converting

[nanniejan]

What test would I need to have done to see if I'm converting T4 to T3 ! And I also have really painful hands , fingers starting to mishape , is this related ??

[valerie]

Hi, interesting your comments on misshapen fingers. I find that my joints nearest the nails gradually started to thicken one at a time and now the tops of both my index fingers bend outwards towards the thumbs. As my fathers joints were similar, but not crooked, I guessed it was just another of those things I had inherited and I cannot decide which of my parents may have been hypothyroid (my brother and sister are) if indeed either of them were! I have tried showing my hands to my various GPs but nobody is interested/knowledgeable so I have researched and can find no direct connection between the misshapen fingers and thyroid, I can only find the pain connection. When I first started T4 the pain immediately disappeared but returned after a month or so. I don't know if there is a T4 conversion connection but I am seriously thinking of trying NDT when I improve my adrenals. I would be interested to know in what way and degree your fingers are misshapen......Valerie

[Poppy03 in reply to valerie]

I am similar in that the pain disappears initially taking the medication but seems to come back. My joints have thicken, especially in my fingers, as that is the reason I went to my GP. I found when I initially took the T3 I could wear my rings again so definately think there is a link.

My GP did a test for a growth hormone to rule out any other cause of the joint problems which I am assuming came back negative as he hasn't contacted me (he was going to chase it and let me know if there was a problem)

As for the converting T4 to T3 test. I thought that doing the T3 test showed that you were converting T4 into T3. Does anyone know if you get T3 anywhere else but the converting of T4 and what your thyroid produces?

[valerie in reply to valerie]

Hi Poppy, a great link for explaining when & where you get or don't get T3.

naturalnews.tv/v.asp?v=4B7A...

Valerie

[Alli1 in reply to valerie]

Great Video Thanks Valerie

Alli

[TinainKent in reply to valerie]

Thanks valerie for this link for the videos.Everyone should watch these.

I have watched a few and they are all very informative and easy to understand. Even though I have a science based education because of my thyroid problems (and them not being controlled properly at the moment) I have found it very difficult to understand some of the technical bits when in the written word, these videos make it all a lot easier to understand.

Note to moderators - perhaps a link could be put into one of the catagories as a learning tool.

[valerie in reply to valerie]

Hi Tina, the merit of the link is not mine, I think it was Sheila on TPA Yahoogroup who pointed it out as being a good one and I entirely agree....Val

[nanniejan in reply to valerie]

Hi Valerie ,

it seems like all my joint are starting to be sore , the top of my fingers are going out of shape and at the base of my thumbs the joints seem to move and really hurt in fact all my joint are sore . No one else in the family are hypothyroid (why me ) !!! Its funny how you said your went for a while when you started the meds so it must be related in some way !! I showed my GP my fingers and he just said oh yes artheritis , great just to add to all my other problems ,enlarged heart , sleep apnea , chronic back pain .......... just add another might as well ? When I next see endo I'm going to ask for NDT , dont know if I'll get it but worth a try , by the way do you get hot flashes ?

By the way great link ......Janx

[valerie in reply to valerie]

Hi Janx,

I have never really done a lot about my fingers as I have always presumed it was arthritis and maybe that is so but the fact that it went away immediately I started a higher dose of thyroxine (I had been left on 25mcg for 2 years which at the time seemed to suffice) got me thinking and researching. I am an ex-nurse so anything medical I enjoy researching though it is usually for other members of the family. Now I have decided it is time for me and all the various complaints (big and small) all seem to fall in to place when I google them together with hypothyroidism. One thing I have mentioned to my GP for years is my hot flashes. I stopped my periods in 1996 but since then I have always had hot flashes day and night and especially when I get up to go to the bathroom in the night and I return to bed I have to throw all the bedclothes off and even my nightie (not a pretty sight). Now I have discovered that this is probably due to adrenal fatigue caused by, or not helped by, a long standing, untreated thyroid problem. So the thing to do apparently is to try and get the adrenals in better working order so that the thyroid medications work better. It's a do it yourself thing. I am starting supplements for my adrenals and then, like you, I really want to try and get on Natural Dessicated Thyroid but I foresee a battle there and will probably have to buy them myself and self treat.....Valerie

[LouiseRoberts in reply to valerie]

Valerie

Have you had our information on obtaining NDT from your GP? Drop me a message if you would like it.

Self-treating can be dangerous and Thyroid UK will always recommend that you are monitored by a healthcare professional.

We also have a list of Private GPs and Healthcare Professionals which you may be interested in.

Louise

xx

[Ellie in reply to valerie]

Hi Louise,

Have just read about obtaining NDT could you give me any info about it i take 50mg of levothyroxine and feel ill most of the time but like everyone on this site have no joy from gps, mine just says go away you are not this weeks brain tumour victim in a joking way he has a bad sense of humour!!!!!!

Our 8yr old daughter is now in a thyroiditis state we have been fighting for 2yrs to see an paediatric endocrinologist today we got our appointment with Birmingham Childrens Hospital, more blood tests and told maybe it is ADHD already in the knowledge that she has raised thyroid antibodies and her:

TSH is 5.34

T3 is 6.7

T4 is 15 .1

The consultant said she is in national range but poor little Elle is having difficulty concentrating on her school work her behavior is erratic and she is very emotional and angry. We have a very unhappy little girl at the minute and she does not understand why, fortunately I do, she is normally such a lovely little girl, We are looking to take her privately could you let me know of any one you could recommend for us to see, have spoken to Dr Skinner he doesn't see children.