New to the group

[Guest guest]

You have just confirmed a couple of things that I have been wrestling with over the last several months. One is the adrenal issue, and the other is the thyroiditis (-itis meaning "inflammation of"). I have the adrenal glandulars from Nutri-meds in hand, but am hesitating to take them without first being tested for this. I plan on doing that, but have to wait for the funds to do it. I don't want to treat blindly, when I'm not that sure where my body is standing from that angle right now. The second issue is that I'm reasonably sure that I do that thyroiditis right now because of the symptoms I'm having with my throat, the size of the thyroid, and the "bouncing" syndrome. No matter what anyone says, those blood tests are very valuable, and they're not difficult for me to understand, as long as I have some support doing it. Thank you!

Re: New to the Group

Hi ! Here's a link that explains some of the tests, including Free T3 & Free T4.

http://thenaturalhealthplace.com/Articles/ThyroidTesting.html

It says if your free T3 is less than 2.3, it's an indicator of hypothyroidism. You said yours was in the low normal range, right?

It says if your free T4 is less than 0.7, it's an indicator of hypothyroiditis. Odd...I've never heard that term used before. Yours was .6...right? So, another hypo sign.

And your TSH definitely puts you at hypothyroidism.

Here's another site that explains thyroid tests. Maybe it will help you. If you scroll on down past the interpretation of the tests, it tells you how you can plot your tests results. I thought it was a bit complicated. I just woke up with a pounding headache (migraine) and having a hard time reading because of eye pain. I can't think so good right now. Maybe you can figure it out.

http://www.drrind.com/thyroidscale.asp

I have heard and read that many folks with Hashi's don't do well on Armour.

Here's a link that tells about that;

http://www.mercola.com/article/hypothyroid/treatment.htm

I've also heard something if you have an underlying adrenal problem, you can treat the thyroid all you want but you won't feel better. Now I'm NOT the best person for figuring things out, but I'll post a few links about this, let you read about it and see what you think.

http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/shamesadrenal.htm

If you think you might have some adrenal issues going on, you might need to explore that and get some testing done.

Here's more links about adrenals. The first one has a link in the article to a metabolic scorecard symptom matrix. It might be helpful.

http://thyroid.about.com/library/weekly/aaadrenal.htm

http://www.thyroid-info.com/endocrine/addisons-disease.htm

http://www.thyroid-info.com/endocrine/cushings-syndome.htm

Anyway, I wish I could help you. It sounds like you need more Armour, but if you can't tolerate more armour, then you could try a synthetic T4/T3 and see if you feel better. I know you don't like synthetics though. Or explore the adrenal angle...see if you think you might have underlying adrenal problems. If you do, I've read that the thyroid stuff won't be resolved until you support the adrenals.

Take care and keep in touch! Sheila

wrote:

No, the 9.31 TSH was back in February of this year, when I went to see this dumb endo. He upped the Levoxyl (for the first time since I ever took my first dose of any thyroied med) from 100 mcgs to 125. I never felt any better than I ever did though. I joined a thyroid support group for several months before I gathered much more info than what I had previously known, to make the change on my own. I found out where to go to get the labs on my own by this group and ordered my own medication. I do have an understanding of all these things, and I work a medical floor. Anyway, I made this change about mid September, then had testing done for Free T3 and Free T4 for the first time ever. My TSH at this time was 38. something (way too high!). It's puzzling that the Free T3 was withing the normal range, yet the Free T4 was way below the normal range. I still don't feel that much better, though I do bel! ieve in the natural hormone. I'm thinking that I should be working on getting more T4 to go with it, if my next testing is still going to show that low T4. It's funny that the TSH could be that high, yet the T3 is withing that normal range. Does anyone have any input on this?? Two months hasn't even past since this particular testing. Could it be that it just hasn't been given enough time to retest?

[Guest guest]

Ok, here's my EXACT #s, which I should have given before my last post. I did go in on Dr. Rind's site (I've been there before in relation to the adrenal-thyroid comparison chart, but not the thyroid scale). From what I'm seeing there it's looking like it is the Hashimoto's (late phase thyroiditis; 15 yrs now), too low a dose and not enough T4, plus those pooped out adrenals also:

Sept 30th

TSH 35.553 Reference Range: 0.35-5.50

Triiodothyronine Free 2.8 Reference Range: 2.3-4.2

Free Thyroxine (FT4) 0.6 Reference Range: 0.8-1.8

No Totals Done on My Request----I don't believe that they show the actual state of the thyroid, once we've been on medication as long as I have been. Only good for initial diagnosis, before any thyroid meds have been started.

Re: New to the Group

[Guest guest]

Hi ----Eltroxin is another synthetic brand of T4. It was cheaper to order overseas, and this is what I got at that time. My daughter has done fine on it, but, with my allergies, I didn't (fillers). I probably need to go ahead and order the Levoxyl, just to keep it on hand, incase my next testing says the T4 is again too low, but, of course, I have a couple of other issues to work out here also, with the adrenals, and the inflammation in the thyroid right now. I have no insurance, so it's as my pocketbook allows. I'm so tired of the bouncing.

Re: New to the Group

Hi, -- a warm welcome to you! It certainly sounds to me like youhave *classic* Hashi's symptoms... especially the wild thyroid swings.Where do you live? I know we have to do some digging around sometimes,but you should be able to find an endo. who will test your antibodies.When I was first diagnosed, my TSH was 52 and T4 was very slightlybelow normal range (it was .72 -- normal was >.75). One doc wasn'teven convinced I was hypo. But I was having such a bad time of it,, I was back in the E.R. 2 days later, and guess what -- my TSHwas 71! So I know about these swings. I do think it sometimes takes awhile on the right dosage of the thyroid supplement that works for youbefore things even out. By the way, what is Eltroxin? Haven't heard of that one. Take care, -- you'll find a lot of support here.

[Guest guest]

, on a scale of importance, it's your free T3 which is way way

too low. Yes, your free T4 could stand improvement!! But your free

T3 could stand HUGE improvements. Your goal is to get that free T3

in the upper part of the range. That's where SO many improvements

are seen, and why those folks on T4 alone don't get the

improvements. Their T4-only treatment does not adequately convert to

the very needed T3.

Janie )

> Sept 30th

>

> TSH 35.553 Reference Range: 0.35-5.50

> Triiodothyronine Free 2.8 Reference Range: 2.3-4.2

> Free Thyroxine (FT4) 0.6 Reference Range: 0.8-1.8

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome Toni

Antoinette Christie

antoinettec88.bebo.com

familyfights4me

[Guest guest]

Lou,

The only thing I had for years was an inhaler just in case. I was about 8 or 9 my doctor decided that if I could strengthen my lungs it would lessen my attacks. So he had my mother get me a track coach and he started training me on how to breathe. It seem to work because I had my last attack when I was about 10. I didn't start taken medicine again until I was an adult diagnosed with allergies. So now my doctors gives me medicine that treats allergies and asthma as a preventative measure. The key for me was strengthening my lungs to keep me under control. I can't stand strong smells. And when I get a cold I have to be cautions. I have had pneumonia about 3 or 4 times in my life. I am a firm believer that exercise can help asthmatics.

Tara

Welcome Tara,I would like to know how you are controlling your Asthma? With mediation or what? I believe I had Asthma for years before I was diagnosed. It seems that my allergy Dr is the only Dr that reallyadmits that I have Asthma now. I keep talking Asthma to my GP and she listens but never commments on the fact. I have had Sinus problems every since I can remember. It was after I joined this group that I realized that everytime I get pneumonia, it always starts in the Sinues. I have a lot of triggers that starts an Asthma attack. Right now the one I have to watch out for in Fragrance, bleach,and anything with a strong smell. After joining this group, I bought a Nedi Pot and having good results. I have a Nebulizer and Oxygen consentrater. I hope you can continue controlling your asthma.Lou> Hello everyone,> > I started having respiratory problems when I was about 18 months old.> A full diagnosis of asthma was issued by time I was 2 years old. I am> actually a controlled asthmatic. I have been in remission for many> years. However, I thought it would be good to join this group so I can> keep up with what is going on for people with asthma. I know that at> anytime I can have an asthma attack. My grandfather lived in remission> of asthma for some time and then one day he had a severe asthma attack> which lead to a heart attack and he died. So I know that I still have> to be careful but I do not live in fear of asthma. My doctor manages> my breathing especially when there is very dangerous humidity and when> I have colds or the flu. So I look forward to interacting with my> fellow asthmatics.> > Tara> Get the scoop on last night's hottest shows and the live music scene in your area - Check out TourTracker.com!

[Guest guest]

Welcome Tara,

I would like to know how you are controlling your Asthma? With

mediation or what? I believe I had Asthma for years before I was

diagnosed. It seems that my allergy Dr is the only Dr that really

admits that I have Asthma now. I keep talking Asthma to my GP and

she listens but never commments on the fact. I have had Sinus

problems every since I can remember. It was after I joined this

group that I realized that everytime I get pneumonia, it always

starts in the Sinues. I have a lot of triggers that starts an Asthma

attack. Right now the one I have to watch out for in Fragrance, bleach,

and anything with a strong smell. After joining this group, I bought a

Nedi Pot and having good results. I have a Nebulizer and Oxygen

consentrater. I hope you can continue controlling your asthma.

Lou

> Hello everyone,

>

> I started having respiratory problems when I was about 18 months old.

> A full diagnosis of asthma was issued by time I was 2 years old. I am

> actually a controlled asthmatic. I have been in remission for many

> years. However, I thought it would be good to join this group so I can

> keep up with what is going on for people with asthma. I know that at

> anytime I can have an asthma attack. My grandfather lived in remission

> of asthma for some time and then one day he had a severe asthma attack

> which lead to a heart attack and he died. So I know that I still have

> to be careful but I do not live in fear of asthma. My doctor manages

> my breathing especially when there is very dangerous humidity and when

> I have colds or the flu. So I look forward to interacting with my

> fellow asthmatics.

>

> Tara

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Tara,

What medication do you take?

-------------- Original message from "tsanford07" : --------------

Hello everyone,I started having respiratory problems when I was about 18 months old.A full diagnosis of asthma was issued by time I was 2 years old. I amactually a controlled asthmatic. I have been in remission for manyyears. However, I thought it would be good to join this group so I cankeep up with what is going on for people with asthma. I know that atanytime I can have an asthma attack. My grandfather lived in remissionof asthma for some time and then one day he had a severe asthma attackwhich lead to a heart attack and he died. So I know that I still haveto be careful but I do not live in fear of asthma. My doctor managesmy breathing especially when there is very dangerous humidity and whenI have colds or the flu. So I look forward to interacting with myfellow asthmatics.Tara

[Guest guest]

Hi Tara,

Welcome to the group!

Alana

>

> Hello everyone,

[Guest guest]

It has taken me a year to be diagnosed & I attribute it more to my own diligence

& use of webmd.com than the random theories of the numerous doctors I saw.

I have been taking a Lifeforce multivitamin I picked up @ Whole Foods & it

allows me to get through the day. I have to work so the vitamins give me at

least enough energy for that.

no such luck with the other random symptoms...

>

> I just wanted to introduce myself to ya'll.

>

> I was diagnosed recently with CFS/ME after two years of tests and

persistance. I am glad to learn there is a name for what I have, but

disappointed to learn it's CFS/ME as it is such a misunderstood illness.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi - I'm Jackie. I'm in the process of being diagnosed with Asthma (I think - will know more Tuesday). I'm very nervous about my appt with the specialist. I had Bronchitis 6x since January. I am now on combivent 4x a day. I had the Pulmonary function test done but haven't received the results yet from my pcp - I'm guessing I will get them at my appt with the specialist. I find that my chest on the right side gets tight multiple times a day.

Just wanted to say Hi. -- Jackie

[Guest guest]

Welcome Jackie. I know how scary this is for you. I was only

diagnosed last August. So I am still a " newbie " to asthma myself.

There are so many caring people on this group who can offer their

experiences and support with just about any asthma related question

you can imagine. Don't hesitate to ask. Please keep us posted.

Madeline

>

> Hi - I'm Jackie. I'm in the process of being diagnosed with Asthma (I

think

> - will know more Tuesday). I'm very nervous about my appt with the

> specialist. I had Bronchitis 6x since January. I am now on combivent

4x a

> day. I had the Pulmonary function test done but haven't received the

results

> yet from my pcp - I'm guessing I will get them at my appt with the

> specialist. I find that my chest on the right side gets tight

multiple times

> a day.

> Just wanted to say Hi.

> --

> Jackie

>

[Guest guest]

Welcome Jackie, I am new to the group also. I was diagnosed last October and it scares me to death, I also was diagnosed this year with Diabetes, I quit smoking this April 18th, smoked for 42 years 2-3 packs a day, so now my breathing is a lot better, hubby smoked and quit for my sake too. I have learned a lot from this group.

GL all, Kathy