Re: Need help with Endo

[Guest guest]

Elaine, I have an Endo appointment on Jan.6th for blood

test, and one week later with the endo himself. I was

diagnosed with Graves 3-25-01, had RAI on 4-17-01

(internet access was not there for me back then) I am

currently on .75 synthroid and 5MCG cytomel twice a day.

I don't have my last labs handy to add (up at Mom's for

X-mas, got the flu and am stranded until hubby can come

back and get me). I have had two doctors tell me that I

don't have Grave's anymore, which I don't understand how

they can say that. I have read on this sight that I

should have TSI tested for antibodies. I called the endo

office and asked what tests would be done on Jan 6th. The

nurse answered, " well your thryoid tests " , I really wanted

to say " duh " , but when asked specifically she said TSH, T4

and free T3. She called me back about TSI and said the

doctor said we didn't need to do that since we arent'

going that route with treatment. In order to get him to

do the test I need to submit my reason for wanting it.

So, why should I need to know, and if TSI is high what

would he do about it? I don't feel quite right on my

current med's, better than before, but still not the old

me. I saw pictures of myself from a year ago, and even

though I haven't gained anymore weight, I haven't lost

any, but I sure look different, icky, not me. I can't

have aged that much. I am 43 years old. Would appreciate

any guideance that you could give.

Thanks, Merhar

daisyelaine@... wrote:

>Hi Northstar,

>Thyroid peroxidase antibodies are directed against the

>enzyme thyroid

>peroxidase, which is needed for proper thyroid hormone

>production and

>metabolism. It's instrumental in destroying thyroid

>cells, which in GD, can

>boost the activity of other cells. You do want to keep

>your immune system

>functioning properly so it stops producing any thyroid

>antibodies. In

>autoimmune disorders, the immune system is essentially

>weak, which makes it

>function ineffectively, over-reacting to normal bodily

>protein antigens. You

>want to strengthen, but not stimulate it. Take care,

>Elaine

>

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