TSH, free t4, t3, ultrasound of the thyroid, thyroid antibody tests. There is also a Hashimoto's Antibody they test for in comprehensive neuro exams.

I had all the typical T3 and T4 tests, and the Hashimoto antibodies..all negative.

The radioactive uptake uses Technicium isotope injected into a vein and then the thyroid is watched with a plate that counts the radioactive decay of each particle. Since they know how much went in, the plate measures what comes out, and where it is concentrated. As it turned out my left lobe was mostly dead and the right was 50% enlarged. Because of this result ONLY I obtained the hormone. It was easy to see my neck was enlarged and the doctor did feel that. He was just reluctant to admit I was right and he was not. When the test results came back, he wouldn't even look at me... only at his desk.

I used him to stabilize me at 75mcg which took about 2 yrs, and then I went back to my doctor--and took my records. We keep my TSH between 1 and 2, and so far I haven't needed an increase in the past 7 years.

I can understand being tired and fed up. This is a very common reaction. But someday you will find the anger and then follow thru. If I hadn't had my background, and training, I would have probably walked away....but I wasn't going to give up easily. I did wait the painful 6mos which now I think was sadistic on his part ... now I don't think I would have been that docile either!

One thing you might do, Nervous, is go to a holistic doctor who does alternative thyroid therapies. These did not exist when I did my intervention. Today they are more common.

That radioactive uptake test sounds invasive. I'll do it, if necessary, but not my cup of tea. I'll also look into holistic alternatives.

It sounds like M.D.s are reluctant to prescribe thyroid hormone medication. Why? Is there great risk?

The thyroid contols metabolism and like all such drugs, it has been abused by people who take too much of the medication to lose weight. Too much can lead to increased heart rate, nervousness, blood pressure, and medication induced Graves's Disease with eye problems. There have also been cases of medication induced thyroid storms which are life threatening.

Abuse aside, it is a relatively safe drug that has been around forever and requires a bit of monitoring via blood work until a stable level has been demonstrated.

@ JB: I just read that once you start thyroid hormone medication, your thyroid stops producing the hormone naturally and you have to be on the replacment for life, no going back.


????

@Nervous,
Where did you read that? It does not sound right at all. Replacement is adjusted to how much you make, body weight and how much you need to reach a stable blood level. Of course once started it cannot be abruptly stopped without medical supervision as symptoms will return. Your thyroid will only stop producing if you have a disease or condition that is progressive. It is a supplement unless you have a total thyroidectomy, then it is a permanent replacement for life. Some people have part of their thyroids removed and take lower doses, but the remaining thyroid still functions. Of course there is always the odd rarity that may occur.

"Once replacement therapy begins, the thyroid will stop producing hormones all together, and replacement must be continued for life. "

see --- >>> http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART03192...hyroidism.html

under "What is the conventional treatment?"

@Nervous,
Synthroid is the brand name for conventional treatment.
Well, I like Dr. Weil and I stand corrected if he is right about this. I checked the PDR and did not find anything about the gland turning off. Thyroid Stimulating Hormone sends a signal to the pituitary gland to signal the gland to get to work. If it can't make enough hormone, the TSH increases and this indicates a supplement is needed. Adding the supplement tells the pituitary that the need is met and the TSH will drop. Stop the synthoid and the pituitary sends out increased TSH. It is a balacing act. If what Dr. Weil says is correct, I do not know how partial thyroidectomies work. They would require the same amt of meds as a total thyroidectomy, which they don't. The preseved gland helps to meet the need and less medication is needed. It is why docs try to leave some of the gland behind. I am no MD but have have extensive health care background. I will surely look further into this as you have brought to my attention another opinion. I have been through this. I had to lose my entire thyroid due to Grave's Disease and went through many discussions with my docs and surgeon about trying to save part of my gland so I would have some function. Currently I am on 150 micrograms of synthoid and am controlled at last. I am one who has to take the drug for the rest of my life. Thanks for the link. I will definately look into this.

Well @Nervous, I looked everywhere and read the pharmakinetics of synthoid and could not find anything about it permanently destroying function of the thyroid. Synthroid is even used to treat Hashimoto's Thyroiditis to reduce the size of the goiter which may require several months to do and can then be discontinued. Most of what I read is that if you need it for a deficiency, you need it for life with very few exceptions such as the one mentioned, so I guess not to many people have been taken off the meds to be studied and it did not appear in the old rat studies.

Dr. Weil is a naturalist. I followed some of his advice during my bouts with cancer and found him to be credible. I still have his books. Maybe he is more enlightened than most.

Did you notice that Weil also thinks that certain vegetables may be contra-indicated for hypothyroidism?

"Some foods, especially cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower) contain natural goitrogens, compounds that can cause the thyroid gland to enlarge by interfering with thyroid hormone synthesis."