fT's versus T's

[Arrigo]

Hi all again!

So I get the difference between the free Ts and the Ts (unbound vs. bound thyroid hormones in the blood) I am however not 100% clear on which type Graves patients (or Graves patients whose thyroid has been surgically or radioactively 'killed off') should test for. The fTs, or just the Ts? I tend to believe the fTs would be most useful to test - but would appreciate any read on this.

[Lalatoot]

The fts. These are the ones found circulating in the blood available for use and conversion.

[greygoose in reply to Lalatoot]

Bound hormone is found circulating in the blood, too. Otherwise, you wouldn't be able to have a blood test for them.

[greygoose]

The FTs. Always the FTs. The Ts are not just bound hormones. The full name of the test is Total T4/3. Which means that it tests both bound and unbound, but doesn't tell you how much of each.

[Arrigo]

Thanks both! Makes sense. I am due for a TT later this year and trying to get as much info from all angles as possible before that... And some days I still oscillate over the Yes/No of going thru with it... I'll be the crazy patient who runs off the operating table with IVs in my arm

[greygoose in reply to Arrigo]

What are you having a TT for, if you don't mind my asking?

[Arrigo in reply to greygoose]

Graves... Been on ATDs for 5+ years, the heart is doing some increasingly odd flips, I'm getting mysterious rashes, a badly swollen face couple times after having 1 drink... Docs are mystified for the most part over the last two issues, but the active Graves gives them something to immediately blame stuff on. Myself, I am mostly worried about the possibility of another autoimmune process having started up in my body... If you have one autoimmune disease you're more prone to develop others, apparently. So I figure I'll remove the thyroid and cross my fingers that the autoimmunity reduces after that... Maybe the weird symptoms will go away too, dunno. And if they do end up being due to yet another disorder, at least the Graves will have been dealt with decisively before I get to focus on a new one. Of course, not to say that excising an organ like the thyroid because the immune system is attacking it isn't an as$-backward way to go about solving the problem, 'scuse my French... But with Graves, the docs seem intent to focus on removing the 'victim' of the immune attack, instead of trying to repair the immune system so it doesn't attack the thyroid. It is SO frustrating to be unable to get straight answers from the medical profession, so we autoimmunity patients have to manage as best we can.

[greygoose in reply to Arrigo]

Well, it may be primitive, but it sometimes saves lives. And, the truth of the matter is that, as things stand, there is no way of 'curing' any sort of autoimmune disease. All you can do is deal with the aftermath.

Sounds as if the ATs don't suit you - have you tried them all? Doctors are mystified about all things thyroid, to be honest, and know absolutely nothing about symptoms.

Myself, I have Hashi's. But that's all. I don't have any other AI disease. So, it is possible to only have the one.

But, you're being very wise gathering as much infomation as you can, and seriously considering the consequences. I hope you're able to make the right decision for you.

[Arrigo in reply to greygoose]

Right- I was talking to a friend who is a doctor, and he said that immunology is sometimes referred to as 'the last frontier' in medicine in his peer group. It is indeed fascinatingly complex, but being a patient is no less frustrating for knowing that. Good luck with Hashi, greygoose.

[greygoose in reply to Arrigo]

Thank you. And good luck with your Grave's. Let us know how you get on.

[Lora7again in reply to Arrigo]

Just by having RAI won't get rid of Graves' and unfortunately it could start attacking your eyes TED. I looked into it when my Endocrinologist first suggested it and I asked Elaine Moore about it. Her site has loads of information on it and she had RAI which she now regrets. You will hear conflicting advice about this but I do know that a lot of women have struggled to get the right treatment afterwards. As you know it is difficult to get T3 prescribed and a lot of women without a thyroid or who have had RAI need both T4 and T3 or NDT which is also difficult to get prescribed. Sorry if I sound like a Debbie downer but I am just giving you my opinion. At the moment I feel well and I am not taking any antithyroid drugs but I know this won't last forever. I intend to keep my thyroid as long as I can because I am worried about the treatment afterwards. As you can see from members stories on this site how difficult it is to get your thyroid levels just right when you are hypothyroid and this is why this site exists. Good luck to you.

[Arrigo in reply to Lora7again]

I am not considering RAI due to TED.