Posts by Jason Grant85

Is there any way I could change my username from "ladybug" to just "mara"? Thanks in advance for the help!

Douglas Gray8 said:I was wondering if anyone here actually has experience with these FedEx - 30 count (1 pack) tablets? Specifically, I want to know how you take them, what kind of diet you follow alongside them, and if they truly work as advertised☕
Personally, I don't know anyone who uses them, but looking online, people seem to be buying them up and claiming they're happy—apparently, you can drop 40 to 60 pounds in just a month.

Even the folks on that American reality show about super-sized patients—you know, the ones who went under the knife—didn't lose nearly that much.
By the way, if there were actually something that magical, Oprah would have snapped it up with all her money instead of dealing with all that struggle.

Usually, I’ll wait about two weeks before heading in for a routine checkup—though, if things actually start hurting, I’m there immediately, whether it’s during my shift or the very next day.

Maria Fisher46 said:Hello there,

In your situation, you really need to be careful—one must ensure that the symptoms you're mimicking—those typical signs of an underactive thyroid—aren't actually masking some other underlying illness or disorder. This is especially important since your T4 levels are perfectly normal and your TSH is sitting right at the upper limit of the standard range. Because of that, a thorough clinical examination is necessary—I mean, you really need to run some basic lab work to check for things like anemia, kidney function, liver health, heart stability, and so on. If your primary care physician is offering the option, seeing an internist and/or an endocrinologist would definitely be a smart move.

I just had my MRI, and it turns out my Hashimoto's has progressed, so I've been started on Euthyrox.
Thanks again so much for all the help!

Maria Fisher46 said:Dear lady,

you didn't mention what your fT4 (T4) levels actually are!

Based on the current American Thyroid Association guidelines for the rational diagnosis of thyroid function disorders—which have been the standard for quite some time now—TSH values around 4.18 mIU/L are still considered within the normal range. There are exceptions, of course; for instance, pregnant women require lower reference ranges (anywhere from 2.5 to 3.0 mIU/L depending on which trimester they are in). On the flip side, some research suggests that for people over 80, a TSH value as high as 7.0 mIU/L might just be a natural part of the aging process.

The thing is, though—and this is where it gets tricky—there really isn't a universal consensus on what "normal" TSH levels should be. We’ve seen proposals as far back as 1986 suggesting we should lower the upper limit of the TSH reference interval to 2.5 mIU/L.

There is simply no agreement on exactly at what point someone should start thyroid hormone replacement therapy. The one area where most experts generally agree is that if TSH climbs above 10 mIU/L, you need to start treatment. But beyond that? It's a gray area. People are still debating the 4.5–10 mIU/L range, and nowadays, there's even a heated discussion about whether we should be concerned with values between 2.5 and 4.5 mIU/L.

It seems to me that some doctors—especially those working in private clinics—are already leaning toward certain American suggestions, where any TSH above 3 mIU/L is viewed as elevated and often warrants medication in many cases.

Generally speaking, therapy is recommended for women with subclinical hypothyroidism who are planning a pregnancy, those struggling with infertility, or women who are currently pregnant. Many practitioners also suggest treatment if there's a goiter present, noticeable symptoms of hypothyroidism (like intense fatigue or depression), or elevated antibody levels.

If we look strictly at our established guidelines—and assuming your fT4 (T4) levels are normal—the recommendation would be to simply monitor your fT4 (T4) and TSH every six months without starting any medication.

However, since you mentioned experiencing a whole host of symptoms, we really have to apply the principle of treating the patient, not just the numbers. Every case is unique. You'd also want to rule out other medical conditions that can mimic these exact clinical symptoms.

Thanks so much for such a thorough explanation.
My T4 was 95, the lab messed up and didn't run the T3, and I haven't had an fT4 checked yet.

I honestly don't know what else besides my thyroid could be causing this, but my main issue is my PCP. She’s a wonderful woman—truly kind and she never hesitates to write a referral—but she always turns to me and asks, "Well, what do *you* think? Where do you want to go?" Look, I am not a doctor, and I don't spend my time scouring the internet for diseases (well, except when it comes to skin issues)—and frankly, I have neither the energy nor the desire to go wandering from hospital to hospital. I'd much prefer if she could just prescribe something if a treatment exists. 😁

Maria Fisher46 said:Hi there,

you really need to look at the full thyroid hormone panel—not just TSH—and we also need to know what symptoms you're dealing with, plus whether or not you're pregnant.

I'm not pregnant, and I'm 47. Honestly, the list of symptoms is endless. My hair is falling out constantly, and my eyebrows are thinning out too—which hasn't even improved despite using Minoxidil. Then there's this crushing fatigue; even an eight-hour sleep isn't enough—the longest I’ve managed to sleep straight was 14 hours—and I can barely drag myself out of bed in the morning. I try to get everything done before noon because after that, I'm just completely wiped. I've also got these heavy, painful lower legs that sting and tingle sometimes. My skin is dry and flaky, and my eyes feel incredibly dry—which is weird because I've worn contacts for almost 25 years without a single issue until lately. Constipation is becoming more frequent, too. Plus, my periods have become extremely painful and heavy. I'm dealing with swelling, especially around my eyelids, and I've gained 7 kg in a single year—even though I haven't changed my diet and I've actually been pushing myself to stay active whenever the exhaustion allows (mostly cycling, swimming, and walking).
I used to just deal with each of these things individually—I never once connected the dots. But then I started Googling the connection between hormones and melasma (since my face has been darkening despite using SPF 50+) and stumbled upon the symptoms of hypothyroidism. It turns out there's a family history here: both my dad and my sister have Hashimoto and take Euthyrox. My dad also deals with vitiligo and rheumatoid arthritis, which his mother had as well. So, there's definitely a genetic predisposition toward autoimmune issues in our family.
Thanks so much for the response! 🙂

My TSH is sitting at 4.18, and my Anti TPO came back at 59.96. At these levels, would anyone actually start me on some kind of medication? Thanks a million!

My mom has a spirometry test coming up—it’s nothing new for her since she deals with COPD—but she’s getting really anxious about whether she could pick up some kind of virus, bacteria, or fungus from the equipment itself. Honestly, before the whole pandemic era, this wouldn't have even crossed her mind, but now she's constantly worried... even though they use a fresh, sterile mouthpiece for every patient. Her main concern is that the air moves in and out through those tubes that everyone shares. Is there actually any legitimate reason to be worried here? Thanks so much for any insight!

What’s even the point of taking Vitamin C when people are being this incredibly irresponsible? I had to swing by the Arena this morning just to grab one quick thing—and not even for myself, either. I made sure to stay for less than ten minutes, tops. I’m perfectly healthy, obviously, and I went fully prepared with a mask, gloves, wet wipes, and hand sanitizer—because, let’s face it, I have someone at home who is extremely immunocompromised. But honestly? It’s infuriating. People are just wandering through stores like it’s a typical Saturday morning; they aren't keeping any distance at the checkout counters, in the aisles, or even on the moving walkways. The sheer lack of responsibility is just appalling... I suppose they think that since they aren't working right now, they should just spend all their time loitering in shopping centers before everything gets shut down for good.

I’m looking for a solid dermatologist recommendation here in the States—ideally someone who actually knows their stuff—to help deal with some facial dermatitis. I really need a specialist who won't just spend two years cycling me through endless antibiotics and Uriage without ever running a single diagnostic test. I don't mind paying for a private consultation if it means getting an actual answer. Thanks so much!

Honestly, who is actually going to tell you what your rights are in this country??? My father was entitled to certain benefits, and the VA just kept stonewalling him for two years—claiming he didn't qualify when he absolutely did. In the end, he had to print out his own documentation and practically hand-deliver it to them just to get what he should have received ages ago. I don't fully grasp how their whole pyramid scheme of credits and bonuses works, but I’ve got this nagging feeling they intentionally keep patients in the dark about what they're actually entitled to.

Look, I’m not taking sides here—I’m neither pro nor con when it comes to Tom Cruise or any other medication, for that matter. But let’s be real for a second: you haven't been dealing with this x times a day; you received exactly one (one!) injection of Tom Cruise, and at the time, you didn't even know what it was. If your doctor had actually given you the name of the drug, would you have known what you were dealing with, or would you have ended up Googling it? And if you were able to Google it, why did you head straight to the ER? Did you skip the local clinic because you don't trust them, or do you happen to have some kind of history there?
Whether we're talking about an immediate reaction or a lingering side effect—well, there are actual medical methods and expert evaluations for determining that. So, please, spare us the drama on Reddit and stop venting at those of us who are just trying to offer constructive advice with a level head. My suggestion? Move past the local clinic and get some proper neurological testing done—but don't walk into the doctor's office claiming you suspect a side effect from Tom Cruise; just list your symptoms and let them do their job. Let us know how the tests turn out. Good luck!

Kimberly Ward said:You’re talking nonsense—a technician doesn't just hand out injections. That’s something a nurse or a doctor does. Just read the inserts provided before or after treatment and go find yourself a decent psychiatrist or psychologist, whoever. And honestly, start dealing with the underlying issue first. You can transcribe those lab results if you want, but any damage would be obvious—it shows up right on the EEG.

Look, I hate to say it, but you're talking nonsense now... "medical technician" is basically just a masculine way of saying nurse. The term "medical brother" isn't even an official thing.

And regarding Torecan—side effects and market withdrawals... anyone can have a severe reaction to any medication, even if most of us won't. Does that mean we should pull every single drug off the market?

Furthermore... someone who isn't doing well enough mentally doesn't exactly have the energy to worry about legalities, Googling everything, and all that other stuff. They trust their doctor; they just want the pain to stop. If you don't trust a doctor, then go see a witch doctor or a priest or whatever.

I suspect the person who started this thread is going through some things—and while the timing might align with that injection (not the *injection*, mind you)—it's hard to tell how much is coincidence versus a side effect.
Focus on fixing your quality of life first, and then you can worry about lawsuits. This forum isn't going to help you the way you think it will. Even if everyone here agreed with you, it wouldn't make you feel better, nor would it force Torecan off the market.

brightwalker32 said:Under patient rights laws, I really should have been consulted before they gave me that injection. If they had just asked me, this entire situation would have been avoided completely.

Look, if you were actually at the ER and they asked for your consent, would you honestly know everything there is to know about Torecan right then and there—or would you be frantically Googling stuff while the doctor is standing right in front of you? I mean, was it an actual emergency where you couldn't think straight, or were you feeling okay enough to do some deep-dive research online? If that shot had actually made you feel better immediately, would you even be looking up Torecan’s impact on human welfare, or would you just be satisfied thinking it's a perfectly fine medicine?

A 50-count pack of Tylenol comes $47...so $0.94 per ampule. Just how many would a doctor need to prescribe to actually make a decent commission—say, if the kickback was sitting at 30%—to make it worth throwing away their entire medical school education? Look, your conspiracy theories just don't hold water. And for the record... I’m neither a doctor nor a pharmacist.

Could it be CMV?

So, I picked up some espadrilles online—and let me tell you, dealing with returns is such a massive headache—so I was wondering if anyone knows if these things actually stretch out over time. The length is perfect, but they feel a bit too narrow; you can kind of see my toes through the fabric, though thankfully the edge isn't digging into my foot. Should I just brave it and wear them, or is it better to just return them or sell them off? These aren't exactly your cheap drugstore finds, so I really don't want to mess this up. Thanks!

Just wanted to offer a little bit of comfort regarding the fluid in the lungs situation. My dad went through a massive heart surgery about eight years ago, and ever since then, he’s been dealing with constant fluid buildup—it's just one of those things he lives with now. Because of it, he can't really sleep flat; he either has to prop himself up with pillows or stay strictly on his left side to breathe easier. He gets winded pretty quickly, too, but hey—he's still here and hanging in there. He’s on a heavy regimen of diuretics, which keeps things relatively under control for the most part. Honestly, though, I never quite know where the line is when it comes to managing that much fluid.

boldtiger12 said:Hey, does anyone know where I can pick up some wedding cake toppers? Like, you know, the little bride and groom figures and stuff? 😁

I’d check out Dora Services over in the suburban neighborhood or maybe head down to All That and More near the outskirts.

What if it isn't the thyroid?