Marley -

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Marley -
2
Sat, 11-27-2004 - 10:40pm
Did you get to that clinic today? Just wondering. Cathy :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-31-2003
In reply to: cathypem
Sat, 11-27-2004 - 11:55pm

Yes Cathy, I sure did. It was being held by the Canadian Thyroid Foundation. I even got the chance to sit for 15 minutes one on one with the President of the Foundation. THAT was pretty cool!

They had a registration form there with many of the COMMON symptoms of hypo on it... 8 out of 10 were checked on my form.

I told him whats happened so far. About the FIbro, and about the 3.8 TSH 6 mos ago and the 2.2 TSHa few weeks ago. He told me that TSH fluctuates ALL the time (which is something I didnt know). He also CONFIRMED for me that CANADA only recognizes anything ABOVE 5.5 (!!)TSH to be hypo. He agrees however that "naturopaths" are claiming that the "qualification" levels for treatment should be significantly lowered. He said that in his view, this is indeed "coming" but may not happen for years. He said that there is nothing "concrete" or "tangible" yet to prove that lower that 5.5 requires treatment. He did mention that the USA and many Eurpoean countries are already doing this, and see Canada as being sort of "behind the times".... but until the rules change... the doctors hands are tied when it comes to treating. They are risking a huge malpractice if they decide to treat anyone below this level and something should go wrong.

After reviewing the symptoms that I'd reported on the registration, he agreed to go ahead and test my TSH.. he said that because this was "public clinic" being held in the Hospital they could only report back to those patients who REQUIRE TREATMENT. Which means that if my TSH was anything below 4.7 (which was the HOSPITALS accepted level)then they would not be able to report back to me, nor could they give me TSH# at all!

He said though, after listening to my story, that if I didn't hear back from them before Wed next week, then I should call HIM DIRECTLY! And he would discuss the results with me, he gave me his card. Isnt that awesome.

All in all (even if this does turn out to be yet another dead end) I am SO glad I went. He gave me some great insight and info. Like for example, the LOW BODY temperature that I have read about on the internet, and it being a HYPO sign.. he said that low body temp has nothing to do with it. LOW T3 and T4 readings and HIGH TSH is the only diagnostic tool at the moment (along with of course the other symptoms that were listed on his registration form).

The positive part of the whole experience was that at least he is willing to talk with me further about this. (I got the feeling that he wanted to tell me more, but because he was on "hospital ground" he couldnt, does that make sense?)

Anyhow, I'm gonna call him next week if I dont hear anything. And by the way, he did encourage me to try and see an endo, and also to get to me OB/GYN who has since gone to natural meds. (Turns out he actually went to university with my OB! Which was even MORE cool).

Well, thanks for asking Cathy. I really learned alot today! I'll keep you all posted as this never ending story continues! :O)

Night all, Love, Marley

Avatar for cl_calley7
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
In reply to: cathypem
Sun, 11-28-2004 - 12:16am

Wow, that is interesting.

 

Calley7