About being told your blood tests are "normal"
tecallahan
Posts: 732 Member
I get a newsletter each month from Stop The Thyroid Madness -- I copied it here for you. Hope some of you find it helpful. I think being educated about your thyroid and the related symptoms is the best thing you can do for yourself!!
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Being in the “normal” range has nothing to do with it, plus three adrenal videos to see.
The famous psychiatrist Carl Jung used to say “To be normal is the ideal aim of the unsuccessful”.
And nothing is ever so unsuccessful when it comes to thinking that a lab result within the so-called “normal” range is ideal. It’s not. And unfortunately, when I do phone coaching sessions with thyroid patients, I hear all too many say “My doctor/Nurse Practitioner/Physician’s Assistant/Naturopath says I’m normal”. And I have to immediately back the conversation up and say “Can you share that lab result and range with me?”
Because as patients have learned: “optimal” and “problem-free” has nothing to do with “being in range”. It has to do with “where” in the range one’s result is.
B12: This may not be true for all international ranges, but when it definitely came to the US range or those similarly broad, we found out that ‘mid-range’ still produces symptoms of low B12, and we can confuse them with hypothyroidism, including fatigue and pain. We look for our result to be in the upper quarter, if not near the top. Because there, we found out, is where our symptoms related to low B12 abated.
Vitamin
Several leaders and I had a private discussion about all the conflicting information on the net as what an ideal Vit. D result was. We decided to follow the Vitamin D Council, which states that 60-80 is the goal. I then add that progressive doctors like to see 80-100, which can especially be cancer-protective.
Cortisol Saliva Results: When you look at the results of someone with no symptoms of an adrenal problem, here’s what you note: 8 am, at the top of the range; Noon, about a quarter from the top; Afternoon, mid-range; Bedtime, at the very bottom.
Iron: Of the four labs we generally like to see as thyroid patients, we note that a good Serum iron level is closer to 110 (with men being higher and up to 150, says some information); a good % Saturation is 30-35% for women and 40-45% for men; a good Ferritin will end up being 70-90 (though this can come last as one improves the others), and a good TIBC is about a quarter from the bottom.
To read more about what patients have learned about lab results, go to the Recommended Labwork page. Then scroll down to order the revised STTM book, which has even more detail throughout the book. You’ll find labwork information in Addendum C.
THREE GOOD VIDEOS ABOUT BETTER ADRENAL FUNCTION
I often feel I can’t rave enough about what Paul Robinson of the UK revealed to us about promoting better adrenal function without the use of the medication hydrocortisone (HC), also called Cortef. It’s a quite unique method of using T3-only (or natural desiccated thyroid) in the early morning hours when the adrenals need it the most. You can see several testimonies–some with more updates coming–on the STTM T3 Circadian page, and mention of his book. You’ll also note that patient Taylor did saliva results after using this method.
Granted, if you have Addisons, hypopituitary, or untreated diabetes or blood sugar issues, you may still need HC. The STTM book contains and excellent chapter for that. But for the majority, this is a very workable solution.
And now, Robinson has created three videos to explain it all, which he also links to from his recent blog:
Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97SOyEYwh54
Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t2wg9rr6F4
Part 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhkhcLPGCww
IF YOUR DOCTOR PRESCRIBES SYNTHETIC T4 WITH SYNTHETIC T3
Progress appears to be one step at a time. And we are seeing more and more doctors prescribing T3 to their patients on T4. That’s good!!
But…understand that doctors are FAMILIAR with the synthetics. So that’s what they will prescribe! But many, many patients who have tried both synthetics, and who have tried natural desiccated thyroid, report even better results with the latter. So THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN. Teach your doctor!! Why just be on synthetic T4 and synthetic T3 when you might do even better with all five hormones from desiccated thyroid—i.e. the same five your own thyroid would be giving you! Consider sending the Revised STTM book to your doctor: http://www.laughinggrapepublishing.com/send-a-book/
==============================================================
Being in the “normal” range has nothing to do with it, plus three adrenal videos to see.
The famous psychiatrist Carl Jung used to say “To be normal is the ideal aim of the unsuccessful”.
And nothing is ever so unsuccessful when it comes to thinking that a lab result within the so-called “normal” range is ideal. It’s not. And unfortunately, when I do phone coaching sessions with thyroid patients, I hear all too many say “My doctor/Nurse Practitioner/Physician’s Assistant/Naturopath says I’m normal”. And I have to immediately back the conversation up and say “Can you share that lab result and range with me?”
Because as patients have learned: “optimal” and “problem-free” has nothing to do with “being in range”. It has to do with “where” in the range one’s result is.
B12: This may not be true for all international ranges, but when it definitely came to the US range or those similarly broad, we found out that ‘mid-range’ still produces symptoms of low B12, and we can confuse them with hypothyroidism, including fatigue and pain. We look for our result to be in the upper quarter, if not near the top. Because there, we found out, is where our symptoms related to low B12 abated.
Vitamin
Several leaders and I had a private discussion about all the conflicting information on the net as what an ideal Vit. D result was. We decided to follow the Vitamin D Council, which states that 60-80 is the goal. I then add that progressive doctors like to see 80-100, which can especially be cancer-protective.Cortisol Saliva Results: When you look at the results of someone with no symptoms of an adrenal problem, here’s what you note: 8 am, at the top of the range; Noon, about a quarter from the top; Afternoon, mid-range; Bedtime, at the very bottom.
Iron: Of the four labs we generally like to see as thyroid patients, we note that a good Serum iron level is closer to 110 (with men being higher and up to 150, says some information); a good % Saturation is 30-35% for women and 40-45% for men; a good Ferritin will end up being 70-90 (though this can come last as one improves the others), and a good TIBC is about a quarter from the bottom.
To read more about what patients have learned about lab results, go to the Recommended Labwork page. Then scroll down to order the revised STTM book, which has even more detail throughout the book. You’ll find labwork information in Addendum C.
THREE GOOD VIDEOS ABOUT BETTER ADRENAL FUNCTION
I often feel I can’t rave enough about what Paul Robinson of the UK revealed to us about promoting better adrenal function without the use of the medication hydrocortisone (HC), also called Cortef. It’s a quite unique method of using T3-only (or natural desiccated thyroid) in the early morning hours when the adrenals need it the most. You can see several testimonies–some with more updates coming–on the STTM T3 Circadian page, and mention of his book. You’ll also note that patient Taylor did saliva results after using this method.
Granted, if you have Addisons, hypopituitary, or untreated diabetes or blood sugar issues, you may still need HC. The STTM book contains and excellent chapter for that. But for the majority, this is a very workable solution.
And now, Robinson has created three videos to explain it all, which he also links to from his recent blog:
Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97SOyEYwh54Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t2wg9rr6F4Part 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhkhcLPGCwwIF YOUR DOCTOR PRESCRIBES SYNTHETIC T4 WITH SYNTHETIC T3
Progress appears to be one step at a time. And we are seeing more and more doctors prescribing T3 to their patients on T4. That’s good!!
But…understand that doctors are FAMILIAR with the synthetics. So that’s what they will prescribe! But many, many patients who have tried both synthetics, and who have tried natural desiccated thyroid, report even better results with the latter. So THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN. Teach your doctor!! Why just be on synthetic T4 and synthetic T3 when you might do even better with all five hormones from desiccated thyroid—i.e. the same five your own thyroid would be giving you! Consider sending the Revised STTM book to your doctor: http://www.laughinggrapepublishing.com/send-a-book/
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Replies
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For years my cycle wouldn't stop. Out of 365 days a year, I was going about 280, most of which was severely heavy. Eventually, I bled out faster than my body could make red blood cells, so I was flowing but it had little color. My thyroid tests kept coming back 'Normal.' The doctor seemed befuddled and kept giving the party line that I was normal. :explode: Yet, just rising from a chair would make me almost faint.
Long story short, I changed doctors. The new doctor tested the blood as usual (which came back normal :laugh: ) but also did a manual palpation of my thyroid. It turned out I had a goiter on my thyroid. He gave me Synthroid and almost immediately my cycles normalized.
You are your own best advocate. Keep pressing until you find your answers and understand everything the doctor is trying to tell you.0 -
bump0
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I met with a 4th doctor yesterday afternoon. He is a specialist at the integrative medicine hospital. He reviewed all of my lab results and confirmed that I would not respond favorably to thyroid medication. But, after a lengthy discussion about my symptoms and my life, he concluded that I suffer from adrenal fatigue. It's not treated with medicine, but it can be treated, and that speaks volumes to me. The doctor suggested this book to me and I downloaded it last night and started reading it:
http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=adrenal+fatigue&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=HoZ&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&prmd=imvns&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1024&bih=625&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=5865905886539894667&sa=X&ei=CuNxT6zaAonF0QGBm5TNAQ&ved=0CGMQ8wIwAA0 -
Yep - cortisol will keep the weight on you just as much (if not more) than thyroid.0
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Bump for Carlie:flowerforyou:0
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For years I have been telling myself to not make excuses for the difficulty I have controlling my weight. It is a monumental effort, practically a part-time job to keep my weight at 140 lbs (I am 5'7"); in fact I became a trainer and it was my part-time job to keep my weight under control. We are talking 3 hours/ day of exercise (5-6 days) and eating only 900-1000 calories/day! That kind of effort.
I even had a large thyroid mass biopsied/drained when I was in college and still was stubborn about not accepting that I might have a thyroid problem. I have finally given up. I have a problem. I gained 30 pounds in the last year eating 1500 calories/ day and exercising 1.5 hours per day (5 days).
I was online the other day and started typing symptoms into the WebMD... it spit out Hypothyroid. Now that's not a diagnosis, but it is a hint. I made an appointment with an endocrinologist/ metabolic specialist. I am still reluctant though, does anyone know if raw thyroid supplements or other thyroid supplements work? I can't get in to the doctor until June, she is that busy, and I want to try something. In fact, it would just be nice to be warm for a change.0 -
There's tons of stuff you can do to try to help yourself. Eating a couple Brazil nuts every day for extra selenium will help your body convert T4 into T3 for energy. Ashwaganda is supposed to help your body deal with stress, boosts your energy, and helps support your immune system and adrenals. A peppercorn sized amount of ascorbic acid (vitamin c) in your tap water will remove chlorine and heavy metals making it a little better for your thyroid as well.0
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I was online the other day and started typing symptoms into the WebMD... it spit out Hypothyroid. Now that's not a diagnosis, but it is a hint. I made an appointment with an endocrinologist/ metabolic specialist. I am still reluctant though, does anyone know if raw thyroid supplements or other thyroid supplements work? I can't get in to the doctor until June, she is that busy, and I want to try something. In fact, it would just be nice to be warm for a change.
Hmm.. that's a long time.0
