Comments on: Endocrinology ~ Thyroid http://radio.mayoclinic.org/2012/04/29/dr-bryan-mciver/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=dr-bryan-mciver Interviews with Mayo Clinic Specialists, and Your Questions Tue, 07 May 2013 15:20:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Molly Ford http://radio.mayoclinic.org/2012/04/29/dr-bryan-mciver/#comment-435 Molly Ford Fri, 04 May 2012 13:07:06 +0000 http://radio.mayoclinic.org/?p=3350#comment-435 I have been living with Thyroid Disesase for 13 years. I started with on goiter & now have 3! I also started as Hyper but then became Hyper on one side & Hypo on the other side! Is that very common? My Dr. wants to remove the nodules but I don't, is it riskier for me not to since I've done ok just taking medication? Thank You! I have been living with Thyroid Disesase for 13 years. I started with on goiter & now have 3! I also started as Hyper but then became Hyper on one side & Hypo on the other side! Is that very common? My Dr. wants to remove the nodules but I don’t, is it riskier for me not to since I’ve done ok just taking medication?
Thank You!

]]> By: NM http://radio.mayoclinic.org/2012/04/29/dr-bryan-mciver/#comment-434 NM Thu, 03 May 2012 21:41:48 +0000 http://radio.mayoclinic.org/?p=3350#comment-434 30 year old female with graves disease and hyperthyroidism; diagnosed 5 years ago. The bulging effect of the eyes occurred over a span of less than 2 yrs. Has affected self-esteem and continuously posed psychological challenges which included suicidal thoughts during the first 2 years. Is there hope from a surgery/medical perspective? 30 year old female with graves disease and hyperthyroidism; diagnosed 5 years ago. The bulging effect of the eyes occurred over a span of less than 2 yrs. Has affected self-esteem and continuously posed psychological challenges which included suicidal thoughts during the first 2 years. Is there hope from a surgery/medical perspective?

]]> By: Tyler http://radio.mayoclinic.org/2012/04/29/dr-bryan-mciver/#comment-433 Tyler Wed, 02 May 2012 19:51:50 +0000 http://radio.mayoclinic.org/?p=3350#comment-433 With our ongoing problems of chronic disease and obesity, high cholesterol has become a problem for many. Statins are typically recommended and have been dealt out like candy to people - often causing horrendous side effects. Research has shown to prove that high cholesterol is often a sign of hypothyroidism since thyroid, with vitamin A helps to convert cholesterol into the body's steroidal hormones. Why is hypothyroidism so often overlooked when people test high for cholesterol? Wouldn't treating it more naturally with thyroid be a much better option since it tackles the cause at the root rather than treating a number with a statin which does not? With our ongoing problems of chronic disease and obesity, high cholesterol has become a problem for many. Statins are typically recommended and have been dealt out like candy to people – often causing horrendous side effects. Research has shown to prove that high cholesterol is often a sign of hypothyroidism since thyroid, with vitamin A helps to convert cholesterol into the body’s steroidal hormones. Why is hypothyroidism so often overlooked when people test high for cholesterol? Wouldn’t treating it more naturally with thyroid be a much better option since it tackles the cause at the root rather than treating a number with a statin which does not?

]]> By: Tyler http://radio.mayoclinic.org/2012/04/29/dr-bryan-mciver/#comment-432 Tyler Wed, 02 May 2012 18:37:31 +0000 http://radio.mayoclinic.org/?p=3350#comment-432 Do you believe in the typical standard thyroid blood tests for identifying thyroid issues? For example, many thyroid knowledgeable doctors have come to conclusion that TSH is an unreliable method. Many if not most doctors believe that a TSH of 5 or below is considered normal when in fact people are suffering from thyroid issues with a TSH even as low as 2. With the early work of Dr. Broda Barnes, hypothyroidism was thought to be an epidemic in the 1940s and different tests were used to diagnose it such as pulse and temperature. Do you believe that those tests can used as an indicator of thyroid health? Many Doctors prescribe only T4 (thyroxine) as a treatment for hypothyroidism. Many people, especially women seem to have trouble converting T4 into active thyroid hormone (T3). Taking a glandular with both T4 and T3 or adding some additional T3 seem to work better for some. What are your methods of treating people with hypothyroidism? Do you believe in the typical standard thyroid blood tests for identifying thyroid issues? For example, many thyroid knowledgeable doctors have come to conclusion that TSH is an unreliable method. Many if not most doctors believe that a TSH of 5 or below is considered normal when in fact people are suffering from thyroid issues with a TSH even as low as 2.

With the early work of Dr. Broda Barnes, hypothyroidism was thought to be an epidemic in the 1940s and different tests were used to diagnose it such as pulse and temperature. Do you believe that those tests can used as an indicator of thyroid health?

Many Doctors prescribe only T4 (thyroxine) as a treatment for hypothyroidism. Many people, especially women seem to have trouble converting T4 into active thyroid hormone (T3). Taking a glandular with both T4 and T3 or adding some additional T3 seem to work better for some. What are your methods of treating people with hypothyroidism?

]]> By: Anna http://radio.mayoclinic.org/2012/04/29/dr-bryan-mciver/#comment-431 Anna Wed, 02 May 2012 14:45:01 +0000 http://radio.mayoclinic.org/?p=3350#comment-431 I recently had a benign result on a couple of thyroid nodules, at Mayo Rochester. Like one of the other posters, I am also interested in Mayo's current target range for TSH levels. When I followed up with local Endocrinologist she said the goal is 2.0 to 2.5. However, she wanted to wait another 3 months to increase Synthroid dosage even though I was at 4.3. Fortunately I found a new primary care physician familiar with thyroids since she fights her own battle with it. She increased me to 50 mcg and within a week I felt better than I have in nearly a year! Why such variation among Endocrinolgists in target levels? And how long between dosage adjustments? I recently had a benign result on a couple of thyroid nodules, at Mayo Rochester. Like one of the other posters, I am also interested in Mayo’s current target range for TSH levels. When I followed up with local Endocrinologist she said the goal is 2.0 to 2.5. However, she wanted to wait another 3 months to increase Synthroid dosage even though I was at 4.3. Fortunately I found a new primary care physician familiar with thyroids since she fights her own battle with it. She increased me to 50 mcg and within a week I felt better than I have in nearly a year! Why such variation among Endocrinolgists in target levels? And how long between dosage adjustments?

]]> By: Jeanne Helvey http://radio.mayoclinic.org/2012/04/29/dr-bryan-mciver/#comment-430 Jeanne Helvey Wed, 02 May 2012 12:57:07 +0000 http://radio.mayoclinic.org/?p=3350#comment-430 I've had hypothyroidism for about 12 years. My numbers have never remained stable for over a year in which the synthroid dosage is always increased. I'm on 137 mcg now. Is there a point at which it's better to have the thyroid removed? I’ve had hypothyroidism for about 12 years. My numbers have never remained stable for over a year in which the synthroid dosage is always increased. I’m on 137 mcg now. Is there a point at which it’s better to have the thyroid removed?

]]> By: Julie Beck http://radio.mayoclinic.org/2012/04/29/dr-bryan-mciver/#comment-429 Julie Beck Wed, 02 May 2012 12:03:01 +0000 http://radio.mayoclinic.org/?p=3350#comment-429 Age 49 yr old female with Total thyroidectomy (97% removed) at Mayos 1999 with radio iodine ablation following for total removal. Pappillary thyroid cancer in both lobes. No other involvement. Research is minimal about life expectancy and very vague. My own Dr vague. I've heard that it is so slow growing that people in their 80's may have had it for 30-40 yrs and it was not the actual cause of death. Planning to live to play with my grandson for a very long time and maybe to outlive my Endocrinologist. J Beck Age 49 yr old female with Total thyroidectomy (97% removed) at Mayos 1999 with radio iodine ablation following for total removal. Pappillary thyroid cancer in both lobes. No other involvement. Research is minimal about life expectancy and very vague. My own Dr vague. I’ve heard that it is so slow growing that people in their 80′s may have had it for 30-40 yrs and it was not the actual cause of death. Planning to live to play with my grandson for a very long time and maybe to outlive my Endocrinologist.
J Beck

]]> By: Luis http://radio.mayoclinic.org/2012/04/29/dr-bryan-mciver/#comment-428 Luis Wed, 02 May 2012 07:56:49 +0000 http://radio.mayoclinic.org/?p=3350#comment-428 What's your opinion of sites like Stop The Thyroid Madness(www.stopthethyroidmadness.com), is there really a cure for hypothyroidism? What’s your opinion of sites like Stop The Thyroid Madness(www.stopthethyroidmadness.com), is there really a cure for hypothyroidism?

]]> By: TRACY B http://radio.mayoclinic.org/2012/04/29/dr-bryan-mciver/#comment-427 TRACY B Wed, 02 May 2012 04:19:44 +0000 http://radio.mayoclinic.org/?p=3350#comment-427 Could U suggest a collegue @ Mayo or @ The Jefferson University Hospital, in Phila., Pa. that can offer some clarity & alternatives 2 treatment of stomach cancer? Thanks in advance. Could U suggest a collegue @ Mayo or @ The Jefferson University Hospital, in Phila., Pa. that can offer some clarity & alternatives 2 treatment of stomach cancer? Thanks in advance.

]]> By: Becky Wright http://radio.mayoclinic.org/2012/04/29/dr-bryan-mciver/#comment-426 Becky Wright Wed, 02 May 2012 04:12:34 +0000 http://radio.mayoclinic.org/?p=3350#comment-426 I have a tumor on my thyroid, biopsy of it was benign but I can feel it when I swallow. Found out I have hypothyroidism. Started on synthroid, labs are now normal since taking med. I have put on 10 pounds in a short amount of time and haven't changed my diet and was wondering if it could be related to thyroid even though labs are now normal on meds. I have a tumor on my thyroid, biopsy of it was benign but I can feel it when I swallow. Found out I have hypothyroidism. Started on synthroid, labs are now normal since taking med. I have put on 10 pounds in a short amount of time and haven’t changed my diet and was wondering if it could be related to thyroid even though labs are now normal on meds.

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