Re: Rose-read before getting labs!

[Guest guest]

Hi Rose,

To add to what Terry said, it is also good to have an ultrasound of the

thyroid done. That will tell you if you have nodules. You do NOT need the

RAIU scan, which is a small dose of radioactive iodine; the ultrasound is

safer and will be sufficient if you don't have nodules. The TSI test is

important to confirm diagnosis, and I would also suggest you have a test

for TPO-Antibodies as well (those are mostly found with Hashi's, but most

with GD have those as well).

If you are going to start on ATDs, please get a CBC/WBC and liver panel

done as a baseline. Sometimes WBC is decreased and liver enzymes are

increased by GD alone, so you would want to minimize confusion if possible,

by knowing what your levels were pre-meds.

P.S. Pam B's open letter to the newly diagnosed in the Files section

(second to last listing on that page

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/graves_support/files/ ) is a great place to

start, as well as Thyroid Awareness 101 at mediboard.com

http://www.mediboard.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=004549

At 11:01 AM 9/15/2003, you wrote:

>Rose, if you get this before you do your labs, try to make sure the doctor

>has ordered FREE T3 and FREE T4 as well as TSH. You also would probably have

>or have had a TSI antibody test--this one confirms diagnosis, and

>eventually, remission.

[Guest guest]

Hi Rose,

So there are nodules? Did they say they want to do a biopsy? I don't know

much about nodules, except that they are almost always benign. I am not

sure if someone with nodules is a good candidate for ATDs, and I'm not sure

if remission is usually achieved with nodules. Perhaps someone who is more

knowledgeable about nodules and hyperT can chime in. I would definitely

insist upon the antibody tests tho.

At 12:27 PM 9/15/2003, you wrote:

> I have had it done a couple of mouths ago and there where Nodule's

> and than My Dr. sent me to a ear nose and throat dr and than he sent me

> to a med. spec.

[Guest guest]

Did you see an endocrinologist? It is best to see an endo who specializes

in thyroid, and even better if one who treats hyperT with medications (they

can be very hard to find). I wouldn't be satisfied with the answer you got

either, and would pursue it further, just to be sure (but that's me). I

would travel to see someone who often treats GD with meds (not just one who

gives RAI to everyone), even if just for the consultation during the

diagnostic phase, to be sure I was on the right track.

At 12:46 PM 9/15/2003, you wrote:

> No The ear nose and throat Dr. said almost all women have Nodule but

> it didn't make me feel any better. Rose

[Guest guest]

Rose,

This is where we have to step in and be proactive with regard to our

health. We each do the best to learn all we can, given the information we

have access to, and find a way to get what we need.

Glad you are taking the time to learn about this illness--you've already

have taken a huge step.

At 06:37 PM 9/15/2003, you wrote:

> They had Me go to a Specialty Meicine Care,LLC Thats all I went to

> When he looked at my hands and eys he said I had Graves.

>

>

>

>Rose

>

> " Conner, Psy.D. " wrote:

>Did you see an endocrinologist? It is best to see an endo who specializes

>in thyroid, and even better if one who treats hyperT with medications (they

>can be very hard to find). I wouldn't be satisfied with the answer you got

>either, and would pursue it further, just to be sure (but that's me). I

>would travel to see someone who often treats GD with meds (not just one who

>gives RAI to everyone), even if just for the consultation during the

>diagnostic phase, to be sure I was on the right track.

>