Re: i have test result[s]!

September 6, 2004

Thanks! But isn't there a difference between saying you should not

rely on it than saying " it doesn't matter? " Sounds so to me.

Sue

> > > Thanks... but all I asked for was SOME reference to SOME

> > > professional medical information to back up the comments that

TSH

> > > levels do not matter whatsoever. I have not been able to find

any.

> > >

> > > Sue

September 6, 2004

Hi

I don't have the test results back; just got it done Saturday. But I

am not educated enough to know what " normal " is anyway. To be

honest I am a bit hesitant to post them when I do find out, as no

matter what they are, I figure there will be people who jump in and

tell me they are bad, even if my doctor tells me I am okay and I

feel great. It would be all to easy for me to become paranoid

about all this stuff.

Sue

> I'm curious as to what your Free T3 and 4 levels are, as your doc

did those.

> My TSH at the end of May was a .005. Now a lot of doctors would

freak over

> that. But my Free T3 and Free T4 were 4.5, with an upper end of

4.2, then

> 1.2, with an upper end of 1.8, just over the top of " normal " on

the T3, and

> just over midrange on the T4. Had I just done the TSH, formerly,

I would

> have thought that I was hyperthyroid, but the thing is that the

TSH isn't

> the thyroid hormone, and it's obvious by my Frees test results

that it may

> be horrifying to think that I had anywhere from a 3.5 to a 5.5

TSH, and even

> a 6 one time, and 3 different doctors called that " normal " and

wouldn't up

> my dose of Levoxyl. They kept me on the same old dose for 10 long

yrs, from

> the time I was first diagnosed. Just think of where the Free T3

probably

> was with readings like that for around 10 yrs.

>

> Re: i have test result!

>

> > Hi

> >

> > I am not disputing you... just curious as to where you learned

that,

> > since everything I am reading (and my two doctors) all indicate

my

> > 2.58 is normal.

> >

> > Sue

September 6, 2004

Hello Sue,

S> tell me they are bad, even if my doctor tells me I am okay and I

S> feel great.

Feeling great is the goal here.

if you don't want anyone but your Dr's opinion , and you feel fine don't post

the results.

Unfortunately many people feel rotten and get told their thyroid numbers

are great - when the results are posted it turns out the wrong tests

have been asked for or the Dr is misinterpreting the results.

Best regards,

Alison

http://www.alisonashwell.com

mailto:alison.ashwell@...

new work uploaded

http://www.artwanted.com/alisonashwell

September 6, 2004

Hello Sue,

S> tell me they are bad, even if my doctor tells me I am okay and I

S> feel great.

Feeling great is the goal here.

if you don't want anyone but your Dr's opinion , and you feel fine don't post

the results.

Unfortunately many people feel rotten and get told their thyroid numbers

are great - when the results are posted it turns out the wrong tests

have been asked for or the Dr is misinterpreting the results.

Best regards,

Alison

http://www.alisonashwell.com

mailto:alison.ashwell@...

new work uploaded

http://www.artwanted.com/alisonashwell

September 6, 2004

Hello Sue,

S> tell me they are bad, even if my doctor tells me I am okay and I

S> feel great.

Feeling great is the goal here.

if you don't want anyone but your Dr's opinion , and you feel fine don't post

the results.

Unfortunately many people feel rotten and get told their thyroid numbers

are great - when the results are posted it turns out the wrong tests

have been asked for or the Dr is misinterpreting the results.

Best regards,

Alison

http://www.alisonashwell.com

mailto:alison.ashwell@...

new work uploaded

http://www.artwanted.com/alisonashwell

September 6, 2004

The final vote may not be in, but I've got a " normal " TSH of 3.95 and

I feel like crap. I've got a lot of tell tale symptoms, such as high

cholesterol that stays high even with medication, good diet and

exercise (I still try to force myself to exercise, even though I'm

exhausted), " inexplicable " anemia, coarse shedding hair, an excellent

" forgetory " , constant back/shoulder/neck aches, the occasional heart

palpitation, etc.

But hey, I'm perfectly fine, because my TSH is less than 5.5!

Ain't modern medicine grand?

Sorry for the cynicism . That's the basic answer I've been getting

from my GP and endo. I'm going to another endo tomorrow for a second

opinion (I'm not optimistic). Next week, I'm off to a

naturopath/osteopath who I'm hoping will help me.

blithe

> Great links, Blithe... thanks! Sounds as if professionally

> the " vote is still out " on this one. I appreciate the info.

>

> Sue

September 6, 2004

The final vote may not be in, but I've got a " normal " TSH of 3.95 and

I feel like crap. I've got a lot of tell tale symptoms, such as high

cholesterol that stays high even with medication, good diet and

exercise (I still try to force myself to exercise, even though I'm

exhausted), " inexplicable " anemia, coarse shedding hair, an excellent

" forgetory " , constant back/shoulder/neck aches, the occasional heart

palpitation, etc.

But hey, I'm perfectly fine, because my TSH is less than 5.5!

Ain't modern medicine grand?

Sorry for the cynicism . That's the basic answer I've been getting

from my GP and endo. I'm going to another endo tomorrow for a second

opinion (I'm not optimistic). Next week, I'm off to a

naturopath/osteopath who I'm hoping will help me.

blithe

> Great links, Blithe... thanks! Sounds as if professionally

> the " vote is still out " on this one. I appreciate the info.

>

> Sue

September 6, 2004

The final vote may not be in, but I've got a " normal " TSH of 3.95 and

I feel like crap. I've got a lot of tell tale symptoms, such as high

cholesterol that stays high even with medication, good diet and

exercise (I still try to force myself to exercise, even though I'm

exhausted), " inexplicable " anemia, coarse shedding hair, an excellent

" forgetory " , constant back/shoulder/neck aches, the occasional heart

palpitation, etc.

But hey, I'm perfectly fine, because my TSH is less than 5.5!

Ain't modern medicine grand?

Sorry for the cynicism . That's the basic answer I've been getting

from my GP and endo. I'm going to another endo tomorrow for a second

opinion (I'm not optimistic). Next week, I'm off to a

naturopath/osteopath who I'm hoping will help me.

blithe

> Great links, Blithe... thanks! Sounds as if professionally

> the " vote is still out " on this one. I appreciate the info.

>

> Sue

September 6, 2004

Yes, there's a difference. Some docs don't believe that TSH is useful

at all, whereas some use it in conjunction with other tests such as

FT3 and FT4. Some docs feel that TSH is less useful for managing a

hypothyroid person and adjusting meds, and that FT3 and FT4 is more

useful.

Two docs, 3 opinions .

blithe

> Thanks! But isn't there a difference between saying you should not

> rely on it than saying " it doesn't matter? " Sounds so to me.

>

> Sue

September 6, 2004

Yes, there's a difference. Some docs don't believe that TSH is useful

at all, whereas some use it in conjunction with other tests such as

FT3 and FT4. Some docs feel that TSH is less useful for managing a

hypothyroid person and adjusting meds, and that FT3 and FT4 is more

useful.

Two docs, 3 opinions .

blithe

> Thanks! But isn't there a difference between saying you should not

> rely on it than saying " it doesn't matter? " Sounds so to me.

>

> Sue

September 6, 2004

Yes, there's a difference. Some docs don't believe that TSH is useful

at all, whereas some use it in conjunction with other tests such as

FT3 and FT4. Some docs feel that TSH is less useful for managing a

hypothyroid person and adjusting meds, and that FT3 and FT4 is more

useful.

Two docs, 3 opinions .

blithe

> Thanks! But isn't there a difference between saying you should not

> rely on it than saying " it doesn't matter? " Sounds so to me.

>

> Sue

September 6, 2004

It would be easy for you to become paranoid?

Was that intended as a statement about yourself or about the rest of

the group?

blithe

> Hi

>

> I don't have the test results back; just got it done Saturday. But I

> am not educated enough to know what " normal " is anyway. To be

> honest I am a bit hesitant to post them when I do find out, as no

> matter what they are, I figure there will be people who jump in and

> tell me they are bad, even if my doctor tells me I am okay and I

> feel great. It would be all to easy for me to become paranoid

> about all this stuff.

>

> Sue

September 6, 2004

It would be easy for you to become paranoid?

Was that intended as a statement about yourself or about the rest of

the group?

blithe

> Hi

>

> I don't have the test results back; just got it done Saturday. But I

> am not educated enough to know what " normal " is anyway. To be

> honest I am a bit hesitant to post them when I do find out, as no

> matter what they are, I figure there will be people who jump in and

> tell me they are bad, even if my doctor tells me I am okay and I

> feel great. It would be all to easy for me to become paranoid

> about all this stuff.

>

> Sue

September 6, 2004

It would be easy for you to become paranoid?

Was that intended as a statement about yourself or about the rest of

the group?

blithe

> Hi

>

> I don't have the test results back; just got it done Saturday. But I

> am not educated enough to know what " normal " is anyway. To be

> honest I am a bit hesitant to post them when I do find out, as no

> matter what they are, I figure there will be people who jump in and

> tell me they are bad, even if my doctor tells me I am okay and I

> feel great. It would be all to easy for me to become paranoid

> about all this stuff.

>

> Sue

September 6, 2004

The final vote may not be in, but I've got a "normal" TSH of 3.95 andI feel like crap.

My docs aren't on top of everything... I'm certainly finding that out. But even the ones I've seen recently know that the TSH guidelines have been revised!! It's amazing to me that the local labs haven't revised their normal values to reflect that. But, at least the docs knew to regard the results differently. Could you find the info on the endocrinology website that talks about the official revision, and show it to them?

September 6, 2004

The final vote may not be in, but I've got a "normal" TSH of 3.95 andI feel like crap.

My docs aren't on top of everything... I'm certainly finding that out. But even the ones I've seen recently know that the TSH guidelines have been revised!! It's amazing to me that the local labs haven't revised their normal values to reflect that. But, at least the docs knew to regard the results differently. Could you find the info on the endocrinology website that talks about the official revision, and show it to them?

September 6, 2004

The final vote may not be in, but I've got a "normal" TSH of 3.95 andI feel like crap.

My docs aren't on top of everything... I'm certainly finding that out. But even the ones I've seen recently know that the TSH guidelines have been revised!! It's amazing to me that the local labs haven't revised their normal values to reflect that. But, at least the docs knew to regard the results differently. Could you find the info on the endocrinology website that talks about the official revision, and show it to them?

September 6, 2004

Sue...

Judge the tests for yourself... Most folks find that TSH around 1.0 or slightly less, Free T4 about in the middle or slightly over the middle of your labs range.. and Free T3 at the top end or a tad higher..

Those numbers are the general guidelines... What is more important is how YOU FEEL.

One of the big things with thyroid disorders is that it just plain doesn't affect every one the same way... It quite possible that your ideal TSH and Frees are exactly where they need to be for you.

Bottom line is how you feel. If you feel great. Then leave well enough alone.

We're here for those that feel crappy and keep being told that it's all in their heads... It's not in their heads... it's how their bodies are working. We want them to understand that and learn how to make it better in the way that is best for them.

If you want to discuss something with any particular individual... Contact them privately. They will keep your confidence, if you request it..

I've posted things for several folks since we started up the group more that a year and a half ago.... Folks that wanted to hear the group's ideas, but didn't want them to know who's 'story' it was... others just are too shy to speak to the group and do better with one on one conversations but still read all the group posts.

There is no law that says you may ONLY post to the group.... You are free to make your own choices there, provided the person that you contact off list is willing, of course.

Topper ()

On Mon, 06 Sep 2004 14:29:41 -0000 "Sue" writes:

Hi I don't have the test results back; just got it done Saturday. But I am not educated enough to know what "normal" is anyway. To be honest I am a bit hesitant to post them when I do find out, as no matter what they are, I figure there will be people who jump in and tell me they are bad, even if my doctor tells me I am okay and I feel great. It would be all to easy for me to become paranoid about all this stuff. :)Sue

September 6, 2004