Re: doctors visit today...me too - Shelly

[Guest guest]

I hate to give you advice that could mean spending more money but here

goes:

> the results from aprils test for the t-4 norms are 4.5-12.5 and

> mine was 13.4. not to bad. Then the tsh norms are .40-5.50 and mine

> was .01?

From these numbers it looks like you're having the TOTAL T4 done. You

need to have the FREE T4 done. I don't know if the free form is more

expensive than the total but it's a much more accurate indication of how

much hormone you have. Always insist on having the FREE; don't alternate

between the two because as you study your progress over the next few

months you'll want consistency.

> No evidence for thyroid masses or nodules. (what are those)

Thank G-d, one less thing to worry about. These are growths that

shouldn't be there. They can be cancerous or cause other thyroid

problems. They don't always have to be treated. Should your doctor ever

suspect you have them ask for an ultrasound test rather than an RAI scan

in the future. (These RAI scans are NOT the same as the permanent RAI

treatment but still better not to have.)

>Some times I feel embarresed because i can't

> even hold my own wait to walk.

Muscle weakness is also normal. If you had insurance I would tell you to

try to get a bone density scan but since you don't, wait a bit. The ATDs

when properly administered will stop further loss and you will possibly

feel better from them alone. Also, and here's where the money comes in,

take supplemental calcium. Getting more calcium from food is a fine idea

but you really need calcium supplements. Look for one that also has

magnesium, at least half as much magnesium per dose as calcium. You

should take at least 1000 mg. a day, quite possibly more. Since the body

only absorbs 500 mg. of calcium at a time you'd want to take 500 mg. a

day. If you can organize yourself to take it 3 times a day, then take

about 1200 mg. total a day.

If you don't see a marked improvement within a half a year hopefully

you'll have insurance again so you can pursue bone density testing.

> So I teach my self what to do to help calm things down

Good for you!

Take care, Fay

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[Guest guest]

Fay and Shelly,

I just want to clarify something: the muscle wasting weakness that occurs

with GD is NOT the same thing as bone loss. They are completely separate. I

for one had tremendous muscle weakness, but totally normal bone density. I

think you got them a bit muddled, Fay.

Terry

>

> Reply-To: graves_support

> Date: Mon, 25 Aug 2003 08:35:14 -0400

> To: graves_support

> Subject: Re: doctors visit today...me too - Shelly

>

>> Some times I feel embarresed because i can't

>> even hold my own wait to walk.

>

> Muscle weakness is also normal. If you had insurance I would tell you to

> try to get a bone density scan but since you don't, wait a bit. The ATDs

> when properly administered will stop further loss and you will possibly

> feel better from them alone. Also, and here's where the money comes in,

> take supplemental calcium. Getting more calcium from food is a fine idea

> but you really need calcium supplements. Look for one that also has

> magnesium, at least half as much magnesium per dose as calcium. You

> should take at least 1000 mg. a day, quite possibly more. Since the body

> only absorbs 500 mg. of calcium at a time you'd want to take 500 mg. a

> day. If you can organize yourself to take it 3 times a day, then take

> about 1200 mg. total a day.

> If you don't see a marked improvement within a half a year hopefully

> you'll have insurance again so you can pursue bone density testing.