Re: Lower Tap Dose?? Block and Replace??

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb,

If your current endo does not believe in FT3, then I wouldn't trust his

opinion on B & R. Why not add some thyroid replacement hormone? That sounds

reasonable to me, and of course it is something to bring up with the new

endo! If I were in your shoes, I would be asking about B & R, and then get

TSI levels in a month or two (every 3 months) at the latest.

At 11:41 AM 7/23/2003, you wrote:

>I have been bouncing around at near-hypo levels and

>have been having hypo symptoms for several months now.

>We have cut my Tap to 5mg,

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb,

If your current endo does not believe in FT3, then I wouldn't trust his

opinion on B & R. Why not add some thyroid replacement hormone? That sounds

reasonable to me, and of course it is something to bring up with the new

endo! If I were in your shoes, I would be asking about B & R, and then get

TSI levels in a month or two (every 3 months) at the latest.

At 11:41 AM 7/23/2003, you wrote:

>I have been bouncing around at near-hypo levels and

>have been having hypo symptoms for several months now.

>We have cut my Tap to 5mg,

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb,

Sounds like things are going great.

You know... some people do go into remission very early on. Small

possibility to be aware of. Very small... but possible.

A new endo at this time puts you in great shape to ask for antibody tests.

Perhaps you timing will pay off. You could explain that considering the fact

that you have been able to reduce your dose so quickly, it would help you if

you could get a clear diagnosis FINALLY and also see if it is possible that

you have gone into spontaneous remission.

I would ask for both TPO and TSI at this time.

Be aware that block and replace is a huge commitment. If you go that route

( and your antibodies show the need ) you will be on medication for a

minimum of five years.

,

Wish I could see your face when you read this.

TSI is up to $500 a pop now days !

This is the reason it is only needed for diagnosis and then again at the

very end, to see if the patient is ready to discontinue ATDs. Anything else

is wasteful and puts additional burden on the health care system.

I see that some people may be a bit mislead on this, as our Judy has hers

done often. The difference is that she is a clinical trial of ONE.... adding

PTU / raising her hormone replacement hormone / all these years AFTER RAI..

in an attempt to control TED.

Since this is an experiment and she is willing to use her body to prove this

possible 'cure', her doctors must do her antibody tests more often.

This has put US in a unique position to see her TSI and TPO as they change.

But it has also given some members of MediBoard unneeded stress when they

fight for such frequent testing and are refused.

There is no reason for testing TSI unless it will possibly cause a change in

treatment.

-Pam L -

3 1/2 years Graves', TED, and PTU. Remission due to SLOW reduction of PTU

(despite an incompetent endo ! ), improved lifestyle, excellent nutrition,

herbs, and looking at the big picture.

Pills alone only help the symptoms. We must help our bodies to heal.

[Guest guest]

Hi Barb,

Sounds like things are going great.

You know... some people do go into remission very early on. Small

possibility to be aware of. Very small... but possible.

A new endo at this time puts you in great shape to ask for antibody tests.

Perhaps you timing will pay off. You could explain that considering the fact

that you have been able to reduce your dose so quickly, it would help you if

you could get a clear diagnosis FINALLY and also see if it is possible that

you have gone into spontaneous remission.

I would ask for both TPO and TSI at this time.

Be aware that block and replace is a huge commitment. If you go that route

( and your antibodies show the need ) you will be on medication for a

minimum of five years.

,

Wish I could see your face when you read this.

TSI is up to $500 a pop now days !

This is the reason it is only needed for diagnosis and then again at the

very end, to see if the patient is ready to discontinue ATDs. Anything else

is wasteful and puts additional burden on the health care system.

I see that some people may be a bit mislead on this, as our Judy has hers

done often. The difference is that she is a clinical trial of ONE.... adding

PTU / raising her hormone replacement hormone / all these years AFTER RAI..

in an attempt to control TED.

Since this is an experiment and she is willing to use her body to prove this

possible 'cure', her doctors must do her antibody tests more often.

This has put US in a unique position to see her TSI and TPO as they change.

But it has also given some members of MediBoard unneeded stress when they

fight for such frequent testing and are refused.

There is no reason for testing TSI unless it will possibly cause a change in

treatment.

-Pam L -

3 1/2 years Graves', TED, and PTU. Remission due to SLOW reduction of PTU

(despite an incompetent endo ! ), improved lifestyle, excellent nutrition,

herbs, and looking at the big picture.

Pills alone only help the symptoms. We must help our bodies to heal.

[Guest guest]

Jody... I meant Jody ( blush )

> may be a bit mislead on this, as our Judy has hers

Been doing this a lot this week. My O's and U's are confused.

Sorry,

-Pam L -

[Guest guest]

Jody... I meant Jody ( blush )

> may be a bit mislead on this, as our Judy has hers

Been doing this a lot this week. My O's and U's are confused.

Sorry,

-Pam L -