Guest guest Posted December 12, 2002 Report Share Posted December 12, 2002 My TSI shows 227% with a 125% as normal. That differs from what has been cited, here, as 2% for the desired results. This does not seem particularly high, does it? So, let's just say that the methimazole doesn't work on the numbers or the symptoms, then would I try PTU? If that doesn't work, either, is that when I would be faced with the decision to have RAI or surgery? The reason I ask all these questions is because I am going to be monitored by my GP and I want to know the answers to the questions in case he doesn't know. Severely high FT4 (5.47), FT3(1227) readings. Started taking 30 mg methimazole, 15 in the morning and 15 at night, since December 7. Still taking 120 mg of Inderal. Still have high pulse, at times. Still not sleeping well, still have frequent bowel movements, irritability has lessened a little. Will begin extended leave from work on December 16. My pulse is 105, right now, in the Control Room at the wastewater treatment plant I work at. My job is not particularly stressful, just a lot of activity. A lot of movement makes my pulse go up to 110, going up stair, it goes up to 118. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2002 Report Share Posted December 12, 2002 , You have to be a bit patient. It takes quite a long while for the ATD's to have the desired effect, because even though they are affecting current hormone production, they can't stop what's already circulating in your blood. So you will have symptoms for a while yet. That's why we always say get your blood tested monthly, as any change takes a while to manifest. The mmi will work for you. If you are not having any adverse reactions to it, I wouldn't switch drugs. PTU is good if you are wanting to be pregnant, because it doesn't cross the placenta. But it has some drawbacks, including the fact that you need to take it religiously at 8 hour intervals (so I understand, I take MMI myself), because it has a shorter half-life--so more ups and downs during the course of the day than with MMI. Be patient, and don't think down the road to alternatives until you've given what you're doing a chance to work. None of the alternatives are better in the long run than what you're doing, unless you have some strong reaction to the ATD's or other problems with them. Terry dx '94; MMI since, with one very short remission followed by a relapse to fairly severe symptoms. Currently on 12.5mg./day and euthyroid, although still not TSH registering. > " vscottbo@...> > Reply-To: graves_support > Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2002 18:54:38 -0000 > To: graves_support > Subject: TSI Results In > > My TSI shows 227% with a 125% as normal. That differs from what has > been cited, here, as 2% for the desired results. > > This does not seem particularly high, does it? > > So, let's just say that the methimazole doesn't work on the numbers > or the symptoms, then would I try PTU? If that doesn't work, > either, is that when I would be faced with the decision to have RAI > or surgery? The reason I ask all these questions is because I am > going to be monitored by my GP and I want to know the answers to the > questions in case he doesn't know. > > > Severely high FT4 (5.47), FT3(1227) readings. Started taking 30 mg > methimazole, 15 in the morning and 15 at night, since December 7. > Still taking 120 mg of Inderal. Still have high pulse, at times. > Still not sleeping well, still have frequent bowel movements, > irritability has lessened a little. Will begin extended leave from > work on December 16. My pulse is 105, right now, in the Control Room > at the wastewater treatment plant I work at. My job is not > particularly stressful, just a lot of activity. A lot of movement > makes my pulse go up to 110, going up stair, it goes up to 118. > > > > ------------------------------------- > The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not > intended to replace expert medical care. > Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments. > ---------------------------------------- > DISCLAIMER > > Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list do not have the endorsement of > the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails. > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > -------- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2002 Report Share Posted December 12, 2002 , You have to be a bit patient. It takes quite a long while for the ATD's to have the desired effect, because even though they are affecting current hormone production, they can't stop what's already circulating in your blood. So you will have symptoms for a while yet. That's why we always say get your blood tested monthly, as any change takes a while to manifest. The mmi will work for you. If you are not having any adverse reactions to it, I wouldn't switch drugs. PTU is good if you are wanting to be pregnant, because it doesn't cross the placenta. But it has some drawbacks, including the fact that you need to take it religiously at 8 hour intervals (so I understand, I take MMI myself), because it has a shorter half-life--so more ups and downs during the course of the day than with MMI. Be patient, and don't think down the road to alternatives until you've given what you're doing a chance to work. None of the alternatives are better in the long run than what you're doing, unless you have some strong reaction to the ATD's or other problems with them. Terry dx '94; MMI since, with one very short remission followed by a relapse to fairly severe symptoms. Currently on 12.5mg./day and euthyroid, although still not TSH registering. > " vscottbo@...> > Reply-To: graves_support > Date: Thu, 12 Dec 2002 18:54:38 -0000 > To: graves_support > Subject: TSI Results In > > My TSI shows 227% with a 125% as normal. That differs from what has > been cited, here, as 2% for the desired results. > > This does not seem particularly high, does it? > > So, let's just say that the methimazole doesn't work on the numbers > or the symptoms, then would I try PTU? If that doesn't work, > either, is that when I would be faced with the decision to have RAI > or surgery? The reason I ask all these questions is because I am > going to be monitored by my GP and I want to know the answers to the > questions in case he doesn't know. > > > Severely high FT4 (5.47), FT3(1227) readings. Started taking 30 mg > methimazole, 15 in the morning and 15 at night, since December 7. > Still taking 120 mg of Inderal. Still have high pulse, at times. > Still not sleeping well, still have frequent bowel movements, > irritability has lessened a little. Will begin extended leave from > work on December 16. My pulse is 105, right now, in the Control Room > at the wastewater treatment plant I work at. My job is not > particularly stressful, just a lot of activity. A lot of movement > makes my pulse go up to 110, going up stair, it goes up to 118. > > > > ------------------------------------- > The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not > intended to replace expert medical care. > Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments. > ---------------------------------------- > DISCLAIMER > > Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list do not have the endorsement of > the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails. > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > -------- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2002 Report Share Posted December 12, 2002 Thank you, Terry, for reminding me not to try to look too far into the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 12, 2002 Report Share Posted December 12, 2002 Hi, Usually, <130% is the normal range, but people who are normal have levels < 2%. I know this sounds confusing, but it has to do with the fact that we create normal ranges by testing hospital employees, mainly women. And until recommendations that came out this year, we didn't looke to see if they had a family history of thyroid disease or eventually developed thyroid disease. Normall, you do not produce thyroid autoantibodies. People in the normal population may have thyroid antibodies (thus, the higher level) and eventually go on to develop autoimmune thyroid disease or not. Your level is moderately high and as long as you're following the dietary recommendations posted on this board and incorporating stress reduction techniques, your TSI level will eventually come down with the help of the methimazole. TSI are IgG immunoglobulins and take at least 3 months to break down into amino acids and be excreted. So your goal is to get your immune system to stop producing these antibodies. It can take several months before you notice an appreciable decline because the antibodies in your circulation now will be around for a while. Take care, Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.