Lab Results -

[Guest guest]

I got part of my lab results from my naturopath over the telephone.

My FT4 is 5.49 (range 1.57 at the high end) and FT3 12.27 (with a

4.20 at the high end). She said the lab told her the TSI results

are " pending " . Pending what, they did not say.

I still don't have a handle on whether the lab tests show my Grave's

Disease to be severe or not. I have been feeling good some days and

other days I am fatigued. Some days, I have to take 180 mg of

Inderal to keep my heart rate down. Some days, I only take 120.

I have been taking four teaspoons a day of Bugleweed/Lemon

Balm/Motherwort for the last two weeks and before that, I was taking

three teaspoons since September 7. It doesn't appear to be working

for me. That is disappointing. Some days, I am quite calm; other

days, I start to lose my temper over things that I had learned to

deal with many years ago.

My employer offered me an opportunity to take an extended leave after

my naturopath had written that it would be beneficial. I have taken

them up on it. It will start December 16 and end January 27. I am

going to start taking the Methimazole on December 16, starting with

30 mg a day. I will take one in the morning and two at night. (I am

not good at all at taking a dose midday.)

Knowing that I will be off of work and able to deal immediately with

any side effects that may occur makes me feel a little better about

having to start on the medication.

I have been told that taking the natural remedy along with the

methimazole can make it possible to take less medication and I have

also been told that one should not take both at the same time. I am

going to stop taking the tincture when I start the medication. If I

do experience side effects, I will know it is from the medication,

alone, and not from taking them together.

I am looking forward to a time when I will be able to sleep through

the night, start exercising, again, and to thinking about something

besides the fact that I have a DISEASE.