I am sorry to read of your situation. How scary. I sure hope you get answers soon. Hugs to you and your son.
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I am sorry to read of your situation. How scary. I sure hope you get answers soon. Hugs to you and your son.
You know, at times, listening to the doctor is hard enough....my doctor-sister was trying to explain to my mother that really there is no cure, not much prolonging of life (beyond 18 months to 2-3 yrs.) for my father with cancer.
Indy you doing OK?
More or less. I've been moody the last couple of weeks, which may have absolutely nothing to do with my thyroid ad everything to do with my tendency to stress out over everything. I've also been really tired, too (and no, I'm not pregnant!). In any event, I have to get new bloodwork this week in anticipation of an endo appointment on the 16th. I'm eager to see where I am.
Thanks for asking, WR. I really appreciate it. :)
Crossing my fingers for you IndySteel!
I struggle with stress freaking me out and making me moody too. I feel for you on that, no fun. Good to know you are not pregnant ;) Keep us posted on how things turn out.
Try to take it one day at a time, for sanity's sake :)
I'd be just fine if one of my cats would consistently stay healthy. Poor Henry just goes from one thing to another. Last week, it was an ever-worsening case of chin acne (yes, cats actually get blackheads) that he simply will not leave alone and a limp in one of his hind legs. He's going to be death of me. I worry--sometimes excessively--over every illness and injury, especially when we're scheduled to be out of town.Quote:
Originally Posted by WindingRoad
But you're right; I need to take it a day at a time. My vet was very helpful in reminding me, too, that sometimes there is only so much we can do for our pets. As fatalistic as that sounds, it's good for me to be reminded of it.
Well, I went off my anti-thyroid medicine about three weeks ago--with my doc's permission--and so far, I seem okay. Every time I've reduced my meds, I've had a short period of adjustment where I felt edgy and a little racy. I've had some of that this go around, but it seems to be passing. I haven't had trouble sleeping for the most part, and my resting heart rate has been normal (for me). Yesterday, I saw it as low as 49, so that's good. I get bloodwork next week, and have another follow up visit with her in July. If my numbers remain in the normal range, then there's hope that I'm in remission. Fingers crossed.
Fingers, toes, and hair crossed for you. hmmm, don't know how to cross my hair but you get the idea :)Quote:
Originally Posted by indysteel
Thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by Catrin
Good luck!
I really hope this works! It sounds great so far.
Sending positive wishes your way Indy.
Shannon
Hi Indy, glad to hear you are feeling ok. Keep us posted and take good care. :)
Mother of God, this just gets more and more confusing. I stopped all anti-thyroid meds in April. Last week, I had my first bloodwork done since then. I expected my TSH to be lower and hopefully well within the range of normal. And I define normal as being between 0.3 to 3.0.
Nope. It's at 4.47, which suggests that it's even more suppressed, i.e., hypoactive, from when I was on actually on the meds that were supposed to be suppressing it. Uh, what? It's going in the wrong direction. Plus, the message my doc's office left telling me to just recheck it in another 7-8 weeks, which leads me to believe that she saw nothing weird about this. So, I guess I'm back to feeling like I need a new doc and some logical explanation as to why someone who was initially diagnosed with Grave's Disease, albeit a mild form of it, now has a thyroid that's underactive even after going off meds.
I'm so frustrated. :(
Yes, it is frustrating! Would it be difficult to get a second opinion? I don't know what medication they had you on, but I understand that some thyroid medication can suppress the thyroid for longer than expected. I am no expert, and there may be nothing to that but perhaps your body needs more time to work this out?
There are really only two antithyroid meds used in the States, and I was on the more common of the two. It should have left my system entirely weeks ago. And I was on a tiny dose to begin with. The only thing that gives me comfort is that my Total T4 and Free T4 are within normal ranges. But if my TSH continues to trend up, then I'll need to address it. I just wish I understood what my autoimmune system was up to.Quote:
Originally Posted by Catrin
I hear you...autoimmune system stuff can be so frustrating. It took me a long time to understand that my Graves Disease was a symptom of a deeper problem, not the actual problem. I don't remember what I was taking, I tend to remember the massive amount of beta blockers they had me on rather than the actual thyroid medication...but all of this was in the 80s's. My situation was quite different however, thankfully for you. It is good to hear your other numbers are normal and may your next test be in the normal range.Quote:
Originally Posted by indysteel
Oh boy. That stinks. Subjectively, do you feel hypothyroid, consistent with the test results? Or is it possible something's just off with the lab?
Oy, I have had the same experience with my new, supposedly "wellness friendly" internist, with my lipid profile. I called last week to get the order for a new test; she said wait 6-8 wks. I called the office, left a message and she calls back. Hmm, I get suspicious when the doctor calls me back, instead of the office staff; I know from my friend she's having trouble building up her practice.
She says, "And why do you want a lipid profile done?" I respond, "Ah, remember, my numbers, especially my LDL were way up. This is a change. You told me to retest in 6-8 wks." She says, "I have 6 months written here." I respond, "No, you said 6-8 wks." She replies, "Well, I guess I wrote the wrong thing."
She faxed the order to the lab, but I am waiting until Tuesday to go, as I have other blood work that needs to be done for my osteoporosis meds.
I am really frustrated. I feel like *I* am telling the doctor what to do. First, I have a doctor that treats me like an old lady and now I have one that doesn't know what to do with someone who isn't a dumb sh*t and can advocate for herself. She has rave reviews, but from people who need "lifestyle counseling."
I don't want to deal with a doctor who is not affiliated with my local hospital, or I have to travel far for, for my pcp. Something is just not right here, but I guess I will stick it out for a year and then re-assess.
Generally speaking, I'd say that I don't feel hypo. The power of suggestion when it comes to my thyroid has been strong, and sometimes I've found it challenging to separate my lab numbers from how I'm actually feeling. Even if I am technically hypo right now, it's arguably subclinical (because my Free T4 is still within a normal range). Right now, it makes sense to just keep a check on how I'm feeling and see what my next round of labs reveal.Quote:
Originally Posted by OakLeaf
I do still sense some stuff going on with my eyes and Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) remains a major concern of mine. I'd like to get another antibody test, but it's an uphill battle getting this doc to test for anything other than FT4 and TSH.
The bottom line is that there's a degree of trust lacking between us, and it's arguably time to just find somebody new--as much of a PITA as that might be. I have an annual visit with my internist next week. I might wait to see if she has any suggestions. Of course, she didn't think anything was wrong with me last summer and ordered two rather expensive tests rather than run a basic, but complete, blood profile. So I don't know how that's going to go. :(
I would get a new doctor at this point. I think you are wasting your time with this person because you have lost trust in their judgement. Even if this doc was right I don't think you would be comfortable with it. Just my two cents, I just know how I would feel. Best of luck to you Indy, I hope things start get better soon.
Saw my endo again today. The good news is that it appears my mild case of Graves is in remission (or was never Graves to begin with; I have to wonder). The bad news is that my bloodwork continues to show a mildly elevated TSH. Because I've noted some increased fatigue and mild depression of late, she went ahead an prescribed a small does of synthroid. We'll see what that does for me. Prior to my Graves diagnosis, my TSH was also mildly elevated for a couple of years--but no doc had bothered to tell me that. Because of this yo-yoing, I have to wonder if I have Hashi's, not Graves. But I'm to the point that I'm tired of trying to figure out the right label--as I'm not sure what difference it really makes; I just want to get my labs within a normal range.
I'd add that I had an opthamalogist appointment a couple of weeks ago and my eyes show no serioud sign of Graves eye disease. That's a big relief, too.
Well, at least one thing solved, Indy.
My weird, new PCP closed her practice. I knew there was something wrong when the doctor called you on her personal cell phone. She had no patients! I now am doctor-less and I don't want to go back to my old one.
Ugh; that sucks. But that's also kind of weird. Most PCPs are booked solid around here. Good luck finding a new doctor. It's such a pain.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crankin
Our local hospital has hired a bunch of new docs or at least is helping a bunch get started with privileges and publicity for their practices. Also, the community hospitals here are making an agressive effort to lure people away from the big guys in Boston. Yes, there it's very hard to find a doctor, but I don't need to go to Brigham and Women's for a PCP.
I think it's because her office was in a weird location.
Yikes Crankin, hope you find another PCP you like in your area. It is hard to find a PCP that gets people who like to exercise - at least I've had that problem.
Indy - good news on the progress, and hopefully things will stay in remission...whatever it is.
So, I guess I have to join the group of Synthroid users who struggle to find a decent time to take their daily dose of it. I am not a first-thing-in-the-morning breakfast eater, but I do have a cup of coffee within 15 minutes or so of waking up. Make that half-a-cup. While I could change my morning routine, I'm just one of those poeple who needs about fifteen minutes of alone time with my coffee before I'm fit company and before I'm ready to embark on my day. I get up at 5:45 and spend 15 mintues feeding the cats and taking care of a few minor details for the day (like getting my work clothes ready). Then I sit on my couch with my coffee and iPhone in hand and a cat in my lap. I generally read TE and a few other forums I frequent. DH knows to leave me alone as I do this. Then I shower and get ready for work. I usually spend five more minutes with my coffee and the cats before heading out the door.
I'd take it at night, but we often don't eat until late and/or I eat a snack not long before bedtime. That's not likely to change either. I get up in the middle of the night every night--usually around 3 a.m. or so. While I'm generally pretty blurry-eyed, I'm arguably awake enough to take a pill. I guess I'll try that and see how it goes. I also have to rearrange when I take a couple other pills (a BCP with Iron in it and Allegra).
Indy, my routine was similar when I was working, minus the cats. I would take my Synthroid after my shower. I didn't eat breakfast until I got to work, which was about 45 minutes later.
I'm fine with the not eating until later part. It's the coffee that I can't/don't want to wait on. Do you drink coffee and, if so, did you wait until well after you took your synthroid before drinking it?Quote:
Originally Posted by snapdragen
I've not noticed a problem with way where coffee is concerned. Generally I don't get to my coffee until I've been up around 30 minutes, and I take my pill as soon as I wake up. I think that real food is more of an issue - and I eat less than an hour after taking my pill. This hasn't caused an absorption problem, my levels are pretty steady.Quote:
Originally Posted by indysteel
Actually, I've read some literature that suggests that caffeine can interfere significantly with absorption, which is why I'm concerned.Quote:
Originally Posted by Catrin
I've been taking Armour thyroid for about 12 years now, and it was only in the last 2 years that I even knew that you were supposed to take it on an empty stomach! I have stayed on the same dose for several years, except when I was pregnant with my second child and had to increase my dose slightly during the pregnancy. I take it first thing in the morning, and generally have my coffee (2 cups, half-decaf, with milk) within 30 minutes of taking it, then breakfast another 15-30 minutes later, and haven't had any issues from it.
I tried Synthroid but it made me quite sick to my stomach, no matter when I took it. Armour is an animal (pig) product, which is why I tried synthroid (I avoid animal products when I can). Not sure if it would be appropriate for your needs, but you might ask your doc if Armour would work better for you and your schedule.
Interesting, I hadn't heard that. I've been doing it this way for years and have had no apparent problem but perhaps I've just been lucky. Like Sookiesue I have breakfast within an hour of taking my daily dose. My levels are always in the same range when tested.Quote:
Originally Posted by indysteel
I won't take the Synthroid brand, I've had more problems with that than Levothyroxine. It shouldn't matter, but certainly did at one time and now I won't risk trying that brand again. Since I don't have a thyroid at all, when things get out of balance it can take months to get it back again - so I don't mess with what works for me ;) Levothyroxine is one of the older "generics", I've been taking it since for a very long time. I tried Synthroid about 10 years ago and it took close to a year to get things right again. For some it works fine, but not for me. I've no idea what, if anything, differs between Synthroid and Levothyroxine, and it may be that something else was going on at the time that caused that problem outside of changing the brand of my thyroid replacement.
Isn't Synthroid just a brand name for Levothyroxine? I'm other words, seen 't they one and the same? I haven't looked at my pill container, but given how insurance works, they probably just gave me the generic formulation.
Thanks for the Armour suggestion. I'll see how I feel on Synthroid first. I've never discussed the concept of conversion of T4 to T3 with my doc and it sounds like Armour contains both, making it ideal for someone who has a conversion problem or who no longer has a thyroid gland. Synthroid only contains T4, which the body must then convert to T3. I guess we'll see where my numbers are in six weeks and how I feel. My symptoms are relatively minor as is so hopefully I just a little boost.
I've always been advised by pharmacists to not change between the different "brands" of synthetic thyroid replacement very often. There are differences in the concentration between the different brands and some people do seem to respond a bit differently between the different "brands". About.com has a little blurb with a passing reference about it here. This site also advises against changing brands without consultation.Quote:
Originally Posted by indysteel
All of that being said, I don't have a thyroid at all so my body may be more sensitive to differences in concentration. The price is quite close between the two, something like $1 or so.
That's what I do, I keep my Synthroid at my bedside with a glass of water and take it when I get up to pee.Quote:
Originally Posted by indysteel
I take a combination of Synthroid and Cytomel. I do not convert T4 to T3. It's a constant balancing act for me for my dosages.
Thank you for that link, Cartrin. Now I get it. I checked my script and it is for Synthroid.
I don't wait -- coffee and newspaper, shower, pills. I didn't have breakfast/more coffee untill I got to work. Now I wait 30 - 45 minutes, then have breakfast.Quote:
Originally Posted by indysteel