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Good Morning Everyone;
I will be blogging shortly, but wanted to call your attention to this quiz.
Are you feeling like a slug?
Especially this time of year, (and for the past few months), many of us do not get our requisite 'sunshine'.
Many suffer from "Seasonal Affective Disorder", or SAD. (More commonly known as "the winter blahs").
Hypothyroidism is something to really consider, (even IF you suffer from SAD).
Undiagnosed hypothyroidism is responsible for a great many medical maladies, including, but not limited to, cancer and Alzheimers.
My own thyroid levels change with the seasons, so even if you have had yours checked in the past 6 months, you may be surprised to learn that things have deinitely changed.
I was to return to my doctor in January. Will have to reset that appointment as time permits. (Mental note made).
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Could your thyroid (the master gland of metabolism and energy) be underactive?
As of 2006, experts estimate that as many as 59 million Americans have a thyroid condition, and the vast majority are hypothyroid, and have an under~functioning, slow or sluggish thyroid.
Most people with hypothyroidism aren't even diagnosed- Instead, they suffer various symptoms without themselves realizing that they are thyroid-related, or going to doctors who then explain away or misdiagnose symptoms.
This quiz walks you through some of the most common hypothyroidism risk factors and the frequently seen signs and symptoms of an underactive or sluggish thyroid.
After you've answered the questions, you'll get a rating, which will evaluate how many of your responses fit with the characteristics of someone who is at risk for hypothyroidism.
This helpful tool can be the starting point for your efforts to get properly diagnosed and treated for an underactive thyroid!
QUIZ STARTS HERE - http://thyroid.about.com/library/hypoquiz/blhypoquiz.htm
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Must Reads from About Thyroid Disease:
- What is Thyroid Disease?
- Symptoms of Thyroid Disease
- Diagnosis of Thyroid Disease
- Treatments: Thyroid Disease & Conditions
- Diet Center, Thyroid Quizzes, Tools
Women's Thyroid Levels Linked to Risk of Alzheimer's Disease
Hot Temperatures May be Hazardous to Your Rx Prescription Drugs & Medications (especially for those of you whose temperatures are already getting "up there")..
Me, Lately
Disorganized Comorbidity? (Migraines and hypothyroidism).
Please also keep in mind that TSH level recommendations for treatment have changed within the past few years.
The TSH Reference Range Wars: What's "Normal?", Who is Wrong, Who is Right...And What Does It All Mean For You and Your Health?
Endocrinologists Say TSH Normal Range is Now 0.3 to 3 CLICKNew Guidelines Say Millions More Are at Thyroid Risk Updated: June 03, 2009
Additionally, if your doctor/clinic is not using these new guidelines, you may be suffering needlessly!
Danish researchers have concluded this:
"The distinction between subclinical and overt thyroid disease is somewhat arbitrary because it depends to a considerable extent on the position of the patient's normal set point for T3 and T4 within the laboratory reference range...In conclusion, we found that individual reference ranges for serum T3 and T4 are about half the width of population-based reference ranges. Hence, a test result within the laboratory reference limits is not necessarily normal for the individual."
Take the quiz. www.thyroid.about.com/library/hypoquiz/blhypoquiz.htm
YOU be the judge.
XOXO
Me
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I was normal thyroid, then I started having thyroid storms, I was told that stress set it off. Then diagnosed with Graves disease , after a few thyroid storms my thyroid burned itself out and now I am hypothyroid.No one should ever go through a thyroid storm they are frightening. I thought I was dying and going crazy at the same time. It is something in our genetic makeup that about a third of family has problems. I see my beautiful grand daughter putting weight on like crazy, and I know that she is but the TSH was in normal range, when I asked her where in the normal range they never bothered to discuss it with her.. Most people are hypothyroid while still in normal range. I have to be under 2 in the .50 to 5.5 normal range. I will be getting her to my endocrinologist soon.
ReplyDeletenot could... am.
ReplyDeletebut you knew that already.
*grins*
this is not uncommon. they have a different test to see if she has the disease even when in the "normal" range. There are a number of us (me included) who's TSh is normal but our bodies can not process it.
ReplyDeleteDemand the test from your doctor. Keep hounding them.
Yes my endocrinologist understands, i get the entire thyroid panel. but GPs do not do the panel they do TSH and ok
ReplyDeleteI finally got the Dr. we are using now to run the right test to find out that what I have been saying about my thyroid for years is right..and I am now getting treated. Not real happy I'm having to take a pill everyday...lol I was the only one in the house without a daily medication..Bruce has 12 he has to take and Drew has 6(or more if he is in pain or needing antibiotics) he takes. It was nice being the oldest in the house and not being on a prescribed medication..except for the occassional sinus medication in the spring and fall.
ReplyDeleteI'm seeing a small change but still have days I could sleep all day and night too. I get retested the end of the month..she may need to up my dosage.
I had one doctor that would not give me anything because I was not "low enough" but when I changed doctors and it was treated I quit gaining weight (I had put on 60 pounds without overeating) and I started feeling so much better! I have energy and it helps with a lot of other problems like stomach and such.
ReplyDeleteI have not been tested yet, Geeee I hope not I take too many pills now
ReplyDeleteoh man, I am messed up cuz I have symptoms from both sides! but, then again I have some other medical problems.....
ReplyDeleteI scored at 63% and it said I should be checked out.
ReplyDeleteThey will do it if you ask them....and keep asking them.
ReplyDeleteI had a TSH last week and it is just a little bit elevated. I was told to exercise and lose weight and re-test in six months. I am not big on taking prescriptions but was disappointed as I felt thyroid medicine might be the umph I need to exercise and lose weight. Then I heard it can be hard on the heart to take it. So if I can lose weight and the result is a thyroid that moves back into normal range then I better get busy and do it. But then I know I over eat when I gain and I do lose when I reduce my intake and exercise. It is just a slow process to take it off and a quick deal to put it on.
ReplyDelete37%
ReplyDeletethats like being a little bit Preggie, if its above normal losing weight has nothing to do with it. Go to an endocrinologist. the reason you gained weight is the lazy thyroid. and no exercise is going to lower it. If you do not like pills check out alternative, but name anyone that likes taking pills.
ReplyDeleteI took the test for hypothyroidism and it told me that I was hypothyroid. Which is wrong. This test is somewhat misleading, as hypo and hyperthyroidism share some of the same symptoms, and some of the questions only ask if you are having a problem in a certain area but the questions aren't real specific. For example, one question asks if you have constipation, or digestive problems. If you answer yes you score a point toward hypothyroid, I checked yes but only because I have up to 5 bowel movements a day, which is because of an increased metabolism and is very HYPERthyroid.
ReplyDeleteA note about HYPERthyoidism.
HYPERthyroidism can kill you. Not treating most forms of hyperthyroidism can be life threatening. Initially it can lead to an irregular heat beat, chest pain and possible heart failure. It can also lead to high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, overly strong and fast heartbeats, and possibly severe emotional disorders. When the hyperthyroid condition gets to this stage, it's called a thyroid crisis or thyroid storm.
As you know, I'm currently in HYPERthyroid crisis. I can't afford medical treatment for this condition so my doctor is prescribing beta-blockers to help me to at least deal with some of the symptoms such as heart palpitations, irregular heart beat, night sweats, tremors and shaking. It's helped some, but I still can't eat, pick up a glass, or cup of coffee, with my right hand without the contents going everywhere, so the dose needs to be increased.
So anyway, my point is, don't be mislead by this test. If you really want answers have blood work done to determine what's going on with your thyroid.
I have graves disease. which can be hypo or hyper depending on my stress level, luckily my thyroid burned itself out. the weird thing is when I went into a storm, my heart rate at rest was 154 , so they said do not move, just standing could cause more tachycardia instead of lowering my thyroid meds, they gave me a different dose. and it went back to normal. You mean you can not get the cocktail or the meds to lower the levels?
ReplyDeleteEndocrinologist charges $600 to walk in the door. Then I need the nuclear iodine uptake scan, which is $1,500 before the Endocrinologist will even treat me. On my salary $2,100 will take me years to raise. My GYN ordered the thyroid full panel screen, and that alone cost almost $600. When you don't have insurance you're disposable human waste, or at least that's how I've been treated.
ReplyDeleteSorry I do not know where you live, but there should be help with state sponsored insurance on a sliding scale. if your state does not . Ask dr to make a deal and lower price some do you know. or find a clinic that helps. again I do not know where you live so that would make a difference. I wish you the best. My endocrinologist does not charge near that, maybe check around.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I haven't checked around for lower costs. These were the costs from the first Endocrinologist my GYN referred me to. I'll probably get better results working with doctors and hospitals in the Atlanta area, which is two hours from where I live. As far as I know there are no state sponsored insurance programs in GA other than Peach Care for children and Medicaid, and I earn just a little too much to qualify for that.
ReplyDeleteFind a teaching hospital they usually are more lenient with costs
ReplyDeleteEmory Teaching Hospital associated with Emory University was going to be my first choice anyway, mainly because it's a top rated hospital and they have 20 or so Endocrinologist on staff there. Thanks for your concern and help tess.
ReplyDeleteWISHING YOU THE BEST, BEEN THERE AND IT IS SCARY
ReplyDeleteMy doc told me he has seen thyroids return to normal after weight loss.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.veganhealth.org/articles/iodine/
ReplyDeleteEmory Hospital is about the best hospital around. I used to go to the Emory Dental Clinic when I was about 6-7 yrs old. I would stay summers with my Aunt and she took me there because my family didnt have dental insurance or could afford dental treatments for me. Emory is always my first choice of hospital in the Atlanta area. They have great Dr's. on staff
ReplyDelete