hello

[Guest guest]

Sandie, so sorry for your loss. MY mom died in Jan this year.

>

> Have a few minutes before going to bed. I made it to my sisters in

time

> to tell my Mom good by. She passed an hour after I got here.

> Sandie

>

[Guest guest]

My thoughts and prayers are with you, too. I lost my dad on May 8th of this year. I was going to get him on the 11th and bring him to Alabama to live with me. I had had him for 2 months in 2005 when he had his stroke. I thought I was going to go crazy - with the fibro, disc problems and really not understanding the problems that go with a stroke victim. Luckily, it only affected his mind and no physical problems (he'd had cerebral palsy when he was a child so he was already crippled).

I have a brother and sister but they were only interested in the monetary things and not him. I was missing him one day and the phone rang. I didn't want to talk to anyone and his machine picked up. It dawned on me that I could take his answering machine home with me and have his "voice" to remember him by! I have comfort in the fact that he died where and really how he wanted to.

Re: HELLO

--My heart and thoughts are with you as I too lost my mother this year.Take good care of yourself.Leah T.- In dominie@groups .com, "SANDIE" <MEMOMMY1947@ ...> wrote:>> Have a few minutes before going to bed. I made it to my sisters in time > to tell my Mom good by. She passed an hour after I got here.> Sandie>

Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.

[Guest guest]

Sympathies and prayers are with you. Don’t forget to take extra

care of yourself.

Hall

[Guest guest]

Many condolences. It's hard to imagine anything worse.

Ed

>

> Have a few minutes before going to bed. I made it to my sisters in

time

> to tell my Mom good by. She passed an hour after I got here.

> Sandie

>

[Guest guest]

My thoughts and prayers are with you, please take care and make time to care for you as well as others.

See AOL's top rated recipes and easy ways to stay in shape for winter.

[Guest guest]

SANDIE, I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR YOUR MOM PASSED AWAY. I WILL KEEP YOUR FAMILY IN MY PRAYERS. CHRISTINASANDIE <MEMOMMY1947@...> wrote: Have a few minutes before going to bed. I made it to my sisters in time to tell my Mom good by. She passed an hour after I got here.Sandie

[Guest guest]

Praise the Lord you made it. Sorry for your losss. Shirley Godbout

HELLO

Have a few minutes before going to bed. I made it to my sisters in time to tell my Mom good by. She passed an hour after I got here.Sandie

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

Thanks for sharing, Holly. What a great attitude!

Happy New year!

ch

>

> Hello Dear Group,

>

> I was so happy to find you. How exciting! I want to introduce

myself by letting you know that my left eye is blue with 1/4 hazel in

it. My right eye is hazel. When I was younger someone told me that

my left eye was like a pie with a piece missing. I was also

nicknamed Marble-eyes. Others have shared stories with me about

their dog or cat who had two different colored eyes as well. I once

visited a pet shop and saw a husky with eyes just like mine. I

wanted so much to buy that dog. LOL. I love my eyes. I can always

tell when someone notices the difference. Some people just do that

polite double take without mentioning anything while others

exclaim, " Hey, you have two different colored eyes " as if they are

telling me something I don't already know. I get just as excited

when I see someone else with two different colored eyes. In my 48

years I have seen at least eight to ten other people with

heterochromia. Aren't we blessed to have our vision and see such a

> work of art looking back at us in the mirror every day! What

conversation pieces we are!

>

[Guest guest]

This is my opinion only and isn't based on any medical facts. I have the lap band and am fairly new (was banded in September 07). If you have a fridge in your truck and access to lots of fluids, maybe. You'd REALLY have to plan your meals carefully and possibly pack a cooler with "healthy" foods rather than eating in the truck stops. I don't know anything about the sleeve except for the information that has been posted on this site.. maybe you could scroll back through the archives and try to find that info and it would help you decide. I'm at a point right now that I wish I'd gotten the sleeve instead of the band. I seem to have alot of trouble adjusting to fills. Good luck Ron! Ron Waggoner <rewag2006@...> wrote: Hi All...I am considering Lap Band but am unsure of it. I am an over-the-road truck driver and was wondering how hard it would be to eat properly having to eat in restaurants every day.Also is the lap band better or the sleeve? Any and all comments--suggestions welcome. I'm 51 year old male 6'0 tall 360 lbs. thanks Ron Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search.

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

Hello Ron

My husband just had a lapband done on the 11th, I feel it was very

worth it.. as far as eating out all the time,the first 6-8 weeks

could be a little difficult from what I am seeing with my husband,

but the truck stops all have great soup right.... aside from that i

dont think that there is anything that can stop you if its what you

really want. it is a way to a much healthier way of life...

each the sleeve or lap band, are great tools to help you to a healthy

life. I would highly recommend Dr. Aceves and his team, they are

all awesome, helpful, kind, it was like staying at a 5 star hotel..

you could ask my husband anykind of question he is online here

also..

or directly dane@...

good luck with whatever decision you make...

annette

>

> Hi All...I am considering Lap Band but am unsure of it. I am an

over-the-road truck driver and was wondering how hard it would be to

eat properly having to eat in restaurants every day.Also is the lap

band better or the sleeve? Any and all comments--suggestions welcome.

I'm 51 year old male 6'0 tall 360 lbs. thanks Ron

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with

Search.

>

[Guest guest]

-Hi Ron,

I just had the lap band done. I think basically when you make the

choice,it has to do with if you want to be permanent with the sleeve &

a more complicated surgery or not permanent with the band & a less

complicated surgery. I am 52 & need the band as a tool, so I will not

have it removed, but I like the idea that it can be removed if

necessary. As far as following the program on the road it should be

workable for you. I did a vacation for a week in Anaheim and San Diego

before my surgery so I had to be on the post op diet which I didn't

think I could do on the road, but I did. For the beginning stage you

Can bring bottled water for the protein powder or purchase protein

flavored drinks ahead. Also rest. will have hot water for broth & decaf

tea, plus have applejuice. You'll just have to purchase all your

protein products ahead(for clear & full liquids) incl. protein bars for

later. When you get to solids all rest. have grilled fish & chicken

plus other low fat items. I'm still new at this so I hope this helps a

little. Good luck.

-- In , Ron Waggoner <rewag2006@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi All...I am considering Lap Band but am unsure of it. I am an over-

the-road truck driver and was wondering how hard it would be to eat

properly having to eat in restaurants every day.Also is the lap band

better or the sleeve? Any and all comments--suggestions welcome. I'm 51

year old male 6'0 tall 360 lbs. thanks Ron

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with

Search.

>

[Guest guest]

I can only speak about the Lapband. I really don't think you would

have a big problem if you have a good sleeper where you can fix a few

things & truckstops serve salads now.

Reno

>

> Hi All...I am considering Lap Band but am unsure of it. I am an

over-the-road truck driver and was wondering how hard it would be to

eat properly having to eat in restaurants every day.Also is the lap

band better or the sleeve? Any and all comments--suggestions welcome.

I'm 51 year old male 6'0 tall 360 lbs. thanks Ron

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with

Search.

>

[Guest guest]

I Know things may seem impossible right now, but you have to believe

that you will feel better. Have you seen specialists? you should

instist on seeing one. If you have and still have no luck you could

try Dr P. I have no experience personally but i will be going down

this route if i get to any " dead ends " . Please try to think

positively and remember it is January and a very dull one at that.

Try to do something to cheer yourself up. You know you can post here

and we will try to lift you a little. You are not alone.

Ali

X

> I need some help. I am so very very sad at the moment. My illness

is

> getting me down. Ive had this blasted disease for 8 years and Im

> still sufering. I live in UK and I am only on t4 meds. I have 5

> autoimmune conditions and just get told by my GP well im an

> autoimmune woman and its all linked. When I see new Drs regarding

my

> other conditions they are interested in the fact I have so many....

> but they do nothing to help me. I have 4 children, my house is a

> tip... so bad that i could never let anyone in the house. All I am

> doing is sleeping, i hurt all over, feel as if im not here, keep

> getting pouding heart at night which wakes me up(went to gp and he

> said i needed a blood test and said i was prob hyper..... If im

hyper

> then I just dont know what im going todo as im sooo very tired) I

> canth ardly move..... im not strong enough to request/tell my GP

what

> to do, All i want to do is cry im crying as im typing this. It

makes

> me think I am going to die... im 34 and I am lke an old lady, my

poor

> children mus think im a rubbish mother.. my hub helps as much as he

> can.... but he works hard.... ive had time off my part time job

> again... they are being nasty to me at the moment too, threatening

me

> with less pay and allsorts.... pls can someone help me......im also

> losing my hair, i have bald patches and its thinning all over... my

> GP just stated it was alopecia areata.... and adv nothing could be

> done. I have vitiligo , NOTHING can be done... I have ulcerative

> colitis wich needs steroid treatment when flares up and I have been

> diagnosed with infallmatory autoimmune athritis linked to my bowel

> disease. plus my hypo. Pls excuse my typos and the long post xx

>

[Guest guest]

Hi **** (and I would love to be able to call you a nice name). You don't have to give your own name if you would rather not, but call yourself something you have probably always wanted to be called. Welcome to our Forum and I hope we will be able to give you all the help and support you so obviously need.

> I need some help. I am so very very sad at the moment. My illness is > getting me down. Ive had this blasted disease for 8 years and Im > still sufering. I live in UK and I am only on t4 meds.

Can you tell us how much T4 you are taking and when it was last increased. Alos, phone your surgery (or better still, pop in) and ask the receptionist to let you have a copy of your last thyroid function tests. You would need TSH, Free T4 and Free T3 (if the latter two were indeed done). If they were not done, you need to ask your doctor if you can have these because TSH is not sufficient, however much a doctor might try to convince you that it is all that is required. These results are yours by law, in the same way that you can (by appoiontment) look through all your medical notes if you need to do this. Once you have them, post these on the forum and the reference ranges. The latter is important.

I have 5 > autoimmune conditions and just get told by my GP well im an > autoimmune woman and its all linked. When I see new Drs regarding my > other conditions they are interested in the fact I have so many.... > but they do nothing to help me.

It's no wonder you feel so sad and frustrated., if your doctors are doing absolutely nothing to help you, they should be reported. Ask your GP to test your blood to see if you have antibodies to your thyroid, because it is very likely with all your other autoimmune diseases that this is why you are hypothyroid. Having antibodies to your thyroid means you have Hashimoto's disease. This means the antibodies see your thyroid gland tissue as public enemy number one and set about its destruction. As it becomes more and more destroyed, your thyroid is unable to put out the amount of thyroid hormone it should, and therefore, you have to compensate this lack of hormone by giving thyroid hormone replacement.

Thyroxine (T4) is an inactive hormone and it has to convert (through the liver and kidneys) to triiodothyronine (T3). T3 is the ACTIVE hormone and is responsible for every cell in your body functioning. If you are not converting your T4 to T3, this could account for how awful you feel. If your GP (or more likely, your local laboratory) refuse to test your Free T3, you can get it tested privately. From memory this costs £14 and you can have your blood drawn (hopefully) at your local surgery or elsewhere, but these are listed on the NPTech list of tests they do, charges for each test. On the Home Page of this website thyroid treatment - click on FILES in the Menu, then when that page opens, scroll right down until you see NPTech Services.

I have 4 children, my house is a > tip... so bad that i could never let anyone in the house.

Things WILL get better if you stick around with us. We have some lovely members who will do everything they can to help you. Don't worry about your house - I think I am safe in saying that at some time in our journey to get well, we have all been unable to look after our house, as we were so ill. I know my husband kept our place going and to this day, I don't know what I would have done without him.

All I am > doing is sleeping, i hurt all over, feel as if im not here, keep > getting pouding heart at night which wakes me up(went to gp and he > said i needed a blood test and said i was prob hyper..... If im hyper > then I just dont know what im going todo as im sooo very tired)

I should imagine your doctor thinks you might be going hyper because your Free T4 is higher than it should be. There are three good reasons why he might think this.

He doesn't understand about the need for T4 to convert to the active T3. If you are NOT converting, the poor T4 it has nowhere to go and is literally floating around in your blood - that would make your Free T4 test results look high.

You have low adrenal reserve, and I should imagine with all the stress you have undergone these past 8 years, this could well be the case. If you have low adrenal reserve, your body will not be able to get the full benefit of thyroxine and you need to supplement your cortisol and DHEA. Again, you can get a 24 hour salivary test from NPTech Services to check where your corotisol and DHEA are at 8.00a.m. 12 Noon - 4.00p.m. and midnight. This is fairly expensive, and perhaps you could get an idea if your adrenals might be compromised by again, going to our Files and scrolling down to the Adrenal Questionnaire. Answer all those questions, and let us know how you score. Sadly, doctors are unaware that this could be the cause of the reason why so many of their hypothyroid patients are not regaining their normal health.

You could be suffering with Candida Albicans - as many, many hypothyroid patients are. Again, there is a 'Candida Questionnaire' in our files and you can also do that one. One little test you can do that is free is to take up a glass tumbler of cold water when you go to bed tonight. First thing in the morning (before you get out of bed, have a drink, clean your teeth) work up a large amount of sputum in your mouth and spit it onto the top of the water in the glass. After a while, if you do have Candida Albicans, you will see threads going down towards the bottom of the glass and sometimes, if you are really bad, this can cause the water to go cloudy. Having Candida also stops your thyroxine working properly and you need to get rid of the candida.

Another one I almost forgot is you might be suffering with low ferritin (stored iron). You should ask your doctor to check your ferritin level. If it is very low, you will be prescribed something like Ferrous Sulphate 200 mgs. If you are ever prescribved iron, take it at least 4 hours away from your thyroxine as one cancels out the other.

I > canth ardly move..... im not strong enough to request/tell my GP what > to do, All i want to do is cry im crying as im typing this.

....and I'll tell you honestly that I cried when I read your letter. These damned doctors. If, as I suspect, you are not converting the T4 into the active T3, your brain has to suffer, you get short term memory and 'brain fog', you can get achy muscles (sometimes down right horrendous pain) - I know, 'cos I was unable to convert. Every single part of your body will be affected as it simply cannot function without T3.

It makes > me think I am going to die... im 34 and I am lke an old lady, my poor > children mus think im a rubbish mother.. my hub helps as much as he > can.... but he works hard.... ive had time off my part time job > again...

We will do everything we can to help you regain your health. Are you able to see a private doctor? I ask because we have names of sme excellent doctors who would NOT leave you to suffer in the way you are, and who would dol everything they too can to make you well again. Don't worry if this is out of the question (the one thing many of us have in common is that we have had to leave paid employment). Although we are not medically qualified, we have learned more than the majority of doctors out there. You are NOT a rubbish Mum and I'm sure your children don't thionk so either. You have a rubbish doctor and you would do well to find one elsewhere, if that is possible

they are being nasty to me at the moment too, threatening me > with less pay and allsorts.... pls can someone help me

Don't let these poeple get you down - like doctors, they simply don't underatand what is wrong with us.

.......im also > losing my hair, i have bald patches and its thinning all over... my > GP just stated it was alopecia areata.... and adv nothing could be > done. I have vitiligo , NOTHING can be done... I have ulcerative > colitis wich needs steroid treatment when flares up and I have been > diagnosed with infallmatory autoimmune athritis linked to my bowel > disease. plus my hypo. Pls excuse my typos and the long post xx

This could be another autoimmune disease, but it could be as a direct result of being hypothyroid (and AGAIN not having enough T3 in your body).

Keep your chin up and be assured you are now on the road to recovery by coming and telling us your story. It might take a while, but PLEASE KNOW - THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF YOUR LONG TUNNEL.

Luv and big (((HUGS)))

Sheila

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Ron.. I have the lap band and have had it since 6-2006 My husband is a truck driver and I have been going over the road with him. This was actually one of my barttering tools with him to get my lap band. He was not so sure he wanted me to get this band at all. I wanted to go over the road with him but lets face it we can see what can happen to our bodies when we sit in the truck every day, I knew I would only get bigger. I promised I would go over the road with him once I had the band and knew how to work it... . So 10 months and two fills later I quit my job and went with him. This has been Ok for me He

brings me home when I want to come home for a wile. Knowing what I know now, it can be done with a little planning. you can take every thing with you or stop at the Wal-mart's along the way when you need to. At first you will be on clear liquids. so you can take the bouillon cubes that's easy or powdered bouillon what ever works for you, tea bags. truck stops have a variety of tea they also have microwaves, and or hot water taps by the coffee. so what ever will work best for you. You will need to drink lots of water that is a little inconvenient for drivers and (riders) but you must do it. I fill my big cup up with ice at the truck stops and keep it in the truck with water and put a little cran-rasberry juice in it for flavor (no sugar) and sip it all day. Protein which is very important I ordered my protein off the Internet, liquid weigh protein , I found it to be

cheaper that way, and comes in about 3oz viles you can order 24 0r 42 gram bottles, again what works for you. as for ordering I would try to plan ahead I order it so it will be home when I stop in, this works for me. There is also isopure protein you can get from a GNC. Someone may be able to give you more ideas that could also work . In your next food stage it will be a little easier . My husband is frugal and we have to be now that I am not working . We hardly never eat at truck stop restaurants it is mostly 's or Mc. D. If it is one of those ,for breakfast from Mc. D's I have Yogurt Parpheys that is yogurt and fruit, and I am good It is not the best but it is handy I drink my protein and coffee first then eat. I like to pick up my yogurt at Wal-mart when we stop. you can see how much sugar and cal. is in it. If you have a cooler in your truck you can plan

ahead for that get most of your snack stuff like jello (sugar free) juice . (I can eat most things now I am due for a fill. that is on my list to do soon. I will have to re plan my diet the things that I can eat now I may not be able to eat after a fill so I will have to start slow. ) any way If it is 's I usually get a small Chili and a baked potato or a salad and eat half of each and my husband eats the rest convent for me . My husband eats very little he says "he doesn't move around enough to justify". so it is me who wants to stop for food I keep cans of fruit mostly (mandarin's)in the truck lots of things you can get in cans to keep on hand if you can't get out to eat. bottom line Ron you can do this you are new the the band and I was new to the trucking so we can help each other .... sorry so long hope this helps. Karol Who do you pull

for? p.s. I am 48on Waggoner <rewag2006@...> wrote: Hi All...I am considering Lap Band but am unsure of it. I am an over-the-road truck driver and was wondering how hard it would be to eat properly having to eat in restaurants every day.Also is the lap band better or the sleeve? Any and all comments--suggestions welcome. I'm 51 year old male 6'0 tall 360 lbs. thanks Ron Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search.

Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Search.

[Guest guest]

Hi there,

You really need to do the 24 hr Salivary Adrenal stress profile if you

can, as Sheila suggested. It is £69 but well worth it as it will show

exactly where your adrenals are at and what/how much to supplement with

if needed.

It explained to me a lot about my feelings and emotions (I thought I

was dying) why I couldn't sleep at night/jumping awake and why I

couldn't stand up to doctors who told me there was nothing wrong me,

making me feel demoralised and stupid and then I'd come home and cry,

and also why I live with fear.

I hadn't read your post when I did my intro earlier today, but I wrote

then about how much any kind of stress will impact upon adrenals and if

not supported they will get weaker and weaker causing a vicious circle,

and you are under a lot of ongoing stress.

I hope this helps you and I'm wishing you well :-)

Gill (Slater)

All I am

> doing is sleeping, i hurt all over, feel as if im not here, keep

> getting pouding heart at night which wakes me up(went to gp and he

> said i needed a blood test and said i was prob hyper..... If im hyper

> then I just dont know what im going todo as im sooo very tired) I

> canth ardly move..... im not strong enough to request/tell my GP what

> to do, All i want to do is cry im crying as im typing this. It makes

> me think I am going to die...

[Guest guest]

Hello, I don't know what to say.. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPLIES, Especially you Sheila xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ok, I will answer all the questions here, my name is and I am 34.

I am currently taking 250mcg thyroxine, I havent got my recent blood results taken in December but I was within range I know that in fact my TSH was slightly out of range o. something. I had more blood tests taken on the 18th Jan 2008 and I am awaiting those results. ( They NEVER do T3 though - I will look into getting that checked myself, its just everything feels such a big deal at the moment, such an effort)

Just to point out, when I was 1st diagnosed 8 years ago my TSH was 170 odd and my T4 was <0. T3 not checked.

I do have hashimotos, my 1st results were "Thyroid Microsomal titre - 1:409,600 and Thyroglobulin antibody - 1:400" I have NO Idea how bad the results are if indeed they are. That was 8 years ago mind, I will have to check what any other results are if its needed.

I get a bit confused with all the adenal business..... Im not normally thick either but since Ive been ill, well I have lost my brain power put it that way.I will do the adrenal questionairre and let you know what the results are.

The candida test seems easy to do ( will have to shut the bedroom door so the little ones dont see me mind!!) I will do that in the morning.

Ferritin..... I seem to recall my ferritin being lowish yes... but as my iron was 14 or so my GP didnt want to prescribe me anything (id read it can attribute to hair loss) and when I asked the pharmicist she wouldnt sell me any ferrous sulphate!!

This converting to T3 makes my brain frazzle too.... god how I miss my health i really do, IVe been lke this since I was 27, its awful

I went to see a rheumatologist today for my RA, and she thinks something is very wrong with me... BUT she said I need to exercise ( fgs I know I need to I just cant.. Im not the woman my hub met and married I tell you, I was 9 stone all the time, maybe increased 7 0r 8 pounds but I was healthy and ooked so well... I am 14 stone today - got weighed at the hospital... so I am OBESE!!!! I remember when I was 1st diagnosed (after eing tld I had PND) I was same pre preg weight at 6 weeks postnatal, then I was 12.5 stone!!!

Sorry, I went off on a tangent there. I just dont feel ( nor do I look) Like ME anymore.

Anyway, the rheumatologist is going to refer me to an Endo ( im scared about that) to see what he can do.

My GP is really good at listening... but like its stated in a thread on this wonderful site... they are jack of all trades, master of none.And shes no thyroid expert.

If you need anything else pls let me know,

When I saw the posts, esp yours sheila, so involved like you actually listened to me, it set me off blubbing again.

Take care everyone

and thank you so very much xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Re: Hello

Hi **** (and I would love to be able to call you a nice name). You don't have to give your own name if you would rather not, but call yourself something you have probably always wanted to be called. Welcome to our Forum and I hope we will be able to give you all the help and support you so obviously need.

> I need some help. I am so very very sad at the moment. My illness is > getting me down. Ive had this blasted disease for 8 years and Im > still sufering. I live in UK and I am only on t4 meds.

Can you tell us how much T4 you are taking and when it was last increased. Alos, phone your surgery (or better still, pop in) and ask the receptionist to let you have a copy of your last thyroid function tests. You would need TSH, Free T4 and Free T3 (if the latter two were indeed done). If they were not done, you need to ask your doctor if you can have these because TSH is not sufficient, however much a doctor might try to convince you that it is all that is required. These results are yours by law, in the same way that you can (by appoiontment) look through all your medical notes if you need to do this. Once you have them, post these on the forum and the reference ranges. The latter is important.

I have 5 > autoimmune conditions and just get told by my GP well im an > autoimmune woman and its all linked. When I see new Drs regarding my > other conditions they are interested in the fact I have so many.... > but they do nothing to help me.

It's no wonder you feel so sad and frustrated., if your doctors are doing absolutely nothing to help you, they should be reported. Ask your GP to test your blood to see if you have antibodies to your thyroid, because it is very likely with all your other autoimmune diseases that this is why you are hypothyroid. Having antibodies to your thyroid means you have Hashimoto's disease. This means the antibodies see your thyroid gland tissue as public enemy number one and set about its destruction. As it becomes more and more destroyed, your thyroid is unable to put out the amount of thyroid hormone it should, and therefore, you have to compensate this lack of hormone by giving thyroid hormone replacement.

Thyroxine (T4) is an inactive hormone and it has to convert (through the liver and kidneys) to triiodothyronine (T3). T3 is the ACTIVE hormone and is responsible for every cell in your body functioning. If you are not converting your T4 to T3, this could account for how awful you feel. If your GP (or more likely, your local laboratory) refuse to test your Free T3, you can get it tested privately.. From memory this costs £14 and you can have your blood drawn (hopefully) at your local surgery or elsewhere, but these are listed on the NPTech list of tests they do, charges for each test. On the Home Page of this website http://health. groups.. com/group/ thyroidpatientad vocacy - click on FILES in the Menu, then when that page opens, scroll right down until you see NPTech Services.

I have 4 children, my house is a > tip... so bad that i could never let anyone in the house.

Things WILL get better if you stick around with us. We have some lovely members who will do everything they can to help you. Don't worry about your house - I think I am safe in saying that at some time in our journey to get well, we have all been unable to look after our house, as we were so ill. I know my husband kept our place going and to this day, I don't know what I would have done without him.

All I am > doing is sleeping, i hurt all over, feel as if im not here, keep > getting pouding heart at night which wakes me up(went to gp and he > said i needed a blood test and said i was prob hyper..... If im hyper > then I just dont know what im going todo as im sooo very tired)

I should imagine your doctor thinks you might be going hyper because your Free T4 is higher than it should be. There are three good reasons why he might think this.

He doesn't understand about the need for T4 to convert to the active T3. If you are NOT converting, the poor T4 it has nowhere to go and is literally floating around in your blood - that would make your Free T4 test results look high.

You have low adrenal reserve, and I should imagine with all the stress you have undergone these past 8 years, this could well be the case. If you have low adrenal reserve, your body will not be able to get the full benefit of thyroxine and you need to supplement your cortisol and DHEA. Again, you can get a 24 hour salivary test from NPTech Services to check where your corotisol and DHEA are at 8.00a.m. 12 Noon - 4.00p.m.. and midnight. This is fairly expensive, and perhaps you could get an idea if your adrenals might be compromised by again, going to our Files and scrolling down to the Adrenal Questionnaire. Answer all those questions, and let us know how you score. Sadly, doctors are unaware that this could be the cause of the reason why so many of their hypothyroid patients are not regaining their normal health.

You could be suffering with Candida Albicans - as many, many hypothyroid patients are. Again, there is a 'Candida Questionnaire' in our files and you can also do that one. One little test you can do that is free is to take up a glass tumbler of cold water when you go to bed tonight. First thing in the morning (before you get out of bed, have a drink, clean your teeth) work up a large amount of sputum in your mouth and spit it onto the top of the water in the glass. After a while, if you do have Candida Albicans, you will see threads going down towards the bottom of the glass and sometimes, if you are really bad, this can cause the water to go cloudy. Having Candida also stops your thyroxine working properly and you need to get rid of the candida.

Another one I almost forgot is you might be suffering with low ferritin (stored iron). You should ask your doctor to check your ferritin level. If it is very low, you will be prescribed something like Ferrous Sulphate 200 mgs. If you are ever prescribved iron, take it at least 4 hours away from your thyroxine as one cancels out the other.

I > canth ardly move..... im not strong enough to request/tell my GP what > to do, All i want to do is cry im crying as im typing this.

....and I'll tell you honestly that I cried when I read your letter. These damned doctors. If, as I suspect, you are not converting the T4 into the active T3, your brain has to suffer, you get short term memory and 'brain fog', you can get achy muscles (sometimes down right horrendous pain) - I know, 'cos I was unable to convert. Every single part of your body will be affected as it simply cannot function without T3.

It makes > me think I am going to die.... im 34 and I am lke an old lady, my poor > children mus think im a rubbish mother.. my hub helps as much as he > can.... but he works hard.... ive had time off my part time job > again...

We will do everything we can to help you regain your health. Are you able to see a private doctor? I ask because we have names of sme excellent doctors who would NOT leave you to suffer in the way you are, and who would dol everything they too can to make you well again. Don't worry if this is out of the question (the one thing many of us have in common is that we have had to leave paid employment). Although we are not medically qualified, we have learned more than the majority of doctors out there. You are NOT a rubbish Mum and I'm sure your children don't thionk so either. You have a rubbish doctor and you would do well to find one elsewhere, if that is possible

they are being nasty to me at the moment too, threatening me > with less pay and allsorts.... pls can someone help me

Don't let these poeple get you down - like doctors, they simply don't underatand what is wrong with us.

.......im also > losing my hair, i have bald patches and its thinning all over... my > GP just stated it was alopecia areata.... and adv nothing could be > done. I have vitiligo , NOTHING can be done... I have ulcerative > colitis wich needs steroid treatment when flares up and I have been > diagnosed with infallmatory autoimmune athritis linked to my bowel > disease. plus my hypo. Pls excuse my typos and the long post xx

This could be another autoimmune disease, but it could be as a direct result of being hypothyroid (and AGAIN not having enough T3 in your body).

Keep your chin up and be assured you are now on the road to recovery by coming and telling us your story. It might take a while, but PLEASE KNOW - THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF YOUR LONG TUNNEL.

Luv and big (((HUGS)))

Sheila

>

Support the World Aids Awareness campaign this month with for Good

[Guest guest]

>

>

>

> Hi **** (and I would love to be able to call you a nice name). You

> don't have to give your own name if you would rather not, but call

> yourself something you have probably always wanted to be called.

Welcome

> to our Forum and I hope we will be able to give you all the help and

> support you so obviously need.

>

>

> > I need some help. I am so very very sad at the moment. My illness

is

> > getting me down. Ive had this blasted disease for 8 years and Im

> > still sufering. I live in UK and I am only on t4 meds.

>

> Can you tell us how much T4 you are taking and when it was last

> increased. Alos, phone your surgery (or better still, pop in) and

ask

> the receptionist to let you have a copy of your last thyroid

function

> tests. You would need TSH, Free T4 and Free T3 (if the latter two

were

> indeed done). If they were not done, you need to ask your doctor if

you

> can have these because TSH is not sufficient, however much a doctor

> might try to convince you that it is all that is required. These

results

> are yours by law, in the same way that you can (by appoiontment)

look

> through all your medical notes if you need to do this. Once you have

> them, post these on the forum and the reference ranges. The latter

is

> important.

>

> I have 5

> > autoimmune conditions and just get told by my GP well im an

> > autoimmune woman and its all linked. When I see new Drs regarding

my

> > other conditions they are interested in the fact I have so

many....

> > but they do nothing to help me.

>

> It's no wonder you feel so sad and frustrated., if your doctors are

> doing absolutely nothing to help you, they should be reported. Ask

your

> GP to test your blood to see if you have antibodies to your thyroid,

> because it is very likely with all your other autoimmune diseases

that

> this is why you are hypothyroid. Having antibodies to your thyroid

means

> you have Hashimoto's disease. This means the antibodies see your

thyroid

> gland tissue as public enemy number one and set about its

destruction.

> As it becomes more and more destroyed, your thyroid is unable to

put out

> the amount of thyroid hormone it should, and therefore, you have to

> compensate this lack of hormone by giving thyroid hormone

replacement.

>

> Thyroxine (T4) is an inactive hormone and it has to convert

(through the

> liver and kidneys) to triiodothyronine (T3). T3 is the ACTIVE

hormone

> and is responsible for every cell in your body functioning. If you

are

> not converting your T4 to T3, this could account for how awful you

feel.

> If your GP (or more likely, your local laboratory) refuse to test

your

> Free T3, you can get it tested privately. From memory this costs £14

> and you can have your blood drawn (hopefully) at your local surgery

or

> elsewhere, but these are listed on the NPTech list of tests they do,

> charges for each test. On the Home Page of this website

> thyroid treatment

> <thyroid treatment> -

click

> on FILES in the Menu, then when that page opens, scroll right down

until

> you see NPTech Services.

>

> I have 4 children, my house is a

> > tip... so bad that i could never let anyone in the house.

>

> Things WILL get better if you stick around with us. We have some

lovely

> members who will do everything they can to help you. Don't worry

about

> your house - I think I am safe in saying that at some time in our

> journey to get well, we have all been unable to look after our

house, as

> we were so ill. I know my husband kept our place going and to this

day,

> I don't know what I would have done without him.

>

> All I am

> > doing is sleeping, i hurt all over, feel as if im not here, keep

> > getting pouding heart at night which wakes me up(went to gp and he

> > said i needed a blood test and said i was prob hyper..... If im

hyper

> > then I just dont know what im going todo as im sooo very tired)

>

> I should imagine your doctor thinks you might be going hyper because

> your Free T4 is higher than it should be. There are three good

reasons

> why he might think this.

>

> He doesn't understand about the need for T4 to convert to the

active T3.

> If you are NOT converting, the poor T4 it has nowhere to go and is

> literally floating around in your blood - that would make your Free

T4

> test results look high.

>

> You have low adrenal reserve, and I should imagine with all the

stress

> you have undergone these past 8 years, this could well be the case.

If

> you have low adrenal reserve, your body will not be able to get the

full

> benefit of thyroxine and you need to supplement your cortisol and

DHEA.

> Again, you can get a 24 hour salivary test from NPTech Services to

> check where your corotisol and DHEA are at 8.00a.m. 12 Noon -

4.00p.m.

> and midnight. This is fairly expensive, and perhaps you could get an

> idea if your adrenals might be compromised by again, going to our

Files

> and scrolling down to the Adrenal Questionnaire. Answer all those

> questions, and let us know how you score. Sadly, doctors are unaware

> that this could be the cause of the reason why so many of their

> hypothyroid patients are not regaining their normal health.

>

> You could be suffering with Candida Albicans - as many, many

hypothyroid

> patients are. Again, there is a 'Candida Questionnaire' in our

files and

> you can also do that one. One little test you can do that is free

is to

> take up a glass tumbler of cold water when you go to bed tonight.

First

> thing in the morning (before you get out of bed, have a drink, clean

> your teeth) work up a large amount of sputum in your mouth and spit

it

> onto the top of the water in the glass. After a while, if you do

have

> Candida Albicans, you will see threads going down towards the

bottom of

> the glass and sometimes, if you are really bad, this can cause the

water

> to go cloudy. Having Candida also stops your thyroxine working

properly

> and you need to get rid of the candida.

>

> Another one I almost forgot is you might be suffering with low

ferritin

> (stored iron). You should ask your doctor to check your ferritin

level.

> If it is very low, you will be prescribed something like Ferrous

> Sulphate 200 mgs. If you are ever prescribved iron, take it at

least 4

> hours away from your thyroxine as one cancels out the other.

>

> I > canth ardly move..... im not strong enough to request/tell my GP

> what

> > to do, All i want to do is cry im crying as im typing this.

>

> ...and I'll tell you honestly that I cried when I read your letter.

> These damned doctors. If, as I suspect, you are not converting the

T4

> into the active T3, your brain has to suffer, you get short term

memory

> and 'brain fog', you can get achy muscles (sometimes down right

> horrendous pain) - I know, 'cos I was unable to convert. Every

single

> part of your body will be affected as it simply cannot function

without

> T3.

>

> It makes

> > me think I am going to die... im 34 and I am lke an old lady, my

poor

> > children mus think im a rubbish mother.. my hub helps as much as

he

> > can.... but he works hard.... ive had time off my part time job

> > again...

>

> We will do everything we can to help you regain your health. Are you

> able to see a private doctor? I ask because we have names of sme

> excellent doctors who would NOT leave you to suffer in the way you

are,

> and who would dol everything they too can to make you well again.

Don't

> worry if this is out of the question (the one thing many of us have

in

> common is that we have had to leave paid employment). Although we

are

> not medically qualified, we have learned more than the majority of

> doctors out there. You are NOT a rubbish Mum and I'm sure your

children

> don't thionk so either. You have a rubbish doctor and you would do

well

> to find one elsewhere, if that is possible

>

> they are being nasty to me at the moment too, threatening me

> > with less pay and allsorts.... pls can someone help me

>

> Don't let these poeple get you down - like doctors, they simply

don't

> underatand what is wrong with us.

>

> ......im also

> > losing my hair, i have bald patches and its thinning all over...

my

> > GP just stated it was alopecia areata.... and adv nothing could be

> > done. I have vitiligo , NOTHING can be done... I have ulcerative

> > colitis wich needs steroid treatment when flares up and I have

been

> > diagnosed with infallmatory autoimmune athritis linked to my bowel

> > disease. plus my hypo. Pls excuse my typos and the long post xx

>

> This could be another autoimmune disease, but it could be as a

direct

> result of being hypothyroid (and AGAIN not having enough T3 in your

> body).

>

> Keep your chin up and be assured you are now on the road to

recovery by

> coming and telling us your story. It might take a while, but PLEASE

KNOW

> - THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF YOUR LONG TUNNEL.

>

> Luv and big (((HUGS)))

>

> Sheila

>

>

> >

>Hello, I don't know what to say.. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR

REPLIES, Especially you

Sheila xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ok, I will answer all the questions here, my name is and I am

34.

I am currently taking 250mcg thyroxine, I havent got my recent blood

results taken in December but I was within range I know that in fact

my TSH was slightly out of range o. something. I had more blood tests

taken on the 18th Jan 2008 and I am awaiting those results. ( They

NEVER do T3 though - I will look into getting that checked myself,

its just everything feels such a big deal at the moment, such an

effort)

Just to point out, when I was 1st diagnosed 8 years ago my TSH was

170 odd and my T4 was <0. T3 not checked.

I do have hashimotos, my 1st results were " Thyroid Microsomal titre -

1:409,600 and Thyroglobulin antibody - 1:400 " I have NO Idea how bad

the results are if indeed they are. That was 8 years ago mind, I will

have to check what any other results are if its needed.

I get a bit confused with all the adenal business..... Im not

normally thick either but since Ive been ill, well I have lost my

brain power put it that way.I will do the adrenal questionairre and

let you know what the results are.

The candida test seems easy to do ( will have to shut the bedroom

door so the little ones dont see me mind!!) I will do that in the

morning.

Ferritin..... I seem to recall my ferritin being lowish yes... but as

my iron was 14 or so my GP didnt want to prescribe me anything (id

read it can attribute to hair loss) and when I asked the pharmicist

she wouldnt sell me any ferrous sulphate!!

This converting to T3 makes my brain frazzle too.... god how I miss

my health i really do, IVe been lke this since I was 27, its awful

I went to see a rheumatologist today for my RA, and she thinks

something is very wrong with me... BUT she said I need to exercise (

fgs I know I need to I just cant.. Im not the woman my hub met and

married I tell you, I was 9 stone all the time, maybe increased 7 0r

8 pounds but I was healthy and ooked so well... I am 14 stone today -

got weighed at the hospital... so I am OBESE!!!! I remember when I

was 1st diagnosed (after eing tld I had PND) I was same pre preg

weight at 6 weeks postnatal, then I was 12.5 stone!!!

Sorry, I went off on a tangent there. I just dont feel ( nor do I

look) Like ME anymore.

Anyway, the rheumatologist is going to refer me to an Endo ( im

scared about that) to see what he can do.

My GP is really good at listening... but like its stated in a thread

on this wonderful site... they are jack of all trades, master of

none.And shes no thyroid expert.

If you need anything else pls let me know,

When I saw the posts, esp yours sheila, so involved like you actually

listened to me, it set me off blubbing again.

Take care everyone

and thank you so very much

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

PS I have no idea if Im posting correct... I replied all via email

but it wasnt showing on the forum, so im replying this way. Im sorry

if im doubling up, ill get there in the end xx

[Guest guest]

Do you use selenium as part of your strategy to minimise autoimmune

disease?

It also sounds as though a small and increasing dose of cortisol

might help; did you get a morning cortisol test done.

My wife had the vitiligo and alopecia but both seem to have abated

after the cortisol tablets were started (about 16yrs back)....

But she also went through a thyrotoxic crisis to get the cortisol put

right (ie diagnosed and treated ) ..don't wait that long; ask for

referal if necessary.

Vitiligo and alopecia may be particular aspects of adrenal dysfunction

either primary or secondary (pituitary caused)

best wishes

Bob

>

> I need some help. I am so very very sad at the moment. My illness

is

> getting me down. Ive had this blasted disease for 8 years and Im

> still sufering. I live in UK and I am only on t4 meds. I have 5

> autoimmune conditions and just get told by my GP well im an

> autoimmune woman and its all linked. When I see new Drs regarding

my

> other conditions they are interested in the fact I have so many....

> but they do nothing to help me. I have 4 children, my house is a

> tip... so bad that i could never let anyone in the house. All I am

> doing is sleeping, i hurt all over, feel as if im not here, keep

> getting pouding heart at night which wakes me up(went to gp and he

> said i needed a blood test and said i was prob hyper..... If im

hyper

> then I just dont know what im going todo as im sooo very tired) I

> canth ardly move..... im not strong enough to request/tell my GP

what

> to do, All i want to do is cry im crying as im typing this. It

makes

> me think I am going to die... im 34 and I am lke an old lady, my

poor

> children mus think im a rubbish mother.. my hub helps as much as he

> can.... but he works hard.... ive had time off my part time job

> again... they are being nasty to me at the moment too, threatening

me

> with less pay and allsorts.... pls can someone help me......im also

> losing my hair, i have bald patches and its thinning all over... my

> GP just stated it was alopecia areata.... and adv nothing could be

> done. I have vitiligo , NOTHING can be done... I have ulcerative

> colitis wich needs steroid treatment when flares up and I have been

> diagnosed with infallmatory autoimmune athritis linked to my bowel

> disease. plus my hypo. Pls excuse my typos and the long post xx

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Do you use selenium as part of your strategy to minimise autoimmune

> disease?

>

> It also sounds as though a small and increasing dose of cortisol

> might help; did you get a morning cortisol test done.

>

> My wife had the vitiligo and alopecia but both seem to have abated

> after the cortisol tablets were started (about 16yrs back)....

>

> But she also went through a thyrotoxic crisis to get the cortisol

put

> right (ie diagnosed and treated ) ..don't wait that long; ask for

> referal if necessary.

>

> Vitiligo and alopecia may be particular aspects of adrenal

dysfunction

> either primary or secondary (pituitary caused)

>

> best wishes

> Bob

>

Hi, I have posted a reply to previous but its gone. Im so not with

It, what am i doing wrong?

I dont take anything bar thyroxine pain killers and disease modifying

drugs for my arthritis.

I dont know enough about my disease do I. Ive jut plodded along. I

wish my last post would show up.. hope this one does!

[Guest guest]

Hi,

You sound just like was on T4! I had the same reaction from my doc.

Is it possible to see one of the docs on the website 'docs who will' list? unfortunately many are private. It really sounds like you may not be converting T4 into T3 and need Armour or some T3 to replace part of your T4.

> > > I need some help. I am so very very sad at the moment. My illness is > getting me down.

> Think you know your TV, music and film? Try Search Charades!

[Guest guest]

>

>

>

> Hi **** (and I would love to be able to call you a nice name). You

> don't have to give your own name if you would rather not, but call

> yourself something you have probably always wanted to be called.

Welcome

> to our Forum and I hope we will be able to give you all the help and

> support you so obviously need.

>

>

> > I need some help. I am so very very sad at the moment. My illness is

> > getting me down. Ive had this blasted disease for 8 years and Im

> > still sufering. I live in UK and I am only on t4 meds.

>

>This is my 4th time trying to post, Im so sorry, ' am having lots of

problems.

Hello, I don't know what to say.. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPLIES,

Especially you

Sheila xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ok, I will answer all the questions here, my name is and I am 34.

I am currently taking 250mcg thyroxine, I havent got my recent blood

results taken in December but I was within range I know that in fact my

TSH was slightly out of range o. something. I had more blood tests

taken on the 18th Jan 2008 and I am awaiting those results. ( They

NEVER do T3 though - I will look into getting that checked myself, its

just everything feels such a big deal at the moment, such an effort)

Just to point out, when I was 1st diagnosed 8 years ago my TSH was 170

odd and my T4 was <0. T3 not checked.

I do have hashimotos, my 1st results were " Thyroid Microsomal titre -

1:409,600 and Thyroglobulin antibody - 1:400 " I have NO Idea how bad

the results are if indeed they are. That was 8 years ago mind, I will

have to check what any other results are if its needed.

I get a bit confused with all the adenal business..... Im not normally

thick either but since Ive been ill, well I have lost my brain power

put it that way.I will do the adrenal questionairre and let you know

what the results are.

The candida test seems easy to do ( will have to shut the bedroom door

so the little ones dont see me mind!!) I will do that in the morning.

Ferritin..... I seem to recall my ferritin being lowish yes... but as

my iron was 14 or so my GP didnt want to prescribe me anything (id read

it can attribute to hair loss) and when I asked the pharmicist she

wouldnt sell me any ferrous sulphate!!

This converting to T3 makes my brain frazzle too.... god how I miss my

health i really do, IVe been lke this since I was 27, its awful

I went to see a rheumatologist today for my RA, and she thinks

something is very wrong with me... BUT she said I need to exercise (

fgs I know I need to I just cant.. Im not the woman my hub met and

married I tell you, I was 9 stone all the time, maybe increased 7 0r 8

pounds but I was healthy and ooked so well... I am 14 stone today - got

weighed at the hospital... so I am OBESE!!!! I remember when I was 1st

diagnosed (after eing tld I had PND) I was same pre preg weight at 6

weeks postnatal, then I was 12.5 stone!!!

Sorry, I went off on a tangent there. I just dont feel ( nor do I look)

Like ME anymore.

Anyway, the rheumatologist is going to refer me to an Endo ( im scared

about that) to see what he can do.

My GP is really good at listening... but like its stated in a thread on

this wonderful site... they are jack of all trades, master of none.And

shes no thyroid expert.

If you need anything else pls let me know,

When I saw the posts, esp yours sheila, so involved like you actually

listened to me, it set me off blubbing again.

Take care everyone

and thank you so very much

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[Guest guest]

> >

> > Do you use selenium as part of your strategy to minimise

autoimmune

> > disease?

> >

> > It also sounds as though a small and increasing dose of cortisol

> > might help; did you get a morning cortisol test done.

> >

> > My wife had the vitiligo and alopecia but both seem to have

abated

> > after the cortisol tablets were started (about 16yrs back)....

> >

> > But she also went through a thyrotoxic crisis to get the cortisol

> put

> > right (ie diagnosed and treated ) ..don't wait that long; ask

for

> > referal if necessary.

> >

> > Vitiligo and alopecia may be particular aspects of adrenal

> dysfunction

> > either primary or secondary (pituitary caused)

> >

> > best wishes

> > Bob

> >

> Hi, I have posted a reply to previous but its gone. Im so not with

> It, what am i doing wrong?

>

> I dont take anything bar thyroxine pain killers and disease

modifying

> drugs for my arthritis.

>

> I dont know enough about my disease do I. Ive jut plodded along. I

> wish my last post would show up.. hope this one does!

Hi ,

If you can get hold of some selenium, maybe 50microgram tablets, they

should begin to help with the autoimmune problems.

If you can cope with Brazil nuts (wild, not cultivated), they provide

enough selenium from about two nuts per day to help get you started.

Waitrose also have selenium-enhanced bread (similar to Canadian

sourced bread wheat that we used to get, before the EU decided to try

and 'stuff' us).

If you begin to use cortisol, be careful about the way you start

using it......it may throw all your reactions into a spin.....and

have you ever considered using 'de-glycyrrhinized' liquorice ~ it

helps with some of the symptoms of hypothyroid patients (GI in

particular).

Ordinary liquorice will cause your existing cortisol output to last

longer in your body, and that again may need extra caution. You may

use ordinary liquorice as an immediate substitute for your 'lack of

sufficient cortisol' from your own adrenals......but the/your doctor

may not either a) approve, or have a clue about it!

Hope that's helpful,

best wishes

Bob

[Guest guest]

Hi Elle Eff,

We’re here for you, coz we’ve been there done that. Now you have

taken responsibility for you health you are on the path to progress.

You’ve done well to get such a

high dose of T4. Most docs don’t go much above 150mcg. This alone says

that you probably have a conversion problem, just to remind you T4 has to

convert to T3 to be of any use. I know the foggy brain, I remember shopping

with my teenage daughter and her steering me around like I was senile. I almost

had to give up driving.

As to the antibodies I don’t

know the numbers, but anything present means that you have a problem! Basically,

your thyroid is being attacked and destroyed.

If you can get a doc to prescribe

you Armour or T3 you may find that your joint pains reduce or even disappear.

It seems that T4 can lodge in the joints and become toxic if it isn’t

converted properly. Now I’ve never read this anywhere, but it was told to

me by a doc I trust.

The NHS does not seem to believe

that adrenal insufficiency exists at any point lesss than full blown addison’s. thyroid disease

puts a great strain on the adrenals and sometimes supplementation is necessary before

thyroid meds can be tolerated- this tends to show up when a person goes from T4

to a med containing T3.

I do have hashimotos, my

1st results were " Thyroid Microsomal titre - 1:409,600 and Thyroglobulin

antibody - 1:400 " I have NO Idea how bad the results are if indeed

they are. That was 8 years ago

I get a bit confused with

all the adenal business..... Im not normally thick either but since Ive been

ill, well I have lost my brain power put it that way.I will do the adrenal

questionairre and let you know what the results are.

This converting to T3

makes my brain frazzle too.... god how I miss my health i really do, IVe been

lke this since I was 27, its awful

Support the World Aids

Awareness campaign this month with

for Good

[Guest guest]



Hi

I cannot believe 8 years ago your TSH was 179 and your Free T4 >0. It's a wonder you are still here. Because you have antibodies to your thyroid, these will gradually destroy your thyroid tissue and you will not be able to secrete the thyroid hormone your body needs. You may be need to change your medication if you are still feeling so bad (and sad) to a therapy that contains T3...but, see what your latest results show. I would definitely get your Free T3 tested, especially if your Free T4 is high in the range as this could mean you are not converting.

I understand your confusion regarding the adrenal business, it is VERY confusing, but do read what Dr Peatfield has to say on our website www.tpa-uk.or.guk and also, one of the best papers I have come across that patients find easier to understand the workings of the adrenal glands is Dr Lam's http://tuberose.com/Adrenal_Glands.html

As far as improving your iron intake, there are various other things you can take apart from Ferrous Sulphate. Go to our FILES on website and scroll down to one called Low Ferritin. If you read through that, you will see other medications and the foods you should eat to build up your iron. Your thyroxine will NOT work if you have low iron, whatever your GP says - so you need to sort this out.

T3 is the ACTIVE hormone that makes your body function. Every cell in your body needs it, your hair, your brain, your nose, your arms, legs, every organ in your body, skin, eyes, etc etc. You can't exist without T3. With a compromised thyroid gland, you are unable to secrete the thyroid hormones you need. Thyroxine is an INACTIVE hormone and it needs to convert (through your liver and kidneys) into T3. If you can't convert, you need synthetic T3 or the natural T3 that is in thyroid extract (Armour thyroid)