My past 2 labs & what is going on + a ? or two

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Hi All,

Sorry I haven't been around much lately......I'm still having to work out all

our computer problems and that is sucking up much of my time. Plus I now have a

cast on my left leg.....and that plain just sucks! LOL It's due to what is most

likely a stress fracture (to be confirmed by an orthopedist I see this coming

week)......and I do wonder if in a very round-about way it could be Graves

related as I know this disease can impact your bones. But I digress.

Just wanted to say that although I have been silent, I've been trying to keep

current with all the postings. I rejoice with those that are doing well and have

even achieved remission. Woo & Hoo!!! It gives everybody joy and renewed hope.

And for those that are currently in a bad place with their Graves, I hold you in

my thoughts and prayers for improvements in your health, and fresh courage and

strength to run the race set before you.

I just saw my endo this past Thursday, and since I didn't post the labs from my

August visit, I'll start with those:

on 8/5/03

T3 Total 119 (ref range 60-181)

T-3 Uptake 38 (ref range 22-35)

T3 Free 407 (ref range 230-420)

T-4 Free 1.8 (ref range 0.8-1.8)

TSH 0.01 (ref range >20 years 0.40-5.50) Looks like they are still

using the old guidelines

on 9/8/03 - same reference ranges for all

T3 Total 75

T-3 Uptake 32

T3 Free 276

T-4 Free 1.0

TSH 0.04

It seems my numbers have been shifting downward quite a bit it looks like. Which

I hope is a good sign. :-) I haven't been feeling the spiffiest....very tired at

times, eyes really dry and crumbly feeling, more hair coming out, yada, yada,

yada. So I wondered if my numbers were getting just a wee bit too near the hypo

range for me? I think my endo thought so too, as he said he wanted me to cut my

dosage of Tap down from 10mg a day to 5. Which I now have, and hopefully that

will put on the breaks a bit as far as my lab numbers to keep my in a happy

place. And improve the general kinda " blahs " I've had.

My only real question right now is this - Is it too much of a drop to go from 10

to 5mg all at once? Should I try 7.5 for a couple of weeks, or am I just being a

big worry wart? The endo didn't seem to think it was too much....but from what

I've read on the boards I know it's better to ease into any changes in dosage.

Let me know what you all think.

I did discuss with him about further testing of my anti-body levels once my labs

are kinda stabilized. Although he personally felt that since my last TSI was in

the " normal " range that it wasn't necessary, he is pretty good-natured about

letting me do what I want to do for my comfort level. :-) Nice of him, isn't it?

LOL I guess my general feeling about the guy is that he doesn't view my case as

very serious, which it probably isn't compared to some others....and he seems to

take a very traditional, by the book approach to things. BUT, he is very

agreeable about letting me do what I want, even if he doesn't think it's

necessary. So for now, I'm comfortable with that and with him. Who know, maybe

I'll be someone that will help open his mind up a wee bit as to the nature of

this whole enchilada.

Thanks so much for all the help and wisdom that you give. It is much

appreciated! Have a great weekend everybody. And do note that I have a new email

address....in case anyone put me into an address book. :-)

the other