Health Update

Been suffering from some back pain for about a week now. Not sure what is causing it other than all the weight I'm carrying around. Even though I'm quite heavy, I usually don't experience backaches of this nature.

I did have a Lupron Depot injection a few weeks ago to help with the thinning of my uterine lining, and to help stop the endless bleeding that I from taking the birth control pills they put me on for the same purpose. After a month of bleeding, it finally stopped. I'm wondering if the injection has anything to do with the backaches. I know that bone loss can occur from it, but to what extent? I've just been taking ibuprofen or naproxen when it is at it's worse. I just hope the backaches stop soon.

The ablation surgery is right around the corner. I have the pre-op appointment on the Tuesday, the 20th. That's when they'll tell me what I need to do and take a list of medications, etc. I know that with Cytomel you have to tell doctor or dentist that you're on the medication. Not so for the Levothroid. Not quite sure what they're going to tell me to do. I know without the Cytomel, I'm a lot less functional.

Been struggling with the lack of energy and weight thing again. But then, what is new? I know that I have to try to make some effort to exercise, but it's so difficult when you feel like you have just had every last bit of energy zapped out of you on a daily basis.

I guess I can be grateful that I don't have ALL the symptoms I had back in the early days of my disease. At least I know I won't want to just fall asleep at the wheel.

September Is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month

I got my lab results in the mail a day or two ago. I had been on my scrip of 2-5mcg of cytomel a day along with 1-137mcg of levothroid for about two months. Anyways, I was able to look up my lab results via the internet, but it didn't have enough information for me. Most of my lab results online come with some kind of notation. For some reason, that's not the case with my pcp and my endo. Both of whom I really don't care for. I mean it's great that my pcp did some tests when I told her that I was still suffering from some symptoms plus a mean case of indigestion. I GUESS my endo was ok for going along with my decision to go on combination therapy even though she was against it. But, you all KNOW I'm not a fan of Kaiser and most of their doctors.

My lab results are these:

Tri-Iodothyronine 128 70-200 (ng/dL)

T4 Free 1.2 0.8-1.7(ng/dL)

TSH, 3rd Generation .086(*) 0.2-5.5(uIU/mL)





In the letter it said that there's too much thyroid replacement and to do what I've been doing with the exception of changing half tablet of Levothroid on Saturday AND Sunday. Then I'm to get another level check in 2 months (around Nov. 2 it states).



Before going on the Cytomel, my TSH was 1.2, and I knew that I wanted to be at around 1.0 or just under. But because I'm under more than I should be, I'm feeling rather tired again. Actually, I don't know if that's the true cause, but with too much thyroid replacement, a person who is hypothyroid can become hyperthyroid.

1. Stand in front of a mirror

2. Stretch neck back

3. Swallow water

4. Look for enlargement in neck (below the Adam's Apple, above the collar bone)

5. Feel area to confirm enlargement or bump

6. If any problem is detected, see an doctor

Labs Are Back, Thyroid Still Whack! LOL

I've got a lot going on in my life lately. Been feeling rather tired but I'm not sure if it's because of my thyroid, being 5 hours in the heat for a couple of weekends in a row, or both.

I had my TSH reevaluated on Friday. When I read my labs on the website for Kaiser my T4 was 1.2 and as for my TSH it said See Gen 3. Of course I have NO idea what this means so I researched it. I guess it's a more sensitive test for thyroid antibodies. Anyways, don't know if my doctor is going to comment on the results or if I'm going to get the results in the mail. All I know is that I want to stay on the Cytomel that I was on for the last two months as well as the Levothroid I've been on the last 3 years. The combination therapy has worked out a hell of a lot better than just the T4 meds alone. I don't have to take a nap everyday just to 'make it through'.

Wednesday I go in for my endometrial biopsy. They asked me if I wanted Valium, but I'm afraid of addiction, so I said no. It's funny because when I went to pick up my thyroid prescriptions they said I had an extra one. I asked what it was for and when I found out I told them that I didn't want it. I had a biopsy of my cervix before, but I didn't feel anything from it really. Of course, I'm a lot older now, and my thyroid has racked my body with all kinds of lovely symptoms. Things I use to be able to handle I no longer can. For example, there was a time I would NEVER sunburn...HONESTLY. I'm half filipino, and it has helped with that. But over the last 8+ years, I don't tolerate the sun well. As for my skin, well, it just gets fried.

I want Steve to come with me, but when he asked me, "Why? So I can sit and wait around?" I decided it was FAR better to go alone, despite the fact that I'm a bit nervous and that I could be in pain afterwards. Funny how women are always expected to do things on their own or still do whatever they do even when they are sick. I can only imagine what will happen when I have the surgery.

Everything is starting to get to me now. The court date with the ex, my thryoid problems, the biopsy, and there's not a soul to talk to around here. I guess that could be my fault, but I'm very particular as to who I have as friends. Just haven't really found any here.

Umm...I Don't Think This Is Exactly A Magic Stick

I had a pelvic ultrasound done last Friday. I had this done because I want to get a uterine ablation done. The purpose of this surgery is to stop heavy monthly cycles by ridding of the cycle all together. Here is more information on the procedure: Endometrial Ablation I just wished that they had told me that, not only would this ultrasound consist of outer, but inner ultrasound. What I mean by 'inner' is the 'magic stick' they manage to insert in your hoorah lol You know, like when you have your first ultrasound when you're pregnant?

Anyways, it seems that ever since I had my tubal ligation and my thyroid problems started 8+ years ago my cycle has become ridiculously heavy. It was definitely to the point where I worried about what clothes to wear and if I had enough feminine products on hand (I always bought the max pack). I'm sure this is MORE than anyone EVER wanted to know about me. lol

My OB/GYN called and left a message saying that my ultrasound was fine. She also said that if I still wanted the surgery that I would now need a biopsy. Most doctors will not want to do this procedure without the aforementioned ultrasound and biopsy. I've had a biopsy before, so this should be relatively easy and painless for me. I guess if all goes well they will start me on some kind of medication to thin out the uterine wall (which, by the way, is what thickens up and causes Aunt Flo to visit lol). I was told that between all the tests and such that it would be at least two months before the surgery. Here's hoping that everything goes as plan, because quite frankly, I'm ready. I didn't go into menopause at 40 like my mom, so this is the next best thing.

Basal Temperature

I visit a thyroid forum on occasion. I have learned a LOT about thyroid, medications for thyroid, and many other things that most doctors don't tell you. One of the things I've learned is that most people who are hypothyroid have a body temperature of about 97.5 or less. There are some who are skeptical about the whole basal temperature and how it correlates with thyroid issues. Those who trust in it say that they know that their temperature is low when the symptoms arise, and when they feel good, they are on the higher end of temps.

I decided to do my own test of the basal temperature theory. I started to take my temperatures at different intervals of the day. When I was feeling just a smidge unwell my temperature would be under the 97.5. (I wonder what my temperature would have been BEFORE the cytomel.) Anyways, I usually hover between 97.5-97.7 on my good days. Someone in the forum posted that no one should be surprised if it doesn't go over 97.5. One day, I was feeling extremely hot, which is unusual, because most with hypothyroidism are sensitive to cold. I, for one, feel cold when no one else is not. Getting back to when I was feeling sensitive to heat...I decided to take my temperature at this time. Get this, it was 98.6! I felt like I was just so hot and couldn't cool down. Now I know that if i get over 98 degrees, I am feeling like I am in 100+ degree weather.

Some people are skeptical about this whole thing, but as for someone who tested it out, I know I'm a believer.

Maybe Some Light at the End??

There may be hope yet. The lady that was assigned my case called me and said that she had seen that I had gotten a referral and seen the endocrinologist. I said that I did and that I was about to fax her something about it. So she asked if I no longer needed to go through the process...I said that I didn't because I had went to the endo, BUT I wasn't happy with the endo. I told my case manager that I didn't think the endo and myself were on the same wavelength in regards to my health care. She said that she would see what needed to be done to see a specific endo and call me back. She called me back and told me she would email my PCP to refer me to the endo in Walnut Creek. This doctor's names is on a top doc list on a thyroid site I frequent. PLUS, the forum on that site had a person who was dealing with same issues, and told me she just started going to this doctor. For her, it was much better traveling the hour to see the new doctor, than to deal with the old ones near home. I'm going to be doing the same thing...traveling an hour to deal with someone who wants to keep telling me everything is 'normal'.

Anyways, won't know when I'll here from the new endo's office...can't do anything until the PCP refers me. More later.

Endocrinologist Visit....Somewhat of a Waste

Well, in a lot of ways my visit to the endocrinologist was useless. I say that because she tried to tell me the same things that I have been hearing before hand. The first thing she said to me was that she didn't recommend surgery because my thyroid is only 4.1 in size whereas they don't suggest surgery unless it's 6.2 in size (i'm thinking maybe this is in cm??). She showed me the model of a normal size thyroid, and then one of what mine looked like. Basically, my thyroid has become a big useless blob. It just doesn't work. That is why I have been taking the thyroid meds since 2003. I know that removing the thyroid can cause some symptoms and problems to happen. I wasn't there for surgery. I was there to find an alternative to the treatment I have had for the last 4 years.


I've done a lot of research on my disease because it's often undiagnosed, misunderstood, etc. If my doctors aren't going to be knowledgeable as I'd like them to be about it, there is no reason that I shouldn't be. Anyways, I told her that I do my own research to be my own patient advocate. That I had seen many people use combination of T4 and T3 medicines. Let me tell you...I got the speech that her recommendation is to not do anything because my TSH levels were really good. She said that the American Thyroid Association (ATA) also doesn't recommend the combination therapy. She said that if I wanted to try it that she would have to notate that "I" asked to do so. I told her that I still felt the symptoms even with my TSH being as good as it is now. I did mention that this is probably the best I've felt in the whole time dealing with this disease, but I still am tired, body aches, etc. She proceeds to tell me that it could be other things and that it can't always be blamed on the thyroid. I'm thinking that these are the same damned symptoms I had when I first started with this disease. True, they aren't as intense as before, but they're still the same.


The endo told me that she would do 5mcg of cytomel twice a day along with my 137mcg of levothroid with the exception of Sunday...on Sunday, only half of the levothroid tablets. I wasn't able to get the meds until I returned from Las Vegas. I started yesterday and so far have not felt a difference, however, I read that it can take a few weeks to notice any changes. I'm hoping for good changes.


By the way, when I came home from Las Vegas, in my mailbox was a letter from Kaiser saying that my request to see a specialist was denied. I may put a copy of that letter here at a later date. So, I do think my doctor referred me, but only because I started this 'stink'. I think even though I got to see an endocrinologist before this denial letter, that I must refute their decision. If we don't stand up for ourselves we will keep getting the same basic care and not the appropriate care. There are MANY stories where people have died because Kaiser refused to give the appropriate referrals, treatment, care, etc. until it was too late. I'll probably share links to those stories another time as well.