Re: I'm New (long....sorry)

[Guest guest]

This is just my opion, but I would find a good doc before having the

test. It would probably save you grief and expense in the end. Also,

I would not worry. The vast majority of nodules are caused by auto-

immune thryoid disease. I suspect you are a little hypothyroid from

your description of problems. Chronic auto-immune thyroid disease

can take years and years to damage your thyroid enough to lead to

full fledged hypothyroidism. You can probably find out now if you

are hypothyroid just by taking your temperature using the Broda

Basal Body tempurature test, which is all over the web, or

just by taking it 3 times a day about 3 hours apart starting in the

morning for about a week or two and then averaging them. They should

average 98.6. This will give you an idea about your metabolic rate,

which is controled by thyroid mostly. If it is averaging down below

97.8, suspect you are hypothyroid. Your anxiey symptoms could very

well be from low adrenal or adrenal fatigue caused by being low

thyroid. You could be having periods of hyperthyroidism, which can

cause a variety of symptoms. But, since you cannot loose weight

easily, you are probably mostly on the hypo side.

If this is what is causing the nodules, then thyroid treatment has a

good chance of shrinking them and it hopefully it will also fix the

anxiety and depression after a time. Both are associated with

hypothyroidism and the low adrenal that goes with it. Low adrenal

causes sleep problems and so does hypothryoidism. For me, low

adrenal made almost a total insomniac for many months.

If you are worried about cancer, thyroid cancer is not common and

very slow growing and when found has a 90% cure rate.

Anyway, you don't need to panic or get in a rush. A lot of doctors

are knife and proceedure happy and it's much better to keep as much

thryoid function as you can.

Tish

[Guest guest]

Hi, Beth.. Welcome...

Sorry for taking so long to get to you. But I wanted a bit of time to sit with you.

It can get confusing and scary when you know that something isn't right and no one seems to want to sit down with you and help you to understand. We're gonna try to help you with that here.

A good first step is to contact your doc's office and request copies of the test results.. that will let us see what they have tested and what the numbers really look like. This is going to be confusing at first, try not to get more frustrated. There are several common problems with diagnosing and treating thyroid disorders. One is docs that really arent' that knowledgeable about this condition (no matter which form of thyroid disease it is) and the fact that each of our bodies reacts so differently to having hormone levels off.

The uptake scan they did has spotted some nodules. That isn't an immediate cause to panic, even though I know you are concerned, and there isn't anything wrong with that. But first you need to find out the cause for the nodules. That is why I'd like to see what tests they've run. The ones in particular involve thyroid antibodies. Hashimoto's thyroiditis seems to be the most common of the thyroid diseases and it often involves nodules. So it's important to check for those antibodies, to see if that is what you are dealing with.

Nodules can also happen spontaneously, to be honest, I can't even say the why of their being there, but they end up being nothing more than a 'pain in the neck' (pun intended) They can sometimes be controlled with medication, just as the nodules involved with Hashi's can be... but it's not unheard of to have part of the thyroid gland removed surgically. We have a few folks here that have gone through surgery. Many more that have Hashi's and are working with controlling that.

A very small percentage of nodules are cancerous. But the recovery rate on that is very high, I think someone mentioned something like 90 %. Thyroid cancer is usually very localized and can be removed surgically with a follow up with RAI (radioactive iodine), if needed, to destroy remaining tissue.

Many of us have gone for years undiagnosed. I'm not saying that that is a good thing... I just want you to know that many of us went through the same thing so you needn't feel alone.

We'll be able to help you understand the tests, what hormones are involved, how things will affect your body... And, a very important thing that you'll learn here is how to help yourself to deal with what is going on and how to take care of yourself.

We've learned a lot about supplements that help our bodies heal and get stronger, we've learned what foods support thyroid health and those that do not. It's a lot to learn and can seem over whelming at times. But you've got the whole bunch of us here to help you to learn, to answer your questions and to just listen when you need to scream.

You've had some scans, that's a good thing, but we also need to find out the tests that you've had and to make sure that you get the correct ones from now on. To give you a better understanding about this stuff we've got a page set up on our ThyroPhoenix site that runs through the thyroid hormones and the tests and meds.... when you have a bit of time you can scoot over and check it out...

www.thyrophoenix.com/thyroid_101.htm

Never be afraid to ask questions. We know that for everyone that asks a question in a support group like this there are 20 others that want to ask the very same question but are too shy.

A bit about me. I'm co owner of this group, Feisty is my partner. I was hyper from puberty until I went into thyroid storm in my early thirties. Except I didn't know it. And neither had any of the docs that I'd seen over the years. when my storm hit I went in to the doc for the first time in my life for something that I didn't know. I mean I'd been in for work related injuries, for blood draws for my job. To get penicillin shots for ear infections and tonsillitis.. but I'd never before gone in to say that I thought something was wrong, could they help me? Well that doc blew me off and sent me home... My symptoms increased until it affected my job and I ended up going back in to see and orthopedist for shoulder problems. She spotted my problem in just a couple of minutes and had me heading for the hospital in a couple of hours where I waited for the lab results to come in.

I was in thyroid storm and too far gone to choose any treatment options other that RAI to kill my gland. They saved my life, but killed my gland. That was about 15 years ago.

Since then I've had all kinds of problems due to poor doctor care and lack of insurance and in July of '02 made the decision to switch to natural thyroid and treat myself. I've improved soooo much in these last two years that it's unbelievable.

So I can say without hesitation that understanding what this is all about and learning what you can do to support your body is possible, even if you no longer have a thyroid gland.

None of us will ever be 'normal' again. We are dependant on thyroid hormone supplementation (whether total replacement, like me, or partial for most other folks) and we have to make some changes in how and what we eat. But it sure beats the alternative, right?

So, at any rate... Welcome to our family!!!

Topper () aka ThyroGeek

www.thyrophoenix.com

On Fri, 20 Aug 2004 15:27:57 -0000 "bclevine" writes:

Hi everyone,I'm new here and new to all of the language and concerns of thyroid related issues. To give you a bit of background to my situation, I am 39 (will be 40 in October) the mother of two and very happily married for 11 years. Over the past 7 years I have been through multiple stressful situations. We have moved 6 times, (4 of which out of state).When I was pregnant with my 5 year old, my father was critically ill at the end of my pregnancy and I was induced due to all the stress. In June 2001, my husband's company was taken over and we moved back north to the NY area, my husband was working in Manhattan on 9/11 while I was back in FL trying to sell our home. 6 months after we were all settled in our new home, my mother was diagnosed with cancer and 6 months later she died. For the following 14 months, my father's health deteriorated and this past March he died (Dad was living with us). We were due to move back to Florida and had the closing on our house here April 5th! My husband had to start work here, and so my kids and I worked hard with the help of others to pack up our house, while doing my best to mourn my father and to continue mourning my mother.Now we are here.Sorry about the long winded intro, but I felt the background info would be quite meaningful in my situation. About two and a half years ago, when I went to my gynocologist for an annual exam, he mentioned that my thyroid seemed enlarged, he ordered bloodwork and suggested that I have it checked out by my internist. The bloodwork came back "normal".With everything else going on in my life, I didn't have another checkup until this past February. In the meantime I noticed that I would have a feeling of swollen glands at times and within the last year two and a half years I noticed some other changes in myself. For many years I've had difficulty sleeping. I fall asleep but then awake for several hours at night. I always attributed that to my 'need' to have some form of junk food late at night before I went to sleep. I have never had a weight problem in my life and have most definitely gone overboard in the comfort food department with the loss of my parents, but I have found in recent years, that when I take more control over this impulsive eating , my size doesn't drop down they way that it used to. This I've attributed to stress and getting older. When I haven't slept well or have over done the junk food, I can get what I have thought to be 'migraine' headaches, that last about two days and are usually accompanied by some constipation and allergy like symptoms and are almost always on the left side of my head with stiffness in that side of my neck. I experience heart palpitations and have had my feelings of fatigue and depression.This again, i attributed to stress and poor self care habits. I haven't been exercising much in recent years, before all this, I exercised all the time, this too I would take into account. I have also noticed a thickening at the base of my neck, I had always had a very slender neck before and I noticed in recent photos that my overall physique has changed, from long and lanky to tall and a bit more broad in appearance. Last week I went to a family practicioner. I don't know much about this doctor or for that matter any doctor in my area (being so new here). The practice was recommended by a neighbor. The office was way overcrowded and they were behind schedule. The doctor saw me, she was about my age and didn't have the best bedside manner. She seemed more concerned with exuding 'professionalism' than developing rapport with warmth and understanding. She felt my neck said it was enlarged ordered bloodwork an ultrasound and wrote up a prescription for Ambien.I went for the ultrasound and and they found multiple nodules. I got a call from her office the other day (while I was at a hotel for hurricane Charley) and an awkward nurse told me "You need to schedule an appointment for a _______ test", I was very confused and upet because I hadn't been told that I might need any other type of test and I really became alarmed. When I started asking questions, she seemed uncomfortable and put the doctor on, who spoke to my in her most condescending attempt to sound reassuring. She said that my thyroid is 'slightly' enlarged, but the bloodwork doesn't show if it is underactive or overactive (as an aside, she never asked me anything about any symptoms I might be having). The radiologist who reviewed my sonogram said I should go in for a thyroid uptake test. Something with radioactive iodine. I was really shaken up. The more questions I asked, the more neurotic they made me feel. I don't really understand what this is all about. The doctor said this should help them see if my thyroid is under or over active, and from this she might "bump" me to an endocrinologist. I would appreciate any and all advice that you might have to share. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this.Beth

[Guest guest]

Hi, Beth.. Welcome...

Sorry for taking so long to get to you. But I wanted a bit of time to sit with you.

It can get confusing and scary when you know that something isn't right and no one seems to want to sit down with you and help you to understand. We're gonna try to help you with that here.

A good first step is to contact your doc's office and request copies of the test results.. that will let us see what they have tested and what the numbers really look like. This is going to be confusing at first, try not to get more frustrated. There are several common problems with diagnosing and treating thyroid disorders. One is docs that really arent' that knowledgeable about this condition (no matter which form of thyroid disease it is) and the fact that each of our bodies reacts so differently to having hormone levels off.

The uptake scan they did has spotted some nodules. That isn't an immediate cause to panic, even though I know you are concerned, and there isn't anything wrong with that. But first you need to find out the cause for the nodules. That is why I'd like to see what tests they've run. The ones in particular involve thyroid antibodies. Hashimoto's thyroiditis seems to be the most common of the thyroid diseases and it often involves nodules. So it's important to check for those antibodies, to see if that is what you are dealing with.

Nodules can also happen spontaneously, to be honest, I can't even say the why of their being there, but they end up being nothing more than a 'pain in the neck' (pun intended) They can sometimes be controlled with medication, just as the nodules involved with Hashi's can be... but it's not unheard of to have part of the thyroid gland removed surgically. We have a few folks here that have gone through surgery. Many more that have Hashi's and are working with controlling that.

A very small percentage of nodules are cancerous. But the recovery rate on that is very high, I think someone mentioned something like 90 %. Thyroid cancer is usually very localized and can be removed surgically with a follow up with RAI (radioactive iodine), if needed, to destroy remaining tissue.

Many of us have gone for years undiagnosed. I'm not saying that that is a good thing... I just want you to know that many of us went through the same thing so you needn't feel alone.

We'll be able to help you understand the tests, what hormones are involved, how things will affect your body... And, a very important thing that you'll learn here is how to help yourself to deal with what is going on and how to take care of yourself.

We've learned a lot about supplements that help our bodies heal and get stronger, we've learned what foods support thyroid health and those that do not. It's a lot to learn and can seem over whelming at times. But you've got the whole bunch of us here to help you to learn, to answer your questions and to just listen when you need to scream.

You've had some scans, that's a good thing, but we also need to find out the tests that you've had and to make sure that you get the correct ones from now on. To give you a better understanding about this stuff we've got a page set up on our ThyroPhoenix site that runs through the thyroid hormones and the tests and meds.... when you have a bit of time you can scoot over and check it out...

www.thyrophoenix.com/thyroid_101.htm

Never be afraid to ask questions. We know that for everyone that asks a question in a support group like this there are 20 others that want to ask the very same question but are too shy.

A bit about me. I'm co owner of this group, Feisty is my partner. I was hyper from puberty until I went into thyroid storm in my early thirties. Except I didn't know it. And neither had any of the docs that I'd seen over the years. when my storm hit I went in to the doc for the first time in my life for something that I didn't know. I mean I'd been in for work related injuries, for blood draws for my job. To get penicillin shots for ear infections and tonsillitis.. but I'd never before gone in to say that I thought something was wrong, could they help me? Well that doc blew me off and sent me home... My symptoms increased until it affected my job and I ended up going back in to see and orthopedist for shoulder problems. She spotted my problem in just a couple of minutes and had me heading for the hospital in a couple of hours where I waited for the lab results to come in.

I was in thyroid storm and too far gone to choose any treatment options other that RAI to kill my gland. They saved my life, but killed my gland. That was about 15 years ago.

Since then I've had all kinds of problems due to poor doctor care and lack of insurance and in July of '02 made the decision to switch to natural thyroid and treat myself. I've improved soooo much in these last two years that it's unbelievable.

So I can say without hesitation that understanding what this is all about and learning what you can do to support your body is possible, even if you no longer have a thyroid gland.

None of us will ever be 'normal' again. We are dependant on thyroid hormone supplementation (whether total replacement, like me, or partial for most other folks) and we have to make some changes in how and what we eat. But it sure beats the alternative, right?

So, at any rate... Welcome to our family!!!

Topper () aka ThyroGeek

www.thyrophoenix.com

On Fri, 20 Aug 2004 15:27:57 -0000 "bclevine" writes:

Hi everyone,I'm new here and new to all of the language and concerns of thyroid related issues. To give you a bit of background to my situation, I am 39 (will be 40 in October) the mother of two and very happily married for 11 years. Over the past 7 years I have been through multiple stressful situations. We have moved 6 times, (4 of which out of state).When I was pregnant with my 5 year old, my father was critically ill at the end of my pregnancy and I was induced due to all the stress. In June 2001, my husband's company was taken over and we moved back north to the NY area, my husband was working in Manhattan on 9/11 while I was back in FL trying to sell our home. 6 months after we were all settled in our new home, my mother was diagnosed with cancer and 6 months later she died. For the following 14 months, my father's health deteriorated and this past March he died (Dad was living with us). We were due to move back to Florida and had the closing on our house here April 5th! My husband had to start work here, and so my kids and I worked hard with the help of others to pack up our house, while doing my best to mourn my father and to continue mourning my mother.Now we are here.Sorry about the long winded intro, but I felt the background info would be quite meaningful in my situation. About two and a half years ago, when I went to my gynocologist for an annual exam, he mentioned that my thyroid seemed enlarged, he ordered bloodwork and suggested that I have it checked out by my internist. The bloodwork came back "normal".With everything else going on in my life, I didn't have another checkup until this past February. In the meantime I noticed that I would have a feeling of swollen glands at times and within the last year two and a half years I noticed some other changes in myself. For many years I've had difficulty sleeping. I fall asleep but then awake for several hours at night. I always attributed that to my 'need' to have some form of junk food late at night before I went to sleep. I have never had a weight problem in my life and have most definitely gone overboard in the comfort food department with the loss of my parents, but I have found in recent years, that when I take more control over this impulsive eating , my size doesn't drop down they way that it used to. This I've attributed to stress and getting older. When I haven't slept well or have over done the junk food, I can get what I have thought to be 'migraine' headaches, that last about two days and are usually accompanied by some constipation and allergy like symptoms and are almost always on the left side of my head with stiffness in that side of my neck. I experience heart palpitations and have had my feelings of fatigue and depression.This again, i attributed to stress and poor self care habits. I haven't been exercising much in recent years, before all this, I exercised all the time, this too I would take into account. I have also noticed a thickening at the base of my neck, I had always had a very slender neck before and I noticed in recent photos that my overall physique has changed, from long and lanky to tall and a bit more broad in appearance. Last week I went to a family practicioner. I don't know much about this doctor or for that matter any doctor in my area (being so new here). The practice was recommended by a neighbor. The office was way overcrowded and they were behind schedule. The doctor saw me, she was about my age and didn't have the best bedside manner. She seemed more concerned with exuding 'professionalism' than developing rapport with warmth and understanding. She felt my neck said it was enlarged ordered bloodwork an ultrasound and wrote up a prescription for Ambien.I went for the ultrasound and and they found multiple nodules. I got a call from her office the other day (while I was at a hotel for hurricane Charley) and an awkward nurse told me "You need to schedule an appointment for a _______ test", I was very confused and upet because I hadn't been told that I might need any other type of test and I really became alarmed. When I started asking questions, she seemed uncomfortable and put the doctor on, who spoke to my in her most condescending attempt to sound reassuring. She said that my thyroid is 'slightly' enlarged, but the bloodwork doesn't show if it is underactive or overactive (as an aside, she never asked me anything about any symptoms I might be having). The radiologist who reviewed my sonogram said I should go in for a thyroid uptake test. Something with radioactive iodine. I was really shaken up. The more questions I asked, the more neurotic they made me feel. I don't really understand what this is all about. The doctor said this should help them see if my thyroid is under or over active, and from this she might "bump" me to an endocrinologist. I would appreciate any and all advice that you might have to share. Thanks so much for taking the time to read this.Beth

[Guest guest]

Some Dr's will go directly to the scan. But my ENT says that they don't really do them very often because he found them not as accurate. I dunno. Medicine changes like the wind sometimes.

They knew for 2 1/2 years that I had nodules with a dominant single nodule on the left lobe until they finally did surgery. My ENT doesn't like to take out any part of the thyroid unless it is too large/obstructing or possibility of cancer. If you are unsure go ahead and seek a second opinion. I did and it never hurts! I wouldn't worry one single bit about your results. There are so many of us on this list that have had nodules for years. Also nodules can come and go especially if you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis! Have you been tested for the antibodies for Hashi's?

Brookline Lab Rescue web site: http://www.dogsaver.org/brookline"Dreams are the touchstones of our character." Henry Thoreau

Re: I'm New (long....sorry)

Thanks . Because I haven't gotten much information from the doctor, it leaves me too much to wonder about (I'm a worrier from a long line of worriers).

Is it standard procedure for them to go directly to this type of test? My husband wants me to get other opinions from other doctors, especially because I wasn't so crazy about this one. But on the other hand, she did seem proactive to me by immediately ordering the ultrasound (my last doctor didn't). I'm afraid to even ask what "hot" and "cold nodules are...doctor said nothing about this.

Thanks again for answering.

Beth

Beth, Please don't worry hon! Many of us have been through all that youdescribe even the tests! I had a total of 3 ultrasounds and one thryoiduptake scan. They only give you two small pills and run a small scanner overyour thyroid. Then you come back in a few hours and they run the scanneragain. And you lay on a table while a machine goes around you. This willtell them if you have any "hot" or "cold" nodules. Also it gives them abetter picture of your thryoid. My thyroid was very large and I had tons ofnodules especially a prominant one on my left lobe. The ones on my rightlobe are all small. So three weeks ago I have my left lobe along with agolfball size nodule removed. I still have my right lobe but they willcontinue to monitor it. If you have any further questions or concerns feelfree to email me! Plus there are so many knowledgeable people on this groupthat would be happy to help you~!"Dreams are the touchstones of our character." Henry Thoreau----- Original Message -----

) Beth

[Guest guest]

Some Dr's will go directly to the scan. But my ENT says that they don't really do them very often because he found them not as accurate. I dunno. Medicine changes like the wind sometimes.

They knew for 2 1/2 years that I had nodules with a dominant single nodule on the left lobe until they finally did surgery. My ENT doesn't like to take out any part of the thyroid unless it is too large/obstructing or possibility of cancer. If you are unsure go ahead and seek a second opinion. I did and it never hurts! I wouldn't worry one single bit about your results. There are so many of us on this list that have had nodules for years. Also nodules can come and go especially if you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis! Have you been tested for the antibodies for Hashi's?

Brookline Lab Rescue web site: http://www.dogsaver.org/brookline"Dreams are the touchstones of our character." Henry Thoreau

Re: I'm New (long....sorry)

Thanks . Because I haven't gotten much information from the doctor, it leaves me too much to wonder about (I'm a worrier from a long line of worriers).

Is it standard procedure for them to go directly to this type of test? My husband wants me to get other opinions from other doctors, especially because I wasn't so crazy about this one. But on the other hand, she did seem proactive to me by immediately ordering the ultrasound (my last doctor didn't). I'm afraid to even ask what "hot" and "cold nodules are...doctor said nothing about this.

Thanks again for answering.

Beth

Beth, Please don't worry hon! Many of us have been through all that youdescribe even the tests! I had a total of 3 ultrasounds and one thryoiduptake scan. They only give you two small pills and run a small scanner overyour thyroid. Then you come back in a few hours and they run the scanneragain. And you lay on a table while a machine goes around you. This willtell them if you have any "hot" or "cold" nodules. Also it gives them abetter picture of your thryoid. My thyroid was very large and I had tons ofnodules especially a prominant one on my left lobe. The ones on my rightlobe are all small. So three weeks ago I have my left lobe along with agolfball size nodule removed. I still have my right lobe but they willcontinue to monitor it. If you have any further questions or concerns feelfree to email me! Plus there are so many knowledgeable people on this groupthat would be happy to help you~!"Dreams are the touchstones of our character." Henry Thoreau----- Original Message -----

) Beth

[Guest guest]

Some Dr's will go directly to the scan. But my ENT says that they don't really do them very often because he found them not as accurate. I dunno. Medicine changes like the wind sometimes.

They knew for 2 1/2 years that I had nodules with a dominant single nodule on the left lobe until they finally did surgery. My ENT doesn't like to take out any part of the thyroid unless it is too large/obstructing or possibility of cancer. If you are unsure go ahead and seek a second opinion. I did and it never hurts! I wouldn't worry one single bit about your results. There are so many of us on this list that have had nodules for years. Also nodules can come and go especially if you have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis! Have you been tested for the antibodies for Hashi's?

Brookline Lab Rescue web site: http://www.dogsaver.org/brookline"Dreams are the touchstones of our character." Henry Thoreau

Re: I'm New (long....sorry)

Thanks . Because I haven't gotten much information from the doctor, it leaves me too much to wonder about (I'm a worrier from a long line of worriers).

Is it standard procedure for them to go directly to this type of test? My husband wants me to get other opinions from other doctors, especially because I wasn't so crazy about this one. But on the other hand, she did seem proactive to me by immediately ordering the ultrasound (my last doctor didn't). I'm afraid to even ask what "hot" and "cold nodules are...doctor said nothing about this.

Thanks again for answering.

Beth

Beth, Please don't worry hon! Many of us have been through all that youdescribe even the tests! I had a total of 3 ultrasounds and one thryoiduptake scan. They only give you two small pills and run a small scanner overyour thyroid. Then you come back in a few hours and they run the scanneragain. And you lay on a table while a machine goes around you. This willtell them if you have any "hot" or "cold" nodules. Also it gives them abetter picture of your thryoid. My thyroid was very large and I had tons ofnodules especially a prominant one on my left lobe. The ones on my rightlobe are all small. So three weeks ago I have my left lobe along with agolfball size nodule removed. I still have my right lobe but they willcontinue to monitor it. If you have any further questions or concerns feelfree to email me! Plus there are so many knowledgeable people on this groupthat would be happy to help you~!"Dreams are the touchstones of our character." Henry Thoreau----- Original Message -----

) Beth

[Guest guest]

Hi Beth-

I know it's really scary when you find out you may have thyroid

problems. Don't worry about the uptake scan. The radiologist told me

it was the same amount of radiation as going on an airplane trip. I

went to the hospital one morning to take the pill and went back the

next morning for the scan, etc. and they injected something else (I

used to know what it was all called, but it's gone now, sorry).

Anyway, it was no big deal and just to be on the safe side I didn't

cuddle with my husband and son for a couple of days and I drank tons

of water to clear all that stuff out of my system.

Finding a doctor you can have a good relationship with is not easy. I

asked alot of people for referrals and switched doctors 4 times before

I found one I am comfortable talking with, who considers how I am

feeling, and who will do his best to help me. He's right out of

school and just setting up his practice so he has plenty of time to

spend with his patients (waiting room is always empty, never have to

wait, can get in same day). One more thing - make sure you get a copy

of your records from your doctor whenever you have tests done. This

way you can know exactly what tests were done and what the results

were for yourself. The added benefit is having your records with you

when you see a new doctor.

I live in Florida too (Brevard County). There's a

" Florida_Thyroid_Groups " yahoo group - they keep a database of Florida

doctors you might like to refer to.

The_Thyroid_Support_Group (this one) has given me support and

information that's helped me out more than anything else. I hope you

find the same knowledge and support that I have found here, and I hope

you can find a doctor you're more comfortable with too.

Best Wishes, darringirl

> Hi everyone,

> I'm new here and new to all of the language and concerns of thyroid

> related issues.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Beth-

I know it's really scary when you find out you may have thyroid

problems. Don't worry about the uptake scan. The radiologist told me

it was the same amount of radiation as going on an airplane trip. I

went to the hospital one morning to take the pill and went back the

next morning for the scan, etc. and they injected something else (I

used to know what it was all called, but it's gone now, sorry).

Anyway, it was no big deal and just to be on the safe side I didn't

cuddle with my husband and son for a couple of days and I drank tons

of water to clear all that stuff out of my system.

Finding a doctor you can have a good relationship with is not easy. I

asked alot of people for referrals and switched doctors 4 times before

I found one I am comfortable talking with, who considers how I am

feeling, and who will do his best to help me. He's right out of

school and just setting up his practice so he has plenty of time to

spend with his patients (waiting room is always empty, never have to

wait, can get in same day). One more thing - make sure you get a copy

of your records from your doctor whenever you have tests done. This

way you can know exactly what tests were done and what the results

were for yourself. The added benefit is having your records with you

when you see a new doctor.

I live in Florida too (Brevard County). There's a

" Florida_Thyroid_Groups " yahoo group - they keep a database of Florida

doctors you might like to refer to.

The_Thyroid_Support_Group (this one) has given me support and

information that's helped me out more than anything else. I hope you

find the same knowledge and support that I have found here, and I hope

you can find a doctor you're more comfortable with too.

Best Wishes, darringirl

> Hi everyone,

> I'm new here and new to all of the language and concerns of thyroid

> related issues.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Beth-

I know it's really scary when you find out you may have thyroid

problems. Don't worry about the uptake scan. The radiologist told me

it was the same amount of radiation as going on an airplane trip. I

went to the hospital one morning to take the pill and went back the

next morning for the scan, etc. and they injected something else (I

used to know what it was all called, but it's gone now, sorry).

Anyway, it was no big deal and just to be on the safe side I didn't

cuddle with my husband and son for a couple of days and I drank tons

of water to clear all that stuff out of my system.

Finding a doctor you can have a good relationship with is not easy. I

asked alot of people for referrals and switched doctors 4 times before

I found one I am comfortable talking with, who considers how I am

feeling, and who will do his best to help me. He's right out of

school and just setting up his practice so he has plenty of time to

spend with his patients (waiting room is always empty, never have to

wait, can get in same day). One more thing - make sure you get a copy

of your records from your doctor whenever you have tests done. This

way you can know exactly what tests were done and what the results

were for yourself. The added benefit is having your records with you

when you see a new doctor.

I live in Florida too (Brevard County). There's a

" Florida_Thyroid_Groups " yahoo group - they keep a database of Florida

doctors you might like to refer to.

The_Thyroid_Support_Group (this one) has given me support and

information that's helped me out more than anything else. I hope you

find the same knowledge and support that I have found here, and I hope

you can find a doctor you're more comfortable with too.

Best Wishes, darringirl

> Hi everyone,

> I'm new here and new to all of the language and concerns of thyroid

> related issues.

>

[Guest guest]

I lived in the pats Colonial Grand while I opened an office for my ex company

Re: I'm New (long....sorry)

I live in Heathrow!

Beth

I lived in Heathrow and drove down

----- Original Message -----

[Guest guest]

I lived in the pats Colonial Grand while I opened an office for my ex company

Re: I'm New (long....sorry)

I live in Heathrow!

Beth

I lived in Heathrow and drove down

----- Original Message -----

[Guest guest]

I lived in the pats Colonial Grand while I opened an office for my ex company

Re: I'm New (long....sorry)

I live in Heathrow!

Beth

I lived in Heathrow and drove down

----- Original Message -----

[Guest guest]

he is in the same office. one of the partners but even though I was fat, knew something adrenal was going on

Re: I'm New (long....sorry)

I just looked him up online and see that he is at the same address as another doctor who I saw recommended on a thyroid info website; Crockett. I'm not sure if I should try to see another doctor before having this test.

Beth

I would head down to Orlando to DR on Orange Ave if you are a tough case. I lived in Heathrow and drove down

-----

[Guest guest]

he is in the same office. one of the partners but even though I was fat, knew something adrenal was going on

Re: I'm New (long....sorry)

I just looked him up online and see that he is at the same address as another doctor who I saw recommended on a thyroid info website; Crockett. I'm not sure if I should try to see another doctor before having this test.

Beth

I would head down to Orlando to DR on Orange Ave if you are a tough case. I lived in Heathrow and drove down

-----

[Guest guest]

he is in the same office. one of the partners but even though I was fat, knew something adrenal was going on

Re: I'm New (long....sorry)

I just looked him up online and see that he is at the same address as another doctor who I saw recommended on a thyroid info website; Crockett. I'm not sure if I should try to see another doctor before having this test.

Beth

I would head down to Orlando to DR on Orange Ave if you are a tough case. I lived in Heathrow and drove down

-----

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much, Debbie. I am so new to all of this, but from what I've been reading here it seems that the synthetic are limited in the options offered. So then am I right in thinking it is best to find someone open to both options?

Thanks again,

) Beth

Well, I drive four hours to my doc in Atlanta. I just know Doc Woliner has been highly praised here on the board. You might check

http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/florida.htm

Read the recommendations carefully some of those docs are still synthetic only, plus there could be some self promotions there. Perhaps someone else will pop in with a recommendation.

Blessings,

Debbie K.

-----Original Message-----From: bclevine@...

[Guest guest]

Hi Tish,

thanks so much for your help. Your letter really made me feel a lot more relaxed about everything and I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate this. My husband is also so thrilled that I found this group. My symptoms are as clear as mud to me, given all of the other circumstances in my life. A lot of these symptoms (especially the sleep difficulty) I've had for years. I will check into the temperature test...right now I'm trying to function on about 4 hours sleep and have a crazy day ahead...

I also felt a lot better about your suggestion regarding the Thyroid Uptake test. The doctor really alarmed me when out of nowhere I got this message saying that I needed to schedule this test. It left me feeling that all was very urgent because she only offered a basic explanation once the nurse sensed my panic. Boy does it help to talk to all of you who really know and care. What a great group this is!

) Beth

This is just my opion, but I would find a good doc before having the test. It would probably save you grief and expense in the end. Also, I would not worry. The vast majority of nodules are caused by auto-immune thryoid disease. I suspect you are a little hypothyroid from your description of problems. Chronic auto-immune thyroid disease can take years and years to damage your thyroid enough to lead to full fledged hypothyroidism. You can probably find out now if you are hypothyroid just by taking your temperature using the Broda Basal Body tempurature test, which is all over the web, or just by taking it 3 times a day about 3 hours apart starting in the morning for about a week or two and then averaging them. They should average 98.6. This will give you an idea about your metabolic rate, which is controled by thyroid mostly. If it is averaging down below 97.8, suspect you are hypothyroid. Your anxiey symptoms could very well be from low adrenal or adrenal fatigue caused by being low thyroid. You could be having periods of hyperthyroidism, which can cause a variety of symptoms. But, since you cannot loose weight easily, you are probably mostly on the hypo side.If this is what is causing the nodules, then thyroid treatment has a good chance of shrinking them and it hopefully it will also fix the anxiety and depression after a time. Both are associated with hypothyroidism and the low adrenal that goes with it. Low adrenal causes sleep problems and so does hypothryoidism. For me, low adrenal made almost a total insomniac for many months. If you are worried about cancer, thyroid cancer is not common and very slow growing and when found has a 90% cure rate. Anyway, you don't need to panic or get in a rush. A lot of doctors are knife and proceedure happy and it's much better to keep as much thryoid function as you can.Tish

) Beth

[Guest guest]

Hi Tish,

thanks so much for your help. Your letter really made me feel a lot more relaxed about everything and I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate this. My husband is also so thrilled that I found this group. My symptoms are as clear as mud to me, given all of the other circumstances in my life. A lot of these symptoms (especially the sleep difficulty) I've had for years. I will check into the temperature test...right now I'm trying to function on about 4 hours sleep and have a crazy day ahead...

I also felt a lot better about your suggestion regarding the Thyroid Uptake test. The doctor really alarmed me when out of nowhere I got this message saying that I needed to schedule this test. It left me feeling that all was very urgent because she only offered a basic explanation once the nurse sensed my panic. Boy does it help to talk to all of you who really know and care. What a great group this is!

) Beth

This is just my opion, but I would find a good doc before having the test. It would probably save you grief and expense in the end. Also, I would not worry. The vast majority of nodules are caused by auto-immune thryoid disease. I suspect you are a little hypothyroid from your description of problems. Chronic auto-immune thyroid disease can take years and years to damage your thyroid enough to lead to full fledged hypothyroidism. You can probably find out now if you are hypothyroid just by taking your temperature using the Broda Basal Body tempurature test, which is all over the web, or just by taking it 3 times a day about 3 hours apart starting in the morning for about a week or two and then averaging them. They should average 98.6. This will give you an idea about your metabolic rate, which is controled by thyroid mostly. If it is averaging down below 97.8, suspect you are hypothyroid. Your anxiey symptoms could very well be from low adrenal or adrenal fatigue caused by being low thyroid. You could be having periods of hyperthyroidism, which can cause a variety of symptoms. But, since you cannot loose weight easily, you are probably mostly on the hypo side.If this is what is causing the nodules, then thyroid treatment has a good chance of shrinking them and it hopefully it will also fix the anxiety and depression after a time. Both are associated with hypothyroidism and the low adrenal that goes with it. Low adrenal causes sleep problems and so does hypothryoidism. For me, low adrenal made almost a total insomniac for many months. If you are worried about cancer, thyroid cancer is not common and very slow growing and when found has a 90% cure rate. Anyway, you don't need to panic or get in a rush. A lot of doctors are knife and proceedure happy and it's much better to keep as much thryoid function as you can.Tish

) Beth

[Guest guest]

Yes, someone open to both options would definitely be better. But most of these (I'm tempted to say all) do not dose adequately, so to find a doc that prefers Armour would be the best. My local doc is open to both, but only b/c some people are allergic to the synthetics, or so he says. He, like the synthetic docs, doses by the tsh which is so totally inadequate. Most, if not all, members here, however, get the best results on natural thyroid hormones, whether Armour or generic. I was on synthetic for three(?) years. Just taking what the doc said, not feeling any different. But then I didn't know I could feel better. I thought that I was genetically doomed to old age. When I switched to Armour I got so much better! I got relief from many symptoms that I didn't even know were related, ie allergies, abdominal gas, snoring fibro-type aches and pains,etc. I have a long list. Slowly, but surely, I am feeling younger and younger.

If, by any way, you can drive to the good doc, I would. You will get better faster. Most good docs are understanding about having to drive long distances and will set up phone appointments for follow-up. Doc Milton, north of Atlanta, has several patients who come from Michigan and one that comes from Seattle. I know one of the Michigan patients and she only goes once a year. The rest of the appointments are by phone.

I have another reason for going to a good doc. My local doc is really interested in thyroid issues b/c of his family history. Like so many docs who was educated after the seventies, he has just not been taught about Armour. I believe that after following me under Doc Milton's care, he will see the light.

Blessings,

Debbie K.

-----Original Message-----From: bclevine@... Sent: Monday, August 23, 2004 8:34 PMTo: The_Thyroid_Support_Group Subject: Re: I'm New (long....sorry)

Thanks so much, Debbie. I am so new to all of this, but from what I've been reading here it seems that the synthetic are limited in the options offered. So then am I right in thinking it is best to find someone open to both options?

Thanks again,

) Beth

[Guest guest]

Yes, someone open to both options would definitely be better. But most of these (I'm tempted to say all) do not dose adequately, so to find a doc that prefers Armour would be the best. My local doc is open to both, but only b/c some people are allergic to the synthetics, or so he says. He, like the synthetic docs, doses by the tsh which is so totally inadequate. Most, if not all, members here, however, get the best results on natural thyroid hormones, whether Armour or generic. I was on synthetic for three(?) years. Just taking what the doc said, not feeling any different. But then I didn't know I could feel better. I thought that I was genetically doomed to old age. When I switched to Armour I got so much better! I got relief from many symptoms that I didn't even know were related, ie allergies, abdominal gas, snoring fibro-type aches and pains,etc. I have a long list. Slowly, but surely, I am feeling younger and younger.

If, by any way, you can drive to the good doc, I would. You will get better faster. Most good docs are understanding about having to drive long distances and will set up phone appointments for follow-up. Doc Milton, north of Atlanta, has several patients who come from Michigan and one that comes from Seattle. I know one of the Michigan patients and she only goes once a year. The rest of the appointments are by phone.

I have another reason for going to a good doc. My local doc is really interested in thyroid issues b/c of his family history. Like so many docs who was educated after the seventies, he has just not been taught about Armour. I believe that after following me under Doc Milton's care, he will see the light.

Blessings,

Debbie K.

-----Original Message-----From: bclevine@... Sent: Monday, August 23, 2004 8:34 PMTo: The_Thyroid_Support_Group Subject: Re: I'm New (long....sorry)

Thanks so much, Debbie. I am so new to all of this, but from what I've been reading here it seems that the synthetic are limited in the options offered. So then am I right in thinking it is best to find someone open to both options?

Thanks again,

) Beth

[Guest guest]

Yes, someone open to both options would definitely be better. But most of these (I'm tempted to say all) do not dose adequately, so to find a doc that prefers Armour would be the best. My local doc is open to both, but only b/c some people are allergic to the synthetics, or so he says. He, like the synthetic docs, doses by the tsh which is so totally inadequate. Most, if not all, members here, however, get the best results on natural thyroid hormones, whether Armour or generic. I was on synthetic for three(?) years. Just taking what the doc said, not feeling any different. But then I didn't know I could feel better. I thought that I was genetically doomed to old age. When I switched to Armour I got so much better! I got relief from many symptoms that I didn't even know were related, ie allergies, abdominal gas, snoring fibro-type aches and pains,etc. I have a long list. Slowly, but surely, I am feeling younger and younger.

If, by any way, you can drive to the good doc, I would. You will get better faster. Most good docs are understanding about having to drive long distances and will set up phone appointments for follow-up. Doc Milton, north of Atlanta, has several patients who come from Michigan and one that comes from Seattle. I know one of the Michigan patients and she only goes once a year. The rest of the appointments are by phone.

I have another reason for going to a good doc. My local doc is really interested in thyroid issues b/c of his family history. Like so many docs who was educated after the seventies, he has just not been taught about Armour. I believe that after following me under Doc Milton's care, he will see the light.

Blessings,

Debbie K.

-----Original Message-----From: bclevine@... Sent: Monday, August 23, 2004 8:34 PMTo: The_Thyroid_Support_Group Subject: Re: I'm New (long....sorry)

Thanks so much, Debbie. I am so new to all of this, but from what I've been reading here it seems that the synthetic are limited in the options offered. So then am I right in thinking it is best to find someone open to both options?

Thanks again,

) Beth