Thyroid disorder

[Jennifer]

rains:

Have you been on daily dosage ever since you sought treatment?


I can't remember exactly when I stopped taking medicine on a daily basis, but I have been on 5mg for 4 times a week for quite a while, then it tapered down to 3 times a week, and then twice a week, and then it went up to 4 times a week to reduce the size of my nodule, then 3 times again, and then twice a week, until now 2.5mg twice a week. Each time the dosage given was for 6 weeks, and occasionally 8 weeks.

We sought treatment at about the same time so I am quite surprised that you are still on daily medication. Try not to be stressed and have more sleep. You are not a fan of seaweed, are you?

Yap, daily dosage still.

I was quite surprised when you wrote you are not.

I was very obedient initially, cut out all seaweed and seafood. Then there was a period I forgot to take my medicine regularly and the condition became a little worse off from the getting better point. Now I remember to take my medicine almost everyday, maybe one day forgot in a month.

These days, I eat a little seaweed that come with sushi. Could it be this causing my Trab not going down as fast as I like too?

Now is year end closing audit period and I was assigned another company setup. Not exactly feeling stressed but not totally stress free either :gloomy:

Already told my bosses I must hand over. Hope they will get someone in soon.

[rains]

I see.


I did hear about quite a few cases, including my own sister’s, that drag on for years, one was even ten years and counting, bcos they did not take their medicine faithfully, so I take mine faithfully. I probably forgot once or twice throughout my treatment (bcos of the alternate-day thing) but I would take it the next day to ‘make up’ for it.

I want to stop medication asap so I try to cut out seaweed altogether, including the ones wrapping sushi. By trying, I mean I probably eat one of those sushi once in a few months. It helps that I am not a fan of seaweed. I don’t think I have eaten five of those sushi since I started treatment. Maybe you try not eating seaweed and see how the test goes? Do you eat fish regularly? My doc advised me to eat fish only two or three times a week but I usually eat it once a week if I do eat, and I don’t eat much of it. She didn’t mention seafood but maybe you cut down on such food and see if it helps your Trab index?

[Jennifer]

rains:

I see.


I did hear about quite a few cases, including my own sister's, that drag on for years, one was even ten years and counting, bcos they did not take their medicine faithfully, so I take mine faithfully. I probably forgot once or twice throughout my treatment (bcos of the alternate-day thing) but I would take it the next day to 'make up' for it.

I want to stop medication asap so I try to cut out seaweed altogether, including the ones wrapping sushi. By trying, I mean I probably eat one of those sushi once in a few months. It helps that I am not a fan of seaweed. I don't think I have eaten five of those sushi since I started treatment. Maybe you try not eating seaweed and see how the test goes? Do you eat fish regularly? My doc advised me to eat fish only two or three times a week but I usually eat it once a week if I do eat, and I don't eat much of it. She didn't mention seafood but maybe you cut down on such food and see if it helps your Trab index?

Fish is allowed, though I hardly eat cooked ones, mostly sashimi if we eat at Japanese restaurants.

Last night I ate half a mini lobster as the portion was served individually and I did not want to let the friend know about my thyroid condition.

[starlight1968sg]

What does a high value of Anti-TG Ab mean?

My FT4 and TSH are within acceptable ranges.

[Augustine English Classes]

Good point.

[starlight1968sg]

starlight1968sg:

What does a high value of Anti-TG Ab mean?

My FT4 and TSH are within acceptable ranges.

Got a referral letter from the polyclinic to see a doctor in NUH
Doc said after some years, my current FT4 and TSH values likely to change due to the presence of anti bodies
Right now, no actions needed but can monitor the situation via day yearly blood test
Doc wrote a letter for me to bring to the polyclinic during my next visit for follow up
Anybody has a similar situation ie high anti TG Ab?

[starlight1968sg]

Tks schootopia

Yes, I saw an endocrine doctor in NUH

[Belle]

I have thyroid disorder too.


Found out a few years back by accident as I do not have the obvious symptoms associated with hypo/hyperthyroidism.
Looked into the mirror one day and noted the neck a bit swollen. Not obvious from the front but can see a bit bump from the side. I realised it could have developed since a few years back. Anyway, went for tests and referred to ENT doctors. Had done own researches on the internet as well. In short, it was the antibodies in my body that attacked the thyroid gland. My disorder is referred to Hashimoto thyroiditis( autoimmune disease).. http://www.webmd.com/women/hashimotos-thyroiditis-symptoms-causes-treatments#1
In fact, other than the enlarged thyroid (i.e goiter), I have no other symptoms under this disorder.

The option is to either leave or remove the gland. As the affected thyroid is at right side of the gland, I opt to remove that part and leave the left one untouched so that there is no need to take medication for life at the moment. Now have to monitor the left gland yearly. I believe eventually, I may need to remove the left one as well and from then on take medication for life to balance the hormones. Right now, I just hope this day will not come so early.

[starlight1968sg]

Belle:

I have thyroid disorder too.


Found out a few years back by accident as I do not have the obvious symptoms associated with hypo/hyperthyroidism.
Looked into the mirror one day and noted the neck a bit swollen. Not obvious from the front but can see a bit bump from the side. I realised it could have developed since a few years back. Anyway, went for tests and referred to ENT doctors. Had done own researches on the internet as well. In short, it was the antibodies in my body that attacked the thyroid gland. My disorder is referred to Hashimoto thyroiditis( autoimmune disease).. http://www.webmd.com/women/hashimotos-thyroiditis-symptoms-causes-treatments#1
In fact, other than the enlarged thyroid (i.e goiter), I have no other symptoms under this disorder.

The option is to either leave or remove the gland. As the affected thyroid is at right side of the gland, I opt to remove that part and leave the left one untouched so that there is no need to take medication for life at the moment. Now have to monitor the left gland yearly. I believe eventually, I may need to remove the left one as well and from then on take medication for life to balance the hormones. Right now, I just hope this day will not come so early.

Yes, mine may be similar.
The antibodies in my body attack the thyroid gland.
Is removal a part of thyroid gland a complex ops?
Thank you.

[Belle]

Do you also have an enlarged thyroid/goiter?


The goiter will grow bigger over time if not removed. That is why I suspect I could have it years back but it only became more evident when the bump got bigger.

Obviously, it seem to be easier removing the whole gland rather than one part of it. Anyway, the decision to remove only the affected side is to delay the need to depend on medication. Right now, I do not have to take any medication as the left side of the gland is able to produce a balanced hormones for me. I am very bad with medication. I tend to forget to take pills and finish my course of medicine.

I had my operation 2 years back. A surgery will normally resulted in a scar on the neck. The length of the cut would depend on the size of the goiter. As for my operation, I had chosen a new technology of surgery which was the robotic surgery. There was no scar on the neck as the 3 small cuts were around the armpit and breast areas. Therefore, no one can tell I had an operation done. The operation was done with the help of robot. At the moment, I believe less than a handful of ENT surgeons can handle robotic surgery or know how to operate with this technology. Of course, it is costlier than the normal surgery.