X-Message-Number: 3773
Date: 29 Jan 95 18:55:31 EST
From: "Steven B. Harris" <>
Subject: CRYONET CRYONICS Thyroid problems

Dear Cryonet:

    Comment on Bob Ettinger's publicly discussed thyroid
problem:  

    Bob: proper levels of thyroid function are generally
best measured by consulting the pituitary to see if it "thinks"
the body is getting enough.  This doesn't work in people with a
bad pituitary, but it's pretty rare to have both thyroid and
pituitary on the blink at the same time.  Pituitary hormone TSH
can be measured along with thyroid hormones, and if it is in the
middle of the normal range, that's that.  Both Grave's and
Hashimoto's change thyroid gland function over time, and bear
watching with a blood test every couple of months.  

   If you want to fool a bit with the system, juuust enough
thyroid hormone (I recommend plain old Synthroid) can be given to
barely suppress TSH into the low-normal range, or even slightly
below it, without danger.  (This requires a supersensitive TSH
test, now routinely done if you ask).  You may be able to
convince your doc to let you do this this kind of thing under lab
test supervision, if you want to really try the experiment of
slightly raising your thyroid state fairly safely (if your doc
gets anxious, just tell him to "pretend" you have a benign
thyroid nodule he's suppressing, if that makes him feel better). 
More thyroid than the amount above subjects you to risk of
cardiomyopathy--  not a good thing.  You don't want to go taking
thyroid hormone to subjective endpoints-- you can feel great
while damaging your body.


                                     S.





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