Re: New Test Results - Advice?

[Guest guest]

> FT4 0.92 (0.61-1.76)

>

> FT3 2.8 (2.3-4.2)

>

> TSH 4.443 (0.350-5.500)

>

>

> I don't understand how FT3 and FT4 can be in range, and then the TSH

> so out of range. Is that common? **I thought that TSH was

> irrelevant

> IF FT3 and FT4 are ok.

Many people feel hypo when their FT 4 gets near or below 1.0. Elaine

recently wrote that 1.4 is optimal (though I was a stable 1.2 in

remission for over 2 years). Also, many people do well with a TSH near

or below 1.0. Since you're still feeling fine, I would reduce very

conservatively. Your new endo sounds like someone you should be able to

work with easily which is always nice to hear. At least she's not still

chained to the old TSH ranges.

Take care, Fay

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[Guest guest]

Hi Ron, glad you had a great vacation!

I would say a reduction in meds is in order too - your FT3 and FT4 are both

in range - but at the low end of the range and it looks like you could be

heading hypo - especially with a TSH that is rising.

I can't offer you any advice on how much to reduce your PTU - but I'm sure

others with experience in PTU will jump in!

Great job - looks like things are going in the right direction for you!

Pam B.

-- New Test Results - Advice?

Hello to everyone:

This is my first time reading postings in a month. I had a great

vacation...extended 2 weeks into 5...best thing I have ever done.

Montreal is fantastic.

Anyway...I got lab results (from a month ago).

FT4 0.92 (0.61-1.76)

FT3 2.8 (2.3-4.2)

TSH 4.443 (0.350-5.500)

I don't understand how FT3 and FT4 can be in range, and then the TSH

so out of range. Is that common? **I thought that TSH was irrelevant

IF FT3 and FT4 are ok.

I have been taking 50mg PTU every 8 hours (150mg. per day) for quite a

long time.

My new Endo wants me to reduce dosage slowly of PTU. She's concerned

that if TSH gets too high...then that is hard on my TED (eyes). She

would like to see my TSH get down to about 2.0.

Any advice?

Best to all,

Ron

swimmerron@...

(San Francisco)

diagnosed GD, with severe TED, on 4/01. have been taking PTU, various

dosages, since that time. now taking only 1/3 of the original dose of

PTU which was 450mg. a day. Other than eye problems (which are

sometimes minor & occasionaly very severe), I feel fine as long as I

take the PTU.

[Guest guest]

Hi Ron,

I was wondering how you were doing and how the new endo was working out.

Vacation for 5 weeks sounds awesome!

Your endo is right. Reduce your dose. Your FT4 is too low, you'll feel best

when it's nearer the high end of the range. Personally I don't think much of

the range--maybe it's right for people with no thyroid disease, but for

those of us on meds, getting down near the low end of normal is often

extremely hypo. Your high TSH confirms that.

Just curious, have you got hypo symptoms? When I get that low, I gain weight

way out of proportion to the food I eat, I can't get the cotton wool out of

my brain, and I am ready to sleep all day and night (and have horrible

nightmares)-among other things.

Terry

>

> Reply-To: graves_support

> Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2003 12:57:50 -0000

> To: graves_support

> Subject: New Test Results - Advice?

>

> Hello to everyone:

>

> This is my first time reading postings in a month. I had a great

> vacation...extended 2 weeks into 5...best thing I have ever done.

> Montreal is fantastic.

>

> Anyway...I got lab results (from a month ago).

>

> FT4 0.92 (0.61-1.76)

>

> FT3 2.8 (2.3-4.2)

>

> TSH 4.443 (0.350-5.500)

>

>

> I don't understand how FT3 and FT4 can be in range, and then the TSH

> so out of range. Is that common? **I thought that TSH was irrelevant

> IF FT3 and FT4 are ok.

>

>

> I have been taking 50mg PTU every 8 hours (150mg. per day) for quite a

> long time.

>

> My new Endo wants me to reduce dosage slowly of PTU. She's concerned

> that if TSH gets too high...then that is hard on my TED (eyes). She

> would like to see my TSH get down to about 2.0.

>

> Any advice?

>

> Best to all,

>

> Ron

> swimmerron@...

> (San Francisco)

>

>

> diagnosed GD, with severe TED, on 4/01. have been taking PTU, various

> dosages, since that time. now taking only 1/3 of the original dose of

> PTU which was 450mg. a day. Other than eye problems (which are

> sometimes minor & occasionaly very severe), I feel fine as long as I

> take the PTU.

>

>

>

>

> -------------------------------------

> The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only and is not

> intended to replace expert medical care.

> Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new treatments.

> ----------------------------------------

> DISCLAIMER

>

> Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list do not have the endorsement of

> the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to emails.

> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

> --------

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Terry:

Thank you VERY MUCH for the comments you gave me in

response to my recent posting asking for advice on lab results of

some recent tests.

I am going to send you a longer response in the next couple of

days.

I am behind on my mail because I haven't spent any time

reading our graves support group postings (or anything else),

other than 1 time since I got back. **I am trying to totally alter my

life so that I get more rest & especially more sleep. I was living

on 4 to 6 hours a night for years and years. No wonder I ended

up Hyper & with TED. Well now, finally, after a great restful

vacation (also swimming 2 hours a day & lots of long walks), I

am trying to " lighten up " and relax & sleep more. It is working,

and I am feeling better.

My notes are often too long...sorry. I'll write you back a response

within the next coupld of days. Thanks again.

Best to you,

Ron

swimmerron@...

(San Francisco)

PS: Yes, my new Endo is great...she lets me do 90% of the

talking, she doesn't believe in any one way for anything, she

doesn't like RAI, and she seems to enjoy having a patient who

knows a lot of information. I'm amazed...as I didn't think that a

doc like this existed. Besides...she is very knowledgable &

keeps up pretty good with new info.

> Hi Ron,

>

> I was wondering how you were doing and how the new endo

was working out.

> Vacation for 5 weeks sounds awesome!

>

> Your endo is right. Reduce your dose. Your FT4 is too low,

you'll feel best

> when it's nearer the high end of the range. Personally I don't

think much of

> the range--maybe it's right for people with no thyroid disease,

but for

> those of us on meds, getting down near the low end of normal

is often

> extremely hypo. Your high TSH confirms that.

>

> Just curious, have you got hypo symptoms? When I get that

low, I gain weight

> way out of proportion to the food I eat, I can't get the cotton wool

out of

> my brain, and I am ready to sleep all day and night (and have

horrible

> nightmares)-among other things.

>

> Terry

>

> > From: " Ron " <swimmerron@a...>

> > Reply-To: graves_support

> > Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2003 12:57:50 -0000

> > To: graves_support

> > Subject: New Test Results - Advice?

> >

> > Hello to everyone:

> >

> > This is my first time reading postings in a month. I had a

great

> > vacation...extended 2 weeks into 5...best thing I have ever

done.

> > Montreal is fantastic.

> >

> > Anyway...I got lab results (from a month ago).

> >

> > FT4 0.92 (0.61-1.76)

> >

> > FT3 2.8 (2.3-4.2)

> >

> > TSH 4.443 (0.350-5.500)

> >

> >

> > I don't understand how FT3 and FT4 can be in range, and

then the TSH

> > so out of range. Is that common? **I thought that TSH was

irrelevant

> > IF FT3 and FT4 are ok.

> >

> >

> > I have been taking 50mg PTU every 8 hours (150mg. per day)

for quite a

> > long time.

> >

> > My new Endo wants me to reduce dosage slowly of PTU.

She's concerned

> > that if TSH gets too high...then that is hard on my TED (eyes).

She

> > would like to see my TSH get down to about 2.0.

> >

> > Any advice?

> >

> > Best to all,

> >

> > Ron

> > swimmerron@a...

> > (San Francisco)

> >

> >

> > diagnosed GD, with severe TED, on 4/01. have been taking

PTU, various

> > dosages, since that time. now taking only 1/3 of the original

dose of

> > PTU which was 450mg. a day. Other than eye problems

(which are

> > sometimes minor & occasionaly very severe), I feel fine as

long as I

> > take the PTU.

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > -------------------------------------

> > The Graves' list is intended for informational purposes only

and is not

> > intended to replace expert medical care.

> > Please consult your doctor before changing or trying new

treatments.

> > ----------------------------------------

> > DISCLAIMER

> >

> > Advertisments placed on this yahoo groups list do not have

the endorsement of

> > the listowner. I have no input as to what ads are attached to

emails.

> >

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

> > --------

> >

> >