All the women out there!!!!

[Nese222]

I wanted to share some interesting information that I found out this weekend.  I went to see a new doctor all the way in CT, - I live in Jersey.  Anyways, long story short the doctor asked me how I get my blood work done.  I go and get it drawn was my answer... then he worded and asked me if there is a certain time that I go..... to my suprise there is a certain time that us women are to get thyroid blood work done.  I think it's two weeks after your monthly.  He told me that their are ups a downs in hormon level throughout the month.  He actually calculated it out for me for my next blood drawal.  Has any of your endos told you this?????????????? Cause all the ones i been too havent said a word to me.  I pick the date and time before my visits to go get the blood work done.  

[joycekatherine]

That really sux...

[Nese222]

I just want to scream..... i tried to get into my favorite jeans that I was able to wear for years, and I COULDNT GET IT UP ANYMORE.  I was able to wear it a few weeks ago!!!!!!!!!!  

[joycekatherine]

Thanks for telling me about "bump"...I didn't know whether it was referring to a fist bump or what!!  LOL

[JenB12]

You know what is funny? My doctor never mentioned to me to not take my medicine the morning of getting my blood drawn.... but THE LAB TECHNICIAN DID...!!!! I went in one afternoon to get my blood tested and she looked at the order for the test and she was like "Are you taking Synthroid?" and i nodded yes, and then she said "sorry you need to come back tomorrow morning early and don't take your medicine until after we draw your blood.

I was impressed! I got sent home by the phlebotomist!

[Terri627]

That question is the easiest one to answer! Each time someone adds a comment,
even if it's just "bump", it puts the original question at the top of the list, so more
people have a chance to see it and respond. So, "bump" is just a way to get it
"bumped" up to the top again! You can type anything you want to get it up there,
but "bump" is easy and a fun way to do it! So.....BUMP!!!

[joycekatherine]

This is off the subject, but, I just have to ask, what does it mean when someone only types "bump?"  I've seen it a couple of times and am curious...

[Nese222]

According to my new doctor, women with that still have their periods, there are certain times in the month that they should go, it should be done in the AM and no meds should be taken.

[Smilerdeb]

As long as they are done approx the same time and day each time and without meds, then I dont see any difference.
The key to it all is .......consistancy.

[Nese222]

bump

[joycekatherine]

I just wonder if those peak times still apply if you are a night owl???  I usually have my blood drawn around 5pm, which is when I wake up...anybody know??

[redheadaussie]

Since the pituitary gland is responsible for women's periods, and the release of TSH, it would make sense to do that. But then also by the same token, ovulation can give a peak in TSH also.
Those women going through a menopause will have inconsistent levels of TSH as the body settles down to having no periods. So never rely on TSH alone!
  As smilerdeb said, it is best to go at around the same time each time and after fasting. If you take the tablet and then go in, you will get an elevated level till it settles in your body over the course of the day.
  It is consistency and awareness of what YOUR levels are like each time. Mine are pretty close to similar each 6 weeks (with the exception of last blood test..now that was a weird one!)

[Smilerdeb]

Before RAI, I always had bloods done naked (oops ..meant with no meds in me lol) hehehehe.
As for the monthlys...well...mine have been and gone ..poof!
I havent had a monthly for quite a few years now and early menopause is a side effect of Graves (and OMG you will love it!).
Ooops sorry...I'm in a whacky mood today lol :)

Maybe its about time that the levels all got together and threw a party!
I dont want lagging levels lol. (hehehe)

But it does explain why sometimes I will get the hot flushes late at night...only a brief one but one that makes me wanna strip off, then freeze my butt off as its winter here lol.

Good to know that Gimel :)

[gimel]

I think I also read somewhere that free t3 tends to follow TSH with a lag of some hours.  So a higher TSH at around 9 pm, followed by increasing free T3 might tie into your late night feelings.  Isn't this all just a joy.   LOL

[graveswoman]

Ok what about us gravers? i have never been told to not take meds before i go for blood work, does that apply to us???? and have only had my period 7 times since last May (and one of those only lasted approx 5 hours!!, then poof gone). so how do you determine your monthly blood draw when you don't have a monthly????

just love this disease, the more you know the more you don't know? does that make sense. i guess i mean the more you know the more questions it brings up.

right? or is it my brain fatigue?

just indulge, i am tired. LOL

kim

[Venora Moonwind]

hmmm This is very ineresting.
I get mine drawn all the time as early as possibleafter fasting but I have always taken my synthroid.( I really hate to fast and then wait another hour after synthroid??? LOL)
Oh and I havent had a monthly since Feb of 94 so I I dont think that for me It would have much bearing.

Question though .I take my synthroid when I first get up  and right now that is 3:15 Am.
I have noticed I fell pretty groggy for my first 2 hours at work then  I finally start to perk up and I have feel pretty good for the rest of my shift So is that the synthroid kicking in??
Love Venora

[Smilerdeb]

I can relate to your posting gimel.
I only really take note of my TSH when I get aches or pains or just dont feel right.
I have noticed that I can feel great all day until around 8-10pm where I start to get hot flushes some days..like a 'hyper state'.
No other symptoms..only the hot flushes and it isnt everyday.
So when in doubt,......I get the FT3, Ft4 levels done with the TSH and see that the FT3 and FT4 are.
I only really take notice of the TSH when the left leg starts to ache like he\\ and true enough, labs show I am a lil hypo.
I also read that thyroid hormones are released at between 3-4am in the morning and thats why a lot of people cannot sleep and get night sweats.
That makes sense too as I used to wake every night around 3am and be soaking wet from night sweats when I was dx with hyperthyroidism and Graves before RAI.
Hence the reason for taking beta blocker at bedtime as it is known to help with the T3 hyper symptoms.

[gimel]

Hope you don't mind a male reply as well.  Of course I harp all the time about free T3 and free T4 being much more important than TSH in evaluating potential thyroid problems.  However, since most doctors still seem to rely so heavily on TSH, I think it is important to note that TSH levels vary widely during the day.  I read an article that described TSH as being at its highest level at around 9 pm and the lowest level at about 9 am.  So a TSH test early in the morning may give a result that is lower than later in the day.  And if the doctor was deciding on your hypo status by TSH, what time of day do you want to hold out your arm for the blood draw?  By the way, the article I saw mentioned there was up to a 72% change from daily low to daily high.  That certainly gives me a lot of confidence in TSH testing.  LOL

[Nese222]

I have to be honest I really think doctors suck.  Some are only book smart and that's how they become where they are but then there are the ones that are book smart and experience smart.  To get to this new doctor I have to travel from New Jersey to CT.  But it is all worth it.  I wish you all luck and hope that you all find a good doctor like I have.

[Smilerdeb]

Dont you just love it when the Doctor thinks you can read his/her mind lol.
Although in the past my Doc looked at me weird and smiled nicely....thats when I asked him straight out if he thought I was going mad lol.He politely said...Nooooo.
Thats when I laughed and said...Your a bl**dy liar lol.
And laughed along with him.
But he did say one day that whilst waiting in the waiting room, that he didnt know ' WHICH Debbie ' he was gonna get that day.
He explained that sometimes it would be the 'good Deb' and other times , it would be the 'Deb from He\\' lol.
Amazing what Graves Rage can do to you (hehehe)

[hope4thegoodstuff]

HMMMM  I wonder how much it would cost to fly from Iowa to Jersey occasionally?  LOL.  I get nothing.  I get "show up a this time and date"  then I get there at 2:30 in the afternoon and they ask..."are you fasting?"  I ask " am I spose to?"  Then they say something like..."we'll just write it down as non-fasting"

My next appt is one week after.

[Smilerdeb]

You sound like you have a Doc who knows what hes talking about.
Stick with him......he also sounds like he may work with you properly in regards to symptoms rather than just numbers.
Good Luck

[Nese222]

Thanks for your replies.  I will be keeping this doctor and getting rid of the other one.  When he said it he did tell me to go early in the morning and no thyroid medication before I go.  It's just suprising how I was not told otherwise by all the other md's I have been too.  

[stella5349]

Smart doctor!!!! :) That one is a keeper for you!!

Also - no one tells you ,,,, BUT   ( and I always have the "buts" ) LOL

it's best to also do all draws as early as possible - AND before your thyroid meds are taken. No stimulants should be taken or drank either.

I call it "dry" testing and it has really leveled me out to feeling much better.

[ChitChatNine]

HI .. interesting .. I'll ask next time.  Do you use the thyroid tracker.  I find it helpful to track my labs!

C~