Posted on 05/28/2005 6:08:46 PM PDT by Nov3
I treat with an endocrinologist who monitors my thyroid levels and my cholesterol levels. I take meds for both. Don't really understand the details, but my doctor says both levels are under control. But if the thyroid levels get a little off, my heart starts fluttering, irregular heartbeats, and it's upsetting when that happens. Then it's back to the doctor for more tests which gets the meds adjusted.
Yes he was. There are several other good ones including "Solved the ridlle of all illness" I believe among others. It is a part of medicine that is being missed badly. The relation of the thyroid to all elements of the body's health is catholic. The modern treatment is scary.
Read this site, it has a bunch of good info especially the questions.
http://www.drlowe.com
I just went to have that test you referred to because I am on thyroid medicine...our insurance pays very well for tests like these, and yet MY SHARE of just that test was over $50 dollars,
therefore, I would guess that part of what stops doctors from ordering that test routinely is because insurance companies don't want to have to pay for it....
Amen on that!
Like you said, thyroid problems are certainly not the worst health problem someone can have---especially since it is treatable with simple medication...but,
it is rather scary when you are told not to EVER miss a pill, or else...
I carry mine in my purse, just in case I get stuck away from home for any reason...
Dang, didn't know about the cholestrol connection---
Although, now I am on 2 different cholestrol medicines, plus my Levoxyl for my thyroid...of course, the docs didn't tell me there is prolly a connection...thanks
Your most welcome. I've used 'em many times. My doc also uses 'em for his patients who don't have insurance. Oh, and if you want a blood test that they don't have listed at their site, be sure and ask 'em if they have it anyway. They pretty much have every blood test available.
Goodness, I was never told that. However, I've found from talking to people with thyroid problems that everyone has their own version of the disease. The symptoms, treatments and problems seem to be unique to each individual, even when there are similarities.
Wow, I didn't know that other thyroid medicine users might NOT have been given the "doomsday" speech that the doctor gave me---
I had no clue that I had a thyroid problem---until I was hospitalized with anxiety attacks (they thought I had heart problems), they ran a bunch of tests, and found an underactive thyroid---I was even anorexic at the time, so I had no symptoms of excessive weight gain...
You are correct about everyone presenting with differing symptoms....
Marking...
I have a really marginal form of hypothyroidism, where the doc has not prescribed any levothyroxin. TSH is marginally elevated, T4 within range but on the low end of the range, T3 normal, basal metabolism is indeed slow. W/O the bicycle racing activities that I participate in (training anywhere from 200 to 300 miles/week), I would be on a diet of under 1900 kcal/day, and that's at 220 pounds. Resting heart rate is slow, but in a big part due to fitness. Doc still watches the thyroid chemistry on a regular basis, as well as checking my training logs (this is one of the best sports medicine docs in the Twin Cities).
What doomsday speech did your doc give you?? My daughter had thyroid cancer 5 years ago, and they removed her thyroid and 23 lymph nodes. 16 lymph nodes were cancerous. She is on between 200-225 micrograms of synthroid daily... Is there a better med than synthroid?
Wise doctor you have chosen.
They like to use their tests for chemicals but the tests regularly do not reveal especially the lower grade deficiencies.
The tried and true and simple Broda Barnes test is significantly better but that isn't what is used or understood. (Too simple.) The test also needs to be done at home by you so you can hardly be charged for it.
Free? I never known any medical test that was free.
I was on Synthroid when I was first diagnosed, and then when I had to change doctors because of insurance, the new doctor prescribed Levoxyl....he said I should never take the generic---levothyroxine, for some reason, he didn't elaborate...
When I gave the RX to the pharmacist, I asked her if there is any difference between Levoxyl and Synthroid and she said NO, just different doctors prescribe different brands...
HOwever, when I was first diagnosed, the doctor that diagnosed me and prescribed medicine for it said at the time, that I sould never, ever miss my thyroid meds...and if I forget, to take it as soon as possible---
I have had several surgeries since being diagnosed (unrelated problems) and every time, the hospital nurses make SURE I get my thyroid meds, even if I am supposed to be off all other medications...so, I don't question, I just take them...
Here's another way of getting the testing done by a group that does serious testing for alternatives groups.
http://www.lef.org/newshop/cgi-shop/showCategory.cgi?catid=23000&page=6
bump
LOL, sorry about that. The NAME of the test is a "FREE T3" test. But the test ain't free. ;-)
I had all the classic symptoms of hypOthyroid, but like you, I was skin and bones. Idiots kept wondering if I had an eating disorder, sigh. No problem with that now. I'm on Cytomel. Most docs put folks on Synthroid. Some take Armour, and those that do usually love it. I couldn't take it cause I got horrible headaches, and really bad eye problems with it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.