Calling Lori----

[barbaranoela]

Lori----I have NO idea how long this thyroid has been *amuck*--

When I go to GP every 6 months--he does blood work/and always checks around the neck area and pokes here and there----but never found anything----and I would think that the Blood screening would have showed something??? Maybe I was *in range* ???

It was only cus when we got home from AZ---in April---did I complain about my fatigue/sleeping--etc. and when he checked the neck *lo and behold* there were NODULES---and the journey started from there--

I am a *napper* but last year I was like a bear --hold in for the winter

So maybe the hyper---had begun but not in full bloom till the Nodules were detected??? I dont know---and I never asked my endo. that!!

Will ask her in Oct.---

So got my new Meds.--start tomorrow---and of course all the side effects are the same as the meds I am taking now!!!

Walgreens gave me a write up and it seems that the new *meds* ( twice a day) dont make a mad dash thru the body but work slower--gathering that the meds. now (once a day) zip thru U---

I dont know ---but I will find out very soon--

And as usual----today I have had no headaches/nausea--didnt nap!!! Go figure~~~~

U said surgery----forgive me if I missed something---but was it for the thyroid??

till I swallow--
luve Barbara

[Umber]

I had surgery for a nodule. It was sizable but I never noticed it. It was what they call a "hot" nodule which produces too much thyroid hormone ie hyper-thyroidism. I can't believe how much I slept and I felt like I was going crazy. I was over excitable and would fly off handle in an instant. Now I am so calm and collected. A completely different person.

Are you hypo or hyper? For over two years I suffered with problems related to my thyroid. I had a couple of thyroid tests and the TSH results were always "within the range." I continued to get worse and worse. I do not trust the TSH test to diganose how your thyroid is working. Otherwise they would have found the problem right off the bat. I think alot of people suffer from thyroid issues and are going untreated. They are not getting the appropriate tests and the ranges are out dated. I find most docs/endos don't want to deal with it. Hormones are complicated and take lots of knowledge & work.

I have an awesome hormone doc here in OR. He doesn't do the average testing like most. I usually have 3 or 4 seperate tests. He doesn't go by the TSH levels. He measures the free T3 & free T4 levels. Which is the levels of the two thyroid hormones in the blood and it shows exactly how much of each and what is going on.

I am on a compound mixture of T3 & T4. The dose changes depending on the levels. I take it twice a day and that works best for me. I can tell when I am feeling off and I know its time for another test. It has been a slow process to get to where I am today. I am 150% better than I was 2 years ago.

Also, I get a weekly thyroid email news letter from Mary Shomon. She keeps up on all of the cutting edge information. Her news letters are a wealth of information. I think you would benefit from it.

I have learned such a great deal, knowledge is power. I am confident that I am following the right path because it is working. I will help you in anyway possible. I am trying to get here more often but please email me if you need some info or assistance.

Big hugs, I feel for you. This is not fun but it is managable.

Lori

[tex]

I do not trust the TSH test to diganose how your thyroid is working. Otherwise they would have found the problem right off the bat. I think alot of people suffer from thyroid issues and are going untreated. They are not getting the appropriate tests and the ranges are out dated. I find most docs/endos don't want to deal with it. Hormones are complicated and take lots of knowledge & work.

I believe that you are 100% correct, and I totally agree with you. My doc is one who puts full faith in the TSH test. (IMO, someone's thyroid would have to be going 90 miles per hour, or be virtually innactive, to have the TSH results fall outside the "normal" range). The only reason why I stick with my doc is because he is willing to do the free T3 and free T4 tests once in a while, (at my request - though he pretty much ignores the results), and he is willing to increase the levothyroxine, (or synthroid), rate, if I request it, (so long as my TSH level stays within the "normal" range. LOL). It's pretty easy to figure out what to do, as long as you have the free T3 and free T4 test results.

Tex

[barbaranoela]

Lori-----I am HYPER-----and from what U described of yourself---thats what I was finding JUST from last year???

I figured it was me being just a bitch of a witch
And I had all those test---the radioactive thing---biopsies of 4 nodules--and on and on---

How do I go about getting my name on this thyroid list???
I would luve to hear updates ---

thanks alot for the replies~~~
luve Barbara

PS. I didnt know about just doing the Free T3 and T4 ---I have reports of levels---but to me as long as she said *good* I thought *good*
This is totally *new* to me---so I must learn what all to ask for--

[tex]

Barbara,

Note that the e-mail newsletters are free, whereas the printed versions are not:

http://www.thyroid-info.com/newsletters.htm

Luve,
Galahad

[Umber]

Barb,

Duh! I meant to post her website address. Sorry about that. You can sign up for her email news letter at her website. thyroid.about.com

Her news letter this week spoke about Oprah possibly having "thyroid" issues. Mary is hoping she will bring this problem to light and get the word out. Oprah would be the ultimate advocate! Maybe even giving some of these docs a wake up call! That would be the best!

Hugs,

Lori