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Post by tmattimoe on Jan 27, 2009 21:39:50 GMT -5
Hey everybody! I am in need of advice. I have hypothyroidism, and have for ten years - Hashimoto's - and have been on levoxyl for that entire time. My thryroid right now is swollen pretty bad, worse than it has ever been since I was first diagnosed. I have made a doctor's appointment to check my TSH levels, but can't get in until March. I'm worried about how swollen my thyroid will get before then, and what damage that will do. Does anyone know of anything I can do that will help the swelling until I can get my dosage changed (if that is even what needs to happen?)
Thanks- Tara
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Post by justaustin on Jan 28, 2009 9:21:24 GMT -5
Hi Tara,
Where do you live? Depending on where you live, you can order labs independent of your doc. You need complete thyroid testing. Not just TSH. TSH doesn't tell you anything about actual thyroid hormone levels.
TSH,FREE T3 and FREE T4( FREES not totals).
Are you having difficulty swallowing or breathing?
You can try lowest dose of advil/motrin (sparingly) to see if it helps with inflammation symptoms. Only if you are able to take it(some are not). Is it worse at certain times of the day, say at night?
Laurie
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Post by tmattimoe on Jan 28, 2009 11:18:35 GMT -5
Thanks Laurie for your reply. I live in Illinois - I am planning on ordering a testing kit from canaryclub.org as soon as I get paid! That will be in a week, and I can't WAIT. Some cold hard facts will be nice.
It is getting harder to swallow and breathe, actually, and my throat hurts inside and out. It is not too bad, yet. It is pretty much the same all the time.
You say to take ibuprofin sparingly, is it bad for thyroids or something? Because I take TONS of ibuprofin because I am so sore all the time and I get headaches.
-Tara
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Post by justaustin on Jan 28, 2009 11:36:23 GMT -5
Ibuprofen is not good for kidneys. Regular use will increase risk of bleeding. If I take it (lowest dose with food) three days in a row, I have increased bruising and rectal bleeding. I use it rarely.
The test kit will only be good for saliva cortisol. Sex hormones via saliva not reliable. Blood spot not reliable,IMHO since it's such a small sample and subjected to various conditions.
To test Thyroid (TSH,Free T3 and Free T4)... Use Healthcheckusa.com. They have a Thyroid Panel II which includes these. This month use discount code THYROID14 for 14% discount. Otherwise code 12345 for a 10% discount. They contract with labcorp. Insist on having requistion emailed to you rather than snail mail. You get the results in about 2 days.
Sounds like you need a new doc. Chris' doc is in St. Louis. Not that far and would be worth it.
Laurie
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