Hi mateoantonio - You've certainly been through a lot and it sounds like you've done a lot of work to learn more about your condition, your tests and how to advocate for yourself. Good for you!
Your plan to discuss the unstable TSH levels with an endocrinologist is a good one. The spike on May 25 seems out of line with your other tests, and may be due to a lab error. In terms of the range in levels, have you had all of your tests done in the same lab? While it would seem that all labs would use the same standards that's often not the case and for the patient it can result in a wide variety of ranges being provided.
There's a nonprofit website supported by laboratory professional associations that provides a lot of helpful information about lab tests, including detailed sections on tests for thyroid conditions and I think you'll find it very useful. http://www.labtestsonline.org/
Do you have any type of support group to help you in dealing with being a cancer survivor? I too am a cancer survivor, and get a lot of invaluable information and guidance from fellow patients. There's a great group for young people that I like, and you may like it too - http://i2y.com/
You may also find it helpful to become a "friend" of the American Thyroid Association and get on their mailing list so you get the latest treatment news. http://www.thyroid.org/friends/subscription/subscription_services.html
There are also a couple of foundations that may interest you: http://www.thancfoundation.org/
and http://www.checkyourneck.com/ Through these groups you can learn what other survivors have done to deal with the dietary changes and other lifestyle concerns that are part of recovery and staying healthy. The Light of Life Foundation has a really comprehensive Q&A section that others have said was very helpful.
Will you let us know how your appointment goes with the endocrinologist? We wish you the best.
Take care, Pat
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Hi mateoantonio - You've certainly been through a lot and it sounds like you've done a lot of work to learn more about your condition, your tests and how to advocate for yourself. Good for you!
Your plan to discuss the unstable TSH levels with an endocrinologist is a good one. The spike on May 25 seems out of line with your other tests, and may be due to a lab error. In terms of the range in levels, have you had all of your tests done in the same lab? While it would seem that all labs would use the same standards that's often not the case and for the patient it can result in a wide variety of ranges being provided.
There's a nonprofit website supported by laboratory professional associations that provides a lot of helpful information about lab tests, including detailed sections on tests for thyroid conditions and I think you'll find it very useful. http://www.labtestsonline.org/
Do you have any type of support group to help you in dealing with being a cancer survivor? I too am a cancer survivor, and get a lot of invaluable information and guidance from fellow patients. There's a great group for young people that I like, and you may like it too - http://i2y.com/
You may also find it helpful to become a "friend" of the American Thyroid Association and get on their mailing list so you get the latest treatment news. http://www.thyroid.org/friends/subscription/subscription_services.html
There are also a couple of foundations that may interest you: http://www.thancfoundation.org/
and http://www.checkyourneck.com/ Through these groups you can learn what other survivors have done to deal with the dietary changes and other lifestyle concerns that are part of recovery and staying healthy. The Light of Life Foundation has a really comprehensive Q&A section that others have said was very helpful.
Will you let us know how your appointment goes with the endocrinologist? We wish you the best.
July 14, 2010 - 5:45pmTake care, Pat
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