elaine!

Thank you so much for all that you do.  Finding your website, I've felt the most hope since being diagnosed as a hyperthyroid.  

I first came down with the symptoms in March, 2006 (diarrhea, severe itching, shaking hands).  Unfortunately, my weight loss was more gradual (about 5 pounds a month) and having no knowledge of the thyroid, I was not diagnosed until November, 2006.  By this time, I had all the symptoms and was very, very lethargic.  

I started on the beta blockers right away but I didn't start taking PTU until January, 2007.  I started on 2 pills of PTU (50 mg) 3 times a day + 1 beta blocker pill 4 times a day.  In August, 2007, I stopped taking the beta blockers and reduced my PTU intake to 2 pills 2 times a day.  I continued this until April, 2008 when I was told to increase my PTU intake to 3 pills (50 mg) 2 times a day.  This was probably my fault since I had become "relaxed" about taking my pills and was forgetting to take them and taking less of them because I felt I might be headed towards becoming hypo. 

Of course, by this time, my doctor was recommending RAI since I was not in remission.  I was planning to take the RAI in January, 2009 since I was being told (pressured) that it was the next step.  Happily, I wasn't able to take it when I had planned (family matters) and stumbled upon your website soon afterwards.  Suffice it to say, now, I plan to stay on PTU indefinitely.  

(Sorry for the long post.)  I haven't had a chance to read your book yet.  But I did get my latest blood tests and I wanted to get your opinion on them.  I should mention that I had a 10 pound weight gain last summer and I felt that I was becoming hypo so after my April check-up, I decreased my dosage to 4 pills of PTU (50 mg) a day on my own without my doctor's consent.  When I saw him in July, I told him what I did.  He told me to go back to 6 pills a day.  I'm currently taking 5 pills a day (3 in the morning and 2 at night).  

Blood Tests
4/21/09   TSH, 3rd Generation - 0.07 (0.40 - 4.50 mIU/L)
               T4, Free - 1.4 (0.8 - 1.8 ng/dL)

7/14/09   TSH, 3rd Generation - 0.02 (0.40 - 4.50 mIU/L)
               T4, Free - 1.5 (0.8 - 1.8 ng/dL)

Thank you again so much for your time.  I have ordered your book and look forward to reading it!

yours,
mina
 
New Post
 8/17/2009 11:11 PM
 
Elaine
1st Level Poster

Joined: 8/1/2008
Posts: 1683

Hi Mina,

Your labs look great and you could even be on a lower dose of PTU. You want to be on the lowest dose needed to keep FT4 within range, preferably nearer to the high end of the range regardless of TSH.  TSH typically stays low (and doesn't mean you're hyperthyroid) until you're near remission or your dose is too high. Some doctors get confused by this, but you're considered euthyroid (normal thyroid function) if you're FT4 is in range.

Over time, you'll be able to gradually reduce your dose and as you near remission TSH will start to rise. You want to avoid becoming hypothyroid (having an FT4 too low for your body's needs even if it's range) because hypothyroidism encourages thyroid antibody production.  Best to you, Elaine
 Page 1 of 1
Previous Previous
 
Next Next
ForumForumDiscussionsDiscussionsQuestion and An...Question and An...understanding lab resultsunderstanding lab results

 
     


The Promise of Low Dose Naltrexone Therapy


Refresh your screen before posting to make sure you're logged in!

Make a copy of your post before posting. Bad things can happen to good posts.

This site works best using MS Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox browsers.

elaine-moore.com   |   Graves’ and Autoimmune Disease Education
Copyright © 2008-2010 by Elaine Moore. All Rights Reserved. These pages and their content, including all articles written by Elaine Moore, are not to be copied, reproduced or printed without written permission. This site is self-funded exclusively by Elaine Moore.

This site was developed by VESWEB PORTAL

Site last updated: May 08, 2010

DISCLAIMER: The educational information provided within is designed to help users better understand the nature of disease and the solutions available. Nothing contained on this website should be construed as or is intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. Under no circumstances is a particular treatment recommended and in all cases it is recommended that a physician be consulted for any treatments. Reference to any specific commercial or noncommercial products, services, processes, companies or trademarks does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Elaine Moore does not sponsor or endorse any products or services mentioned at this site, with the exclusion of her own materials, articles, and books. The opinions, views and recommendations of individual registered members of this website are their own and do not necessarily represent those of Elaine Moore and her businesses.

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify.

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here.

 
Copyright 2008-2010 by Elaine Moore   Terms Of Use  Privacy Statement
DotNetNuke® is copyright 2002-2010 by DotNetNuke Corporation