Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Need to vent! So frustrated!!!!

Ok, so on Nov. 1st, my Dr. reduced my dose of medication from 20mg/day (10mg/2xday) to 15mg/day (7.5mg/2x day). Since then I've been feeling hypER again. All the regular symptoms started popping up, but my mood swings and anxiety are starting to become unbearable. I hate feeling like this!
I called my Dr. on 11/18 and left a voice-mail explaining that I feel hyper and I'd like to talk to her about it and maybe get my dosage increased again until we can get a set game plan.
I received her response on my voice-mail later in the day. It was the shortest message I ever received from a Dr., "Hi Julie, You are not hyper.  Your last report does not indicate that you are hyper, if anything you are hypo. Call me on Monday."

Well now, let me get this straight Dr.!?!
At my last appointment you tell me my levels are ok, and you want to "see what reducing my medication will do.", so I take less, as prescribed, but almost instantly I start feeling hyper! 
Now you are telling me that because my labs, from when I was on a higher dose, report that I was ok, that I am suddenly hypO? Where'd that come from? And then you are going to completely rely on what a piece of paper says instead of how I, the patient, FEEL? 

I did not call her back right away as I was too aggravated. She called again and left another  message pretty much stating the same thing and suggested that I see my primary Dr. if I feel it necessary. I called and left her a message and faxed over a request for my medical records. I am hoping to see a different Dr. soon. I'm looking to get better results and a real game plan that I feel comfortable with.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Should I be worried?

So I weighed myself this morning for the first time since reducing my medication. I've lost a few pounds. My other hyper symptoms continue....Anxiety is the biggest one popping up lately, as well as feeling OCD... =( (I've never felt or at least been aware that I feel OCD before being diagnosed)

The one thing that has me a little worried is, I've been feeling so COLD! Now granted the weather is changing, but I live in SoCal, the lowest temp I've seen is 54 at night. But I am walking around with gloves on work with the temp being around 70. My core feels comfortable/warm, but but my fingers feel like they are turning into icicles. Is this "normal" for someone who's hypERtyhroid? Could this be a good sign that my levels are starting to regulate? I hope someone has some insight, I'm baffled.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Labs with Ranges

Ok, so here are my labs and what the report states as the ranges. 
My Dr. says I'm "within normal range", but I do not feel like I am. Unless of course I just don't remember What "Normal" is anymore... I did feel the best when taking 30mg/day of methimezole.

6/16/10
TSH 3rd Gen.: 0.01 - Low  (Range: 0.40 - 4.50)
T4 Total: 7.4 (Range: 4.5 -12.5)
Free T4 (T7): 2.2 (Range: 1.4 - 3.8)
T3 Uptake: 30 (Range: 22-35)

8/3/10
TSH 3rd Gen.: 0.29 - Low (Range: 0.40 - 4.50)
T4 Total: 5.4 (Range: 4.5 - 12.5)
Free T4 (T7): 1.6 (Range: 1.4 - 3.8)
T3 Uptake: 30 (Range: 22 - 35)
Medication reduced about a week after these results. Started feeling crappy again...

9/7/10
TSH 3rd Gen.:1.4 (Range: 0.40-4.50)
T4 Total: 6.0 (Range: 4.5-12.5)
Free T4 (T7):1.8 (Range: 1.4 - 3.8)
T3 Uptake: 30 (Range: 22-35)

10/25/10 Most Recent
TSH 3rd Gen.: 3.5 (Range: 0.40-4.50)
T4 Total: 4.8 (Range: 4.5-12.5)
Free T4 (T7): 1.3 - Low (Range: 1.4 - 3.8)
T3 Uptake: 28 (Range: 22-35)

I'd also like to mention that I was tested for Vitamin D levels and I am so glad I take it.


6/16/10
Vit. D: 24 (Range of 30-100)

8/3/10 - on 50,000 ui/2 x week
Vit. D: 64 (Range of 30-100)

10/25/10 - on 1,000 ui/day
Vit. D: 41 (Range of 30-100)

Monday, November 1, 2010

Reducing my dose of meds again...

Ok, so I went to my Endocrinologist today. It's been over two months now since she reduced my medication. (From 30mg/day to 20mg/day) My last visit showed that my levels were raised, but she said I should continue with the dosage. 

Here are my levels from the past few months:


6/16/10
TSH 3rd Gen.: 0.01 - Low
T4 Total: 7.4
Free T4 (T7): 2.2
T3 Uptake: 30


8/3/10
TSH 3rd Gen.: 0.29 - Low
T4 Total: 5.4
Free T4 (T7): 1.6
T3 Uptake: 30


Medication reduced about a week after the above results.


9/7/10
TSH 3rd Gen.:1.4
T4 Total: 6.0
Free T4 (T7):1.8
T3 Uptake: 30

10/25/10 Most Recent
TSH 3rd Gen.: 3.5
T4 Total: 4.8
Free T4 (T7): 1.3 - Low
T3 Uptake: 28


Not sure exactly how read these, so if you do, please help explain...?

My Dr. said that since I'm "obviously Not going into remission", that I should "seriously consider RAI unless I want to have kids right away"... (Does this seem normal?)
She also said "I want to see what reducing your dose to 7.5mg/2x day of methimezole will do for you". 
So, here we go...next visit is in January, hope I don't become too crazy before then.


I was seriously considering finding a new Dr. and actually called to make an appointment, but since I wasn't able to get one right away, I decided that I should hear my current Dr. out and compile all my notes and research together and make sure that it's not just Me being paranoid about my care. I've realized that what my current Endo is saying and doing seems to be quite normal in my situation. If I am wrong, I hope that I will find out sooner rather than later... I do find it odd though that she has Never once mentioned surgery as a possible option...