Guest guest Posted April 1, 2002 Report Share Posted April 1, 2002 Hi Pam: This is so exciting! I am so glad everything went so well for you! :-) C. Pam wrote: > Hi All, > > The dreaded endo appointment has turned out very well. > What a great April fools day prank... Look Doc... No Pills > !!!! > > We had an intelligent conversation about all my > reductions, which he agreed my labs did > show, were the proper thing for me to do. > Yes, I did have to redirect him to our past conversation > concerning the FT4 level we > previously agreed upon. He then read aloud that agreement > <sigh> and 'then' agreed I have > done the right things so far. > > I admit to terrible brain fog concerning my use of > bugleweed. Why go there? You only have > so many minutes to use, and I have a lot to say, and > concerns to be addressed. > > TSI ... he never uses it. Some people do use it as a means > of predicting possible > remission. Guess I skipped that part...'yes'. Would it be > of any use now? No... because it > can come back. OK, that makes sense to me.( it was fun > knowing which one to ask about, and > see the surprise on his face) > > BP slightly high. Yep, I knew that. And yes he is telling > me it could indicate hyper > coming back. But once I stated clearly, I do not FEEL > hyper at all, he then backed down, > and said it could well be an entirely separate issue, and > to see my regular doctor about > it. Whew ! Remember, this is the guy that kept raising my > dose of PTU based on BP only, > and kept me in hypo land for years. > > We have agreed that waiting one more week before checking > FT4 is wise, as I will have then > been totally clean from PTU for one month, after the 3/4 > of a pill taken during my > poisoning event. > I will also be able to continue my once a month labs, with > doctors app. still 3 mo. away. > I am so happy about all of this. I was a bit afraid he > would pass me off to my regular > doctor too soon. And my regular doc insists on too many > blood tests, and charges way too > much for them. > The endo is much less expensive, both office visits, and > labs. Go figure? > > I have requested, and have in my hot little hand, a > prescription for the generic Tapazole. > If all goes well, I shall be able to frame the darn thing > and hang it on the wall ! BUT... > I am fully prepared, if the hyper should return. Without > having to go through a bunch of > hoops. I was worried he might not be willing to do this, > but it was no problem. > > Eyes... for the very first time... they measure exactly > the same ! > > ***************************************************** > BUT , here is the very best thing that happened.... > He said on 5 occasions... you look so normal ! Asked me if > I knew that.. had to agree. :-) > > The line of the day... " when I first met you , I hate to > admit it, but you were pretty > crazy " > I could hardly believe he said this, and I think he was > equally surprised that I readily > agreed with his assessment. LOL > This to a woman that uses a screen name of 'almostcrazy'. > Tee Hee !!! ( what he doesn't > know won't hurt him) > > He just kept telling me I am normal, and that my eyes look > so good, and that I am no > longer crazy. Holy Cow ! Do you have any idea how many > years I have waited to hear this? > I'm guessing twenty or thirty. Doctors always laugh and > change the subject. There was no > prompting on my part today. This all came out of the blue. > > ******************************************************* > > Yes, I am so pleased with that part, I had to add 'stars' > around it . > So it turns out this is even a better day than the one > when I posted my first wonderful > labs a few weeks ago. > > Oh, he did not think my 1/4 and 1/2 pills were of no use, > like I expected him to say. And > he readily gave me the needed information on how this will > translate to the generic Tap, > if I should need to ever use this prescription. Then he > said, this will give you a place > to start, and you can then judge from there. Is this guy > cool or what? All I had to do was > spend countless hours on the net, and study Elaine's book > and a few others previously, and > finally ... I am getting some where. He now is willing to > admit, he does not know the > exact dose I need, and that I am the best judge. > > -Pam- who shall once again resume dancing in the street. > :-) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2002 Report Share Posted April 1, 2002 Hi Pam: This is so exciting! I am so glad everything went so well for you! :-) C. Pam wrote: > Hi All, > > The dreaded endo appointment has turned out very well. > What a great April fools day prank... Look Doc... No Pills > !!!! > > We had an intelligent conversation about all my > reductions, which he agreed my labs did > show, were the proper thing for me to do. > Yes, I did have to redirect him to our past conversation > concerning the FT4 level we > previously agreed upon. He then read aloud that agreement > <sigh> and 'then' agreed I have > done the right things so far. > > I admit to terrible brain fog concerning my use of > bugleweed. Why go there? You only have > so many minutes to use, and I have a lot to say, and > concerns to be addressed. > > TSI ... he never uses it. Some people do use it as a means > of predicting possible > remission. Guess I skipped that part...'yes'. Would it be > of any use now? No... because it > can come back. OK, that makes sense to me.( it was fun > knowing which one to ask about, and > see the surprise on his face) > > BP slightly high. Yep, I knew that. And yes he is telling > me it could indicate hyper > coming back. But once I stated clearly, I do not FEEL > hyper at all, he then backed down, > and said it could well be an entirely separate issue, and > to see my regular doctor about > it. Whew ! Remember, this is the guy that kept raising my > dose of PTU based on BP only, > and kept me in hypo land for years. > > We have agreed that waiting one more week before checking > FT4 is wise, as I will have then > been totally clean from PTU for one month, after the 3/4 > of a pill taken during my > poisoning event. > I will also be able to continue my once a month labs, with > doctors app. still 3 mo. away. > I am so happy about all of this. I was a bit afraid he > would pass me off to my regular > doctor too soon. And my regular doc insists on too many > blood tests, and charges way too > much for them. > The endo is much less expensive, both office visits, and > labs. Go figure? > > I have requested, and have in my hot little hand, a > prescription for the generic Tapazole. > If all goes well, I shall be able to frame the darn thing > and hang it on the wall ! BUT... > I am fully prepared, if the hyper should return. Without > having to go through a bunch of > hoops. I was worried he might not be willing to do this, > but it was no problem. > > Eyes... for the very first time... they measure exactly > the same ! > > ***************************************************** > BUT , here is the very best thing that happened.... > He said on 5 occasions... you look so normal ! Asked me if > I knew that.. had to agree. :-) > > The line of the day... " when I first met you , I hate to > admit it, but you were pretty > crazy " > I could hardly believe he said this, and I think he was > equally surprised that I readily > agreed with his assessment. LOL > This to a woman that uses a screen name of 'almostcrazy'. > Tee Hee !!! ( what he doesn't > know won't hurt him) > > He just kept telling me I am normal, and that my eyes look > so good, and that I am no > longer crazy. Holy Cow ! Do you have any idea how many > years I have waited to hear this? > I'm guessing twenty or thirty. Doctors always laugh and > change the subject. There was no > prompting on my part today. This all came out of the blue. > > ******************************************************* > > Yes, I am so pleased with that part, I had to add 'stars' > around it . > So it turns out this is even a better day than the one > when I posted my first wonderful > labs a few weeks ago. > > Oh, he did not think my 1/4 and 1/2 pills were of no use, > like I expected him to say. And > he readily gave me the needed information on how this will > translate to the generic Tap, > if I should need to ever use this prescription. Then he > said, this will give you a place > to start, and you can then judge from there. Is this guy > cool or what? All I had to do was > spend countless hours on the net, and study Elaine's book > and a few others previously, and > finally ... I am getting some where. He now is willing to > admit, he does not know the > exact dose I need, and that I am the best judge. > > -Pam- who shall once again resume dancing in the street. > :-) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2002 Report Share Posted April 1, 2002 Hi Pam: This is so exciting! I am so glad everything went so well for you! :-) C. Pam wrote: > Hi All, > > The dreaded endo appointment has turned out very well. > What a great April fools day prank... Look Doc... No Pills > !!!! > > We had an intelligent conversation about all my > reductions, which he agreed my labs did > show, were the proper thing for me to do. > Yes, I did have to redirect him to our past conversation > concerning the FT4 level we > previously agreed upon. He then read aloud that agreement > <sigh> and 'then' agreed I have > done the right things so far. > > I admit to terrible brain fog concerning my use of > bugleweed. Why go there? You only have > so many minutes to use, and I have a lot to say, and > concerns to be addressed. > > TSI ... he never uses it. Some people do use it as a means > of predicting possible > remission. Guess I skipped that part...'yes'. Would it be > of any use now? No... because it > can come back. OK, that makes sense to me.( it was fun > knowing which one to ask about, and > see the surprise on his face) > > BP slightly high. Yep, I knew that. And yes he is telling > me it could indicate hyper > coming back. But once I stated clearly, I do not FEEL > hyper at all, he then backed down, > and said it could well be an entirely separate issue, and > to see my regular doctor about > it. Whew ! Remember, this is the guy that kept raising my > dose of PTU based on BP only, > and kept me in hypo land for years. > > We have agreed that waiting one more week before checking > FT4 is wise, as I will have then > been totally clean from PTU for one month, after the 3/4 > of a pill taken during my > poisoning event. > I will also be able to continue my once a month labs, with > doctors app. still 3 mo. away. > I am so happy about all of this. I was a bit afraid he > would pass me off to my regular > doctor too soon. And my regular doc insists on too many > blood tests, and charges way too > much for them. > The endo is much less expensive, both office visits, and > labs. Go figure? > > I have requested, and have in my hot little hand, a > prescription for the generic Tapazole. > If all goes well, I shall be able to frame the darn thing > and hang it on the wall ! BUT... > I am fully prepared, if the hyper should return. Without > having to go through a bunch of > hoops. I was worried he might not be willing to do this, > but it was no problem. > > Eyes... for the very first time... they measure exactly > the same ! > > ***************************************************** > BUT , here is the very best thing that happened.... > He said on 5 occasions... you look so normal ! Asked me if > I knew that.. had to agree. :-) > > The line of the day... " when I first met you , I hate to > admit it, but you were pretty > crazy " > I could hardly believe he said this, and I think he was > equally surprised that I readily > agreed with his assessment. LOL > This to a woman that uses a screen name of 'almostcrazy'. > Tee Hee !!! ( what he doesn't > know won't hurt him) > > He just kept telling me I am normal, and that my eyes look > so good, and that I am no > longer crazy. Holy Cow ! Do you have any idea how many > years I have waited to hear this? > I'm guessing twenty or thirty. Doctors always laugh and > change the subject. There was no > prompting on my part today. This all came out of the blue. > > ******************************************************* > > Yes, I am so pleased with that part, I had to add 'stars' > around it . > So it turns out this is even a better day than the one > when I posted my first wonderful > labs a few weeks ago. > > Oh, he did not think my 1/4 and 1/2 pills were of no use, > like I expected him to say. And > he readily gave me the needed information on how this will > translate to the generic Tap, > if I should need to ever use this prescription. Then he > said, this will give you a place > to start, and you can then judge from there. Is this guy > cool or what? All I had to do was > spend countless hours on the net, and study Elaine's book > and a few others previously, and > finally ... I am getting some where. He now is willing to > admit, he does not know the > exact dose I need, and that I am the best judge. > > -Pam- who shall once again resume dancing in the street. > :-) > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 1, 2002 Report Share Posted April 1, 2002 Dawn Rose, I hope you are the next one! You too have been working so hard with this and have earned every step you have made! Good luck with your labs! Jody _________________________________________________________________ MSN Photos is the easiest way to share and print your photos: http://photos.msn.com/support/worldwide.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2002 Report Share Posted April 2, 2002 Hi Pam, Your story is truly an inspiration! I am very happy for you! I have been on PTU since Feb.6th and I had my first labs last week since starting. I saw the endo on fri. and found out nothing had changed. ( I am on 300mg/day) So the endo wanted to put me at 450mg a day. I am reluctant considering he only tests TSH and WBC. After much discussion I persuaded him to add FT3 and 4 to my labs and I'll be going every 4 weeks instead of 8. My biggest problem with the disease is my eyes and I keep waiting for the PTU to help that. Anyway, your news is great!! and good luck to you. jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2002 Report Share Posted April 2, 2002 Hi Pam, Your story is truly an inspiration! I am very happy for you! I have been on PTU since Feb.6th and I had my first labs last week since starting. I saw the endo on fri. and found out nothing had changed. ( I am on 300mg/day) So the endo wanted to put me at 450mg a day. I am reluctant considering he only tests TSH and WBC. After much discussion I persuaded him to add FT3 and 4 to my labs and I'll be going every 4 weeks instead of 8. My biggest problem with the disease is my eyes and I keep waiting for the PTU to help that. Anyway, your news is great!! and good luck to you. jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2002 Report Share Posted April 2, 2002 Hi Pam, Your story is truly an inspiration! I am very happy for you! I have been on PTU since Feb.6th and I had my first labs last week since starting. I saw the endo on fri. and found out nothing had changed. ( I am on 300mg/day) So the endo wanted to put me at 450mg a day. I am reluctant considering he only tests TSH and WBC. After much discussion I persuaded him to add FT3 and 4 to my labs and I'll be going every 4 weeks instead of 8. My biggest problem with the disease is my eyes and I keep waiting for the PTU to help that. Anyway, your news is great!! and good luck to you. jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2002 Report Share Posted April 2, 2002 Hi Pam, I notice you mentioned blood pressure problems. I have them too and so do all 4 of my brothers and both of my children. Many studies show that lots of us with essential hypertension have autoantibodies to cardiac muscle. While I haven't been tested for these antibodies, I do have mitochondrial antibodies, and these also show up in autoimmune hypertension. I've started taking an immunomodulator, ImmunoStart which contains glucans. I also quit HRT, which had caused my bp to really spike. The last issue of Clinical Endocrinology and Metaboism has a study showing how hypertension is related to deficiencies of Human Growth Hormone. I had a HGH test recently while we were working on new lab methods, and my level was very low. So I'm considering trying that. In the study, subjects treated with HGH experienced a significant blood pressure reduction. I have to research this further, but it would seem that since autoimmunity increases in aging and, according to some studies, all essential hypertension is autoimmune, that HGH might benefit immune function, which could account for its beneficial effects. Just something to confuse the issue further, huh? Take care, Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2002 Report Share Posted April 2, 2002 Hi Pam, I notice you mentioned blood pressure problems. I have them too and so do all 4 of my brothers and both of my children. Many studies show that lots of us with essential hypertension have autoantibodies to cardiac muscle. While I haven't been tested for these antibodies, I do have mitochondrial antibodies, and these also show up in autoimmune hypertension. I've started taking an immunomodulator, ImmunoStart which contains glucans. I also quit HRT, which had caused my bp to really spike. The last issue of Clinical Endocrinology and Metaboism has a study showing how hypertension is related to deficiencies of Human Growth Hormone. I had a HGH test recently while we were working on new lab methods, and my level was very low. So I'm considering trying that. In the study, subjects treated with HGH experienced a significant blood pressure reduction. I have to research this further, but it would seem that since autoimmunity increases in aging and, according to some studies, all essential hypertension is autoimmune, that HGH might benefit immune function, which could account for its beneficial effects. Just something to confuse the issue further, huh? Take care, Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2002 Report Share Posted April 2, 2002 Hi Pam, I notice you mentioned blood pressure problems. I have them too and so do all 4 of my brothers and both of my children. Many studies show that lots of us with essential hypertension have autoantibodies to cardiac muscle. While I haven't been tested for these antibodies, I do have mitochondrial antibodies, and these also show up in autoimmune hypertension. I've started taking an immunomodulator, ImmunoStart which contains glucans. I also quit HRT, which had caused my bp to really spike. The last issue of Clinical Endocrinology and Metaboism has a study showing how hypertension is related to deficiencies of Human Growth Hormone. I had a HGH test recently while we were working on new lab methods, and my level was very low. So I'm considering trying that. In the study, subjects treated with HGH experienced a significant blood pressure reduction. I have to research this further, but it would seem that since autoimmunity increases in aging and, according to some studies, all essential hypertension is autoimmune, that HGH might benefit immune function, which could account for its beneficial effects. Just something to confuse the issue further, huh? Take care, Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2002 Report Share Posted April 2, 2002 Doris, I see that in my rush to continue dancing <grin>, I did not word that post as well as I should have. The term 'victim mentality' was mine. I was having to quickly drill in my point, as we were walking down the hall, after my app. So I tried a bit of a 'back door' approach, in continuing to try to get him to look at Elaine's book, and recommend it to his patients. Maybe when he has some of these gals in there, it might occur to him. I see that I still have not gotten through to him on the BP not being a good way to monitor ATDs. So when he readily agreed that education was half of being able to get better, I did go a bit for the 'hard sell'. :-) There really is no other book that will help a Graves patient, like Elaine's will. For that matter, he NEVER encouraged me to learn anything. But what if he is continually frustrated with patients whining and complaining, and not getting better... might he think to mention to them that leaning more could help ??? This seems to me to be my best approach in trying to help his other patients, and he has many Graves people. And it seems to me that it should not take 3 1/2 years for him to consider that my high BP could possibly NOT be a hyper symptom, and not be treated. Now that he has admitted to this possibility, I will be able to go to my regular doc and we can figure this out. Before, there was no point, because the GP would have to bow to the endos assessment of the situation. Every single lab and note from each endo visit is faxed to my GP, so I have a matching file there. This is the GP that sent me to this endo when he felt my case was too complicated for him. So he certainly would not have believed me over the endo. The other thing that makes me so mad about it, is that because of this, I have failed to get properly treated for my other problems, because when I was in for my knee, and wrist, and you name it... all the doctors I have seen focus on the BP instead of what I am there for, and much time is wasted, and they pretty much just want me to go away, because I say my endo is treating the BP. They just keep saying 'you can't walk around with a Bp of __'. Then they just want to get out of the room, and I have spent a lot of money on these other problems and have no answers. Maybe now that I don't LOOK crazy, I will have better luck. -Pam- k9mom1@... wrote: > Pam, > Ummm, that " victim mentality " your doc mentioned....well isn't him saying > that THAT is what prevented you from getting better in fact partly blaming > you for your not getting better? Grrrr...didn't like that one...might have > had to " rage " on him for that! > > Of course it wouldn't have anything at all to do with him overmedicating you > now would it? > > :-O > > Doris > P.S. You coming to chat tonight????? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2002 Report Share Posted April 2, 2002 Doris, I see that in my rush to continue dancing <grin>, I did not word that post as well as I should have. The term 'victim mentality' was mine. I was having to quickly drill in my point, as we were walking down the hall, after my app. So I tried a bit of a 'back door' approach, in continuing to try to get him to look at Elaine's book, and recommend it to his patients. Maybe when he has some of these gals in there, it might occur to him. I see that I still have not gotten through to him on the BP not being a good way to monitor ATDs. So when he readily agreed that education was half of being able to get better, I did go a bit for the 'hard sell'. :-) There really is no other book that will help a Graves patient, like Elaine's will. For that matter, he NEVER encouraged me to learn anything. But what if he is continually frustrated with patients whining and complaining, and not getting better... might he think to mention to them that leaning more could help ??? This seems to me to be my best approach in trying to help his other patients, and he has many Graves people. And it seems to me that it should not take 3 1/2 years for him to consider that my high BP could possibly NOT be a hyper symptom, and not be treated. Now that he has admitted to this possibility, I will be able to go to my regular doc and we can figure this out. Before, there was no point, because the GP would have to bow to the endos assessment of the situation. Every single lab and note from each endo visit is faxed to my GP, so I have a matching file there. This is the GP that sent me to this endo when he felt my case was too complicated for him. So he certainly would not have believed me over the endo. The other thing that makes me so mad about it, is that because of this, I have failed to get properly treated for my other problems, because when I was in for my knee, and wrist, and you name it... all the doctors I have seen focus on the BP instead of what I am there for, and much time is wasted, and they pretty much just want me to go away, because I say my endo is treating the BP. They just keep saying 'you can't walk around with a Bp of __'. Then they just want to get out of the room, and I have spent a lot of money on these other problems and have no answers. Maybe now that I don't LOOK crazy, I will have better luck. -Pam- k9mom1@... wrote: > Pam, > Ummm, that " victim mentality " your doc mentioned....well isn't him saying > that THAT is what prevented you from getting better in fact partly blaming > you for your not getting better? Grrrr...didn't like that one...might have > had to " rage " on him for that! > > Of course it wouldn't have anything at all to do with him overmedicating you > now would it? > > :-O > > Doris > P.S. You coming to chat tonight????? > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2002 Report Share Posted April 2, 2002 Dawn Rose :-) :-) :-) I love the 'bare back' phrase... it is now stuck in my brain. Good luck. The bugleweed is amazing stuff isn't it. It seems to me, that is what made the difference there at the end. I am so glad we were able to compare notes on it, as I was pretty scared to do such a thing . My plan , if I should go hyper again, is to try only bugleweed for the first month, get labs and then decide on this generic Tap prescription. -Pam- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2002 Report Share Posted April 2, 2002 Hi Terry, > > > > Yes, I did have to redirect him to our past conversation concerning the FT4 > > level we > > previously agreed upon. He then read aloud that agreement <sigh> and 'then' > > agreed I have > > done the right things so far. > > Can you elaborate? What do you mean, you agreed upon it? Is the level you > feel good at different than the lab norms? I wonder since I was at 2.3 and > the norm was .75-2.0. It didn't *seem* that much higher than normal. Maybe this is my one small blessing in not having my TSH move for that three years.. it is as stubborn as I am. I had that one test when the TSH showed up, it was .90. Now it shows at .45, which Elaine confirmed can be a place many of us feel better, and my endo also says is fine, just that we have to watch it. Duh ? The number I follow is FT4. It has been only thing I have been able to work with, and my t3 has consistently followed the FT4, so I do not worry about it. The number my endo and I agreed on was FT4. I pulled out a stack of lab copies and my notes. I was able to prove to him that I need to be at least at 1.25, he then added a note that he does not want me to go over 1.50. I readily agreed, as anything was looking better than my years in hypo land. The range I am working with is: 0.71 - 1.85. But what happens is , I get labs, he looks at the results, does NOT look at our agreement, and sends me a note telling me how many pills to take. I ignore this note, and go by our agreement, which I have to remind him of each and every time. If I had been following doctors orders, I would not be well at all. > > > > > > > TSI ... he never uses it. > > My endo says " it will only show that you're mildly hyperthyroid, and is 'not > a reliable test, anyway " --as if the TSH is! He did agree to add a FT3 next > time as well, at least. I finally sprung for my very first FT3... on this one and only occasion as I wanted to know exactly where I am at, because of going without the meds. It turns out to be exactly in the middle of the range.. yippee. But I now know why it is not used much.. I just got the bill... $155 !!!! just for this one test. A complete waste of money for normal everyday testing. Back in the end of Jan, before I went off the PTU, having a TSI could have been mentally comforting, but two new tires for the front of my van would be more comforting. You see I tend to weigh these things out a bit differently. And once he said he doesn't do them because they can come back anyway, I see how it might not have been as comforting as I was thinking, so I believe I made the right choice. > > > , but at this > point I'm back on half a methimazole pill (2.5 mg/day), in hope that it will > work. And, resigned to staying on it forever it seems. > I am glad to hear you say that, because that is the drug and the dose that I will be starting with, if the need should arise. -Pam- feeling a bit like a girl scout.. our motto..'be prepared' > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2002 Report Share Posted April 2, 2002 Hi Jody, I do get copies of my labs. This endo that i see does not impress me much. He is very patronizing. I did go around and around with him over the labs and the significance of not just doing TSH monthly. (sigh) I guess I'm on the journey so many of you are on or have been on. Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2002 Report Share Posted April 2, 2002 Hi Jody, I do get copies of my labs. This endo that i see does not impress me much. He is very patronizing. I did go around and around with him over the labs and the significance of not just doing TSH monthly. (sigh) I guess I'm on the journey so many of you are on or have been on. Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2002 Report Share Posted April 2, 2002 Hi Jody, I do get copies of my labs. This endo that i see does not impress me much. He is very patronizing. I did go around and around with him over the labs and the significance of not just doing TSH monthly. (sigh) I guess I'm on the journey so many of you are on or have been on. Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2002 Report Share Posted April 2, 2002 Jody and Pam, My FT3 is expensive too...don't remember how much...but over $100 for sure. Doris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2002 Report Share Posted April 2, 2002 Jody and Pam, My FT3 is expensive too...don't remember how much...but over $100 for sure. Doris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2002 Report Share Posted April 2, 2002 Hi Jane, I wouldn't let your endo increase your PTU just based on your TSH. My TSH has stayed fairly low but my FT4 plummeted making me very hypo. This was after being on PTU for only a month at 300mg. I am still trying to get back from that a couple of months later. He really needs to see what your FT4 is before making a rash decision like that. Just giving you some advice based on my own experience..... Take care, Katy. Re: Tee hee !!! ( endo app.) Hi Pam, Your story is truly an inspiration! I am very happy for you! I have been on PTU since Feb.6th and I had my first labs last week since starting. I saw the endo on fri. and found out nothing had changed. ( I am on 300mg/day) So the endo wanted to put me at 450mg a day. I am reluctant considering he only tests TSH and WBC. After much discussion I persuaded him to add FT3 and 4 to my labs and I'll be going every 4 weeks instead of 8. My biggest problem with the disease is my eyes and I keep waiting for the PTU to help that. Anyway, your news is great!! and good luck to you. jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2002 Report Share Posted April 2, 2002 Hi Jane, I wouldn't let your endo increase your PTU just based on your TSH. My TSH has stayed fairly low but my FT4 plummeted making me very hypo. This was after being on PTU for only a month at 300mg. I am still trying to get back from that a couple of months later. He really needs to see what your FT4 is before making a rash decision like that. Just giving you some advice based on my own experience..... Take care, Katy. Re: Tee hee !!! ( endo app.) Hi Pam, Your story is truly an inspiration! I am very happy for you! I have been on PTU since Feb.6th and I had my first labs last week since starting. I saw the endo on fri. and found out nothing had changed. ( I am on 300mg/day) So the endo wanted to put me at 450mg a day. I am reluctant considering he only tests TSH and WBC. After much discussion I persuaded him to add FT3 and 4 to my labs and I'll be going every 4 weeks instead of 8. My biggest problem with the disease is my eyes and I keep waiting for the PTU to help that. Anyway, your news is great!! and good luck to you. jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2002 Report Share Posted April 2, 2002 Hi Jane, I wouldn't let your endo increase your PTU just based on your TSH. My TSH has stayed fairly low but my FT4 plummeted making me very hypo. This was after being on PTU for only a month at 300mg. I am still trying to get back from that a couple of months later. He really needs to see what your FT4 is before making a rash decision like that. Just giving you some advice based on my own experience..... Take care, Katy. Re: Tee hee !!! ( endo app.) Hi Pam, Your story is truly an inspiration! I am very happy for you! I have been on PTU since Feb.6th and I had my first labs last week since starting. I saw the endo on fri. and found out nothing had changed. ( I am on 300mg/day) So the endo wanted to put me at 450mg a day. I am reluctant considering he only tests TSH and WBC. After much discussion I persuaded him to add FT3 and 4 to my labs and I'll be going every 4 weeks instead of 8. My biggest problem with the disease is my eyes and I keep waiting for the PTU to help that. Anyway, your news is great!! and good luck to you. jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2002 Report Share Posted April 2, 2002 Pam, Rather than speaking off the top of my head, let me do some digging in my HUGE pile of med stuff and I'll get back to you. I should have a bill coming in shortly for the lab tests done last month (which will be covered by insurance). By the way, I agree with your assessment of uninsureds bearing the brunt of the healthcare fiasco! It would make me sob to have to pay those fully inflated prices for everything! Talk about stressful!!! I even told my Endo that I had a $5,000 deductible and would be paying out of pocket for everything. You know what he did? He prescribed Tapazole...the most expensive ATD. I didn't even know that there was a generic until I changed insurance companies and the insurance company forced me to get the Methimazole...which was a heck of a lot cheaper! (Talk about not being heard by doctors...<shrug>) I'll get back to you on what I've paid for FT3's, I've had a bunch of them done. Doris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2002 Report Share Posted April 2, 2002 Pam, Rather than speaking off the top of my head, let me do some digging in my HUGE pile of med stuff and I'll get back to you. I should have a bill coming in shortly for the lab tests done last month (which will be covered by insurance). By the way, I agree with your assessment of uninsureds bearing the brunt of the healthcare fiasco! It would make me sob to have to pay those fully inflated prices for everything! Talk about stressful!!! I even told my Endo that I had a $5,000 deductible and would be paying out of pocket for everything. You know what he did? He prescribed Tapazole...the most expensive ATD. I didn't even know that there was a generic until I changed insurance companies and the insurance company forced me to get the Methimazole...which was a heck of a lot cheaper! (Talk about not being heard by doctors...<shrug>) I'll get back to you on what I've paid for FT3's, I've had a bunch of them done. Doris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 2, 2002 Report Share Posted April 2, 2002 Pam, Rather than speaking off the top of my head, let me do some digging in my HUGE pile of med stuff and I'll get back to you. I should have a bill coming in shortly for the lab tests done last month (which will be covered by insurance). By the way, I agree with your assessment of uninsureds bearing the brunt of the healthcare fiasco! It would make me sob to have to pay those fully inflated prices for everything! Talk about stressful!!! I even told my Endo that I had a $5,000 deductible and would be paying out of pocket for everything. You know what he did? He prescribed Tapazole...the most expensive ATD. I didn't even know that there was a generic until I changed insurance companies and the insurance company forced me to get the Methimazole...which was a heck of a lot cheaper! (Talk about not being heard by doctors...<shrug>) I'll get back to you on what I've paid for FT3's, I've had a bunch of them done. Doris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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