Deb,
I was reading on the site - have to read more, but had no energy last night, and this morning in a bit of a rush.
I don't understand the information about the tests. What IS important, and what isn't. They are not cheap, and I want to do only the ones that I really need.
Advice? And re: the treatment?
My paleo adventure
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Lesley, the thyroid tests are all important. You've probably already gotten the TSH. You need the free T4, free T3 and the reverse T3. I also tested the antibodies, TPO and TGAB. I tested high with the TGAB which probably indicates I've got Hashimotos. I also am having adrenal issues. I went through a very stressful time and I dont' think they have recovered from that. If there are adrenal issues it is difficult for the thyroid hormone to work properly. Also iron can be an issue with that too. There is a saliva adrenal test and an iron test that can be ordered if that's the case. I would at least get the basic thyroid tests and the antibodies if you can for now and see what you're really dealing with. My TSH was 4.76 with Mayo's levels .5-5.0. The Association of American Endocrinologist believes >3 is a potential problem. Some believe over 2 can be. Look up a list of hypothyroid symptoms. I was a poster girl of symptoms. Also, take your temperature in the morning before getting out of bed. It should be at least 97.8 If it's not it could indicate a hypo situation. Deb
Edited to add "free" t4 and "free" t3
Edited to add "free" t4 and "free" t3
Lesley, some info on TSH http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/ts ... s-useless/
Lesley,
Before I started treatment, my TSH was close to yours, but my Free T4 was below range. Doctors who don't even bother to check Free T4 obviously don't know what they're doing — they are only capable of diagnosing the most obvious cases. The only reason why my doctor tested my Free T4 was because I requested it.
When your Free T4 is below range, the proper way to treat it is to ignore the TSH and treat the Free T4. These days, (taking Armour) my TSH is sometimes actually below range (suggesting that I might be hyperthyroid, according to conventional wisdom), but my Free T4 is still either below range, or at the bottom of the normal range (showing that I am still hypothyroid, and undertreated).
Tex
Before I started treatment, my TSH was close to yours, but my Free T4 was below range. Doctors who don't even bother to check Free T4 obviously don't know what they're doing — they are only capable of diagnosing the most obvious cases. The only reason why my doctor tested my Free T4 was because I requested it.
When your Free T4 is below range, the proper way to treat it is to ignore the TSH and treat the Free T4. These days, (taking Armour) my TSH is sometimes actually below range (suggesting that I might be hyperthyroid, according to conventional wisdom), but my Free T4 is still either below range, or at the bottom of the normal range (showing that I am still hypothyroid, and undertreated).
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Why do I have to argue with my Dr. to stay on Armour thyroid? I want the more natural stuff, but he thinks that Synthroid is the be all, end all of thyroid therapies and that it is better calibrated. This year when he saw that I was still on Armour, the only thing he said was, "I still can't persuade you can I to switch to Synthroid?" I smiled sweetly and said, "No thank you."
Can you explain the differences in Synthroid and Armour thyroid for me, Tex?
Can you explain the differences in Synthroid and Armour thyroid for me, Tex?
Jane
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis 12/19/12
"When it gets dark enough,you can see the stars."
Charles A. Beard
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis 12/19/12
"When it gets dark enough,you can see the stars."
Charles A. Beard
Jane, here's some info on the two. http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/t4 ... dont-work/ You probably still won't change your doctor's mind though. 
Hi Jane,
I can't add much to what the page at the link that Deb posted says, except to point out that when the drug companies developed synthetic T-4, they conducted a major "reeducation" program for doctors in order to convince them that synthetic T-4 was the modern remedy for hypothyroidism, and natural desicated thyroid treatments were obsolete and inaccurate. And as we all know, most doctors are highly vulnerable to drug company hype, to the point of gullibility. It's easy to see why.
1. Convenience — time is money to a busy doctor, so they appreciate the drug company reps coming to them, and personally "updating" their working knowledge, right on the spot, in a quick presentation that cuts right to the chase.
2. Cost — the cost to the doctor, for their continuing education, is nothing — only a minimal amount of their time
3. Perks — perks are often available if the doctor is interested — such as an all-expense-paid trip to some neat vacation spot where they can attend an "educational" seminar to learn more about certain products. Of course the speakers at such "seminars" are doctors who are being paid by the drug companies to convince other doctors to use certain drugs. This gives the speakers a high credibility (in the eyes of other doctors), and adds an air of respectability to the events. Usually, the revenue that goes to these "doctor reps" is in the form of "research grants", or other funds, in order to make the payments appear to be legitimate. But of course, they don't actually have to do any real research in order to get the money, but if they don't promote the products, the payments will stop in the future. It's a cozy arrangement, so it's no wonder why doctors get most of their continuing education this way.
What they overlook (at least in this case), is the fact that treatments that work well, are never obsolete, regardless of any newer treatments that might be offered.
The drug companies have even gone so far as to sponsor research that ferreted out instances where the dosages in NDT products were inaccurate, and published these as "research reports". The truth is, though, if you research the data, you will find that there are many more instances where synthetic thyroid supplement dosages have been out of spec (in some cases, by huge amounts — bad enough to be life-threatening for an elephant, let alone a human). In general, on the average, NDT dosage levels are probably more accurate than those found in synthetic supplements. But once doctors have been properly brain-washed, it's mighty difficult to un-brain-wash them.
Tex
I can't add much to what the page at the link that Deb posted says, except to point out that when the drug companies developed synthetic T-4, they conducted a major "reeducation" program for doctors in order to convince them that synthetic T-4 was the modern remedy for hypothyroidism, and natural desicated thyroid treatments were obsolete and inaccurate. And as we all know, most doctors are highly vulnerable to drug company hype, to the point of gullibility. It's easy to see why.
1. Convenience — time is money to a busy doctor, so they appreciate the drug company reps coming to them, and personally "updating" their working knowledge, right on the spot, in a quick presentation that cuts right to the chase.
2. Cost — the cost to the doctor, for their continuing education, is nothing — only a minimal amount of their time
3. Perks — perks are often available if the doctor is interested — such as an all-expense-paid trip to some neat vacation spot where they can attend an "educational" seminar to learn more about certain products. Of course the speakers at such "seminars" are doctors who are being paid by the drug companies to convince other doctors to use certain drugs. This gives the speakers a high credibility (in the eyes of other doctors), and adds an air of respectability to the events. Usually, the revenue that goes to these "doctor reps" is in the form of "research grants", or other funds, in order to make the payments appear to be legitimate. But of course, they don't actually have to do any real research in order to get the money, but if they don't promote the products, the payments will stop in the future. It's a cozy arrangement, so it's no wonder why doctors get most of their continuing education this way.
What they overlook (at least in this case), is the fact that treatments that work well, are never obsolete, regardless of any newer treatments that might be offered.
The drug companies have even gone so far as to sponsor research that ferreted out instances where the dosages in NDT products were inaccurate, and published these as "research reports". The truth is, though, if you research the data, you will find that there are many more instances where synthetic thyroid supplement dosages have been out of spec (in some cases, by huge amounts — bad enough to be life-threatening for an elephant, let alone a human). In general, on the average, NDT dosage levels are probably more accurate than those found in synthetic supplements. But once doctors have been properly brain-washed, it's mighty difficult to un-brain-wash them.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
The website is good, thanks Deb. I share your rant, Tex. I've seen waaaay too much of the drug reps bringing their wares to the doctors. For awhile the lunches and freebies were not legal, but they have managed to get around that once more.
Jane
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis 12/19/12
"When it gets dark enough,you can see the stars."
Charles A. Beard
Diagnosed with Lymphocytic Colitis 12/19/12
"When it gets dark enough,you can see the stars."
Charles A. Beard