is probably the major culprit in my so-called FM issues. Just went over bloodwork on thyroid antibodies were quite HIGH. Rheumy said hashi mimic's so much of the FM stuff.

Said I probably have Secondary FM and Hashimotos' Disease. Nothing can be done for this thyroid inflammation.

[This Message was Edited on 10/01/2009]

Hi Jam,

I replied in detail on one of your other threads about the increased TPO ABs. Look for it on the CFS/FM board; thread entitled: " My Big Health Culprit."

It IS true that Hashi's "mimics" FM. One point for the rheumy! Some specialists believe that thyroid and/or other hormonal glitches contribute to many, if not all, cases of FM.

There have been a few studies showing a few things that have helped some to bring down the TPO ABs. Of course, "a few published studies" doesn't bring information into the realm of standard clinical practice. That will take a few more decades ...

In the meanwhile, check out the other thread. It's possible something there will be of use to you.




[This Message was Edited on 03/28/2009]

My Big Health Culprit."

I am having trouble finding this on the FM Board either by content or user name. For some reason I am having troubles finding lots of things on this new site.

Can you help me?

I've had trouble using search function also. I know that several posts have been written on "how to search" but I've not followed through reading them. Just kinda frustrated here too.

up so look for it soon.

book and just finished the chapter on Hashimoto's. The author believes that by optimizing Armour to 3-5 grains and also supplementing with Selenium; one can reduce the antiobodies. I'm at 3 grains now.

Very very eye opening book. Recommend to all with thyroid issues. jam

The thyroid antibodies test is called what and how accurate is it?
Thanks Jamin for all your health.
GALynn

Thyroid Peroxidase Autoabs (what the labs say) back in March of this year and my numbers were high at 841. An integrative doc that I saw years ago did this same test in I believe 2003 and they were high at 241 or so...so my Hashi's antiobodies elevated a lot. Are they accurate, I would suspect they are as accurate as all other labs.

There are actually two antiobodies tests but I don't have the Stop Thyroid Maddness Book here that lists them and I can't recall the other name. These docs only took the one test.

I'm having new labs in Sept and will get these antiobodies again to see if they have decreased....I'm hoping.

With the selenium and going gluten free and adding a little iodine here and there. I've learned so much on: realthyroidhelp.com

I have read to supplement with at least 200 mcg of Selenium per day to help with TPOab inflammation.

I believe you are referring to the Antithyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) as the other test for the Hashimoto's, right?

Take care... :-)

and that's what I'm taking now. 200 mcg in my multi and i take another 200 mcg in a capsule.

Yes, I believe those are the 2 tests and I only had one of them. jam

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism in'96. And actually recently found out that its known as hashimotos. I went to a specialist that did blood work, and it was explained in more detail. But up here in Canada, we don't usually get copies of our lab reports, and aren't routinely told our lab numbers. At least , not the docs I've seen in the past.

However, I have a question for anyone that may know the answer. I am currently taking Eltroxin. Is it safe to take this AND armour thyroid together? I know that the last time my levels were checked the doc said I was fine, but....I sure don't feel fine.

I also have fibromyalgia/cfs.

Thanks for your help!

annierose

Eltroxin is called a T4 med, which is a synthetic form of "inactive" thyroid hormone.

In answer to your question, yes, some people DO take both a T4 med as well as a more natural thyroid med like Armour -- but it's not something you want to mess with on your own.

For the record, Eltroxin is a drug with a history, in New Zealand, at least. You can google that one up, if you want.

Re: lab reports. We don't usually get them here in the USA, either. The most common scenario is to be simply told everything is normal. To get copies of lab work, one must request them, sometimes in writing. It's important to get that actual lab report with reference ranges, not just a post-it note with numbers scribbled on it, courtesy of a nurse.

There's a bit of an art to understanding how lab values relate to one's health.

I highly recommend the book, Stop the Thyroid Madness, by Janie Bowthorpe. This book helps the reader understand the importance of self-advocacy for thyroid disease sufferers. It is also provides a pretty good overview of testing & test-result interpretation. You could visit the website as well.

Another excellent resource for learning about thyroid issues is Mary Shomon. She's written a number of books & has online presence as well.

Best wishes.

And thank you for answering my question. Yeah, I wondered if it was a good idea or not; to take both at the same time. I'm sure I would feel a lot better, but I might mess things up doing it on my own.

I have not heard anything about Eltroxin up this way, but will google it and see. Thanks.

As far as the lab reports, etc, I often read here on other posts where lab reports/results have been obtained. I just assumed it was something that was easier to get and/or something that doctors in the US ordinarily supplied to their patients. But by the sounds of it, they don't. It's the same there, as it is here. One must not assume, should they? lol

Thanks for the information regarding the book, etc. I will visit both sites as it sounds very interesting.

Not sure what I'm going to do, as I don't have a family physician at the moment. All I know is I don't feel well, and I believe it's not just the fibromyalgia to blame. I think it may also be the thyroid.

Thanks for your help!

annierose

that a patient can ask for labs to review on their own. I trusted a gp for 10 yrs with his "normal" dx....boy have I learned. I have copies of all my labs for the last 7 yrs or so. We are entitled to have our copy. Don't know why it should be different up there.

A great board for thyroid help is: realthyroidhelp.com

I think the next time I get labs done by *any* doctor I will insist on a copy of the results. Like you, jaminhealth, I 'always' trusted my doctors when they said results were 'fine' or 'normal'. But why did I not feel 'normal'? I know after the initial treatment of thyroid hormones I did feel better, but since then I've had many ups and downs. But have always blamed it on the fms/cfs, as symptoms are so similar.

All I know is, I'm tired, I'm in pain, I'm getting older, and it seems like no one gives a you-know-what. It seems like the world wide web is where most people today find the help and information they need. Thankfully we at least have this to turn to.

Thank you for that link. I will check into that asap.

all the best

annierose

just wanted to input that I've always gotten my lab reports. my doctor doesn't even require me to sign a release. they've always faxed and mailed them to me when i've asked.

ps i've been posting back and forth with jamin and others on the FM board for advice on checking out my thyroid, and am scheduled to see my family doc on 9/21 to get a referral to see an endo. very anxious and impatient to get the ball rolling on tests. i have all the symptoms. i owe it all to you guys who answer all of my questions here! without your help i would be totally lost and probably never get my doctor to do anything to find more out about my issues.
thanks

loto

from 841 to 533 by taking 400 mcg of Selenium per day and cutting WAY back on Gluten and upping my Armour. This feels great that I could do it and it happened. I will continue on this program.