Thyroid problems

First, thanks everyone for all the support & advice!  I'm a 1A on 31 - daily shot of infergen & 800mg of Riba a day.  My v/l was 34 million when I start - no liver damage. I'm 39 yr old female in good shape (used to be great but the meds have stopped that!) I was undetected at both my 12 & 24 week tests (YEAH)  I've been feeling blah (even more then usual!!) lately & met with the doctor yesterday - he said my thyroid test came back low - he wants to watch it & test again next month before doing anything.  My white & red blood counts hover right at the line so I'm still not eligible for procrit.  I did speak with him about B12 shots - he doesn't believe they work but is willing to give me one on a weekly basis.  So my questions here are: 1) anyone else with thyroid problems and 2) Do you all think that a B12 shot might help with my energy level?  Thanks!

[NYgirl]

Yup - my thyroid came back non-existent at 0. So that says I have Grave's Disease. So they sent me for the nuclear thyroid scan and were expecting it to be completely HYPERactive. Well according to the test it now is coming back HYPOactive.

I have an appt at the endo on 4/24 to find out if they are going to radiate and kill it or just give me the meds. I figure it will take a while to iron out my metabolism with them but at least it's a chance.

What happens is the Interferon goes in and kills the thyroid as if it's a bad thing - like it goes in to kill the virus but then see's the thyroid and says kill kill kill........and does.  That is the basis of autoimmune disease which this is.

My cousin has Graves Disease from medication too - it's pretty common. I don't know what will happen to me since I went HYPER to HYPO and still have 30 weeks left of Interferon but I am HOPING they will let me try the meds before killing it with radiation and then taking it out. But if it's not working and won't...I guess they'd have to take it out.

So watch them carefully!

[MrsOckert]

My thyroid went low two weeks into tx.  My doc wanted me on meds immediately but I didn't take them.  By week 12 I was so bad I wanted to die.

Be very careful waiting too long for meds.  Your thyroid can get out of hand very quickly on these meds.

[NYgirl]

Yup like mine - it can be killed.  I don't know if the meds would have helped save it or not...probably not but it sure would help with my metabolism jumping up and down and up and down all the time.

[beamishboy]

sorry to hear of everyone's Thyroid problems-it sux's......i asked for b-12 levels on bloodwork,i am low normal& my doc did not feel an xtra injection was warranted......i then asked for a 27 week knock-out drug-ha!!!!!!! GOODLUCK ALL

[NYgirl]

When you get that 27 week shotI want one to!!! Will email you my address so you can send it to me!  :)

I think we could all use that one for sure!

[dyce]

Way to gooooo!!!!! Sure good to hear, bet your ready to karate chop some bricks(LOL).

Dyce

[can-do-man]

Big congrats there, you must have scared them little buggers to death.... Have a great day now NICE lady.

[anise]

Thanks for the congrats everyone.  I am going to go out and sit on a cloud for a while to rest.

[GoofyDad]

Pick a fluffy one. I hear Number 9 is nice if you can get it.

[Karay]

Thanks for the info - my doctor seems to think that we can wait until my next appt in May in order to review my bloodwork again. Is this something I should push him on or is waiting ok?  I'm still alittle confused about the whole issue.....is it a big deal?  What are the side effects?

[dyce]

Good afternoon there beam, ha ya think they make a 43 week knockout. Of course ,I have a small sledge and a obligin wife here(LOL).

Dyce

[anise]

I had to jump into this thread, there were no more posts left.

I am sooooo excited!  I just got my 6 week PCR back.  I am undetectable!!!  No virus, nothing, zip, nada!  This feeling is amazingly wonderful.

[amirtracy]

Way to go! Congraulations on your UNDETECTABLE!

[amommy]

Congrats!  Enjoy this feeling :) :)

[beamishboy]

I'm doin it-just not enjoyin the ride..sorry to hear yu are gettin a riba-butt kicking;that is the worst drug,by far!.....buddy of mine did that kingcrab job for 3 seasons-hard&dangerous;also they seem to blow their earnings like,well, drunken sailors...go figure?Be Well buddy

[Dale_Ray]

Wonderful news, Congrats. Dale

[MrsOckert]

That is so cool!!!  I'm just so happy for you I'm jumping out of my clothes.  Well not really.  Just wanted to give candyman a rush for the day.  And maybe Dale's platelets will perk up.

Congratulations

[MrsOckert]

I guess it depends on when your apt is in May.  Having gone thru what I did I would not want to wait longer than 4 weeks since the last bloodwork.  Usually they put you on meds and then check it in 4 weeks.

That's a hard call to make.  But I don't think I'd go longer than 4 weeks.  I hate doctors.

[amirtracy]

I know this has been answered before but lately i can't remember much...
If a geno 1b is undetectable at 12 weeks pcr what are the chances of svr?

[goldyn]

WOW THAT WAS SOME QUICK COOTIE KILLING, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

[MrsOckert]

I'm afraid your question is going to get lost so far down on the thread.

I know that it does increase your chances of SVR but I don't know how much more.  Maybe from 50% to 80%??

Sorry I couldn't be more help.  Hopefully Jim or Goof will see it and respond.

[amirtracy]

Thanks! :)

[sparkie#2]

woooooooooooooooooooohooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!
It does feel good i know and so a bunch of the others.
CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You made my day! Ineeded some good news
AND THERE IT IS!!!!!!
CONGRATS again!!!!
dee

[dyce]

How are things my friend? I'm like you , the riba is kickin my b-t. Seems to help if I stay away from the real fatty food but heck, thats no fun. Ha you like to watch tv , check out the alaskin crab fisherman. Seen it on discovery , a dangerous job there dude. Hope the sx's are easy on ya tonite,
                    
Dyce

[anise]

Thanks again for all of the support on being UND!  

In my rush of excitement, I forgot to send my thoughts to all of you wonderful helpful people.  I truly wish from the bottom of my soul that everyone gets to hear the news "UNDETECTED".  

Can-do-man, they say that martial arts is really internal :)

Goofy, I found that cloud nine and then I saw #12 and went over there also!

[OnAPrettyPoison]

Congratulations on the undetectible.....there is nothing that makes us more happy than to see those words!

[beamishboy]

congrats on clear!..6 week test,so you're some kinda rapid responder......GOODLUCK!

[Dale_Ray]

Wonderful news, Congrats. Dale

[friole]

karay - - so sorry about the thyroid.  It is a dismalside effect of this wicked tx.

anise -- wonderful.  Lifts the spirits.  So glad you are undetectable at 6 weeks.  Makes it easier to keep going, doesn't it.

[NYgirl]

Until late in treatment when already ON procrit I would not want to go longer than two weeks for any blood work at all really.  It can happen TOO FAST.

And learning the hard way would NOT be worth that lesson.

Having regular CBCs is ESSENTIAL during treatment to prevent going OFF treatment.

Please try and convince your doc of the necessity. I mean you just go have the blood drawn you don't see him at all.