Elaine...and all. TSH ....a rear view mirror.

[Guest guest]

Hi Elaine and all,

My bloodtests for Graves' Disease

TSH (.5-5.0) Free T4 (.8-1.8) Time on med at test

5-03 0.01 (FT3 1448 High) 4.1

6-03 0.01 3.36 2 weeks Beta Blocker

7-3 0.01 2.3 3 weeks BB 200mg PTU

8-03 0.05 (FT3 398 " normal " ) 1.4 3 weeks BB 200mg PTU

9-03 1.09 1.0 < 4 weeks BB 150 PTU

10-03 Next appointment 6-8 weeks 100 PTU No BB

My endo did not want to decrease my med...everything is " normal " . I

did it the day I had the blood drawn...I e-mailed her...because of

what I believe are hypO symptoms. Body aches...cold hands...chest

pain..blood pressure 90/50.

I am now taking 100 mg PTU daily divided into 3 equal doses taken 8

hours apart. I have had no Beta Blocker for 2 weeks.

I believe the FT4 is too close to bottoming out.

She responded that I could not have symptoms due to low thyroid with

my scores in the " normal " range. She wants me to wait 6 more weeks

for another reduction.

Please give me your reactions.

I predict my TSH will be a higer more hypo number next blood draw.

(Is that true?) TSH lags 6 weeks. Is that right? Looking at past

years, my " feel good " TSH numbers are near .5 I believe that is

normal for me.

My FT4 has continued to fall with 2 med changes. How to raise it?

Will it raise on the present 100 mg dose?

I believe my med should be reduced again my 25 mg in less than a

week.? That will be 3 weeks at the 100 mg dose. (My hands are

FrEEZING as I type.)

I'm concerned about depression. How close to .8 do I need to be

before my body can not chemically support a " normal " mood and

function? Saratonin (sp)

Do all thyroid patients eventually get treated with antidepressants?

What else can I do to support my body's need for sarotonon (sp)? I

exercise, pray, play cello, laugh...at least 3 hours a day.

Aj

P.S. TSH is like looking thru a rearview mirror. It tells where

you have been. It makes it awful hard to drive down the road.

My General Practioner said that!! He didn't know that 2 weeks ago!

He must be doing research!! He also sincerely complimented me on

the research and knowledge I have acquired about GRaves' Disease to

actively participate in my own treatment. I believe he meant it!! I

believe he listens to me more attentively now, too.

Thank you all!!