Posted by Noa on May 13, 2000, at 13:47:35
In reply to Re: PMDD - Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, posted by Cal on May 13, 2000, at 13:01:08
Yes, Cal! For example, TSH is considered within normal limits if it is between .5 and about 5 international units. But there are many of us for whom the higher end of that feels awful!! While the typical internist might consider my 4.6 reading to be "normal", I am hypothyroid at that level of TSH. I now have an endocrinologist who has told me it is ok for my TSH to go as low as 0 if I need to in order to improve how I feel. That is considered radical. I read an article (see www.thyroid-info.com) by a physician who says that a TSH level of 2 or higher is highly predictive of later hypothyroid illness. And, it appears that the psychiatric manifestations of hypothyroidism can show up way before any of the physical symptoms do. So, when you get any tests done, ALWAYS get the actual numbers as well as the lab's "normal" ranges. Don't just accept a designation of "normal" or within normal limits, etc. Also, sometimes the basic tests don't go after more subtle endocrine problems. For example, you can have "normal" TSH, and normal T4 levels, but maybe low T3, which wouldn't affect the TSH level, but maybe are missing the protein that helps convert T4 (the stable version) to T3 (the usable version), so your cells are not getting any of the thyroid hormone, even tho there is plenty of it floating around in your blood.
For more info: The Thyroid Solution, by Ridha Arem
Living Well with Hypothyroidism, by Mary Shomon
www.thyroid-info.com (Mary Shomon's website)
poster:Noa
thread:3315
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000508/msgs/33366.html