Hi everyone,
I am starting this thread to post some information I have in my files that may be helpful to you.
Feel free to add to it! TF

HMO rules your
doctor won't discuss
Plans include pressure tactics,
incentives for providing less care

By Jon E. Dougherty http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=15556

This link was not working because the article had been moved and archived.
This is the correct link, above.

[This message has been edited by Tree Frog (edited 07-10-2001).]

Article:
Forest Pharmaceuticals Recalls Forest Levothroid Tablets
http://www.safetyalerts.com/recall/f/99/d146152.htm

You can use this checklist to bring to your doctor to help aid in getting a proper diagnosis of hypothyroidism, or as background information in your discussions regarding finetuning your dosage so you are at the optimal TSH level for your own level of wellness.

My risk factors for hypothyroidism include:

[ ] I have a family history of thyroid disease
[ ] I have had my thyroid "monitored" in the past to watch for changes
[ ] I had a previous diagnosis of goiters/nodules
[ ] I currently have a goiter
[ ] I was treated for hypothyroidism in the past
[ ] I had post-partum thyroiditis in the past
[ ] I had a temporary thyroiditis in the past
[ ] I have another autoimmune disease
[ ] I have had a baby in the past nine months
[ ] I have a history of miscarriage
[ ] I have had part/all of my thyroid removed due to cancer
[ ] I have had part/all of my thyroid removed due to nodules
[ ] I have had part/all of my thyroid removed due to Graves' Disease/hyperthyroidism
[ ] I have had radioactive iodine due to Graves' Disease/hyperthyroidism
[ ] I have had anti-thyroid drugs due to Graves' Disease/hyperthyroidism

I have the following symptoms of hypothyroidism, as detailed by the Merck Manual, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, and the Thyroid Foundation of America

[ ] I am gaining weight inappropriately
[ ] I'm unable to lose weight with diet/exercise
[ ] I am constipated, sometimes severely
[ ] I have hypothermia/low body temperature (I feel cold when others feel hot, I need extra sweaters, etc.)
[ ] I feel fatigued, exhausted
[ ] Feeling run down, sluggish, lethargic
[ ] My hair is coarse and dry, breaking, brittle, falling out
[ ] My skin is coarse, dry, scaly, and thick
[ ] I have a hoarse or gravely voice
[ ] I have puffiness and swelling around the eyes and face
[ ] I have pains, aches in joints, hands and feet
[ ] I have developed carpal-tunnel syndrome, or it's getting worse
[ ] I am having irregular menstrual cycles (longer, or heavier, or more frequent)
[ ] I am having trouble conceiving a baby
[ ] I feel depressed
[ ] I feel restless
[ ] My moods change easily
[ ] I have feelings of worthlessness
[ ] I have difficulty concentrating
[ ] I have more feelings of sadness
[ ] I seem to be losing interest in normal daily activities
[ ] I'm more forgetful lately

I also have the following additional symptoms, which have been reported more frequently in people with hypothyroidism:

[ ] My hair is falling out
[ ] I can't seem to remember things
[ ] I have no sex drive
[ ] I am getting more frequent infections, that last longer
[ ] I'm snoring more lately
[ ] I have/may have sleep apnea
[ ] I feel shortness of breath and tightness in the chest
[ ] I feel the need to yawn to get oxygen
[ ] My eyes feel gritty and dry
[ ] My eyes feel sensitive to light
[ ] My eyes get jumpy/tics in eyes, which makes me dizzy/vertigo and have headaches
[ ] I have strange feelings in neck or throat
[ ] I have tinnitus (ringing in ears)
[ ] I get recurrent sinus infections
[ ] I have vertigo
[ ] I feel some lightheadedness
[ ] I have severe menstrual cramps

wow thanks treefrog for this wonderful site it is so nice to see that someone is kind to pass on this information to others you are a very nice person , i have learned alot from you by reading alot of your posts you have answered or tryed to help so many people with the knowledge you have gained , its people like you the world needs more of i thank you and commend you for taking the time to share with others you truly are a kind person , thanks again treefrog. SINCERELY, LORI

There was a thyroid testamonial here: http://www.mercola.com/2001/mar/24/testimonial.htm

Here is the link to the diet info: http://www.mercola.com/diet.htm

Tree Frog, thanks, what a great idea this thread was!

Here's a site that I like a lot...it's a online book on thyroid disease that addresses the spectrum from Hashi's to Graves and everything inbetween.
http://www.thyroidmanager.org



------------------
Some days you're the dog...some days you're the hydrant!
(dx Graves 4/99, treatment w/Tapazole and Atenolol)

another article about how to discover thyroid imbalances:

How To Know If Your Thyroid Is Working Properly With Blood Tests.
http://www.mercola.com/article/hypothyroid/diagnosis.htm

Common symptoms and signs of hyperthyroidism:

Palpitations
Heat intolerance
Nervousness
Insomnia
Breathlessness
Increased bowel movements
Light or absent menstrual periods
Fatigue
Fast heart rate
Trembling hands
Weight loss
Muscle weakness
Warm moist skin
Hair loss
Staring gaze



[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 08-14-2001).]

Here is a very informative, easy-to-understand site: http://www.the-thyroid-society.org/faq/
Take care,
Lori :)

http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual_home/sec13/145.htm Informative site!

------------------
I wish to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am.

Thyroid med doseage equivalencies, copied from a post by clsblack:

Got this chart from Forest Pharmaceuticals, Inc (makers of Thyrolar) thought it might be of some use to someone else:

Forest says these are APPROXIMATE EQUIVALENT STRENGTHS AND THAT THYROID DOSING IS HIGHLY PATIENT SPECIFIC AND MUST ALWAYS BE INDIVIDUALIZED TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM BENEFIT AND OPTIMAL PATIENT HEALTH.

that said-here's what the chart says:

Armour - Thyrolar - Cytomel - Levothyroxine

1/4gr - 1/4 - 6.25mcg - .025mg

1/2gr - 1/2 - 12.5mcg - .05mg

1 gr - 1 - 25 mcg - .1mg

1 1/2gr - 1 1/2 - 37.5mcg- .15mg

2 gr - 2 - 50mcg - .2mg

3 gr - 3 - 75mcg - .3mg

sorry it's not easier to read. did the best i could!!

I am adding this to the information archive, simply as an example of possible supplements for proper thyroid med use.

Here is what I personally take, according to my research and what I believe I personally need to supplement my diet according to how I eat:
I suggest that you look up each of these supplements to understand what they do for the body.


The vitamins that are needed for assimilating and converting thyroid med that I take daily are:

A-8000mg
(with D)

Selenium-200mg
(The Thyroid Solution says at least 50mg)

B-100 complex
C-250mg
E-400mg
I also take 4mg of copper and 50mg of zinc as I just got a med dose raise, and those minerals help keep the heartrate calm and even.

I take my thyroid med with water on an empty stomach, when I get up in the morning.
One hour later, I take the supplements.

I take my female hormones in the evening.

http://www.emedicine.com/aaem/topic446.htm Basics on Thyroid Disease.
Take care :)
Lori


------------------
I wish to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am.

Here is the information I have on Thryoiditis. I hope it helps

Thyroiditis
Thyroiditis, an inflammation of the thyroid gland, produces transient hyperthyroidism often followed by transient hypothyroidism or no change in thyroid function at all.

The three types of thyroiditis are Hashimoto's thyroiditis, subacute granulomatous thyroiditis, and silent lymphocytic thyroiditis.

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
Hashimoto's thyroiditis (autoimmune thyroiditis) is the most common type of thyroiditis and the most common cause of hypothyroidism. For unknown reasons, the body turns against itself in an autoimmune reaction, creating antibodies that attack the thyroid gland. (see page 816 in Chapter 168, Immunodeficiency Disorders) This type of thyroiditis is most common in elderly women and tends to run in families. The condition occurs eight times more often in women than in men and may occur in people with certain chromosomal abnormalities, including Turner's, Down, and Klinefelter's syndromes.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis often begins with a painless enlargement of the thyroid gland or a feeling of fullness in the neck. When doctors feel the gland, they usually find it enlarged, with a rubbery texture, but not tender; sometimes it feels lumpy. The thyroid gland is underactive in about 20 percent of the people when Hashimoto's thyroiditis is discovered; the rest have normal thyroid function. Many people with Hashimoto's thyroiditis have other endocrine disorders such as diabetes, an underactive adrenal gland, or underactive parathyroid glands, and other autoimmune diseases such as pernicious anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome, or systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus).

Doctors perform thyroid function tests on blood samples to determine whether the gland is functioning normally, but they base the diagnosis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis on the symptoms, a physical examination, and whether the person has antibodies that attack the gland (antithyroid antibodies), which can easily be measured in a blood test.

No specific treatment is available for Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Most people eventually develop hypothyroidism and must take thyroid hormone replacement therapy for the rest of their lives. Thyroid hormone may also be useful in decreasing the enlarged thyroid gland.

Subacute Granulomatous Thyroiditis
Subacute granulomatous (giant cell) thyroiditis, which is probably caused by a virus, begins much more suddenly than Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Subacute granulomatous thyroiditis often follows a viral illness and begins with what many people call a sore throat but actually proves to be neck pain localized to the thyroid. The thyroid gland becomes increasingly tender, and the person usually develops a low-grade fever (99° F. to 101° F.). The pain may shift from one side of the neck to the other, spread to the jaw and ears, and hurt more when the head is turned or when the person swallows. Subacute granulomatous thyroiditis is often mistaken at first for a dental problem or a throat or ear infection.

Inflammation usually causes the thyroid gland to release excessive thyroid hormones, resulting in hyperthyroidism, almost always followed by transient hypothyroidism. Many people with subacute granulomatous thyroiditis feel extremely tired.

Most people recover completely from this type of thyroiditis. Generally the condition goes away by itself within a few months, but sometimes it comes back or, more rarely, damages enough of the thyroid gland to cause permanent hypothyroidism.

Aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen) can relieve the pain and inflammation. In very severe cases, doctors may recommend corticosteroids such as prednisone, which should be tapered off over 6 to 8 weeks. When corticosteroids are stopped abruptly, symptoms often return in full force.

Silent Lymphocytic Thyroiditis
Silent lymphocytic thyroiditis occurs most often in women, typically just after childbirth, and causes the thyroid to become enlarged without becoming tender. For several weeks to several months, a person with silent lymphocytic thyroiditis has hyperthyroidism followed by hypothyroidism before eventually recovering normal thyroid function. This condition requires no specific treatment, although the hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism may require treatment for a few weeks. Often, a beta-blocker such as propranolol is the only drug needed to control the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. During the period of hypothyroidism, a person may need to take thyroid hormone, usually for no more than a few months. Hypothyroidism becomes permanent in about 10 percent of the people with silent lymphocytic thyroiditis.


Take care
Lori



------------------
I wish to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am.

Post-Surgery Homeopathy (for Pain & Nausea)

My homeopath gave the following recommendation for post-surgery trauma. You can find homeopathic remedies in natural food stores, but I recommend retaining the advice of a known practitioner prior to use.

To take a homeopathic remedy, tap one sugar pill into the cap of the vial, but DO NOT TOUCH THE PILL. Tap the cap to release the pill under your tongue and let it dissolve completely. Do not eat or drink anything 10 minutes before a dose and 20 minutes after the pill dissolves. You increase the dosage by taking pills more frequently, NOT by taking more pills. It is also recommended that you avoid mint and its relatives (camphor, menthol, tea tree oil) during homeopathic treatment. Fennel toothpaste is useful for this.

Pain and Bruising

Arnica Montana, 200c was recommended to aid the healing process. My homeopath says that Arnica is relatively benign, has no side effects, and cannot be overdosed.

The best case is to begin the Arnica before the surgery: Take one pellet three times a day, the day before the surgery.

For post-surgical trauma, I was told to take one pellet as soon as possible following surgery, followed by one pill every 15 minutes if pain is severe for up to 1 hour. Then take 1 pellet every 1-3 hours. The next day, taper off (as needed) but continue one pellet, three times a day for a week or more after the surgery.

This should help you with the pain, swelling, and any potential bruising.


Nausea (due to anesthesia)

Phosphorus, 30c was recommended.
Take one pellet as needed, up to every 15 minutes for the first hour. Then taper off. I found I needed three doses in the first hour, then two more doses (one in each of the next two hours) as the anesthesia left my body.

Too much Phosphorus can make you constipated (as can the anesthesia), so use sparingly as needed.

[This message has been edited by ArtfulD (edited 02-06-2002).]

As per Treefrog in the 8/2/01 Thread "What Does Everyone Eat"

In the August 7th, Woman's World magazine, found in virtually every grocery store where magazines are sold, on pages 14-16, they have some great exercises that really works the inner middle body muscles like a girdle.

They were developed by an exercise physiologist,Teresa Tapp. Get that magazine, if interested. It has all the info you really need.

I did these exercises just two days and can feel the mucles tightening around my middle already. The exercises are really easy and don't hurt bad joints, such as I have.

I am really excited, because this routine really works up a sweat in 20-30 minutes and is incredibly easy.



[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 09-26-2001).]

Foods that can can affect your thyroid negatively:

I put together a fairly complete list of goitrogens some time ago. Here's what I came up with, but I am sure tyhere are othere things that can and will be added over time.

Avoid unless cooked thouroughly:

* African cassava
* Asparagus
* babassu (a palm-tree coconut fruit popular in Brazil and Africa)
* Broccoli
* brussels sprouts
* Cabbage
* Cauliflower
* horseradish
* kale
* kohlrabi
* leafy green vegetables (turnip greens, mustard greens, collard greens)
* Legumes (beans and peas)
* peanuts
* pine nuts
* Processed meats
* radishes
* rutabaga
* Spinach
* turnips
* Watercress

Avoid entirely:

* Soy in any form that isn't fermented
* millet (actually WORSE when cooked)
* Rapeseed, canola, flax, soybean, safflower, corn and other polyunsaturated fats/oils

Questions to ask a potential doctor:

A friend posted this fantastic list of questions that she composed to another message board. I asked her if I could post it here, and this is her gracious response: "You can use it as much as you want. Power to the patient! ... 'Nette"

Here's the list:

a. What is your approach to treating hypo?

Desired answer: treatment is based on a combination of symptoms and lab tests. (What lab tests? TSH, antibodies (once is usually enough), free or total T3 and free T4 are good places to start).

b. What medications do you use in treatment of hypo?

Desired answer: whatever if takes. Some of those available are Synthroid, Thyrolar, Cytomel and natural meds like Armour.

Wrong answer: Synthroid only.

c. If I don't feel well when my labs are within the normal ranges, what do you do?

Desired answers: the normal ranges are just guidance, and there is often lots of room to play within the normal ranges. If that doesn't work, we have to consider things in addition to the thyroid for contributing to symptoms.

Wrong answer: If normal ranges don't make you feel well, it is all in your head.

d. What is your response to me asking about different approaches that I've read about on the internet or in books?

Desired answer: There is a lot of great info on the internet and books and some lousy info so one has to be selective. Don't hesitate to share the things you've learned about and we can discuss them in context to your treatment. I always enjoy getting new articles from professional publications about evolving methods.

Wrong answer: stay away from the internet, there is only rubbish out there.

e. How long does it take for me to get well, or at least see some improvement?

Desired answer: It is a slow process because your body has a lot of healing to do plus it takes a well to optimize your meds for your body. However, you should have made a lot of improvement in four to six months.

Wrong answer: 2 weeks or "never".

f. How often to you do tests and see me while we are in the optimization process? (Right answer is about every six weeks to 2 months).

Wrong answer: once a year.

g. Once I'm stable, how often do you monitor.

Good answer: every 4 to six months for a couple of years. If you are absolutely stable then once a year should be enough unless you are starting to show symptoms again, then you should call me.

Wrong answer: once a year no matter what.

U.S. & World Report has listed the top fifty hospitals
for hormonal disorders: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/nycu/health/hosptl/specendo.htm

Descriptions of Thyroid Blood Tests:

A technical link: http://www.muhealth.org/~daveg/thyroid/thy_test.html


Also, the following describes tests you may encounter during your return to health:

Thyroxine (T4): This shows the total amount of the T4. High levels may be due to hyperthyroidism, however technical artifact occurs when estrogen levels are higher from pregnancy, birth control pills or estrogen replacement therapy. A Free T4 (see below) can avoid this interference.

T3 Resin Uptake or Thyroid Uptake: This is a test that confuses doctors, nurses, and patients. First, this is not a thyroid test, but a test on the proteins that carry thyroid around in your blood stream. Not only that, a high test number may indicate a low level of the protein! The method of reporting varies from lab to lab. The proper use of the test is to compute the free thyroxine index.

Free Thyroxine Index (FTI or T7): A mathematical computation allows the lab to estimate the free thyroxine index from the T4 and T3 Uptake tests. The results tell us how much thyroid hormone is free in the blood stream to work on the body. Unlike the T4 alone, it is not affected by estrogen levels.

Free T4: This test directly measures the free T4 in the blood rather than estimating it like the FTI. It is a more reliable , but a little more expensive test. Some labs now do the Free T4 routinely rather than the Total T4.

Total T3: This is usually not ordered as a screening test, but rather when thyroid disease is being evaluated. T3 is the more potent and shorter lived version of thyroid hormone. Some people with high thyroid levels secrete more T3 than T4. In these (overactive) hyperthyroid cases the T4 can be normal, the T3 high, and the TSH low. The Total T3 reports the total amount of T3 in the bloodstream, including T3 bound to carrier proteins plus freely circulating T3.

Free T3: This test measures only the portion of thyroid hormone T3 that is "free", that is, not bound to carrier proteins.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH): This protein hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland and regulates the thyroid gland. A high level suggests your thyroid is underactive, and a low level suggests your thyroid is overactive.

[This message has been edited by ArtfulD (edited 12-31-2001).]

Quote from Meep regarding the difference between Total and Free T4 and other blood tests:

T4 (also know as Thyroxine or Total T4) is a measure of how much T4 is in your blood, even if the T4 is bound to proteins in your blood. If you are eating soy products, taking Estrogen, or pregnant, this test won't tell you much since much of your thyroid hormones are likely bound to proteins and aren't immediately useable to your body.

Free T4 Measures ONLY the free hormone in your blood that is immediately useable by your body and is probably the most useful test in most cases.

Getting BOTH done can accurately tell you quite a bit about protein binding. Otherwise, the traditional panel that includes Total T4, T3 Uptake (Measures T4 binding proteins and has nothing to do with T3, actually) and FTI can tell you the same thing, though not as accurately (in my opinion).

I prefer to see a Free T4, Free T3 and TSH when I have my blood work done to get a more complete picture, and have never had the Total T4 test done.

[This message has been edited by ArtfulD (edited 12-31-2001).]

Taken from the weightloss board:

Regarding Soy
If you have thyroid imbalance or are female you may want to use whey protein rather than soy.

Researchers have identified that the isoflavones act as potent anti-thyroid agents, and are capable of suppressing thyroid function, and causing or worsening hypothyroidism. Soy is a phytoestrogen, and therefore acts in the body much like a hormone. High consumption of soy products are also proven to cause goiter, (Anti-thyroid isoflavones from soybean: isolation, characterization, and mechanisms of action, Divi RL; Chang HC; Doerge DR, National Center for Toxicological Research, Jefferson, AR 72079, USA, Biochem Pharmacol, 1997 Nov, 54:10, 1087-96)

The best source of information on soy and its negative impact on health can be found at the Soy Online Service, and in particular, its page on phytoestrogenic effects of soy, and impact on the thyroid.

(The grain millet, for example, contains high levels of flavonoids, and is commonly known as problematic for thyroid function).

The March 1999 issue of Natural Health magazine has a feature on soy that quotes Daniel R. Doerge, Ph.D., a researcher at the Food and Drug Aministration's National Center for Toxicological Research. Dr. Doerge has researched soy's anti-thyroid properties, and has said "...I see substantial risks from taking soy supplements or eating huge amounts of soyfoods for their putative disease preventive value. There is definitely potential for interaction with the thyroid."

One UK study of premenopausal women gave 60 grams of soy protein per day for one month. This was found to disrupt the menstrual cycle, with the effects of the isoflavones continuing for a full three months after stopping the soy in the diet. Isoflavones are also known to modify fertility and change sex hormone status. Isoflavones have been shown to have serious health effects -- including infertility, thyroid disease or liver disease -- on a number of mammals.

Dr. Fitzpatrick believes that people with hypothyroidism should avoid soy products, because, "any inhibition of TPO will clearly work against anyone trying to correct an hypothyroid state." In addition, he believes that the current promotion of soy as a health food will result in an increase in thyroid disorders.



[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 10-07-2003).]

Info about Dhea,
DHEA is a supplement.

Here is a little info about it from an anti-aging website.

DHEA obtained credibility in the medical establishment when the New York Academy of Sciences published a book entitled DHEA and Aging and summarized in their journal, Aging (Dec. 29, 1995, 774:1-350). This highly technical book provided scientific validation for the many life extension effects of DHEA replacement therapy.

DHEA has been shown to improve neurological function (including memory, mood enhancement, and EEG readings), immune surveillance, and stress disorders. DHEA replacement therapy has become popular as an anti-aging regiment and offers aging patients help in preventing diseases such as osteoporosis, fatigue, depression, atherosclerosis, and cancer.

DHEA replacement therapy involves the supplementation of the hormone to restore serum levels to those of a 21-year-old. DHEA is a precursor building block that allows our bodies to more easily create hormones that may be in decline because of age, disease, prescription medications, or other factors. Hormones such as testosterone and estrogen as well as serum DHEA levels begin to decline between 25 and 30 years of age and may be reduced by 95% of youthful peak levels by age 85.

The most remarkable finding about DHEA came from a human study by S. S. C. Yen and associates at the University of California, San Diego, in which 50 mg a day of DHEA over a 6-month period restored youthful serum levels of DHEA in both men and women. Dr. Yen showed that DHEA replacement was associated with an increase in perceived physical and psychological well-being for both men (67%) and women (84%). Increases in lean body mass and muscle strength were reported in men taking 100 mg a day, but this dose appeared to be excessive in women.

DHEA (50 or 100 mg a day) was also shown to significantly elevate insulin growth factor (IGF). Aging causes a decline in IGF levels that contributes to the loss of lean body mass, as well as to excess fat accumulation, neurological impairment, and age-associated immune dysfunction.

DHEA has been shown to protect against heart disease and atherosclerosis. A study using coronary artery angiography showed that low DHEA levels predispose people to more significant coronary artery blockage. Another study showed that DHEA inhibits abnormal blood platelet aggregation, a factor in the development of sudden heart attack and stroke. In contrast, some studies on DHEA do not show the cardiovascular disease protection.

In the journal Drugs and Aging (Oct. 1996), an analysis of previous studies on DHEA showed that


In both humans and animals, the decline of DHEA production with aging is associated with immune depression, increased risk of several different cancers, loss of sleep, decreased feelings of well-being, and increased mortality.

DHEA replacement in aged mice significantly improved immune function to a more youthful state.

DHEA replacement has shown a favorable effect on osteoclasts and lymphoid cells, an effect that may delay osteoporosis. (Editor's note: DHEA has been shown in other studies to promote the activity of bone-forming osteoblasts.)

Low levels of DHEA inhibit energy metabolism, thus increasing the risk of heart disease and diabetes mellitus.

Studies in humans show essentially no toxicity at doses that restore DHEA to youthful levels.

DHEA deficiency may expedite the development of some diseases that are common in the elderly.
Depression Responds to DHEA Treatment
Depression is a broad term for a host of unpleasant feelings, including emotional numbness, lack of energy, lack of motivation, feeling like a failure, and feeling undesirable. These feelings frequently show up for the first time in middle-aged people who feel like they're "over the hill." Elderly people, too, frequently get depressed, and they are particularly at risk of suicide. Depression is a growing problem among teenagers as well.

Doctors have long known that giving estrogen to women and testosterone to men during midlife can avert symptoms of depression, although the effects have never been phenomenal. Reports are stacking up that DHEA works better. DHEA turns into both estrogen and testosterone. And it just so happens that Dhea levels and those hormones go south about the time people start thinking about being "over the hill."

It may not be very helpful in people that are younger than 45-50 years. It can cause aggression, facial hair growth, acne, etc, since they usually still have enough of the hormone Dhea.



[This message has been edited by Tree Frog (edited 01-17-2002).]

There is a new book called
NATURAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT
by Neal Rouzier, M.D. FACEP and Cherie Constance

You may want to get this book if:

* You are male or female over the age of 40.
* You can't think, or mentally perform and function as you did 20 years ago.
* You are fatigued and easily "wiped out."
* Your sexual performance and libido is waning.
* You're gaining weight even though you're not eating as much and you've increased your exercise regimen.
* You've noticed a soreness in joints resulting from exercise.
* You're menopausal but desire a natural approach in hormone replacement therapy.
* Your skin is thinning, your nails are brittle, your hair is falling out, and you're cold all the time.
* You want to protect yourself against age-related heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and elevated cholesterol.
* You've tried everything else but still feel lousy.

Osteoporosis and Thyroid Disease:

Helpful Canadian website about osteoporosis and potential treatments, including Calcitonin:
http://www.osteoporosis.ca/OSTEO/D04-calcitonin.html



[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 10-07-2003).]

For info about taking calcium to fix or ward off possible bone loss look here:

On the Magnesium artcle above, or this website:

http://www.execpc.com/~magnesum/

go to Osteoporosis,

then to Calcium Absorption, which opens to a page with the article,

Magnesium: A key to Calcium Absorption.

(Calcium and magnesium ratios also affect mucle cramps and joint pain.)

From University of Missouri's Health Science page:
http://www.hsc.missouri.edu/~daveg/thyroid/thy_test.html#Antibodies

Descriptions of various thyroid tests, including types of Antibodies:

Antithyroid Antibodies:
Antithyroid antibodies often are associated with and play a role in thyroid diseases. The antibodies of most clinical importance are the Antithyroid Microsomal (measured by the Antithyroid Peroxidase assay and also referred to as anti TPO antibodies), the Antithyroglobulin and the Thyroid Simulating Immunoglobulin. The Antithyroid Microsomal Antibodies are usually elevated in patients with Autoimmune Thyroiditis (Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis) and may be used to help predict which patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (Normal Free T4 and elevated TSH) will go on to develop overt hypothyroidism. Antithyroglobulin antibodies may also be elevated in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis, but this is less frequent and to a lesser degree. Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulins are associated with Grave’s Disease and are the likely cause of the hyperthyroidism seen in this condition. These antibodies attach to the thyrotropin (TSH) receptor in the thyroid gland and activate it. While Antithyroid Microsomal Antibody levels are usually highest in Autoimmune Thyroiditis, and Thyroid Simulating Immunoglobulins are highest in Grave’s Disease, each may be present the both diseases, as well as in family members without clinical disease. There are several other less common antibodies associated with autoimmune thyroid disease but they are usually not measured in the clinical setting.



[This message has been edited by ArtfulD (edited 02-12-2002).]

Information about Nodules:
http://www.thyroid.ca/Articles/EngE2C.html
http://www.endocrineweb.com/nodule.html

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 10-07-2003).]

Information about thyroiditis:
http://www.endocrineweb.com/thyroiditis.html




[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 10-07-2003).]

Maca - from a commercial website

Treasure from the Andes Maca, (Lepidium Peruvianum Chacon) is a root vegetable, or tuber from a mat-like perennial that grows in the harshest, most difficult farmlands in the world. Native Peruvians have used Maca as a food and as a medicine since before the Incas. This sturdy relative of the potato and Mexican yam is cultivated high in the mountains of Peru in an environment of amazingly intense sunlight and fierce winds. It grows at elevations higher than any other crop in the world and it manages this existence in regions that are little more than barren rock with sub-freezing temperatures each night.

Perhaps the challenging native environment where it is grown gives Maca its strength. Maca has been an important crop to the Andean Indians. Today, in spite of the labor intensive methods used to grow it, Maca is still a valuable commodity. The tenacity of this incredible plant makes agriculture possible in a region that otherwise would be relegated to grazing sheep and llamas

Enhances Fertility - One of the chief attributes of Maca, according to the Peruvian Indians who grow it, is its reported ability to enhance fertility. When the Spanish conquistadors first began to raise sheep in the higher regions the sheep were reproducing poorly. The Indians suggested Maca. The results were so amazing that the Spaniards noted them in colonial records. The records show that the Spanish began to demand Maca as payment from the colonies.

The reputed fertility enhancement of Maca may be due to its high content of iodine and zinc, amino acids and vitamin C. Although the fertility enhancement of Maca has not been substantiated scientifically it seems a reasonable choice for those wishing to conceive.

Superfood of the Incas - In the difficult regions where it is cultivated, Maca has the highest nutritional values of any food crop grown there. Ironically, nourishing Maca today is often traded for less nutritious foods like rice, noodles, and sugar. Maca is a delicacy, with a sweet and spicy flavor and a butterscotch-like aroma. Its potato like tubers can be dried and stored for years with no appreciable loss of nutritional value. The roots are usually yellow or purple, or yellow with purple bands and resemble its relative the radish. The fresh roots are baked or roasted in ashes. The dried roots are usually boiled in milk or water to create a savory porridge. Maca boiled in water tastes sweeter than cocoa.

Maca is a nutritional powerhouse especially rich in iodine. It is a reliable protein source containing significant amounts of amino acids. The protein and calories in Maca are stable even after years of storage. It is also rich in complex carbohydrates and essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and iron. It contains vitamins B-1, B-2, B12, C and E and is a source of glycoside steroids. Weight lifters and body builders are turning to Maca as a natural and safe alternative to anabolic steroids. The rich and diverse nutrient content of Maca explains its many traditional uses and why it is sought after today.

Balance and Energy - Maca is an "adaptogen" meaning it helps to restore balance or homeostasis to the body. Rather than addressing a specific symptom, adaptogens are used to improve the overall adaptability of the whole system. Other adaptogen herbs are ginseng and astragalus. Maca has been used traditionally to increase energy and to promote improvement in both stamina and endurance in athletes. Unlike caffeine, Maca is a healthy choice for increasing energy because it is not a stimulant. The steady enhancement of both physical and mental energy makes Maca an ideal supplement for students, professionals, writers, athletes and anyone who needs a lift. The fact that Maca contains no stimulants but obtains its benefit from vitamins and minerals makes it especially beneficial for individuals who suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome. Many people who use Maca also report increased mental clarity.

The Indians who first used Maca believed it to be a significant fertility aid for both animals and humans. This explains why Maca is often described as an aphrodisiac. Aphrodisiac or not, it may be used to address hormonal imbalances in women. Maca offers a natural solution to symptoms of both PMS and menopause. Calcium and magnesium are well known for their beneficial efforts on the female endocrine system. Maca is a good source of both of these important minerals and is a very rich source of iodine which is also important for the endocrine system primarily due to its effect on the thyroid. Further reports indicate that Maca may improve male impotence.

Maca is naturally a great source of iodine - One thing that is noteworthy is its rich iodine content. This suggests that Maca would be a good herbal therapy for those who have thyroid insufficiency. It has been suggested that some that suffer from symptoms such as dry skin, deep fatigue, insomnia, memory loss, or depression are actually suffering form hypothyroidism and that they improve when given either thyroid hormone alone, or a program that combines thyroid hormone with nutritional support. Along with selenium, magnesium, tyrosine, herbs like Maca that are rich in iodine are sometimes able to restore normal thyroid function. The connection of thyroid insufficiencies to female reproductive issues can not be overlooked. Early medical textbooks and journal articles mention the effectiveness in thyroid supplementation in relieving gynecological disturbances. Normal thyroid function promotes conception, corrects disorders of menstrual flow and assists the body in producing better levels of follicle stimulating hormone. The thyroid supporting capacity of Maca probably explains its ability to enhance fertility and bring relief to women who suffer with symptoms of menopause.

Maca has no harmful stimulant activity such as that from caffeine or ephedra. Ideal for marathoners, martial arts enthusiasts, weary travelers, and those who maintain intense work schedules.


[This message has been edited by ArtfulD (edited 02-22-2002).]

The symptoms of magnesium deficiency aare similar to being thyroid imbaalnce, and being hypothyroid does affect the magnesium level. This seems like something pertinent to think about. TF


From a commercial website:

Ninety to Ninety Five percent of the population is deficient in Magnesium, including many
of those who supplement magnesium regularly. The majority may still think that any magnesium supplement will fix magnesium deficiency. Unfortunately, this isn't the case.

Read on to understand this in full, and why water-soluble magnesium is the answer.

The improper use of magnesium among health professionals in general, is deeply
responsible for many of the failures encountered daily in treating chronic health conditions
nationwide.

Discovery Number 1: Many common symptoms are normally caused by MAGNESIUM deficiency, NOT calcium deficiency.

Discovery Number 2: Calcium needs magnesium to assimilate, and will naturally deplete
magnesium storages. Magnesium, on the other hand, does not depend on calcium and works on its own.
Magnesium is FAR more important than calcium.

Discovery Number 3 :Excess calcium in the body is, as a result, one of the major causes of magnesium deficiency and disease.

Lack of sufficient magnesium in the body will make calcium toxic and disease causing (magnesium has 16 major factors that deplete it). Excess calcium is today a major cause of heart attacks, kidney stones, fatigue, sleep disorders,muscle cramps,
headaches, gall stones, types of arthritis, PMS,osteoporosis,accelerated aging, depression, high blood pressure and much more.

Discovery Number 4: Sufficient magnesium will allow calcium to assimilate, as well as dissolve and discharge calcium deposits in the body.

Discovery Number 5: Most magnesium calcium supplements on the market are incorrectly proportioned and only make things worse.

Discovery Number 6: Nothing will work faster in bringing relief to the conditions listed
above as will water-soluble magnesium taken WITHOUT any calcium, which is the astounding results attained today by hundreds of successful doctors.

The Importance:
Magnesium is the most important mineral that is needed by your body. In order to function correctly your body needs many nutrients. But if it is deficient in magnesium, there are over 300 biochemical reactions that either won't occur at all or will occur very
inefficiently. Somewhat like a car functioning with dirty battery terminals.

Also, magnesium is necessary for the correct assimilation of calcium and potassium
and the correct and efficient functioning of enzymes. As you can imagine, without magnesium your body is going to be performing at very much less than full capacity. A deficiency in magnesium can go from slight to very severe and your body will be signaling to
you that it is in trouble: SOS . . .HELP!

Body Symptoms:
These signals are in the form of body symptoms. A slight deficiency and you will notice
slight depression and lack of well-being. The body is telling you, Help, I'm in trouble. Then
you start getting headaches, pain in the lower back, stiff, tight muscles, particularly in the
back.The body is telling you, I'm in worse trouble, help me! Now!

But you ignore these messages. You haven't learneed to read and decipher them. You seek professional advice and . . . Well,you know what they advise.
Time goes by and now you start getting muscle cramps, then calcium deposits, muscle twitches and tics, high blood pressure. You ignore it and don't do anything about these signals. You start to get nervous; you jump at sudden sounds. You have never been this
way before. You are told that you are getting old, that you can expect this sort of thing.
You now have trouble sleeping and continually wake up feeling tired. Your body goes into spasms (involuntary and abnormal muscular contractions) and jerks. Your body is calling out,
I need help now! Get some magnesium and take it night and morning!

Don't Ignore Warning Signals:
You ignore these signals. Next, you find yourself with a chest pain, called angina pectoris.
You ignore this also, and no one else seems to know what is causing it. You never did learn
how to take care of your own body and have always left it to the so-called experts. These
experts don't know either.The next thing that happens is suddenly your heart starts racing.
It goes out of rhythm. You don’t know what to do and neither does anyone else. Then one day you have been out working hard physically, or under stress, and all of a sudden you have a heart attack. Your body is telling you, I am in real trouble; I am almost at the end of the line. I need magnesium urgently and fast. NOW!

So learn from me: The body is crying out for magnesium. It is deficient in magnesium.
It cannot function unless it has sufficient of this mineral.

How important is magnesium?
It is so important that your body won’t function well with even a slight deficiency, and with a severe deficiency you could end up with a heart attack.

Key Nutrient
Magnesium is an essential nutrient. It is necessary for every major biochemical process,
such as digestion, protein synthesis, cellular energy production and glucose metabolism.
Magnesium is also needed for bone strength, muscle strength and heartbeat, as well as the
functioning of the nervous system. Over three hundred biochemical and bioelectric reactions
depend on magnesium to occur. Without these taking place efficiently, the body is in trouble
and so are you. If you do not have sufficient magnesium, the body will not work properly and
you will end up with the symptoms described earlier. By taking a water soluble magnesium ,
these symptoms will gradually and mysteriously disappear. This will occur even if you only
take a small amount of it.

Deficiency is Common
Contrary to common belief, magnesium deficiency is very common even among those who
supplement it regularly. The reason for this is that the stress of modern lifestyle depletes
magnesium reserves far more rapidly than was previously realized.

Activates Other Minerals
All other major minerals are dependent upon magnesium being present in order to function.
The major minerals are magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium. Of these, magnesium
is by far the most important.

Magnesium versus Calcium
Calcium, a major mineral, needs magnesium in order to assimilate into the body. Calcium,
however, should never be taken on its own. Otherwise, it will pull magnesium out of body
parts in order to assimilate. This creates a greater magnesium deficiency and the person
will feel worse. This occurs with people who drink milk. Milk is about 8 calcium to 1
magnesium and it will create a magnesium deficiency.

Magnesium regulates the entrance and utilization of calcium in the cells. Without magnesium,
calcium remains in the body unused. This will result in calcium deposits in the joints
(often called arthritis), gallstones, kidney stones, and in extreme cases calcification of the
brain and other body organs and parts. This, in turn, results in loss of memory and loss of
ability to reason and eventually the termination of life. All of these conditions have frequently
been known to disappear after taking extra magnesium.

Again, magnesium and calcium must be in the correct proportions, otherwise the calcium
becomes a pollutant in the body causing heart disease, arthritis, hardening of the arteries,
senility, osteoporosis, and calcification of organs and tissues as described earlier, which
could eventually completely degenerate these organs and tissues. From this you can deduce
that it is contra survival to take calcium without magnesium. The rule is "Never take calcium
without magnesium. Calcium depends on magnesium for it to assimilate. Magnesium, on the
other hand, doesn't require calcium in order to function. In fact, in many cases, magnesium
taken on its own without any calcium will help you feel younger, more energetic, stronger,
and give you a multitude of other benefits, all as a result of the magnesium being present to
do its job.

What Depletes It?
Let’s take a look at what depletes magnesium: Modern stresses,whether chemical,
environmental or mental, frequently deplete magnesium reserves (which are often depleted
faster than calcium reserves). This can cause a magnesium deficiency and the resultant
symptoms of internal stress, even when the person does take magnesium supplements if
he takes more calcium than magnesium (which is very common). Extra magnesium can
often mean the difference between a stressed body and a completely relaxed one.
Magnesium depletion is a highly important issue, which will be crucial to understand.

The following are Magnesium Depletors. Learn them well and apply accordingly. The more
dominant they are in your life, the more magnesium your body will need. These items
dramatically speed up the depletion of your body's magnesium storage, and make it
necessary for much more magnesium to be consumed: Mental stress, Physical stress,
Coffee Sugar, High sodium diet, Alcohol, Cola-type sodas, Tobacco, High perspiration,
Medical drugs of all types, Low thyroid, Diabetes, Chronic pain, Diuretics, A high
carbohydrate diet, A high calcium diet.
Calcium? Yes. Can too much calcium be a problem? More than you ever thought possible.
Differently put, excess calcium can become a real problem. Excess magnesium,
on the other hand, is impossible. Excess calcium combined with low magnesium will
create osteoporosis and fragile bones.

The Proof?
Here is an amazing example: What country has the highest rate of milk consumption?
That’s right, it is America. Now another question: What country has the highest
consumption rate of calcium supplements? That's right, the answer is again America.
So obviously, you would say, America must have the lowest occurrence of osteoporosis
(calcium loss) of all countries, right? Believe it or not, the truth is the exact opposite! We
have the highest rate! Why? Taking more calcium will not fix a calcium deficiency,
which is quite evident from the statistics. Yet more magnesium will handle the calcium
deficiency as well as the magnesium deficiency itself.

*Insomnia or Restless Sleep * Irregular Heartbeat *Aggressive Behavior * Sleep- Wake up
Tired *Attention Deficit Disorder * Stress * Chronic Fatigue* Back Pain * Stroke*Stiff and
Aching Muscles * Jump at Sudden Sounds * High-strung, Jittery *Bones continue to go out
of Alignment * Anxiety * Confusion * Migraine Headaches * Muscle Weakness * Cluster
Headaches * Muscle Tics or Twitches* Weakness * Muscle Cramps *Hypoglycemia
* Muscle Spasms or Quivers * Diabetes * Hiccups * Nervousness *Pregnancy-related
Symptoms Hyperactivity* High Blood Pressure*Seizures*Osteoporosis *Angina Pectoris
* PMS *(Sharp Chest Pains and a feeling of being Suffocated)*Constipation * Heart Condition
* Kidney Stones * Exhausted from Physical Work or Exercise* Accelerated Aging
* Depression * Fading Memory, Senility * Heart Attack History *Leg Cramps

Angina
Angina (chest pains) is caused by a spasm in coronary arteries (the arteries that
supply blood to the heart). This spasm is caused by magnesium deficiency and
water-soluble magnesium is highly beneficial for this condition.

Asthma
Asthma is a condition where the bronchial passages go into spasm and interfere with
normal breathing. Magnesium comes to the rescue by relaxing the bronchial muscles.
Studies have shown that intravenous magnesium administered to asthmatics resulted
in rapid improvement in shortness of breath and wheezing. Often it stopped an attack
cold. Magnesium seems to make a major difference for asthmatics.

Backaches, Back Pain
Magnesium can relieve back pain in several different ways.
(1) Magnesium helps kidney function. Kidney stress is one of the causes of back pain.
(2) Magnesium helps relax the muscles. Muscle tension is another reason for back
problems. Magnesium also helps the assimilation of calcium, which could allow bones
to heal themselves.

Bone Alignment, Bones going out of Alignment
When magnesium is too low, this will cause the nervous system to be out of balance.
This, in turn, will keep muscles tight and prevent them from staying in a relaxed condition.
Magnesium restores balance to the nerves as well as the muscles, and thus makes it
possible for chiropractic adjustments to last longer and be more effective.

Constipation
Magnesium is very helpful in providing relief from constipation. High amounts of magnesium
have always been found to bring relief. In fact, the only time when water-soluble magnesium
didn't relieve this condition was when not enough of it was taken. Constipation, of course,
beyond its emergency address, should eventually be traced back to its underlying causes
and handled accordingly. Yet magnesium is the one quick solution that never fails to work
when immediate relief is needed.

Depression & Adrenal Function
Cortisol is one of the main hormones produced by the adrenal glands. Cortisol plays a key
role in the regulation of blood sugar levels. Stressful conditions, however, cause the adrenals
to overproduce cortisol, and when the adrenals are pushed into a relentless production of
cortisol, they end up in a stressed condition. Once the adrenals become overworked and
stressed, the body’s ability to retain magnesium drops down, as reflected in a greater loss
of magnesium through urinary excretion. For this reason, people with exhausted adrenals
will often require more magnesium to maintain inner balance. Magnesium is also needed by
the adrenals as a basic building block for the manufacturing of hormones.
Since stressed adrenals are often a forerunner of depression and mood disorders, anything
which supports adrenal function will help these conditions. Because magnesium supports
adrenal function, it can and was indeed found to have an antidepressant effect. While
further steps may be required to fully alleviate depressive states, magnesium s role in balancing
the body is vital and it has been proven to greatly enhance the effect of other nutrients
consumed and/or other steps undertaken.
Without sufficient magnesium one cannot keep the adrenals in balance, and a loss of this
balance can result in diabetes, hyper-excitability, nervousness, mental confusion and
difficulty coping with simple day-to-day problems. Depressed and suicidal people often
display inadequate levels of magnesium.

Diabetes
Insulin is the hormone which helps with the regulation of glucose (sugar) metabolism.
Magnesium has been found to improve insulin s response to dietary sugar, and improve
the action of insulin in regulating blood sugar levels. Magnesium deficiency seems to be
extremely common amongst diabetics, which makes it very important for them to supplement.
One of the reasons for this condition is the great amounts of magnesium lost through urine by
diabetics. Studies have shown that people with heightened magnesium levels were better
able to metabolize glucose. While magnesium will not by itself entirely normalize a major
disorder such as diabetes, it is still a vital nutrient for the diabetic. Lack of magnesium
can make diabetes worse, and produce a host of other unnecessary symptoms.

Fatigue
When we say energy, we usually mean the total energy produced by the body. Each cell
in the body is engaged in its own energy production process, and the total energy produced
by all our cells adds up to our total body energy. Magnesium plays a key role in the energy
process within each individual cell. When not enough magnesium is available, energy
production is inhibited, and the eventual outcome is fatigue and weakness.
Magnesium is vital for the maintenance of adequate energy levels. Magnesium also
helps in the storage of energy used by the cells. Without it you will again feel tired. This is
one of the causes of fatigue and chronic fatigue, and these will often clear up on taking the
magnesium drink. Magnesium (in the right amount and form) can provide vital help for
cases of chronic fatigue, as its presence in the body will make it possible for some basic
processes to properly occur, which will, in turn, enable the body to remedy other nutritional
imbalances. One of these key processes is the regulation of potassium. When magnesium
is lacking, potassium will be rapidly lost from the body, causing fatigue, heat exhaustion
and weakness.Without adequate magnesium available, the cells will be unable to breathe
properly and maintain the cycle of life, and, as a result, they will start weakening and
decaying, embarking upon a cycle of cellular death.
Moreover, considering the role played by the adrenal glands in the maintenance of proper
energy levels, along with the importance of magnesium in supporting the adrenal glands,
we can see at once that magnesium affects and regulates energy levels in more ways than
one. Always ensure sufficient magnesium intake occurs when attempting to repair energy
disorders.

Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is common mostly amongst women. It is characterized by fatigue and
muscle pain throughout the body. It is sometimes accompanied by sleep disturbances,
headaches and other symptoms. Magnesium is the most important mineral needed by
people with fibromyalgia, and coupled with malic acid, it greatly helps in relieving this
condition. While most malic acid products come with magnesium, a water soluble
magnesium will often also be necessary for superior and more stable results.

Heart Attacks
Magnesium deficiency appears to be causing 215,000 fatal heart attacks in the U.S.
each year, and as many as 20,000,000 fatal heart attacks worldwide. Indeed, the cost
of magnesium ignorance is frequently fatal, and yet such ravaging results can be prevented.
The heart is a muscle. It follows the same rules as any other muscle, except the results are
more dramatic and life extinguishing. Calcium and magnesium control the heartbeat. Calcium
tenses the heart muscle; magnesium relaxes the heart muscle. The heart s pumping motion
is the alternating of this tensing and relaxing action. With a correct balance of calcium and
magnesium, the heart beats in a consistent manner. With a deficiency of magnesium the
heartbeat becomes inconsistent. It beats too fast or too slow or it races. This is a sign of
magnesium deficiency. Handle the deficiency and the heartbeat returns to normal. Nothing
else needs to be done. Just take magnesium. You don t have to know any more than that.
Racing heart, take magnesium. Heartbeat not normal, take magnesium.

Now we get to the serious part. A muscle can go into a spasm. It can go stiff and cramp.
The heart muscle can do the same. When it does, the spasm or cramp will cause the heart
to stop beating for a second, called a mild heart attack, or to tense up and lock causing the
heart to stop beating completely, resulting in death. Then we say the person died of natural
causes; he had a heart attack. No, he died of unnatural causes*ignorance and stupidity. He
died of a magnesium deficiency.

Any sign of heart trouble? Take magnesium.
There is always a long record of magnesium deficiency symptoms occurring before a heart
attack. To stress it again, without sufficient magnesium you will die, because your heart will
stop beating, and it will be called a heart attack. In America, heart attack is the number one
killer (cause of death), before strokes and even cancer. When a person dies from a heart
attack, never do they say, He died from a magnesium deficiency. The early signs of such
terminal extinction are racingheartbeats, or any unusual change in heartbeats, angina pains
and collapsing from exhaustion after heavy physical work or exercise, such as running a race
or playing football or basketball. Due to lack of magnesium, the heart muscle develops a
spasm or cramp and stops beating. This is because there is insufficient magnesium to
relax the heart for the next contraction.

Hiccups
Hiccups are the result of muscle spasms of the diaphragm and will disappear on taking
magnesium.

High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) this is the leading cause of stroke and a major cause
of heart attack. Consistently high blood pressure pushes the heart to work way past its
capacity. Besides the seriously elevated risk for heart attack and stroke, high blood
pressure can also damage the brain, eyes and kidneys. Many people with this condition
are not aware that they have it. Magnesium is needed by anyone with high blood pressure.
Half of all people with magnesium deficiency suffer from high blood pressure. This explains
why magnesium has proved to be so vital for this condition. Some people will need extra
nutritional support, but magnesium certainly remains a key nutrient for people with high
blood pressure and it will help to avoid further complications.

Hyperactivity and ADD
This condition is mostly caused by sugars and food additives. These stress the nervous
system and cause it to be hyper-excitable. This also affects attention span. Hyperactivity
and Attention Deficit Disorder can be dramatically corrected by eliminating refined sugar
products (sodas, candy, etc) and food additives. Since sugars and food additives can
potentially deplete magnesium from the body, magnesium deficiency was found to help a
percentage of those suffering from these conditions. Magnesium can relax the nervous
system, and reduce the hyper-excitability condition. Studies show that kids with magnesium
deficiency benefited greatly with ADD and hyperactivity.

Insomnia
This is one of the most common conditions today. Magnesium deficiency can cause insomnia
(inability to sleep), or make you wake up with muscle spasms or cramps or feeling tense and
uncomfortable. Magnesium can go a long way in relieving this restlessness, and make many
of the common sleep problems simply disappear. There are countless records on file attesting
to the effectiveness of the Natural Calm in relieving and resolving sleep disorders.

Irregular Heartbeat
Magnesium deficiency is the main cause of irregular heartbeat. If the heart beats more than
100 beats per minute (too fast) or less than 60 beats per minute (too slow), this is considered
an irregular heartbeat. Water-soluble magnesium has been found to act quickly in normalizing
and stopping irregular heartbeat. A daily intake of magnesium will act as a preventative.

Kidney Stones
Most common types of kidney stones are made of calcium and respond well to magnesium
especially the water-soluble form. This form of magnesium will help to dissolve the deposits,
and combined with B6 will help prevent the formation of new stones in the body.

Leg Cramps
Leg cramps are often caused by magnesium deficiency. Supplying the magnesium will help.

Migraines
Migraine headaches afflict millions of Americans. Women especially are prone to this condition.
These headaches most often occur during the menstrual period, but can also happen at other
times. Here again, magnesium comes to the rescue. Magnesium supplementation is key, as
low magnesium levels do cause migraines or make them worse. Taking magnesium can bring
extended relief in many cases, although it seems that it may work even better for prevention.
Consequently, maintaining proper magnesium levels on a regular basis is essential in preventing
or reducing the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. This, of course, is not limited only
to menstrual migraines.

Migraine and Cluster Headaches
Magnesium supplementation was found to reduce the frequency, intensity and length of migraines
or headaches in many studies. In some of them, the relief was complete. One reason for its effect is
by controlling excess calcium levels, which are a source of chronic headaches for some individuals.

Muscle Function & Disorders
Muscles also need both calcium and magnesium to function. Calcium tenses the muscles;
magnesium relaxes the muscles. Close your fist and clench it tight: that is calcium which permits
the tensing of the muscle. Now open and relax your fist: that is magnesium which permits the
relaxing of the muscle. All muscle action is that of tensing and relaxing and of gradients in
between each extreme.
Therefore, tense, tight muscles tell you what? That s right, there is a magnesium deficiency.
There is not enough magnesium in the system to cause the tense muscles to relax. Supply the
needed magnesium and the muscle will function as it should. It will stay relaxed until it needs
to function again.
Muscle spasms, muscle cramps, muscle jerks, muscle tics, eye tics and hiccups are all
caused by a magnesium deficiency. Take sufficient water-soluble magnesium and they will
disappear. It is not calcium that handles these difficulties, it is magnesium. Calcium is causing
the difficulties. Have you ever known anyone with tense back muscles? Probably their back was
continually aching and in pain, because the tense muscles will pull the bones out of place. Handle
the magnesium deficiency and the muscles will relax, the bones will go back into place and the pain
will disappear.

Nervousness & Nervous System Disorders
Magnesium is essential for the proper functioning of the nervous system. Without sufficient
magnesium the nerve cells cannot give or receive messages and become excitable and highly
reactive. This causes the person to become extremely sensitive and nervous. Lights can appear
to be too bright. Noises will seem excessively loud and the person will jump at sudden sounds like
a door slamming and will generally be on edge. Even slight noises can seem loud.
Nervousness is often caused only by a deficiency of magnesium. Handle the deficiency and in
many cases the nervousness will disappear.

Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition marked by severely reduced density of the bones. It affects mostly
women. The bones become fragile and break down more easily than they develop. Osteoporosis
is not a problem of getting insufficient calcium but of losing the calcium you have. Unquestionably,
magnesium is far more important than calcium in preventing osteoporosis. It is magnesium which
prevents calcium from being excreted, and helps its utilization by the body. Calcium would be entirely
useless without sufficient magnesium. The colossal consumption of dietary and supplemental calcium
has not reduced the rising incidence of osteoporosis in this country, regardless of the huge calcium
campaign. A recent survey revealed that milk drinkers were found to have more bone fragility and not
as otherwise promoted. Maintaining normal hormonal levels (such as with a natural progesterone cream)
and the avoidance of sugars, soft drinks, caffeine and smoking are also vital in preventing osteoporosis.
Magnesium helps prevent bone loss, and preserve the existing calcium. It is essential for high bone
density and the prevention of osteoporosis.

Physical Exhaustion
The person who collapses from physical exhaustion after a day of hard, continuous physical work
has a magnesium deficiency. Of course, he or she may have other deficiencies as well. What about
the person who collapses at the end of a race*he crosses the finish line and falls down? Well, what
caused that to occur? Right, it was a magnesium deficiency. Do you see how simple it is? Does it
work? Try it for yourself. Why not handle the magnesium deficiency before it happens and keep the
heart beating? It s not complicated. It s simple.

PMS
PMS (premenstrual syndrome) is largely a magnesium deficiency. Instant relief can be obtained by
taking magnesium. Too much calcium and not enough magnesium cause PMS. These result in
premature aging brought about by the calcification of the female body parts. Taking magnesium in
a water-soluble form will totally reverse this condition. The magnesium will gradually dissolve the
solidified calcium and help to assimilate it or to expel it from the body if the calcium is not needed.
Vitamin B6 (the active form) is also recommended for PMS.

Pregnancy-related Symptoms
Contractions occurring too early in pregnancy, weeks or months before the due date, are caused
by a magnesium deficiency and the presence of too much calcium. Taking the water-soluble
magnesium will relax the muscles and stop the contractions, and the pregnancy will continue
as normal until the due date. If the mother is deficient in magnesium, the baby will be deficient
as well. This can be dangerous for the baby, and even fatal. A magnesium deficiency in infants
an cause crib deaths or SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The heart stops beating. Why?
The answer is too much calcium, not enough magnesium. So make sure both mother and baby
are on water-soluble magnesium.

Premature Aging
By reversing calcification of body organs, magnesium is capable of slowing down aging, thereby
making you feel younger. Magnesium will not only correct PMS and prevent accelerated aging,
it could also energize you and make you lose weight; both are natural signs of younger age.
When magnesium is lacking, the entire body can become calcified. This is aging. It all starts
with the individual cell. First the cell ages; this leads to organ aging, and this, in turn, leads to
aging of the entire body.
The calcification process starts slowly and innocently, and gradually builds up over the decades.
Practically no soft tissue in your body is immune to calcification, including your various glands.
This process can begin in childhood, and sadly, in many cases, children start to display too
high cellular calcium levels. For a lot of people, a high calcium diet combined with low
magnesium amounts to "cellular suicide."
So, make sure you take enough magnesium to maintain proper levels in the body and avoid
any potential imbalance or danger from calcium dominance.

Senility
Senility calcification of the brain tissues will cause senility. Alzheimer s disease is also a
symptom of brain calcification. Water-soluble magnesium will be an essential supplements
in both cases.

Sleep
Natural Calm is a true breakthrough in the field of sleep and relaxation. It greatly exceeds the
common traditional supplements such as melatonin, calcium etc. It produces, in fact, results,
which are more consistent than any sleep supplement we have seen around.

The most surprising fact of all was that most of those consuming magnesium supplements were
STILL found magnesium deficient, which fully explained their ever-persisting sleep difficulties.
The use of usual sleep supplements did NOT seem to handle the deficiency in magnesium.
To add to the mystery, one can use magnesium supplements for years and STILL be deficient
in magnesium, and STILL experience sleep difficulties (amongst many other symptoms),
wondering why nothing else seems to work!
Too much dietary calcium will create a magnesium deficiency which is one of the reasons.
Environmental stresses which deplete magnesium reserves & increase the need for dietary
magnesium are another reason.

Stress
Magnesium and stress are closely linked. Stress depletes magnesium; magnesium counteracts
stress.When magnesium levels are low, the nervous system gets out of balance and the muscles
grow tight.This can also lead to elevated mental stress. At the same time, any stress, whether
mental or physical, will deplete magnesium. Magnesium gained its name as nature's anti-stress
mineral due to its helpfulness in combating internal stress and in the restoration of inner balance.
As expected, stress conditions involve extra nutrients and support, and require as well a
good-quality protein, the avoidance of sugar, and of course focusing on diversionary activities,
and should include addressing any mental factors that may be underlying the stress.
The Explanation? Too much dietary calcium will create a magnesium deficiency.

The Solution
Take: Water Soluble Magnesium Citrate (205 mg) works even in cases of highly impaired digestion.

For those facing thyroid surgery, if you drink green tea or take a supplement containing vitamin E, you'll want to discontinue both a week before your surgery. They both have properties that cause them to act as blood thinners. I found this out recently when I went for my pre-op work-up for my upcoming surgery.

Actually, if you are facing surgery and take any supplements, it is wise to check with your doctor in advance to see what his/her recommendations are in regards to those supplements.

Blessings!
Sara



------------------
One can give without loving, but one cannot love without giving.

-- Amy Carmichael

What to Expect from Thyroid Surgery

They will do some pre-op tests a couple days before the surgery (complete blood panel, EKG, pregnancy test). The day of the surgery, they may allow you to walk into the operating room (I did). You will only lose about a teaspoon of blood during the procedure, so there's no need to donate your own blood pre-surgery because there's no risk of needing an emergency transfusion.

Tell your surgeon about all supplements you are taking and ask if they feel you should continue or stop at a particular point in the next few days. If you have a nutritionist/herbalist, speak with them as well.

The procedure itself typically takes two-four hours. It would take less time, but they pause before closing while your nodule(s) and/or thyroid are examined under a microscope for abnormal cells. This pathology is called a frozen section biopsy. They do this frozen section for each lobe separately (they did with me), so it could extend the surgery time. After the surgery is complete, they will do a full dissection of your thyroid gland to be sure there are no abnormal cells. The pathology report for this will be complete in about two weeks after the surgery.

Be aware that there is a slight chance that the frozen section biopsy will appear clean, yet abnormal cells may still be found after the total dissection is complete in a couple of weeks. This follow-up diagnosis of malignancy can happen because the frozen section is a quick look at one specific area of the removed tissue. If there are very few abnormal cells or if they're in an isolated area, they may not be discovered until the full dissection is complete. In these rare instances, a second surgery may be required (if you had only a partial thyroidectomy) to remove the remaining tissue.

Following surgery, you'll be in recovery (semi-conscious) for a couple of hours, and then you're typically in the hospital 1-2 days. You may have some nausea as the anesthesia wears off. The healing time at home can be as long as one-two weeks before returning to normal activity.

Everyone reacts to theses things differently, but I was pretty fortunate. I only let them keep me overnight in the hospital (and would have left the same day if I could). And I returned to work in 3 days, although this is NOT recommended by the docs. I was just bored at home.

You will notice that the skin of your neck is numb. The nerves that were cut during the incision will regenerate and the sensation will return to normal in a few weeks. There is some neck pain (like a dull ache) and swelling, but I only took regular tylenol for it. Your doctor may give you something stronger to ease your comfort. You can also put ice on your neck to keep the swelling down. It may feel like you have a sore throat, so drink lots of liquids and speak as little as possible the first couple days. The stitches are removed in a week (once they start itching), and your comfort level increases substantially after they're gone.

A "soft food" diet may be recommended, and is only necessary while you have feelings of a sore throat. It is up to you when you feel up to having foods with more texture.

Be prepared for some discomfort when driving, especially during that quick turn of the head before changing lanes. You may want to make other transportation arrangements for a couple of weeks after the stitches are removed.

I kept gauze (loosely attached on the sides with some surgical tape) or a 1/2 bandage loosely over my scar and covered lightly with a scarf to hold it in place so I minimized things from randomly brushing against the wound. Some folks are extra sensitive and don't want anything touching the wound, but I found it helpful to keep the pain minimal and to keep people from asking about it. And I also covered it with gauze at night so it wouldn't hurt if I turned in my sleep.

Also, after the stitches were removed, I was packing the wound with Vitamin E oil and some herbs that help reduce scars, so I needed the gauze to keep my clothes clean. The docs need it clean for observation, so you may want to limit yourself to only Vitamin E until your re-checks are complete. Then, if you want, but some Golden Seal capsules and Slippery Elm capsules. Open one of each and mix the powders together. You can apply this "people paste" to any open wound or burn that has been lightly moistened. (I use Vitamin E or Arnica cream/ointment for moistening.) The paste helps heal from the inside out, so you'll notice the skin healing beneath the wound before the surface heals. And scars are much reduced.

The incision/scar will get a bit puffy over the next six-eight weeks, and you may bruise a little. The puffiness will reduce in size as you heal. Once the incision is completely closed, you may break up the scar tissue formation by kneading and twiddling the scar (rub between your fingers in every direction you can manage for as long as you can take it). This is a bit painful, but I did it for about 10 months or so and my scar did not keloid and is now completely flat.

Homeopathy was extremely helpful to me, and it minimized my reaction to the anesthesia as well as my bruising and discomfort. I healed extremely fast, and now have a thin "smile" scar at the base of my neck that looks like a normal crease. If you are willing to use homepathic remedies, I've posted instructions on Page 1 of this Information Archive:

Look for my post of 9/10/01. You should start the Arnica Montana 1-2 days before your surgery for best results. It will definitely help with the bruising and swelling. Arnica cream or ointment during the healing process will also help with the bruising.

If they remove the full gland, you will have to be on thyroid meds for the rest of your life. If they remove your parathyroid(s), you may also have to start taking Calcium every day. Sometimes (even when they're not removed) the parathyroids are traumatized from the surgery, and your blood calcium levels drop a bit. So, they may have you taking Calcium supplements even if they leave the parathyroids intact.

Your doctor may or may not recommend RAI (radioactive iodine) ablation a few months after surgery as a follow-up treatment. This painless procedure may not be necessary if you do not have abnormal cells. The reason for it is to kill off any remaining thyroid tissue so that it's easier to treat you with thyroid meds. (That way the meds aren't conflicting with active tissue in your body, and you can be regulated easier.)



[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 04-02-2002).]

Someone in my local support group asked about adrenal testing since that is something that often goes hand in hand with thyroid problems and thyroid treatment isn't safe if you have weak adrenal response. I thought I would pass the information along here, too:

I Can't say I know everything, and I have not been tested for adrenals, myself. My doctor is going by symptoms. Here is what I know. The blood tests that could be run are:

Morning Cortisol. This measures your cortisol level at the point in the day when it SHOULD be highest. Even though you may get a normal reading on this, doesn't mean you are normal all day long. Also, if you had a particularly stressful drive to the doctor's office or had caffeine within several hours of the test, it could be inaccurate.

ACTH Stim Test. This starts with a morning cortisol as a baseline and then you are injected with a measured amount of ACTH, which tells you adrenals to produce lots of cortisol. Your cortisol is then measured 30 minutes later and one hour later to see how well your adrenals responded. Since this measures how well your adrenals respond to stress, it can be a good indicator of adrenal fatigue if interpreted properly. This is the test that the author of From Fatigued to Fantastic recommends. Teitlebaum suggests cortisol treatment with the following results: baseline of <=12 or half hour increases of < 7 or 1 hour increase <11 with a 1 hour cortisol level <28.

Non blood tests:

An all-day Urine takes an average reading of the day and may come out "normal" especially in cases of mild adrenal fatigue or erratic production of cortisol. I don't recommend this test.

Saliva based Adrenal Stress Tests take samples throughout the day can be a good indicator of adrenal response throughout the day. Since these tests is done at home or in your normal environment and then mailed in, you don't get the problem of being stressed over the dr. visit, and since several samples are taken throughout the day, you get a picture of how your levels vary. For example, "normal" is higher in the morning and diminshing throughout the day. You might have lower levels in the morning that climb in the afternoon and peak at midnight. This is a problem indicating that your are likely a night owl and don't handle things well in the morning and would liekly benefit from some adrenal support. That's just one example.

Symptoms that are indicators of adrenal fatigue. Based on Teitlebaum's criteria, if you have three or more of these, you likely have adrenal fatigue and he suggests treatment with low doses of cortisol: sugar craving, shakiness relieved by eating, dizziness (especially when you first stand up), moodiness, recurrent infections that persist longer than expected, high stress at the onset of illness, or low blood pressure.

Hope this helps!

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 10-07-2003).]

I am adding my example of an effective communication with a doctor.
Of course enter your own particulars. Fill the doctor in so she/he can make a decision and not have to research your whole history. The doc needs to know everything you are currently on and how long, your lab results, any supplements, all symptoms, etc.

Copy of my real letter:

To ... ......, MD
Endocrinology
Fax # (...) ... ....

From name
address
Phone number

Date

Dear Doctor .........,
HELP!
I had my TSH retested, June 14, ...., because I have increasingly been very tired, not wanting to wake up or get off a chair, and have been forgetting appointments due to mental fog.
I thought my TSH may have risen, and it had, to 1.38.
While my TSH may read low, I was feeling my best and losing weight at TSH .34, and now I am not losing and I am fatigued for no apparent reason.

I would like to try a higher dose again, as I again can barely push my self forward.
Right now my dose is Levoxyl 137 mcg.

I have been taking the thyroid med with water, in the morning, an hour before eating or drinking.
I had corrected my constipation with 200 mg. magnesium, nightly, which is not helping so much anymore. My feet are cool even in this heat. I am not otherwise ill.
I was first DXed with severe Fibromyalgia symptoms at TSH 2, and was disabled from it for several years as my TSH climbed to 5.6.
That all went away when I was at TSH .34.

Besides the thyroid med, I daily take 5 mg daily of Tri-Est FHT, about 12 hours apart from the thyroid med. I also take B complex, A-8000mg, E -400mg, C-500mg, 200mg selenium.

I hope you will permit an increase in thyroid med again, as it really seems the current dose is insufficient for me, personally. Please have the nurse leave a message if I am not available.
My drug store is .... ..... , (...) ...-....

Thanks very much!
name...... .......
include any insurance number
birthdate


[This message has been edited by Tree Frog (edited 04-05-2002).]

Regarding the relative strngths of Thyrolar and Armour, here's a chart that may be helpful to you. It is from a commercial website, so I can't post the link:

Thyrolar: (all in mcg)
1/4 grain = 3.1 T3 + 12.5 T4 = T4 equivalency of 24.9 mcg
1/2 grain = 6.25 T3 + 25 T4 = T4 equivalency of 50 mcg
3/4 grain = 9.375 T3 + 37.5 T4 = T4 equivalency of 75 mcg
1 grain = 12.5 T3 + 50 T4 = T4 equivalency of 100 mcg
1 1/2 grains = 18.75 T3 + 75 T4 = T4 equivalency of 150 mcg
1 3/4 grains = 21.88 T3 + 88 T4 = T4 equivalency of 175.52 mcg
2 grains = 25 T3 + 100 T4 = T4 equivalency of 200 mcg
and so on

Armour: (all in mcg)
1/4 grain = 15mg = 2.25 T3 + 9.5 T4 = T4 equivilency of 18.5 mcg
1/2 grain = 30mg = 4.5 T3 + 19 T4 = T4 equivilency of 37 mcg
3/4 grain = 45mg = 6.75 T3 + 28.5 T4 = T4 equivilency of 55.5 mcg
1 grain = 60mg = 9 T3 + 38 T4 = T4 equivilency of 74 mcg
1 1/2 grains = 90mg = 13.5 T3 + 57 T4 = T4 equivilency of 111 mcg
2 grains = 120mg = 18 T3 = 76 T4 = T4 equivilency of 148 mcg
and so on...

TRH (Thyroid Releasing Hormone) Test for Secondary Hypothyroidism

A TRH test may be indicated if secondary hypothyroidism is suspected. Some patients may have low levels of circulating thyroid hormones and secondary hypothyroidism as a result of damage to the hypothalamic or pituitary control mechanisms that regulate thyroid function. The hypothalamus makes a small hormone called TRH that directs the synthesis and secretion of TSH from the pituitary gland. If these normal regulatory mechanisms are interrupted, the pituitary may not be able to produce appropriate levels of TSH and levels of thyroid hormones may decline, although the TSH remains appropriately normal.

The TRH test involves administration of a small amount of TRH intravenously, following which levels of TSH will be measured at several subsequent time points using samples of blood taken from a peripheral vein. Patients with normal function of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis (HPA) respond by increasing the levels of TSH following TRH injection. Patients with compromised HPA function may exhibit a delayed, blunted, or absent response to TRH administration.

TRH may cause nausea, vomiting and some patients experience an urge to urinate. Rarely, TRH may cause blood vessel constriction leading to hemorrhage in patients with pre-existing pituitary tumors. Accordingly, patients should be advised about the risks, albeit rare, of TRH testing.

What to Expect from Radioactive Iodine (RAI) Treatment

You will be told to avoid iodine in your diet (salt, fish, seaweed, etc.) for a few days to a week before the RAI. The idea is to make any residual thyroid tissue hungry for iodine so that it absorbs as much of the RAI as possible. You will also need to be off of all thyroid medications for the same reason.

There are different approaches, depending upon your diagnosis. Many doctors will put you on Cytomel or some other form of T3 medication while you heal following your surgery and before the RAI. T3 meds are also known as "fast-acting" thyroid medication because it is quickly integrated by the body and is also quick to be metabolized.

Alternatively, Synthroid and other T4-only meds break down to T3, T2, T1, etc. as the body uses it. It takes 4-6 weeks for the body to balance after a dosage change of T4, but since Cytomel/T3 is already a breakdown product of T4 you don't have this waiting period.

So...they put you on Cytomel for a month or so before the RAI so you're not too hypo. Then they take you off the Cytomel for a week or so prior to the RAI to minimize the length of time you'll be uncomfortable. But, again, it depends on your diagnosis.

The weeks of hypothyroidism were uncomfortable, but at least they were temporary. Here's a short list of what I experienced:

Headache
Fibromyalgia-type pain including
- Body and Muscle Ache (mostly my back)
- Sore Legs
- Difficulty Walking (it got to where I could only shuffle along at one point)
Carpal Tunnel-type pain in hands and arms
Difficulty concentrating
Feeling cold all the time
Irritable moods
Constipation
Fatigue and feeling lethargic
Puffy, swollen face
Lack of coordination/vertigo
Palpitations

The good news is that I found Acupuncture to be a tremendous, immediate relief for the body ache/carpal tunnel/fibromyalgia pain. I was still able to work and function normally, but I tried not to push myself too much. Since I live in New York, I didn't have to drive anywhere, but the subway stairs took on a new meaning.

Your dosage will vary, depending upon whether the RAI treatment is for hyperthyroidism or for post-surgery thyroid cancer. For post-surgery RAI treatment, you are typically hospitalized for 1-2 days, but it depends on how low they want your radiation levels to be before you return home. I don't have children so, for me, it was an overnight hospitalization. Depending on how young your children are, they may have you stay longer.

Depending upon your dosage, you may experience some nausea. But keep drinking water and you will flush away the RAI quickly and return to feeling normal.

VERY IMPORTANT Bring sour, long-lasting hard candies (such as sour balls or lemon drops). You should eat these candies for at least the first 24 hours after receiving your radiation dose. Sour candy keeps the salivary glands productive, and you want to keep the radiation from settling in those glands.

I brought a laptop computer, a book, a really big hot/cold mug, and a water filter pitcher and electric kettle with instant soups and teas and snacks (nuts, dried fruit, etc.) that I like. (I brought the water filter pitcher because I remembered from surgery that the hospital tap water tasted funny.) I also brought comfy sweats so I didn't have to wear hospital gowns. I suggest bringing socks, comfy pajamas or a long-sleeve shirt/sweatshirt and sweatpants because the radiation can sometimes make you cold. A watch or travel clock is a good idea, too, so you can keep it by your bedside.

You can bring any food or clothing you want with you, but don't plan to take it home. The nurses will visit you intermittently to bring food and check your levels, but you're generally on your own. Hopefully, your room will have a window (mine did) so it doesn't really feel isolating.

They place lead shields around your bed (sort of like bedrails, except not attached), and you'll have to walk to and from the bathroom along a paper runner like a bride. They will ask you to sit when urinating and to flush the toilet twice. They were not happy about my bringing the electric kettle but they pretended not to know it was there. It was extremely helpful for me because I was able to drink gallons and gallons of water and soups without having to call for assistance.

When you go home, you'll be told not to get too close to children and not to let pets sleep on you for about a week. (They give you a list of instructions.) I slept in a separate room from my husband. Clothes that I wore in the hospital and at home, plus sheets etc. had to be soaked and washed several times before they could be placed with other clothing.

Then you usually stay hypo for a short time longer as they tend to do a follow-up thyroid scan within a few days of your hospital release. (You're already radioactive, so they just have to do the test.)

It passes quickly, I promise.



[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 10-07-2003).]

Preparation for a New Doctor / Endocrinologist Visit

Symptoms of thyroid disease are subtle (particularly when looked at individually instead of as a group). To make things worse, modern culture has taught us to view many of these symptoms as "unimportant" and, worse, psychosomatic. Because of this, it is easiest to receive good medical treatment by preparing for that doctor's visit.

Before your doctor's appointment, compile as much information as you can. At a minimum, this should include:

1) A list of your symptoms and how they've changed over time

2) The medications and any supplements or herbs you are taking (and when you started taking them)

3) How your body reacts to various medicines, supplements, foods, etc.

4) Copies of any blood or other tests you have had completed

You may want to compile this information in a notebook and keep it current for future visits. It will give you something to refer to -- if you have a recurrence of symptoms, you will be able to look back to what your blood levels were at the time, or even read notes to yourself about how you resolved the problem the last time it occurred.

Review all pages of this Information Archive thread. It includes a Symptoms Checklist that you can print out and present to your doctor (1/5/01 for the Hypo symptoms, 5/6/01 for Hyper symptoms), links about Hashimoto's and other forms of thyroiditis (7/28/01), a link about smoking and thyroid (8/1/01), a Q&A to use to interview potential new doctors (11/2/01), 2 posts about antithyroid antibodies and selenium (2/12/02), and a ton of other useful things.


Write out a list of questions for your doctor. At a minimum, ask the following:

1) The proposed approach to treating you

2) What you should expect

3) When you should see some results

4) What course of treatment may be suggested if the initial efforts don't work (combining T4 and T3 meds, switching you to a different type of medicine such as Armour or Naturethroid, etc.).

5) Supplements you should consider taking (Vitamin B-complex, Selenium, Calcium/Magnesium/Vitamin D, Antioxidants such as Vitamins C and E, etc.)


Stay persistent. Ask for copies of all test results to keep in your notebook. You will get better by becoming your own advocate.

[This message has been edited by ArtfulD (edited 07-30-2002).]

Here's an update of Treefrog's table of equivalencies for Armour, Thyrolar, T3-only meds, & T4-only meds.

It's the same, but includes the milligram equivalents of Armour grains:



Armour® Thyroid Liotrix/Thyrolar® Liothronine/Cytomel® Levothyroxine/Unithroid®/Levoxyl®/Levothroid®/ Synthroid®

1/4 grain/(15 mg) 1/4 6.25 mcg 25 mcg (.025 mg)

1/2 grain/(30 mg) 1/2 12.50 mcg 50 mcg (.050 mg)

1 grain/(60 mg) 1 25.00 mcg 100 mcg (.100 mg)

1-1/2 grains/(90 mg) 1-1/2 37.50 mcg 150 mcg (.150 mg)

2 grains/(120 mg) 2 50.00 mcg 200 mcg (.200 mg)

3 grains/(180 mg) 3 75.00 mcg 300 mcg (.300 mg)

What to Expect from a Thyroid Scan

First of all, know that it is a painless test. A thyroid scan is an excellent tool to find out what's going on in your body. It is used to characterize the active and inactive thyroid tissue (including nodules) and can indicate how well the thyroid gland is functioning.

A low-dose radioactive substance is used as a "marker" (similar to the technology used for barium swallows in upper gastrointestinal studies), so that the body parts that absorb the substance are more easily viewed and evaluated. The test takes up to a full day from start to finish, so you may have to plan not going to work. They typically use I-123 for a scan, which has a lower frequency and is easier dissipated form of radiation than I-131 (used for ablation treatment). The technician told me it's comparable to the radiation absorbed being on the beach for two days.

You will be told to come with an empty stomach, and will not be allowed to eat or drink for the four hours before the scan is complete. If you previously had thyroid surgery, they may want to read your pathology results. Best bring along a copy of it, if possible, just in case.

A few days to a week before your scan, your doctor may have you avoid iodine-containing foods so that your body absorbs as much of the marker solution as is possible. This is not always requested, however. Ask if there are any supplements you should stop taking. In addition to iodine, they typically request that you stop anything containing iron.

When you arrive, they will ask you to drink a small quantity of radioactive iodine solution (tastes like mild sea water) or they may give you a pill. Sometimes the scan is done with technitium instead of iodine, but I believe the taste is not much different. This is taken on an empty stomach, so the process is typically started early in the morning.

The amount of radiation is relatively small (like a chest xray) and dissipates quickly. However, it is a dosage suitable for adults. You should not have this test if you are pregnant or nursing, as the radioactive iodine could affect your baby's thyroid gland. If you have small children or clinging pets, ask your doctor or the technician if there are any restrictions about hugging or being close to them for the next few days after the scan.

Bring a book, because you have to wait a several hours before the scan (so that the iodine is absorbed by the active thyroid tissue). They typically let you leave and come back.

The test itself is quite simple and somewhat like an MRI or CT-scan. You lie flat on a table with a pillow under your neck to prop it up. Ask for a leg support pillow if your back is uncomfortable. The camera (on a platform) moves down until it's about an inch from your face, but you can see from the sides and the camera will not touch you. The table slowly moves through a donut or half-dome and the scanned image appears on the technician's screen.

If you have a Total Body Scan, they first scan you from head to toe (your head is out from under the camera in about 6-7 minutes, but the scan takes 20-30 minutes). This scan is conducted about four hours after you took the tracer. After the Total Body Scan, they have you drink some water (swishing it around to rinse your mouth), they ask you to empty your bladder, and then they run a Thyroid Scan with the camera in a stationery position over your neck for ten minutes. Once they have confirmed that the images are clear, you can go.

If it's a two-day scan, they will ask you to come back 20-24 hours after you took the tracer to repeat the scans. This time, they have you empty your bladder first, then the total body scan, then drink water, urinate again, and then the neck scan. Total scanning time is the same, and the appointment lasts 1-2 hours, depending upon your wait. And that's it.

Because the Iodine will only be absorbed by thyroid tissue, you'll primarily see the excretory body parts (e.g., bladder & kidneys, plus neck area) light up on-screen for the Total Body Scan. The neck scan will highlight any hormone-producing thyroid tissue.

Results are usually reported anywhere between 2 days to 2 weeks (depending on the lab or hospital and how fast they can have a doctor interpret it). Most technicians are not allowed to comment to you directly, as they are not doctors. But they may be willing to explain what is shown on the screen and, if they bring a doctor in the room, he or she may be willing to tell you a quick impression (pending further study later). If they're willing to show you the scans, ask to see the color image, so you can see what actually lit up in your body.

There are two types of tests: a one-day test (Thyroid Uptake Scan) and a two-day test (Total Body Scan). The one-day test takes up to a full day because you have to wait four hours for your body to absorb the iodine. Because this test is typically for a neck scan only, it's less complicated and may take less of your time. But the waiting time before being brought in to take the tracer and again before the scan can make it a long day.

The two-day test is as described above (two scans each day), with a second, repeat of the two scans on Day Two to see how much of the marker iodine is still in your tissue after 24 hours. You do not take an additional dose on this second day, so the test only takes as long as your waiting time and the actual scans.


The theory behind an uptake scan is as follows: Normal thyroid tissue absorbs iodine (to help it produce thyroid hormone), so the radioactive iodine acts as a marker and will "light up" any normal, hormone-producing tissue in the scan's imaging. The test will also allow the technician and interpreting physician to measure the size of the thyroid gland and any nodules, and to determine your thyroid function through an estimate of its iodine absorption.

If you have solid nodules that do not produce hormone, they will appear as a different color (usually dark) on the scan and are known as "cold" nodules. Nodules that produce hormone are known as "warm" or "hot" tissue, depending upon how much iodine they absorb (e.g., hormone they produce). I am not sure what fluid-filled cysts look like on scan, but I would assume they appear similar to cold nodules. Their shape and density on the scan may suggest that they are cysts instead of nodules, but this can be confirmed by Ultrasound.

Here are some additional links that discuss nodules, goiters, thyroid scans and other tests.


http://www.endocrineweb.com/noduleus.html
[Multiple nodules and cysts]

http://www.endocrineweb.com/fna.html
[Thyroid scan picture plus some explanation, and discussion of FNA biopsy - another useful test]

http://www.endocrineweb.com/nodule.html
[Basics about Nodules]

http://www.endocrineweb.com/goiter.html
[Basics about Goiters]

http://www.endocrineweb.com/tests.html
[scroll down to the section on "Thyroid Scans"]

[This message has been edited by ArtfulD (edited 06-26-2002).]

Interpreting your Ultrasound and Thyroid Scan Results

An ultrasound interpretation typically includes a lot of technical language that may be confusing. Here are some of the terms you may see:

isthmus - The isthmus is the central part that connects the two lobes of the gland. That's why they call the thyroid a butterfly-shaped organ. It has a central isthmus, much like a butterfly's body.

echogenicity - Echogenicity is the term they use for the technology of sonograms. The sound echoes used by the transformer (the buzzy thing they move over your skin) produce the image on the screen. Different types of tissue will reflect the sound waves in different patterns.

echogenic - Normal thyroid tissue has its own "echogenic" pattern and, if there is anything "other" than thyroid tissue, the ultrasound will display it differently because it is less or more dense than the thyroid tissue.

Tissue of "uniform echogenicity" means that all that was seen was normal thyroid tissue, with no evidence of abnormalities.

Similarly, "echogenic tissue" is also typically something with echo patterns that appear similar to the normal thyroid tissue in the gland.

isogenic - also means the echoes appears similar to the normal tissue, although this term may more frequently be used to describe to objects observed (cysts, nodules) to be different than the tissue in the gland.


Tissue that has echoes different from the normal gland is frequently described as:

hypoechoic - less echoes than the gland tissue

hyperechoic - more echoes than the gland tissue


THINGS THAT MAY BE SEEN IN OTHERWISE NORMAL THYROID GLANDS

goiter - when the thyroid gland itself is swollen and enlarged (although multiple nodules may make the gland appear to be a goiter)

cysts or "cystic lesions" - fluid-filled sacs

colloid (cyst or nodule) - areas filled with a protein that has a density somewhat different than the fluid in other cysts or the tissue in solid nodules

nodule - solid tissue that has formed a lump within the gland

adenoma or adenomata - same as nodule

discrete focal abnormality - a region in the image where they were able to pinpoint abnormal tissue. A "dominant" nodule (i.e., nodule that is larger than others seen in the tissue) is typically described this way.

"below the limits of resolution" - the machine was not able to get a clear scan of this area. This may be because there were cysts or nodules that were smaller than the machine could focus, that there were too many, too close together, etc.


THYROID SCAN TERMS
Listed here because some doctors perform thyroid scans with ultrasound simultaneously:

"uniform trapping of radiotracer" is a term you may see from a thyroid scan (not ultrasound only). It means that your tissue absorbed the radioiodine or technetium (the stuff you swallowed before the scan) evenly.

Conversely, if the trapping is "not uniform," there are areas where more or less radioiodine/technetium was absorbed, suggesting an area where there is something "other" than normal thyroid tissue.

"hot" nodule - an area that absorbed more of the tracer than the normal thyroid gland, suggesting that the nodule is overproducing thyroid hormone within the body

"warm" nodule - a nodule that absorbs the same amount of tracer as normal thyroid tissue, suggesting that the nodule is functioning along with the thyroid gland

"cold" nodule - a nodule where the tissue does not produce hormone

Here are a few links that further describe the tests and what the doctor may have seen:
http://www.endocrineweb.com/noduleus.html

http://www.endocrineweb.com/nodule.html

http://www.endocrineweb.com/fna.html




[This message has been edited by ArtfulD (edited 06-20-2002).]

What to Expect from a Thyroid Ultrasound
[From a health insurance website]:

The study may be done in an outpatient facility or in a hospital department. The patient lies on his or her back. A pillow or rolled towel is placed under the shoulders and upper back, allowing the head to tilt back (hyperextend). A gel that enhances sound transmission is spread over the thyroid area. The technologist then gently places a transducer, an instrument about the size of an electric shaver, against the skin. It is moved over the thyroid area. The images from reflected sound waves appear on a monitor screen. There is no discomfort involved with this study. The examination takes 15-30 minutes.

Low Iodine Diet

Here is some information (from a commercial source) about Iodine Content in Foods:

Good sources of iodine include vegetables grown in iodine-rich soil, kelp, onions, milk, milk products, salt water fish and seafood. The iodine content of vegetables varies widely with the iodine content of the soil in which they are grown. The table below can be used as a guide.

Sodium or potassium iodide is added to table salt in many countries including the USA, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand. Salt used in the processing and refining of foods is not usually iodized.

Potassium iodate is used in the baking of some bread.



Foods Serving Size Iodine Content

Cod 150g 165 mcg
Fish fingers 75g 75 mcg
Herring 150g 48 mcg
Kipper 150g 107 mcg
Mackerel 150g 255 mcg
Mussels 150g 180 mcg
Pilchards in tomato sauce 100g 64 mcg
Plaice 150g 42 mcg
Sardines, canned in oil 150g 35 mcg
Trout 150g 24 mcg
Tuna 150g 21 mcg
Whiting 150g 100 mcg


Cockles 50g 80 mcg
Prawns 150g 42 mcg
Scampi 150g 62 mcg


Cheese 40g 18 mcg
Milk 560g 86 mcg
Yogurt 150g 95 mcg


Beer 560g 45 mcg


Eggs 70g 37 mcg


Bacon 150g 18 mcg
Kidney 150g 23 mcg
Liver 150g 22 mcg


Potato chips 265g 13 mcg


The average iodine intake in the USA is over 600 mcg per day.

Recommended dietary allowances

USA

Men 150 mcg
Women 150 mcg

Pregnancy 175 mcg
Lactation 200 mcg


UK

Men 140 mcg
Women 140 mcg


Australia

Men 150 mcg
Women 120 mcg

Pregnancy 150 mcg
Lactation 200 mcg



[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 10-07-2003).]

More about Maca - Nutritional Facts

Maca is a type of Peruvian turnip that is rich in many vitamins and minerals (including iodine). I'm finding that most websites won't quote actual RDAs of the vitamins and minerals present, as it varies with each root, so I can't verify if the website that says it's "rich in iodine" is more correct than the website that says it contains "traces of iodine."

Many foods contain iodine. I have not seen Maca promoted as an iodine supplement. My use of Maca has not altered my blood chemistry, but if you are concerned about your iodine intake, discuss it with your doctor.

A commercial website says:

Active constituents: Dried maca weighs in at about 60% carbohydrates (starches and sugars), 9% fiber, and slightly more than 10% protein. It has a higher lipid (fat) content than other root crops (2.2%), of which linoleic acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acid are the primary fatty acids, respectively. Maca is also a rich source of sterols, including sitosterol, campestrol, ergosterol, brassicasterol, and ergostadienol. From a mineral standpoint, maca exceeds both potatoes and carrots in value, and is a good source of iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium. Maca also contains iodine, manganese, copper, phosphorus, zinc and sodium and is a good source of amino acids and of vitamins B1, B2, B12, C and E.


Another website quotes the following, but doesn't indicate the amount of Maca to which this applies. My guess would be that this is the expected breakdown of nutrients in 500 mg of Maca (the typical amount in one capsule):




MACA COMPOSITION
(AVERAGE)
Raw Energy (Kcal) 334
Moisture 9%
Protein 10%
Fat 1%
Carbohydrates 76%
Fiber 7%
Ash 5%

MINERALS
Calcium 258 mg
Phosphorous 189 mg
Iron 15 mg
Selenium 2 mcg


VITAMINS
B2 0.39 mg
B6 1.14 mg
C 286 mg
Niacin 5.65 mg
Plus iodine, saponins, natural estrogen, etc.



[This message has been edited by ArtfulD (edited 07-09-2002).]

Connection between Thyroid Disease and Acid Reflux, Esophagitis, Gastritis, GERD, and Slow Digestion

[copied from a thread posted back in 2001]


I treat my gastritis and acid reflux disease with acupuncture, but I know this isn't the most popular option for many of you (although I have to say, it works really well!)

I also take digestive enzymes (my favorite brand is Zygest) after every meal. And if that meal contained animal protein, I also take a low dose of "Beta Pepsin" (325 mg of Betaine Hydrochloride with 59 mg Pepsin). My nutritionist said that reflux is often the body's reaction to having too LITTLE acid, believe it or not. I started taking these supplements several months ago, and the reflux has completely stopped (plus my mental clarity has greatly improved).

It's really hard to find websites indicating a connection between Thyroid disease and GERD (Gastroesophogeal Reflux Disease), but this one offers a potential explanation:

Problems with esophageal peristalsis sometimes result from diabetes and thyroid disease. These conditions may also prevent the body from producing enough saliva. Saliva helps neutralize stomach acid, and when there isn't enough of it, one of the body's defense mechanisms against acid is diminished. Some medications used to treat high blood pressure, allergies, and spastic disorders of the digestive tract can also decrease the production of saliva.

from: http://health-info.express-scripts. com/ESI/Site/ContentAreas/GeneralContent/GC_ContentDetails/0,3134,81!1090!!!1083!1911!!!!!!!1261,00 .html (http://health-info.express-scripts.com/ESI/Site/ContentAreas/GeneralContent/GC_ContentDetails/0,3134,81!1090!!!1083!1911!!!!!!!1261,00 .html)

I wonder why there aren't more studies about this?

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

Suggestions from Tree Frog from the previous discussion:

Being hypo lowers metabolism, so I can see that slowed digestion may contribute to GERD or acid reflux.

I have had it. My sister also had it.
You can let it heal by not eating or drinking for a few hours before bedtime, and raising the head of the bed by putting blocks under the frame legs at the head of the bed. And by eating smaller portions.

It takes many months for this condition to heal, though. I don't think meds contribute to healing, they just make one more comfortable. It is important to make the needed changes.

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 10-07-2003).]

Treatments for Hives and Pityraisis

[copied from an Archived Post]

Many of us get hives in association with our thyroid disease.
For me, it occurs when my medication is too high
and I am hyper because my skin temperature was very hot.
Others get hives when hypo.

I think it can occur for both.

I tend to stay away from antihistamines, but I tried several things that helped a bit.
For me, the worst areas were where my clothing was tight (undergarments, waistband, etc.)
so I tried to wear loose clothing. I also found
that scratching made it worse, but it's difficult
not to scratch sometimes.

Moisturizing also helped. I'd used Calendula
ointments for heat rashes before, and they helped
some with these hives. My favorite comes in a 1 oz white plastic tub and contains
Calendula-Coneflower-Comfrey in a cream form.

The other things that worked really well were
aColloidal Oatmeal/Calamine/Pramoxine
HCl/Camphor anti-itch ointment that Aveeno
makes and, as the hives began to respond, I
alternated with an MSM cream.

Most of these products can be purchased in a
Natural Food store. The Colloidal Oatmeal product
can be found in any drug store.

My hives lasted about two weeks. Hope yours go
away sooner.



[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 10-07-2003).]

Hurthle Cells in Thyroid Nodules

Hurthle cells are a type of abnormal cell
sometimes seen in nodules and, more
consistently, diagnosed after a post-surgical
final biopsy of the thyroid tissue.
It is not always possible
to diagnose Hurthle cells by FNA biopsy. For
example, the final biopsy of my thyroid cancer
showed Hurthle cell changes, but they didn't show
up in the FNA (only papillary there, but my
thyroid gland actually had three types of
abnormal cells: papillary, follicular, and
Hurthle cells).


One of the phrases I keep finding in the
medical journals is: "Follicular and Hurthle
cell thyroid cancer cannot be diagnosed with
FNA because benign and cancerous tumors look
similar under a microscope." It is important
to get a copy of your FNA results to see how
they described the cells and to confirm that
there was no capsule infiltration. It is
possible to have some Hurthle cell changes
but not fully developed cells.

Benign cells have no capsule invasion. But
treatment for Hurthle cells typical consists
of removal of the abnormal nodule and/or a
portion of your thyroid, just to remove the
cells and keep them away. Benign Hurthle
cells apparently do not come back once
removed.

Here are a few links I've found about
Hurthle cells, but most of them focus on
Hurthle cancers instead of benign cells:

http://www.endocrineweb.com/hurthle.html

http://www.endocrineweb.com/cafol.html

http://www.endocrineweb.com/surthyroid.html

http://www.thedoctorsdoctor.com/diseases/hurthle_cell_tumors.htm

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 12-18-2002).]

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 12-18-2002).]

Why some tests for Thyroid Cancer are not 100% Accurate

With most cancers, lump biopsies will reveal
the nature of the tissue and are therefore
quite accurate. Thyroid cancer is different.

An FNA Biopsy (Fine Needle Aspiration)
is an excellent tool but is not 100% accurate.
Fluid is removed from around the nodule(s)
and examined under a microscope for abnormal
cells. However, if there is too little fluid,
the biopsy may be inconclusive, because
there was nothing to view. If there are very
few abnormal cells present and the fluid was
removed from an area without abnormalities,
the biopsy may yield a falsely negative
result. A third possibility is when there are
cells that are suspicious for some of
the types of thyroid cancer, but there is not
a clear result.

A Thyroid Scan can determine if a nodule
is "cold" (does not produce thyroid
hormone), "warm" (produces normal amounts
of thyroid hormone just like the gland tissue),
or "hot" (produces an excessive amount
of thyroid hormone). Cold nodules are more likely
than warm or hot to have abnormal cells, but not
all cold nodules are cancerous. So the scan is
not 100% certain either.

[Other factors that increase the likelihood of
cancer include having a firm, fixed, irregular
nodule; sudden onset of hoarseness; firm
and/or swollen lymph nodes in the neck; etc.]

The Frozen Section biopsy that is
conducted during surgical removal of a nodule
is also not 100% accurate. This procedure is
done while the patient is in surgery to get a
quick diagnosis and determine how the surgery
should proceed (total thyroidectomy or close
the incision). The nodule is dipped in liquid nitrogen, it is sliced thin, and the slice is
viewed under a microscope for abnormal cells.
Again, if the area that is being studied does
not have abnormal cells, the frozen section
biopsy can yield a false negative result.

After the nodule (and/or thyroid gland) is
removed, the pathologists do a Total
Dissection and evaluation. It takes a
couple of weeks for results, but it typically
the only truly accurate way to tell if cancer
was present.

However, (besides the total dissection which
has 20/20 hindsight) all of the previous
diagnostic procedures are helpful and, when
taken together, the doctors can make a fairly
accurate deduction whether cancer is present
and can recommend appropriate next steps.

Don't let the fact that they're not 100%
accurate prevent you from having these studies
done.
For additional information, here's a good page
about FNA & nodules:
http://www.endocrineweb.com/fna.html

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 12-18-2002).]

What to Expect from an FNA (Fine Needle Aspiration) Biopsy

An FNA Biopsy is typically done in the doctor's
office to study the fluid in the area surrounding
a thyroid nodule. Some doctors apply a little
topical anesthetic (like lidocaine), but others do
the test without offering painkillers.

It is not a painless procedure, but it is
completed quickly. The doctor inserts a very
thin needle in the area surrounding your nodule(s)
and removes as much fluid as possible. The needle
may be used several times to achieve the
largest sample possible. You will feel a stinging
and burning sensation during the fluid withdrawal.

The fluid is sent to a laboratory where they view
the fluid under a microscope to see if there are
any abnormal cells. Your doctor should have
your results in 2-3 days. Most nodules are
not malignant, particularly when there are
multiple, small nodules present. Abnormal cells
are more frequently seen in patients with the following symptoms, particularly when seen
together:

new onset of hoarse voice; difficulty
swallowing; a single nodule or one nodule that
is larger ("******nt") than any others that
are present;
a nodule that is firm, fixed, irregularly shaped,
and solid or complex on ultrasound;
a nodule that is "cold" in an Iodine Uptake
Scan (meaning that it did not absorb iodine --
normal, hormone-producing thyroid tissue
absorbs iodine);
cervical lymphadenopathy (swollen, hard lymph
glands in the neck area).

After the FNA biopsy, the tested areas in your
neck may have some localized swelling and
mild bruising. Your throat may also be sore
for a couple of days and you may become hoarse.
Drink plenty of fluids (licorice tea and slippery
elm are particularly soothing, as are juices rich
in Vitamin C). Your doctor may also suggest
Tylenol. You may be able to minimize the swelling
and bruising by placing ice packs on the neck and
by applying Arnica Montana ointment or gel to
the swollen/bruised areas. You can find Arnica
gel in most health food stores.

As a caveat, while an FNA biopsy may be able
to indicate the presence of abnormal cells, it
is generally the FIRST of the tests administered
when evaluating a solitary nodule. FNAs are
dependent upon hitting an area where there
is sufficient fluid to diagnose, and hoping that
the tested area contained abnormal cells if any
are present. It is an excellent initial tool,
but far from perfect.

An FNA Biopsy (Fine Needle Aspiration) is an
excellent tool but is not 100% accurate. Fluid
is removed from around the nodule(s) and
examined under a microscope for abnormal
cells. However, if there is too little fluid,
the biopsy may be inconclusive, because there
was nothing to view. If there are very few
abnormal cells present and the fluid was removed
from an area without abnormalities, the
biopsy
may yield a falsely negative result. A
third possibility is when there are cells
that are suspicious for some of the types of
thyroid cancer, but there is not a clear result.

For more information, please see the following
links. There are excellent explanations about
benign and malignant symptoms, hot/warm/cold
nodules, inconclusive results from an FNA biopsy,
etc.
http://www.endocrineweb.com/fna.html


[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 10-07-2003).]

Questions to Ask when Interviewing an Otolaryngologist (Head & Neck Surgeon)

1) What was the focus of your surgical training?

2) How many thyroidectomies do you complete each year?

3) What is your complication rate?

4) What are some of the complications that may occur?

5) What procedure will you be conducting
(total thyroidectomy, partial thyroidectomy, etc.)?

6) How long does the surgery take and what are
the various stages/steps in the process?

7) If the Frozen Section Biopsy reveals (or
doesn't reveal) abnormal cells, how might this
change the operation?

8) Is muscle division necessary for this
operation? If so, how does that affect my healing?

9) What should I expect if it is necessary to
relocate or remove one or more of the
parathyroid glands?

10) What if one or more lymph nodes needs to
be removed?

11) Are special measures taken during the
surgery to locate and trace the laryngeal
nerve?

12) Since I will be under general anesthesia,
will you be inserting a breathing tube during
the surgery?

13) Do you typically give intravenous pain
medication and antibiotics during the surgery?

14) What should I expect after surgery?
(pain, sore throat from breathing tube, side
effects from anesthesia such as nausea
and constipation, etc.)

15) What is the expected recovery time?

16) What sort of pain treatment should I expect
in the hospital?

17) What pain treatment may be necessary
after discharge?

18) What should I expect from Post-Operative treatment? (pain medication, suture removal,
follow-up exam, etc.)


Make sure you tell the Admitting Clerk and
all doctors if you have any Allergies, especially
to Medications or Antibiotics.


Blood loss during a thyroidectomy is typically
quite low (about a tablespoon), so it is not
necessary to donate blood before the operation
because you will not need a transfusion.

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 12-18-2002).]

On The pros and cons of T3... Actually, I believe there are no cons if you need T3 and take it at the right dose. Here goes:

A healthy thyroid gland makes BOTH T4 and T3 among other things (see the reference I linked to below for more information). T4 is converted by various tissues including the liver into T3. Most doctors assume that this conversion process is enough T3 for the body and that no more is needed. The problem is that for many of us, the conversion is not as efficient, and we need some additional T3. This could be due to liver problems, selenium deficiency, extreme low-carb dieting or many other things.

The Pros are:


T3 is much faster acting than T4 and stabilizes in your blood much faster.
T3 is able to penetrate tissues that T4 cannot and can be used by some tissues that cannot use T4. T4 can't do it all.

T3 is active in the process of protein synthesis (ie making muscle tissue and repairing numerous body tissues. It is overused by some bodybuilders for this reason.)

T3 helps with mood by enabling certain neurotransmitters to do their job efficiently. T3 is often prescribed by Psychiatrists for this very reason.

T3 helps with energy levels in most people who need it.

The Cons:


It only takes a small amount of T3 to be beneficial in most cases, and many doctors overprescribe the amount. Start by lowering your dose of T4 slightly and then adding only 5mcg of Cytomel a day for a few weeks, adjusting from there.
T3 is used by the body faster and because of this, it works better if dosed two to three times a day for many people, though some do just fine on once a day.

If you DON'T need T3 or you are prescribed too much, you can go hyper very quickly. Not fun.

T3 suppresses TSH more than T4 in many people making the TSH test unreliable for them.

There are some tissues that T3 can't cross (The blood/brain barrier for one) and T4 is still necessary. This isn't actually a con, but an inllustration that T3 can't do it all.

Those are the pros and cons I can think of right off. There are many more pros than cons if the medication is given in the right dose and monitored properly. Monitoring should be done by measuring Free T3 and Free T4 as well as the standard (but outdated and not as useful) TSH test. If your doctor isn't monitoring at LEAST T3 levels, then s/he has little business prescribing it. It is my opinion that no hormone should be supplemented unles the levels of it are being monitored directly.

Gail's Thyroid tips located here has some good info on the role of T3: http://home.usaa.net/~wurmstein/

Nutritional and Overdose Information about Iron

For those of us taking Iron supplements, here is some useful information about sources and overdose symptoms. Remember, you must take your Iron supplements at least 2-4 hours separate from your thyroid meds.


Iron

SOURCES
Organ meats, extra lean red meats, dried fruits, cooked dried beans and peas, dark green leafy vegetables, fish, poultry, prune juice and oysters are excellent sources of iron.

Whole grain breads and cereals, green peas, strawberries, tomato juice, Brussels sprouts, winter squash, blackberries, nuts and broccoli also count as good sources of this mineral.

Herbs that contain iron include alfalfa, burdock root, catnip, cayenne, chamomile, chickweed, chicory, dandelion, dong quai, eyebright, fennel seed, fenugreek, horsetail, kelp, lemongrass, licorice, milk thistle seed, mullein, nettle, oat straw, paprika, parsley, peppermint, plantain, raspberry leaf, rose hips, sarsaparilla, shepherd’s purse, uva ursi and yellow dock.

Non-heme iron obtained from vegetable, fruit and grain sources is better absorbed if it is eaten at the same meal with a small amount of meat (heme iron) or vitamin C rich food.

Infants should be given breast milk or fortified milk formulas, as these are a better source of iron than cow’s milk.

Note: Food preparation methods affect the iron content of the food. Acidic foods, such as spaghetti sauce and tomato-based soups, prepared in cast-iron cookware can increase the iron content of the meal 300-fold. As iron leeches during prolonged cooking and is lost if the cooking water is discarded, cooking time and water content should be kept to a minimum.


OVERDOSE

Acute overdose: Nausea, constipation or diarrhea (in excess of 30 mg).

Chronic overdose: Hemosiderosis, hemochromatosis (a hereditary disorder of iron metabolism that causes bronze skin pigmentation, cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes, and heart disorders), production of free radicals, a rise in the need for vitamin E, heart disease and cancer.

What to do: For an acute overdose, call your doctor, emergency medical services (EMS), or the nearest poison control center immediately. For symptoms of chronic overdose, contact your doctor.


POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or which is especially bothersome.


CAUTION

Avoid iron supplements if you are suffering from an infection. Infections are caused by bacteria, which need iron to grow. The liver stores iron deposits in the body during this time in order to prevent bacteria proliferation. Thus, iron supplements would result in an increase in the growth of bacteria. Iron can be fatal to children if taken in an overdose. Children should not be given iron unless prescribed by a physician for a particular disorder.


[This message has been edited by ArtfulD (edited 08-10-2002).]

On AM Cortisol and ACTH STIM tests:

Some doctors believe that the AM cortisol should be above 15 (per the recommendation of Jeffries in his book "The Safe Uses of Cortisol"). Some less agressive ones think that 12 is the magic cutoff point (Per Teitlebaum in his book "From Fatigued to Fantastic").

On an ACTH Stim Test, agressive doctors treat like this:

first draw: If not above 15, supplement with low dose cortisol. Above 15, look at the next draw.

second draw (30 minutes after ACTH injection): if not at least double the first draw, treat with low-dose cortisol. If double or more, all is OK.

third draw (60 minutes after ACTH injection): Should be significantly higher than the second draw, but not necessarily double if I remember correctly.

Sometimes a fourth draw is done, but is less significant. What is sometiems seen in the fourth draw is whether the adrenals give a delayed response. In someone with adrenal fatigue, the adrenals work, but you don't see the rise until much later, which could indicate a problem. Some docs see this rise later and say that it is OK. I don't believe that it is OK. Besides, RARELY do they do the 90 minute draw anyways.

Thyroidities Flare Up:

You're Having a Thyroiditis Flare
Some patients who have the autoimmune condition known as Hashimoto's thyroiditis are diagnosed during a period when they are hypothyroid. But in a thyroid that is failing due to autoimmune disease, the thyroid can frequently sputter into overdrive, then back into underactivity, and into overdrive again, as it "burns itself out" over time. You can, therefore, experience periods of overactivity - hyperthyroidism - even while your thyroid is underactive over time and generally on its way to burning itself out. So, you can experience hypothyroidism symptoms, but periodically have hyperthyroidism symptoms that also appear. And remember...hyperthyroidism symptoms don't "cancel out" your hypothyroidism symptoms...they more often are added to them.

At the same time, Hashimoto's can also mean that periodically, the thyroid experiences a flare-up, or "attack" of thyroiditis, which is frequently accompanied by symptoms such as palpitations. Noted thyroid expert Stephen Langer, M.D., who coauthored the popular thyroid book Solved: The Riddle of Illness with James Scheer, refers to thyroiditis as like an "arthritis of the thyroid." He explains that just as arthritis attacks the joints with pain and inflammation, thyroiditis can mean pain and inflammation in the thyroid for some sufferers. And in particular, during a thyroiditis attack, common symptoms you might experience are anxiety, panic attacks, heart palpitations and problems sleeping. - all common hyperthyroidism symptoms - as well as swelling in the thyroid area, and problems swallowing.

What Can You Do?

Generally, whatever the cause, some patients find relief from palpitations and rapid heartrate with beta blockers. Antianxiety drugs may also be a help in panic attacks and anxiety. Some patients find that they require treatment for particularly troublesome hyperthyroidism symptoms. For example, during periods when palpitations or high pulse become bothersome, drugs such as beta blockers - which lower heart rate and blood pressure and can slow or stop palpitations -- can be prescribed to help control symptoms. Sometimes, anti-anxiety drugs can be a help, and in some people, temporary use of sleeping pills may also be of assistance. On the natural end, some patients find that yoga, biofeedback, or breathing exercises can help with palpitations or rapid pulse.

One of the best treatments for dysautonomia symptoms is regular physical exercise, which calms down and regulates the autonomic nervous system. Palpitations are also responsive to acupuncture treatments. From a more nutritional medicine perspective, Dr. Langer suggests that patients experiencing thyroiditis and having trouble sleeping take calcium/magnesium, which are nutrients that have a sedative effect, along with a pain reliever to relieve inflammation -- buffered aspirin or ibuprofen -- before you go to bed, this might help. He's found that this helps about two-thirds of his patients suffering from nighttime thyroiditis symptoms.

Reducing swelling is another key aspect of dealing with thyroiditis attacks, according to Dr. Langer. Says Langer: "Just as with arthritis, an anti-inflammatory pain reliever doesn't cure the problem, but it temporarily ameliorates the symptoms."

When it comes to palpitations, Dr. Langer feels that they can be misunderstood.
What happens with Hashimoto's patients having thyroiditis attacks is that many wind up in the emergency room seeing cardiologists. It happens a few times and then they're written off as psychiatric cranks. They end up with large doses of anti-anxiety medications or antidepressants.
Frequently, when not misdiagnosed as a heart problem, anxiety, or depression palpitations may be misinterpreted as a sign that a patient is getting too much thyroid hormone. But when medical evaluation rules out hyperthyroidism due to too much thyroid medication, mitral valve problems, or other cardiac abnormalities, Dr. Langer has found that nutritional deficiencies may be to blame -- in particular, deficiencies of calcium, magnesium or Vitamin D. Says Dr. Langer:
There's compelling evidence coming to the surface that Vitamin D is not only a vitamin but a hormone...The recommended daily allowance for Vitamin D is 400 IU, but scientists doing studies actually believe that people who do not get regular exposure to sunshine should be getting 2000-4000 Vitamin D. The Vitamin D also has profound effects on absorption of calcium and magnesium.

Thyroid Storm:

Here's a thyroid storm. From a medical textbook, The 4th edition of Emergency Medicine (eds. Tinhiralli, J., Buiz, E. and Krome, R.L. Some parts are quotes, some speedy summations.

"Thyroid storm is a RARE complication of hyperthyroidism in which manifestations of thyrotoxicosis are exaggerated to life-threatening proportions. Thyroid storm is most often seen in a patient with moderate to severe antecedent Grave's' disease and is usually precipitated by a stressful event. "

Precipitating Factors listed as primarily as infection, especially pulmonary infection, ketoacidosis in diabetics, hyperosmolar coma . . . Events possibly to initiate storm in vulnerable person: RAI, premature withdrawal of ATDs, use of an iodinated constrast medium during x-ray, thyroid hormone overdose, vigorous palpation of the thyroid gland . . . can also be vascular accidents, pulmonary emboli, toxemia of pregnancy and emotional stress.

Signs and Symptoms:

"The earliest signs are fever, tachycardia, diaphoresis, increased CNS activity, and emotional lability If condition is untreated, a hyperkinetic toxic state ensures in which symptoms are intensified. Progression to congestive heart failure, refractory pulmonary edema, circulatory collapse, coma and death may occur within 72 hours.

Fever ranges from 100.4-105.5. The pulse rate may range between 120 and 200 beats per minute but has been reported as high as 300 . . . sweating so profuse as to lead to dehydration from insensible fluid loss . . .

Central nervous systems . . . vary from restlessness, anxiety, emotional lability, manic behavior, agitations and psychosis, to mental confusion, obtundation and coma . . . cardiovascular abnormalities . . . increased stroke volume, cardiac output, etc . . .

~ ~RAI ISOLATION~ ~


Some people will receive their RAI dose and be sent home.
Some will stay in the hospital for 24hrs.
Some will stay longer, until the radiation risks are lowered.

Either way, you will have 2-4 days where you will want to take extreme precautions, and then about a week of taking more moderate precautions. I will refer to these the extreme precautions as the "In Hospital Isolation" period, and the more moderate precautions as the "At Home" period.


Each hospital is different. Some will let you take things home IF they aren't too radioactive. Others will make you leave everything there. Call them, ahead of time, and question them. That way, you'll know what you'll have to leave behind. There is a link on my main page, to a list of questions to ask your Nuke Med Dept.

If you are allowed to take things home, remember that clothes CAN be washed and most items can be left in a bag, in storage for a couple of months and be just fine. It's easier, though, to buy cheap silly things to take with you, and leave them there for the hospital to throw out.


BEFORE GOING TO HOSPITAL FOR YOUR RAI TREATMENT

There are a few things you might want to prepare at home, for when you return.

1. If you are returning within the first 24 hrs, have LID foods ready and waiting.

2. Take all extra things, which you don't want to irradiate and have to wash carefully, off your bed. No sense contaminating things that are hard to wash.

3. Set aside your own towels, dishes, glasses, etc. Hopefully, you will arrange a private bedroom and bathroom, where you can keep your supplies away from others.

4. Have cleaning supplies ready, i.e. sink brush, Lysol, wet wipes, or whatever will make it easiest for you to wipe down areas you've used.

5. Have a separate telephone for YOU to use for the first week. Cover the mouth piece with plastic wrap.

6. Have a toothbrush which you can throw out after the first week.

7. Gather any other helpful supplies, such as disposable plates & utensils, surgeon's or food handlers' gloves, tissues, plastic bags for used tissues, plastic bags for radiated laundry.

8. If you are the food preparer in the family, stock up on store bought or homemade meals for the others in your family, so that YOU will not have to prepare meals for them. You shouldn't be handling their food, and you probably won't have the energy to do it, anyhow. And for goodness sakes, if anyone says, "Let me know if I can help..." be sure to tell THEM to bring meals. :)

9. Leave all valuables at home....purse, jewelry, watch, wallet, etc.

10. Take your insurance card!!!! But then give it to your friend or family member to take home. Better yet, take a photo copy of your card (front and back) and just give it to the admittance people.

11. Put out the cloths you want to wear home from the hospital. Have the person who is picking you up bring these to the hospital on the last day.

12. REMINDER!!! If you need pre-certification to be an in-patient and have your insurance cover it...be sure someone calls for this ahead of time!

IN-HOSPITAL ISOLATION SUPPLIES


DISPOSABLE TOOTHBRUSH
TRAVEL SIZED TOOTHPASTE.....Your favorite brand

EMPTY SMALL PLASTIC TRAVEL BOTTLES with your favorite shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc....so you can throw out what you don't use

TALL PLASTIC DRINK GLASS, rather than the mini-hospital ones

POWDERED LEMONADE(check the label for LID)

COMFY PAJAMAS OR NIGHTSHIRTS that you're willing to leave there

PEN/PENCIL to make notes to tell nurse/doctor next time they appear

PAPER and/or POST-IT NOTES to write or draw on...or to put messages on your window for people to see from the outside, or on the door of your room.

BATH SOAP that YOU like
DECK OF PLAYING CARDS
MAGAZINES

ROOM FRESHENERS (Some places make you keep your food trash...so it can get rather ripe.)

CHEAP UNDERWEAR that you would NEVER wear anywhere else, or want to take home.

FUNKY SLIPPERS or furry socks...again, that you'd never wear anywhere else, can leave there, but will feel happy and warm in.

SMILEY FACE STICKERS....just to remind you to smile


GINGER for nausea (Chinese ginger candy, ginger ale, homemade LID ginger snaps, or ginger capsules for motion sickness from health food store)

GREETING CARDS: Ask friends and well wishers to give you funny or inspirational cards and messages, but don't open them until you get into isolation. Then space them out so you have mail every hour.
Collect internet jokes from people, and space THEM out to read when you need a laugh.

LISTERINE, in case you get thrush...it helps to use it before using the medicine that will be prescribed.

SOUR STUFF: Grapes, sour candies, etc...to promote salivation


ICE CHEST!!!! Take your own LID snacks, drinks, etc.

Have someone cater LID meals, if the hospital will let you. There's no sense being hungry, and the hospitals usually don't have a clue about what constitutes a low iodine diet.

PHONE NUMBERS of friends and family...written on something you can throw away/

LONG DISTANCE CALLING CARD information

EYE GLASSES....leave your contact lenses at home. You won't want to mess with them and it's probably not a great idea to use them because they hold fluids next to your eye.

PLASTIC BAGS: Take your supplies in a plastic bag or a box that you don't need again. You won't want to irradiate your favorite suitcase. Also, if you are asked to keep your food trash in your room, you'll like having extra bags to double-bag the trash.

***If you wear the hospital gowns, you can wear one tied in back and then wear another one as a robe (tied in front). A little less skimpy in the rear.

***Have your clean, good clothes removed from the room and brought back when it's time to leave.

AT HOME REMINDERS


After the first 48 hours, you will still want to take precautions, even though your radiation levels will be greatly reduced. Remember two main rules:

1. CONTROL BODILY FLUIDS (first 7 days after RAI)...especially saliva. Avoid kissing and sexual activities. Do not let anyone else share your eating utensils. Control spraying from sneezing or coughing. Be careful with anything you put in your mouth, including pencils you chew on. :)

2. MINIMIZE EXPOSURE (first 5 days after RAI...but 7 days for being around pregnant women or children): When in doubt, increase your distance from others, and reduce your time with them.

Continue to flush 3 times.

If others are using your toilet and sink area, be sure to wipe it down after use and keep your toothbrush and glass in a separate area.

Continue to sleep alone for 5-7 days, post RAI.

At the end of the week, wash all bed linens and clothes that you wore while "glowing".


When the week is over, all you have to do is try to remember what "Life before RAI" was like, and go live it!

May your thyca be zapped, and may YOU continue to glow with the radiance of EXCELLENT HEALTH ! !

This was all helpful for me when I had RAI June of 2002 Hope this helps someone else.. May God Bless You All...marcia

Thyroid and Fertility / Pregnancy

http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/thyroid/pregnant.html

http://www.thyroid.ca/Guides/HG08.html


[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 10-07-2003).]

Descriptions of Common Thyroid Function Tests:
http://www.endocrineweb.com/tests.html

Typical "Normal" Lab Reference Ranges for Thyroid Tests

(from http://www.endocrineweb.com/TFT.html)


Test Abbreviation Typical Ranges


BLOOD TESTS


Serum thyroxine T4 4.6-12.0 ug/dl
Free thyroxine fraction FT4F 0.03-0.005%
Free Thyroxine FT4 0.7-1.9 ng/dl
Thyroid hormone binding ratio THBR 0.9-1.1
Free Thyroxine index FT4I 4-11
Serum Triiodothyronine T3 80-180 ng/dl
Free Triiodothyronine FT3 230-619 pg/d
Free T3 Index FT3I 80-180
Serum thyrotropin TSH 0.5-6 uU/ml

PROTEINS

Thyroxine-binding globulin TBG 12-20 ug/dl T4+1.8 ugm
Serum thyroglobulin Tg 0-30 ng/m


ANTIBODIES

Thyroid microsomal antibody titer TMAb Varies with method
Thyroglobulin antibody titer TgAb Varies with method

TRH stimulation test Peak TRH 9-30 uIU/ml at 20-30 min

THYROID SCAN RESULTS

Radioactive iodine uptake RAIU 10-30%

[/CODE]

[This message has been edited by ArtfulD (edited 08-27-2002).]

[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 12-18-2002).]

(((( :)ALTERNATIVE MEDACINE :)))))))

FOR HYPOTHYROIDISM:
Herbs: Bayberry,black cohosh,gentian, mugwart,and goldenseal are supposed to help.
Food: eat molasses,egg yolks,parsley,apracots,dates and prunes.Eat fish or chicken and raw milk and cheeses.
Avoid sugar,prossesed foods and white flour.
Homeopathy: cal carb.1m is affective in treating Hypothyroidism and improving thyroid function.
Infusions of the herb bladderwack will help regulate thyroid funtion.
FOR HYPERTHYRIODISM:
Herbs:Ifustions of the herb Bugleweed three times aday may help slow the action of the gland.
Homeopathy:a homeopath may persribe Iodum 30c twice a day for two weeks.
FOOD :eat plenty of Broccoli,brussel sprouts,cabbage cauliflour,kale,mustard greens,peaches pears,rutabagas,soybeans,spinach,and turnips these help to suppress thyroid funtion.
AVOID DAIRY PRODUCTS FOR AT LEAST 3 MONTHS
ALSO AVOID STIMULANTS<COFFEE,TEA,NICOTINE AND SOFT DRINKS.
FOR GOITERS: Try reflexology there are areas that relate to the thyroid which are found in the big toe and the arch of the foot.
Acupuncture is also supposed to help.
HOMEOPATHY: specific remadies might include,Iodum 30c,
spongia 30c,calcarea 30c and fluoric ac.30c.

I have found repetative mention of these two amino acids good for all thyroid problems.
L-TYROSINE:
L-tyrosine is important in the treatment of anxiety,depression,allergies and headaches.It aids in the production of melanin(pigment of the skin nd hair)and in the funtions of the adreanal,thyroid and pituitary glands.Low plasma levels of tyrosine have been associated with hypothyroidism.It acts as a mood elevator suppresses appetite,and reduces body fat.
A lack of tyrosine triggers a deficiency of the hormone
norephinephrine at a specific brain location,which results in depression and mood disorders.L-tyrosine is also used to sythasize epinephrine and dopamine.It has been used for withdraw from drugs aswell.
1,000mg aday is recomended.
LCYSTEINE: L-CYSTEINE has a high sulfur content .This amino acid is formed from L-methionine in the body;however vitamin B6
is necessary for this conversion.L-cysteine help to detoxify harmful toxins,thereby protecting and perserving the cells Cysteine is a precursor to L-glutathione. one of the best free radical destroyers,it works best when taken with Selenium and vitamin E(avoid exess amounts of vitamin E with any thyroid problem).In addition to protecting the cells from the harmfull afect of radiation,it protects the liver and brain from damage due to alcohol and cigarette smoke.It is recomended forteatment of Rheumatiod arthritis.It removes exess copper from the body and promotes the burning of fat and the building of muscle.Also L-cystein is used for bronchitis,emphysema and tuberculosis.
These aminos work best when taken on an empty stomache. Also brewers yeast is good for thyroid.
These are not meant to be an alternatives to your medication ;however for Herbs and Homeopathy it is best to cunsult with a homeopath or a Herbologist.
Regarding the food don't change your diet unless you know for sure wether your hypo or hyper.
These are safe to take for eanyone:
L-tyrosine and L-cystein
brewers yeast
Take vitamin B complex it realy helps with depression and tremmors.

:)
I wish everyone good health

How to Search for Older, Archived Posts on Healthboards.com


Sometimes a topic sounds familiar and we want to look up the last time it was discussed. There are a couple of places where older posts are stored on Healthboards:


Posts to the Thyroid Disorders Board

1) Go to the Topic Listings for this Board:

From this message:
- Scroll up to the top of this page
- Click on the "Thyroid Disorders" link -- (in the Directory Tree above the "New Topic" and "Reply" buttons)

==> The default is to Show Topics from the Last 75 Days.


2) Display All Recent Topics

- Click Once to drop down the menu saying "Show Topic from the last 75 Days"
- Select "Show All Topics"
- Click the "GO" button


3) Search through the many pages now available (typically 23+ pages)

- Click on the "Search" link just below the Directory Tree
- Type in your search words, user name who posted topic, etc.
- Click on the "Perform Search" button

==> The default Search Forum/Archive will search the Thyroid Disorders Board, but


4) You can also Search Older Archives

- Click once on the "Search/Forum Archive" window to drop it down
- Scroll Down from "Thyroid Disorders and Select "Archive: Archive T-Z boards"
- Type in criteria for search (search words, user name who posted topic, etc.)
- Click on the "Perform Search" button

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder in which antithyroid antibodies attack the thyroid gland tissue and prevent it from producing hormone.

Doctors typically test for two types of Antithyroid Antibodies: AntiThyroglobulin Antibodies - which attack the thyroglobulin protein -- a protein necessary to produce thyroid hormone) and Antithyroid Microsomal Antibodies - measured by the Antithyroid Peroxidase ("TPO") assay and also referred to as Anti-TPO antibodies.

Elevated levels of TPO antibodies confirm the diagnosis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Elevated AntiThyroglobulin Antibodies are also related to thyroiditis and, if you have had thyroid cancer with a total thyroidectomy, the presence of AntiThyroglobulin antibodies means that the Thyroglobulin blood test (typically used as a post-surgery annual follow-up study) will be inaccurate and you may need annual thyroid scans instead.

Additional thyroid antibodies can also be tested, including Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulins (which can make a person Hyper). A person can have any combination of antibodies at any time.

The ANA also measures antibodies related to autoimmune disorders, but while an elevated ANA level may occur along with thyroid disease, it does NOT always indicate thyroiditis. This is why doctors typically conduct the thyroid-specific tests.

Antibody-related Thyroiditis generally causes symptoms that fluctuate between Hypo and Hyper (or sometimes presents a combination of both). It is quite common for the symptoms to occur BEFORE the blood levels become abnormal; the presence of antibodies explain why the patient isn't "normal." Laboratory reference ranges for "normal" vary, but most adult females feel best when their TSH is at or below 1.0 and their Free T3 and Free T4 levels are in the middle of the lab's ranges. Adult males may feel best when their TSH is much lower (some prefer below 0.1).

Treatment typically consists of thyroid medication (as appropriate for the patient's blood levels and symptoms). It is best to see an Endocrinologist who specializes in Thyroid Disease and who is familiar with Antibody-related thyroiditis so that you will have a doctor who listens and treats your overall symptoms (rather than telling you that your blood levels are normal and that's all that matters).

Treatment is important because persistent antibodies will destroy the thyroid gland and may cause growth of additional tissue (nodules or cysts) as the gland tries to overcompensate for the missing hormone.

Supplements that may help include Selenium (maximum dose 200 mcg/day) and Maca. Recent studies have shown that Selenium may help fight thyroid antibodies while also helping the body to metabolize and absorb thyroid hormone. Maca (a type of Peruvian turnip) helps balance all the body's hormones and also supports the adrenals, which tend to become stressed during flare-ups of thyroiditis. These supplements typically help the "residual" symptoms that may linger even after your meds are balanced, such as body ache, fatigue, brain fog, and libido.

See the post about Thyroiditis Flare-ups (this page, 8/18/02) for details about what to do with the intermittent imbalances of Hashi's.

[This message has been edited by ArtfulD (edited 11-16-2002).]

Interpretation of an FNA Biopsy

If possible, call your doctor and ask him/her to explain your FNA biopsy results in layperson’s terms. You may also want to ask for follow-up tests, such as an Iodine Uptake Scan to determine if your nodule is hot (producing more thyroid hormone than normal), warm (producing the same amount of thyroid hormone as normal thyroid tissue), or cold (not producing thyroid hormone). Cold nodules require a closer watch.

I've gleaned this information from a variety of medical websites so, unfortunately, it's still pretty technical. Hopefully, I've interpreted them properly.

TERMS YOU MAY SEE IN THE FNA RESULTS

Adenoma - Clustered cells forming a growth or nodule. Can be benign or malignant.

Capsule infiltration - an indication that the thyroid gland cell "capsule" has been breached, suggesting malignancy (thyroid cancer). Benign cells have no capsule invasion.

Carcinoma - A malignant adenoma, indicating the presence of thyroid cancer.

Colloid - Colloid is a a gelatinous or mucinous substance found in tissues that naturally surrounds the follicular epithelial cells. In a normal thyroid gland, colloid should predominate with clusters or sheets of follicular cells with wispy cytoplasm (cellular fluid) and indistinct cell borders. Abnormal FNA results may identify nodules or cysts filled with colloid.

Colloid phagocytosis – a condition where phagocytes take in colloid


Epithelium or Epithelial Cells - Epithelium is the type of glandular tissue that is sampled in an FNA Biopsy.

Follicular and Microfollicular Adenoma – A benign thyroid nodule. The nodule shows microfollicles, is sharply circumscribed by a delicate even fibrous capsule, and there is no invasion of the capsule or blood vessels by the tumor. The cells that have grown to form this follicular neoplasm remain contained within a thin capsule of tissue that surrounds it.

Follicular Carcinoma – A malignant thyroid nodule, representing a form called follicular thyroid cancer. The cells in this follicular neoplasm have grown to penetrate the capsule of tissue to invade normal thyroid tissue or blood vessels within the thyroid gland. NOTE: It is not possible to distinguish a follicular adenoma from follicular thyroid cancer on the basis of a fine needle aspiration biopsy sample. To make a definitive diagnosis, it is necessary to surgically remove the nodule so that it can be cut into sections and examined under a microscope to look for any evidence of invasion of normal thyroid tissue or blood vessels.


Follicular Epithelium - Follicles are the type of cells (with nuclei) that compose the thyroid gland. "Normal" thyroid tissue would have follicles that are evenly dispersed; An FNA of normal tissue would reveal low columnar follicular cells surrounding pink colloid (containing thyroglobulin produced by follicular cells).

Follicular Neoplasm - Follicular neoplasms are thyroid nodules that may be benign or may be a form of thyroid cancer. The FNA Biopsy reveals clusters of increased numbers of epithelial cells grouped together in specific patterns with small amounts of colloid present.

Hemosiderin - a yellowish brown granular pigment that is formed in some phagocytic cells by the breakdown of hemoglobin and is probably essentially a denatured form of ferritin (a form of iron found in the blood).

Hemosiderosis – A condition where iron in the form of hemosiderin is found in the tissues

Hyperplasia, Hyperplasm, Hyperplastic - an abnormal or unusual increase in the cells composing a tissue.

Macrofollicle – a type of clustered follicular cells. Colloid nodules contain macrofollicles.

Macrophages - a cell (typically a white blood cell) that engulfs and consumes foreign material (as microorganisms) and debris. Phagocytes are macrophages.

Microfollicle - a type of clustered follicular cells. Hurthle cells contain microfollicles.

Neoplasm or Neoplastic - a new growth of tissue serving no physiological function (such as a nodule)

Nuclei Size – Follicular Cells typically have large nuclei. Cells with small nuclei may suggest an abnormal degeneration in the cells.

Phagocyte or Phagocytic Cells – see "Macrophage."

Polsters or Papillations - papillary infoldings that lack vascular cores and appear as round, bump-like protrusions.

Thyroglobulin - an iodine-containing protein of the thyroid gland that is the precursor of thyroxine (T4 hormone) and triiodothyronine (T3 hormone). The body uses Thyroglobulin to produce thyroid hormone.

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

Here are some Technical Descriptions from FNA Biopsy results as they correlate to diagnoses as found in the Powerpoint presentation at
http://www.library.uthscsa.edu/ms2/Pathology/Endocrine/Note%20Cards/Path-Thyroid-Pathology%20features.ppt

There is much more information in the source website NOT included here, including tissue and cellular pathology descriptions for the various forms of thyroid cancer.

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

Various Types of Euthyroid (healthy thyroid) non-neoplastic conditions:

1. Indications of a Hematoma/Hemorrhage into the Thyroid - The sampled fluid includes Brownish fluid "chocolate" (old blood) that disappears with aspiration but may reaccumulate over time. FNA shows Red cells predominate with numerous macrophages. Results may show ingested debris and/or hemosiderin should lack ciliated or columnar epithelium; may have sparse degenerative follicular cells.


2. Simple Colloid Goiter - The tissue shows generally enlarged thyroid cells with glistening/waxy cut surface. The tissue consists of huge colloid filled follicles. FNA biopsy shows cells with abundant colloid of both thick and thin types; scant uniform follicular cells.


3. Colloid Cyst or Nodule - Benign epithelial cells filled with colloid. FNA Biopsy would reveal ciliated columnar epithelium (tall cells with hairlike protrusions), colloid, occasional macrophages, proteinaceous debris with variable inflammation and old blood, sometimes crystalline material (ie: cholesterol), occasional multinucleated giant cells.

"Colloid nodules" display macrofollicles lined by flattened thyroid epithelial cells. The nodules are circumscribed (self-contained) and do not have a fibrous capsule. Colloid cyst material may fall off the slide during processing, leaving the lab with an inadequate sample.

NOTE: the color of the fluid extracted from a Colloid Cyst during an FNA Biopsy is NOT an indicator of malignancy (or potential likelihood for the presence of thyroid cancer).


4. Adenomatous (Multinodular) Goiter (nontoxic) - Multiple nodules varying from solid, cystic degeneration or hemorrhagic. FNA biopsy shows tissue with pseudo-papillations (round, bump-like protrusions) lack true vascular core; macrofollicular containing colloid rare microfollicle; no true capsule. Cells are variable colloid; may have numerous follicular cells but still in a "honeycomb" pattern; ill defined cell borders; nuclei normal; easily confused with follicular neoplasms especially if cellular.

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

FNA Results for patient with Hyperthyroidism or Thyroid Storm:

Hyperthyroid FNA results are not neoplastic and rarely malignant. FNA frequently reveals pseudo-neoplastic features (described as: follicular cells with colloid, nuclear overlap, nuclear membrane irregularities). If the patient has been treated (with thiouracil, thiamidazole, or radiation), results may be atypical. Diagnoses may include - Diffuse toxic goiter (Grave’s Disease), Toxic nodular goiter (Plummer’s syndrome), and Autonomous hyperfunctioning "Hot" adenoma.

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

FNA Results for patient with Grave's Disease:

Typically, Grave's is diagnosed by clinical signs/symptoms & thyroid function tests. FNAs are typically given only to evaluate "cold" nodules.

The tissue is diffuse, "beefy red" and shows Hyperplasia of follicular cells; colloid thin with vacuolations "scalloping" at periphery of colloid; "polsters" which are papillary infoldings (lack vascular cores); variable lymphoid hyperplasia with some follicle formation; no chromatin clumping; occasional degeneration, giant cells, and Hurthle cells.

The cells appear with usually lots of fresh blood due to vascularity of condition; sparse "thin" colloid; moderate to numerous follicular cells; increased "flame cells" (metachromatic vacuoles at outer edge of cells on modified Giemsa stain giving the hyperplastic cells a "dark-wavy" edge (2* to dilated endoplasmic reticulum), pseudo-neoplastic features are common (follicular cells more frequent than colloid, nuclear overlap, nuclear membrane irregularities, anisonucleosis), occasional degenerative changes (macrophages and giant cells); occasional Hurthle cell.

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

FNA Results for Inflammatory Conditions:

1. Acute Thyroiditis - Neck is generally tender when touched, there is a sudden onset and variable mass (grows and shrinks). The FNA fluid sometimes contains pus at aspiration (if nodular) and the sample is sent for culture. FNA Biopsy shows cells with Neutrophils (type of white blood cell) and necrotic debris (debris from dead cells); intracellular bacteria (seen on DQ stain) Identifiable thyroid tissue in background.


2. Subacute Thyroiditis (De Quervain’s) - May be due to a virus. Neck is Tender and may develop nodules. Tissue shows Giant cells and granulomas; variable fibrosis; mixed inflammatory response; lymphoid follicles and Hurthle cells are unusual. FNA Biopsy shows that cells are sometimes scanty return due to fibrosis; multinucleate giant cells-large and numerous epithelioid histiocytes; mixed inflammatory cells and macrophages; degenerating follicular cells; follicular center lymphocytes and Hurthle cells are uncommon.


3. Hashimoto’s (Auto-immune) Thyroiditis - Neck has a moderately enlarged thyroid (usually 2-4x). Nodules are large, confined, rubbery or hard. Patient's blood levels may indicate Hypothyroidism

FNA Biopsy shows tissue with numerous lymphoid follicles; Hurthle cells; variable degenerative changes. Lymphoid nodules will be pale (white to tan) and solid with "fish-flesh" texture.

Cells are in moderate numbers of mainly small lymphocytes and scattered plasma cells with occasional follicular center cells in florid cases, moderate Hurthle cells (oncocytic appearance = enlarged; grey-blue cytoplasm on modified Giemsa stain; well defined cytoplasmic borders; nuclei enlarged, smooth membrane; prominent enlarged nucleoli), few multinucleate giant cells; epithelioid histiocytes (variable). Normal follicular epithelium to slightly hyperplastic, fibrosing variant of Hashimoto’s may be confused with Riedel’s thyroiditis or malignant neoplasm.

Secondary neoplasia: There is an increased incidence of malignant neoplasms within background of Hashimoto’s (both epithelial and lymphomas); therefore cold nodules arising within Hashimoto’s must be evaluated separately.


4. Riedel’s Thyroiditis - Extremely rare; more likely underlying malignancy or fibrosing variant of Hashimoto’s. Nodule is small and extremely hard. Blood tests are typically within normal laboratory range. FNA Biopsy reveals cells that include eosinophils, mature lymphocytes and fibrous stroma. Hurthle cells are rare but there are increased leukocytes.

Before posting copied material, make sure that
you have permission.
Most websites are copyrighted.

Then copy the material to Word and make sure
to shorten all sentences before pasting on a
board.
If you do not do this, the sentences will be
too long for this program and will make them
hard to read.

Thanks for your cooperation.



[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 12-18-2002).]

copied and the sentences were shortened:

Selenium: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Selenium is useful in helping the body convert T4 to T3, and may also help fight
against thyroid antibodies. However, the recommended dose for thyroid
disease is 200 mcg/day. For anyone concerned about potential overdosing on
this mineral, here is a breakdown of where you can find it nutritionally, plus
symptoms of overdose:
SOURCES
Brazil nuts, brewer’s yeast, broccoli, brown rice, chicken, dairy products, garlic,
liver, molasses, onions, salmon, seafood, vegetables, wheat germ, and
whole grain breads and cereals contain selenium.
Herb sources of selenium include alfalfa, burdock root, catnip, cayenne,
chamomile, chickweed, fennel, fenugreek, garlic, ginseng, hawthorn berry,
hops, horsetail, lemongrass, milk thistle, nettle, oat straw, parsley,
peppermint, raspberry leaf, rose hops, sarsaparilla, uva ursi, yarrow and
yellow dock.
Note: The selenium content of food is dependent on the selenium content of the
soil in which the food is grown. Washing, cooking, improper storage or processing
and refining can result in a loss of selenium content of the food.

OVERDOSE
Acute overdose: Fatigue and irritability, nausea, vomiting, abdominal
cramps, diarrhea, rash and garlicky breath.
Chronic overdose: Tooth decay, tooth loss, cancer, hair loss, white streaking
or thickening of the fingernails, loss of nails, and tenderness and swelling of
the fingers.
What to do: For an acute overdose, call your doctor, emergency medical
services (EMS), or the nearest poison control center immediately. For symptoms
of chronic overdose, contact your doctor.
Note: These toxicity symptoms MAY appear in individuals whose daily intakes
are greater than 750mcg.


*

On the deficiencies of the TSH test for diagnosing and monitoring
thyroid disease

Copyright 2002 Kevin G. Rhoads, permission to copy in whole is
granted in accordance with any of the following public licenses: GNU
Public Licence 2.0, (a.k.a., GPL2), GNU Lesser Public License 2.0,
(a.k.a., LGPL2) or any successor licences issued by the GNU
organization to GPL2 or LGPL2. Any copying in part is prohibited
unless permission is granted by the author in writing.

Disclaimer: The author is not a medical doctor, this writing is not
intended as medical advice or to prescribe treatment. This is
supplied solely for informational purposes and to raise issues for
discussion. This is supplied free, and while the author has
attempted to make it as accurate as possible, it is supplied "as-is"
as is detailed further in both the GPL2 and LGPL2.

History Once upon a time, in the middle of the 20th century, doctors
diagnosed thyroid disease by the symptoms of the patient. For
hypo-thyroidism, treatment typically involved supplementation of
thyroid hormone(s) from either animal sources or synthesized
hormones. Hormone supplementation was provided to levels at which
relief of symptoms was apparent, while avoiding the appearance of
symtoms of hyper-thyroidism. Tests for TSH were known, but were not
sensitive enough to adequately measure levels as needed for diagnosis
and treatment monitoring. Then the "ultra-sensitive" TSH test was
developed. And its use became widespread, on assumptions that TSH
testing was meaningful. But the assumptions needed for TSH testing
to be meaningful are many and questionable.

Assumptions about TSH testing
In applying the results of the TSH test to diagnosis and monitoring
of treatment there are several assumptions that have been made. (1)
First, for diagnosis it is assumed that when TSH is outside the
normal range that there is a problem with the thyroid system. (2)
Next, the converse is also assumed, that if TSH is within the normal
range that there is no problem with the thyroid system. (3) Once
treatment has been started, it is assumed that if TSH is outside the
normal range, adjustment of the treatment regime or additional
treatment is needed. (4) But if TSH is in normal range, many doctors
assume treatment is adequate and does not need further adjustment.
(5) There is the assumption that the techniques used by diagnostic
laboratories to calibrate their lab's normal range are valid,
adequate and result in properly calibrated normal ranges. (6) There
is the assumption that the normal range for TSH of people without
thyroid disease is the normal range for TSH in people with thyroid
disease when treatment is adequate. (7) And although it is well
known in medical research that in normal people TSH varies by at
least 2 to 1 over the course of a 24 hour day, most doctors assume
that they can measure TSH at one randomly chosen time and
meaningfully interpret that even unto the decimal level, e.g., 5.6 is
abnormal but 5.4 is normal. (8) Finally, in using TSH to manage dose
levels for thyroid disease, it is assumed that the part of the
thyroid system that sets TSH is acting normally and correctly, even
though other parts of the thyroid system are broken.

Let us examine the first two assumptions. For diagnosis, TSH out of
range means there is thyroid disease, TSH in range means no thryoid
disease. The first assumption is generally valid, if the TSH is
outside the actual normal range, the thryoid system is not acting
normally. However, there are other things that can result in
temporary changes in the TSH which do not mean that a permanent
thyroid disorder is present. The converse is not valid. It is
known, for example, that in central hypothyroidism, the TSH levels
can be within normal range, even though the person is hypo-. Most
doctors assume that central hypothyroidism is rare. Since it is
presumed rare, the doctors rarely test for it. I must ask, is the
rarity of this a result of it actually being rare or an artifact of
rarely looking for it. For you will not find something that you are
not looking for.

Assumption three is that once treatment has been started, it is
assumed that if TSH is outside the normal range, adjustment of the
treatment regime or additional treatment is needed. This is almost
certainly a trivial truth. However, its converse, "if TSH is in
normal range with treatment, then treatment is adequate and does not
need further adjustment" is clearly false. Even the dosing
directions for at least some kinds of thyoid supplement clearly state
that dose levels can be increased even if TSH is in range already, so
long as symptoms remain and TSH levels do not go out of range.

But there is a further problem with assumption four. It is dependent
upon the further assumption (number 6) that TSH ranges in healthy
people are the ranges for people with thyroid disease indicating
correct management of the disorder and relief of symptoms. This
assumption has never been proven, and there is considerable evidence
to show it is utterly false. The normal ranges for TSH in people
with thyroid disease being properly treated have never been
researched. The medical community has no idea what TSH ranges should
be for people with properly managed thyroid diseases. They don't
even know if the TSH ranges for people with hypo- that is being
properly treated and the range for those with hyper- which is being
properly treated are the same or different.

Further, many biological systems are as or more sensitive to peak
levels than average levels, so if the glands involved in the TRH/TSH
setting act that way, we can be certain that TSH levels in normal
people have NO relation to TSH levels in people with properly managed
thyroid disease. The thyroid gland itself is known to have such a
peak sensitivity, it resonds to the the nighttime surge of TSH, which
is often absent in central hypothyroidism. So to assume there is no
such peak sensitivity elsewhere in the thryoid system seems to me to
be the height of folly. But that is a necessary assumption
underlying assumption number six.

Assumption five, that labs' TSH normal ranges are properly set, has
come under fire. There are good reasons to believe that the method
used to set TSH normal range includes results from many people with
thyroid disease in the input data used by the statistical process for
setting "normal" ranges. How can the result be a true measure of the
normal range, if significant numbers of input data are from
thyroidally abnormal people? They can't.

Assumption seven, that the TSH can be measured at one randomly
selected time during the day, and still be interpreted to the limit
of significance in the reported numbers, is prima facia false. That
is like saying I can measure the outdoor temperature at randomly
different times of day and compare the figures to fractional degrees
to a standard range. So if the doctor measured at one time of day
you are normal, but if he measured at another you are not. Really?

Assumption eight, that even though it is known that part of the
thryoid system is broken in thyroid disease, it can be assumed that
the part that sets TSH is still correct - this really bothers me. As
an engineer, if I know that some system is broken, I do not trust any
part of it.

Summary
TSH as a diagnostic is limited to showing the existence of disease.
If TSH is outside normal range, then the thyroid system is out of
kilter. But TSH is not useful as a means of monitoring wellness.
TSH in range proves NOTHING. It does not prove that someone not
under treatment is free of thryoid disease. And it certainly does
not prove adequacy of treatment in general for thyroid disease, and
it may not prove adequacy of treatment for any specific case of
thyroid disease. TSH is sort of useful as a quick screen, but
nothing more. If doctors wish to use TSH for other purposes beyond a
quick screening, then they need to prove by double-blind testing what
is provable from the eight assumptions listed above. And some can be
clearly proven false, based on the limited information known to us
now.

New TSH level guidelines:
http://www.aace.com/pub/tam2003/press.php

This is a great article that explains how thyroid hormones work in the body, what systems they effect, and different things that enhance or inhibit T4 and T3 like stimulants, depressants, other hormones, etc. Also, something I found interesting is a mention of alcohol and opiates inhibiting the breakdown of T3 in the brain thus increasing T3 levels and lifting the mood which may be one reason why these substances are so addictive.
http://www.csa.com/hottopics/thyroid/overview.html

FLAX AND THYROID
Flax oil, flaxseeds, and flax meal are not often mentioned on lists of goitrogen foods. One might assume that's because flax isn't as commonly ingested in North America as are other more common goitrogen foods such as cabbage family vegetables. Consumption levels of flax are changing, as the seed and oil become more aggressively marketed as an excellent source of omega-3 essential fatty acids, which have been proven to reduce cholesterol levels [common to thyroid sufferers], heart disease, and cancer.

My own recent toxic reaction to flax has lead me to research why it happened to me. Here's my lay interpretation of what occurred:
Flaxseed is a cyanogenic goitrogen, which means it contains a substance that converts to thiocyanate in the body. Thiocyanate effectively blocks iodine concentration by the thyroid gland and thus causes thyroid dysfunction.
Flax is also a rich source of lignan, a phytochemical which converts after digestion into a phytoestrogen-like substance. Phytoestrogens are known to suppress thyroid function.

Edited to add:
I received this information in an e-mail today from the mill where the flax I bought was processed:

" I'm sorry we do not have much information on flaxseed meal and the effects on the thyroid gland. The only information we have been able to obtain is from the Flax Council of Canada. In a book labeled "Flaxseed, Health, Nutrition and Functionality", there is a paragraph that has a
mention of the Thyroid gland. It is labeled under Cyanogenic Glucosides. Here it is in its entirety.
'Cyanogens are natural toxicants that occur in foods like lima beans and cassava as well as in flaxseed. In the body, they are hydrolysed to release hydrogen cyanide which is rapidly converted enzymatically to thiocyanate (SCN). SCN is also a breakdown product
from glucosinolates in common vegetable like cabbage and rutabaga. SCN inhibits the uptake of iodine by the thyroid gland and, at high levels in the blood for a sustained time when iodine intake is limited, goiter
can result. This hazard is offset where iodine consumption is adequate.
In Canada, table salt has been iodized since the 1930's to eliminate endemic goiter in inland regions where dietary iodine was inadequate. The addition of iodine to table salt is required in Canada and is
permitted in the United States. We are not in a position to make nutritional or dietary recommendations
for any medical condition. We suggest that you consult your doctor on this specific subject concerning our product.'
If you wish to consult the Flax Council of Canada, their web site is www.flaxcouncil.ca (http://www.flaxcouncil.ca) and their e-mail contact is flax@flaxcouncil.ca."


[This message has been edited by midwest1 (edited 03-05-2003).]

[This message has been edited by midwest1 (edited 04-27-2003).]

A complete and easy-to-read primer on hypothyroidism from the University of California at Davis Med Center: (Be sure to click on all the page links at the bottom of the first one.) U.ofCalif_Davis (http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/ucdhs/health/a-z/38Hypothyroidism/doc38.html)
[This message has been edited by midwest1 (edited 06-13-2003).]

[This message has been edited by midwest1 (edited 10-10-2003).]

There is an article titled THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF HYPOTHYROIDISM by Michael Schachter M.D.,
F.A.C.A.M. (Fellow of the American College for Advancement in Medicine) that says:

"If a patient has a normal TSH and a normal free T4, he is told by the conventional physician that he does not
have hypothyroidism, no matter how many symptoms or signs of hypothyroidism he has. This is the fatal error
because these tests only pick-up the most severe cases of hypothyroidism and miss virtually all of the milder cases
that would respond favorably to thyroid hormone treatment."

As we are all pretty much aware the optimal TSH levels are believed to be between 1 and 2, and levels above that
may in fact represent an abnormaility. Yet it's the levels above 5.0 that are generally considered abnormal by
practitioners. Some of us have said we feel best with a TSH below 1. So you see there is a huge disparity here as
to what is normal and abnormal. It's clear that what constitutes a normal TSH level urgently needs attention by the
medical community.

There is another interesting Danish study reported in the JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM earlier in 2002 that summarized that individuals all have different variations of their thyroid
function and tended to fluctuate slightly within their own range over the course of a studied 12 month period. These
findings led the researchers to conclude that a thyroid test result within a lab's reference limit - or "normal range"
---is not necessarily normal for a particular individual.

These studies make it pretty clear that we cannot rely on lab ranges and even though they look normal by
lab standards, we could still be extremely symtomatic and be told that everything looks fine. So if you are told your
labs look normal and it's evident that you have fatigue, lethargy, problems with body weight, intolerance to cold,
hair loss, dry skin/hair, etc. then I can only say I would press on and try to convince the practitioner that
thyroxine treatment may be appropriate.


[This message has been edited by blondegal (edited 05-15-2003).]

Women With Thyroid Cancer at Increased Risk for Breast Cancer


According to a retrospective study conducted at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, younger women with thyroid cancer have an increased risk of developing breast cancer later in life. The study establishes a relationship between the post-surgical use of radioactive iodine (RAI) I31I treatments for thyroid cancer, and later development of breast cancer.

The authors of the study, "The Development of Breast Cancer in Women with Thyroid Cancer," are all from the The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, TX. Their findings are being presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery Foundation Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.

Using the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, the researchers found that young women (30-34 years) with thyroid cancer exhibited the greatest risk of developing breast cancer. Women who were between the ages of 40 and 44 at initial diagnosis of thyroid cancer were also at significantly elevated risk. The data suggested that the greatest risk appears 15-20 years after the thyroid cancer.

The study concluded that premenopausal adult Caucasian women who are treated for differentiated thyroid cancer are at increased risk to develop breast cancer five to 20 years later. Breast cancer, however, does not increase the risk of subsequent thyroid cancer. This finding suggests that the increased risk of breast cancer after thyroid cancer is related to the thyroid cancer treatment. In particular, the RAI treatment is suspected to be the agent involved in increasing the cancer risk.

The authors' recommendation is for regular follow-up of all women patients with thyroid cancer and "judicious use of radioactive iodine as a treatment regimen."

What This Means for Thyroid Patients

It would seem prudent for women who have received RAI to pay particular attention to preventive factors for breast cancer, including diet, exercise, and healthy body weight. You should incorporate some form of regular screening - i.e., monthly breast self-exams, regular professional breast examinations, and/or mammograms - into your health care.

In my opinion, of critical importance to women who have had RAI treatment for Graves' Disease is the need for a definitive study looking at whether the lower levels of RAI used to ablate the thyroid also pose an increased risk of breast cancer. Given that RAI is the preferred treatment for hyperthyroidism in the U.S., this is an important question. It's already thought by some researchers that having an autoimmune thyroid disorder contributes to increased risk of breast cancer. But given that researchers are suggesting that the RAI is the factor that is the likely cause of the subsequent breast cancer in thyroid cancer patients, this question warrants further research.

That was wonderful Tree Frog!! Thank you so much, even though I am undiagnosed I feel better because as I stated earlier I think my doctor thinks its all in my head or doesn't care!
I know it isn't in my head, I suffer from so many of the symptoms you named!! I need a better doctor who cares, and who will listen.
I found this board by surfing around, thank goodness, and I passed it on to a couple of friends as well!


*


[This message has been edited by moderator1 (edited 10-07-2003).]

www.medal.org/adocs/docs_ch13/doc_ch13.08.html (http://www.medal.org/adocs/docs_ch13/doc_ch13.08.html)
======================================== ========

13.08 Thyroid Hormones and the Thyroid Gland
======================================== =====

13.08.01 Free Thyroxine Index (FTI T-7 Thyroid Hormone Binding Ratio)
13.08.02 Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone (TRH) Test
13.08.03 Triiodothyronine-to-Thyroxine Ratio
13.08.05 Estimate of Thyroid Volume from Body Weight and Age
13.08.06 Estimate of Thyroid Volume from Urinary Iodine Excretion
13.08.07 WHO Classification of Goiter Size
13.08.08 WHO Stage and Endemic Goiter in the Community
13.08.09 Thyroid Testing Algorithm
13.08.10 Clinical Diagnostic Index of Crooks et al for Thyrotoxicosis
13.08.11 Clinical Score of Zulewski et al for Hypothyroidism
13.08.12 Clinical Index of Billewicz et al for Hypothyroidism
13.08.13 Thyrotoxicosis Factitia and Serum Thyroglobulin Levels
13.08.14 Color Flow Doppler Sonography (CFDS) Patterns for the Thyroid Gland
13.08.15 Classification of Amiodarone-Induced Thyrotoxicosis

www.medal.org/adocs/docs_ch13/doc_ch13.08.html (http://www.medal.org/adocs/docs_ch13/doc_ch13.08.html)

Basal body temperature popularized by the late Broda Barnes, M.D. He found the clinical symptoms and the body temperature to be more
reliable than the standard laboratory tests was provided. This is
clearly better than using the standard tests. However there are
problems with using body temperature.

--Sleeping under electric blankets or water beds falsely raise
temperature
--Sensitive and accurate thermometer required
--Inconvenient and many people will not do (poor compliance)

TEMPERATURE REGULATION FOR THYROID TESTING
--Do you ever experience fatigue, depression, difficulty
concentrating, difficulty getting up in the morning, cold hands and
feet or intolerance to cold, constipation, loss of hair, fluid
retention, dry skin, poor resistance to infection, high cholesterol,
psoriasis, eczema, acne, premenstrual syndrome, loss of menstrual
periods, painful or irregular menstrual periods, excessive menstrual
bleeding, infertility (male or female), fibrocystic breast disease,
or ovarian cysts? If so, you may have an underactive thyroid. It is
often seen in people who suffer from multiple allergies, immune
disorders and chronic fatigue.
--Normal temperature regulation in the body is essential for enzyme
functions and preservation of health. Whenever our molecular and
immune defenses are stressed, three body organs take the brunt of the injury; the thyroid, pancreas and adrenal glands. The evaluation of
the functional status of the thyroid gland--hypothyroidism or under-
active thyroid gland--requires blood tests as well as temperature
records.
--There is considerable evidence, however, that blood tests fail to
detect many cases of hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid). It appears that many individuals have "tissue resistance" to thyroid hormone. Therefore, their body may need more thyroid hormone, even though the amount in their blood is normal (or even on the high side of normal). A low axillary temperature suggests (but does not prove)
hypothyroidism. Optimal temperature regulation is an essential aspect of holistic therapy for these disorders.
--There is a simple way to test this. Simply follow the instructions
below and bring your results to your next visit with the doctor.
INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Use any digital or mercury thermometer. Shake it down before going to bed to 96 degrees or less and put it by your bedside.

2. In the morning, as soon as you wake up, put the thermometer deep
in your armpit for ten minutes and record the temperature. Do this
before you get out of bed, have anything to eat or drink, or engage
in any activity. This will measure your lowest temperature of the
day, which correlates with thyroid gland function. The normal
underarm temperature averages 97.8-98.2 degrees F. We frequently
recommend treatment if the temperature averages 97.4 or less. The
temperature should be taken for four days.

3. Each time you are taking your temperature, it is imperative that
you take both axillary (underarm) and oral (mouth) temperatures. Both temperatures need to be taken upon waking up as well as three hours later and then six hours after that. It is important to do this for
four days and to follow these instructions carefully in order to get
accurate results.

4. For women, the temperature should be taken starting the second day of menstruation. The reason is because a considerable temperature rise may occur around the time of ovulation and give incorrect results. If you miss a day, that is okay, but be sure to finish the testing before ovulation. For men, and for postmenopausal women, it makes no difference when the temperatures are taken. However, do not do the test when you have an infection or any other condition which would raise your temperature.

treatment with lithium (commonly used for bipolar and other disorders) is a risk factor for hypothyroidism

at least 30% of all ppl treated with lithium will develop hypothyrodism based on clinical tests alone (who knows how many more have it but are undiagnosed due to the unreliable methods of diagnosis)

thanks

I just wanted to add a bit to the selenium discussion.
Over 200 mg daily of selenium can make one over-dosed.

If you take 100 mg daily, it should be enough and not too much. We do not assimilate thyroid med or convert T4 to T3 properly without vitamin A, B complex, C D E selenium and essential oils, such as cold-pressed olive oil. Not to mention we need to get enough protein, etc.

For weight loss and health, if we eat too little, or skip meals, that makes the metabolism go down, holding on to the fat stores. It can have the same effect as eating too much, in that we cannot lose weight.

We need to eat enough calories (the good ones in whole foods) per day, eat about six small blanced meals a day, and exercise.

I lost 20 pounds weight by cutting out sugar and most simple carbs, such as refined grain products. I would lose more if I were able to regularly exercise, such as walking, but my knee does not allow it. I try to build muscle instead, but I admit I am lax about working out.

I have read that real butter, used sparingly, is much better for the body than artificial spreads. Smart Balance has no hydrogenated oil and no trans fatty acids, which is good, but actually, the fish oils in it may be rancid. I have read there is a problem with fish oils quickly turning rancid, once exposed to air (which is why capsules are recommended over other fish oils).

Something yummy on baked potatoes is plain yogurt sprinkled with chopped chives or chopped green onions, and leave off any oils or butter. One cannot over do on heaping on the yogurt. A study even showed that people truly lose weight if they eat two yogurts a day. I think it is satisfying, and the calcium helps keep the body calm.

I personally believe that one orange for breakfast is inadequate for most people. So, if one wants to eat this way for a very short time, we need to get back to adding some protein and more complex carb calories so the body won't decide it is starving and shut down the metabolism.

Low metabolism is the main problem of being hypothyroid.
If anyone has any idea how to jump start the metabolism (besides thyroid med), please post them!

hi all,

interesting info on:

http://www.thyroid.org.au/Information/NACBExtract.html

info that everyone should read, and that should be taken to one's doctor ...

jb

A link to information about Polyglandular Autoimmune Syndrome, which can develop in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease:

http://www.endocrine-source.com/pediatrics/pediatrics6/pediatricsframe6.htm

The above link can be found in Endotext.com, an endocrine "web-textbook" that contains general information about endocrine conditions, including thyroid disease:

http://www.endocrine-source.com/index.htm

Best to all,
Pat

I noticed somewhere on the thyroid forum here that the list of what to expect is nearly identical to that of the harm of 2-butoxyethanol.

I also notice that 'gulf war syndrome' vets in their latter stages of health harm, often get a diagnosis of harm to the thyroid. ... as has a mom of 3 with no military chemical exposures.

I've had a gulf war vet get back to me saying he has always had blood in his urine since the fatigue, etc set in & that the doctors didn't know what it meant. (No wonder, this autoimmune hemolytic anemia doesn't show up in the regular blood info doctors check. That's a mystery!

But they will have too many immature red blood cells. I wonder what the tests are for that. If so, other tests can be reading false.

With the harm to thyroid from this 2-butoxyethanol, if kidney stones should develop, consider that it might be a metabolic imbalance.

I thought these websites might be of help when it comes to tests and drugs:

National Institute of Healths drug information/ interaction database:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html

NIHs Medline Plus - Encyclopeadia for tests and conditions:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/encyclopedia.html

Copying and pasting for suem this information on allergic reactions to hypothyroid meds, which she originally posted in the Q & A forum:

"I looked up info on different inactive ingredients on some thyroid meds.
I was told I have some allergic reactions to some and decided to start
trying to find out what possible could be the Things I might be having trouble with. Of course I may never know and what affects me may not bother someone else. Just want to share a few things from looking at thw Web sites
from Pharm. companies and then the ingredients. The followng is only partial
Inactive ingredients.
#1. Yellow dyes can be a problem. so I try to get my dosage from onyl the white dye-free. I read Switzerland band the use of the yellows and they only use a betacarotene which is a more expensive process.
#2. Synthroid has Acacia which is a gum bark from an Afircan tree.
It also has Corn Starch and Talc which causes some people problems.
I dont know if their povidone has Iodine or not.
#3. Levothyroid from one company added Calcium Phosphate in 2002. It is
derived from Limestone and is elementary Calcium which binds in the Gut.
Now we are told to take our Calcium 4 hrs. after our thyroid med if
we take Calcium. This one puzzles me.
#4. One company uses Mannitol as a bulk which seems to be a good thing.
Mannitol has been around 60 years and has a soothing effect and is used
in Gum to keep it from sticking to the wrapper.
They also have Sod Loryl sufate, it is not a sulfur product.
#5. Crospovidone can be Iodine free depends on the company.
Anyway hope this information helps. If anyone else finds info. please let me know. Its very hard to have severe hypothyroidism and react to allergys at the same time. suem"

My response ~

"Suem,
For someone who is severely allergic to one or several of these ingredients, making it hard to find a brand that causes no ill effects, it might be a good idea to get thyroxine and/or natural thyroid extract from a compounding pharmacist, who can fill capsules with the active ingredients and without the offending allergens."

The following info was written by Meep in a reply to me about taking meds prior to blood testing. All credit goes to him (along with my thanks!)


If you are taking Synthroid or any other T4-only med within 8 hours of a blood test, it will skew your FreeT4 test, but not Total T4, Free T3, Total T3, T3 Uptake or TSH.



If you are taking Armour (or any combination of T3 and T4) within 8 hours of a blood test, it will skew your Free T3 and Free T4, but shouldn't have an effect on Total T3, Total T4, T3 Uptake, or TSH.



If you are taking Cytomel within 8 hours of a blood test, it will skew your FreeT3 test, but not Total T3, Free T4, Total T4, T3 Uptake or TSH.

hi, I wonder if anyone can help, my mum has been very poorly and was diagnosed with hypothyrodism, she has been put on a hormone and they are at present trying to work out the right dosage. She has improved slightly, but is still way off better. so much has been affected, memory, hearing, mobility, (She has awful pain in her leg) and also at the moment her voice is unrecognisable(she finds it very difficult to speak and on waking isnt even sure if any voice is going to come out at all)
She has been refered to the hospital and they are going to investigate her voice box. I am so worried for her, she is finding the lack of voice so frustrating. does anyone know what this could be. and more importantly will her voice return. in anticipation.........

The Endocrine Soiciety's Journals:

http://www.endojournals.org