Posted by SLS on May 31, 2000, at 15:12:08
In reply to Re: I'm the thyroid expert now?!, posted by Abby on May 31, 2000, at 12:21:44
Dear Abby,
(That was so much fun to write)
I really appreciate your taking the time to explain what you have learned about thyroid function. I didn't know that there was such a thing as RT3. That the rate of conversion of T3 to RT3 is accelerated during stress is very interesting. It sounds like this system may get "stuck" in the same way the cortisol system may get "stuck". Both dysregulations might be the result of chronic stress and be contributory to the evolution of a sustained depression, but I'm just running my mouth speculating. :-)
My friend's sister has Hashimoto's Disease and has suffered chronic depression for most of her life. My friend, who also suffers from chronic depression, has a thyroid level that is in the lower part of the normal range. Both have been helped by antidepressants, although not completely. Wellbutrin, Effexor, and Parnate have been partially effective for both of them.
Is Hashimoto's Disease hereditary?
How is it treated?
Any other comments?
Don't worry, you are not being graded on your expertise. I'm sure anything you have to say will be helpful. I wish I were able to say "I don't know" as easily as you. It is a virtue.
> TRH tests are harder to come by, because doctors don't believe the labs do them. Basically, blood is drawn for a TSH test. Then TRH is injected and 30 minutes later a new blood sample is taken. This makes the TSH go up, and teh amount by which it goes up means something, but I don't really understand it. If it rises over 30 it's supposed to be bad, but I don't know why, because it would seem that that just means that the pituitary is sensitive and working well. I guess it means that, though, the TSH is low, something is wrong with the production of TRH, but that given adequate TRH, the TSH rises, since thyroid production is impaired, but I'm just running my mouth speculating.Keep running.
> Abby
>
> P.S. Some people think that your thyroid levels can be fine, but that if you have thyroid antibodies, it is a sign of impending thyroid failure in the manner of the auto-immune disease Hashimoto's, which I guess is the most common cause of hypothyroidism.This is great information. I think I'll tell my friend to be screened for these antibodies.
Thanks.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:1045
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000526/msgs/35399.html