Bloodwork

Thyroid- normal
Testosterone- normal
Vitamin D- normal

AHIs average 0-1.5 daily.

Still tired everyday.

Thyroid- normal
Testosterone- normal
Vitamin D- normal

What does "normal" mean??? I always ask for the actual numbers, and then I do some research.

Thyroid is a prime example. Most doctors only run a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) level. The "norms" for TSH say anything up to 5 is "normal" and anything over 5 indicates hypothyroidism. But an endocrinologist will tell you that 2.0 should be the limit for "normal" thyroid function, and TSH is not the best test of thyroid function to begin with. So if you are having thyroid symptoms, then "normal" is a pretty meaningless result. What tests were run? What was the actual result?

The norms for Vitamin D are very low--20 or 30. But optimal Vitamin D is 60 to 80. So if you are around 20, then you may be "normal" but it's like saying an AHI of 5 is good. It's certainly better than 90, but most of us can get our AHI to 1 or less with optimal settings on our CPAPs and most of us would still feel crappy at 5.

I always request to see the actual lab report, so I know exactly what the result is, not the lab or my doctor's perfunctory interpretation.

Vitamin D- 30.1

Thyroid- 1.060

Testosterone- 472

Today I feel refreshed mentally, but my muscles feel fatigued and I overall feel a tad unrested. This is about as good as it gets for me. I've experimented here and there with not using the CPAP since I lost weight and I still need it, though when I don't use it I don't feel near as bad as I did before.

But over time you likely will.

Noctuary wrote:Vitamin D- 30.1

Thyroid- 1.060

Testosterone- 472

Today I feel refreshed mentally, but my muscles feel fatigued and I overall feel a tad unrested. This is about as good as it gets for me. I've experimented here and there with not using the CPAP since I lost weight and I still need it, though when I don't use it I don't feel near as bad as I did before.

30 is the minimal acceptable level. You might want to try getting your D level up to see if you feel better.

Regarding the other test, you need to find out what the normal ranges are as you could be at the lower levels.

Your vitamin D is low.. supposed to be 31 to 80. I just had my mine tested I was at 32.3.
The doctor renewed by prescription of 50,000 units a week. The supplements I was taking just didn't work for me.
I was down to 12.7 .

I wish you well...

49er wrote:

Noctuary wrote:Vitamin D- 30.1

Thyroid- 1.060

Testosterone- 472

Today I feel refreshed mentally, but my muscles feel fatigued and I overall feel a tad unrested. This is about as good as it gets for me. I've experimented here and there with not using the CPAP since I lost weight and I still need it, though when I don't use it I don't feel near as bad as I did before.

30 is the minimal acceptable level. You might want to try getting your D level up to see if you feel better.

Regarding the other test, you need to find out what the normal ranges are as you could be at the lower levels.

Last spring I had my D tested and registered 22. I was prescribed the same and took it faithfully for several months with no change in how I felt. Somewhere between then and now I forgot to take them, but I will start again.

According to the sheet I was handed, the normal range of thyroid is 0.450-4.500. I'm at the low end for sure.

There are a variety of nutrients that affect energy.

I have been struggling for several years to get my vitamin D level up to 75. The test a few weeks ago was 94. I am now backing off a bit from 18,000+ per day to 13,000 per day.

Another one to check is vitamin B 12 Americans are chronically low. 400 is considered normal. I usually test over 1200.

Co enzyme Q10 is another to look at especially if you are taking statins, like Lipitor, which robs you of Co Q10 which is necessary for energy production at the cellular level. I don't know of a test for it, but I haven't really looked yet.

Something needs to happen soon. In six weeks I will likely be working long hours six days a week indefinitely. This may be a job killer. The brain fog itself is causing me trouble.

Another possibility is magnesium--you can test in the normal range on a serum test and still have a terrible deficiency, something many doctors don't know. Magnesium is tightly controlled by the body, so while there may be plenty in your serum, there may not be much in your cells, where you actually need it. I'd suggest supplementing unless you have a kidney issue--in that case, consult with your doctor. Otherwise, it's very safe. Any form except mag oxide (typically the cheap stuff labeled "magnesium" at grocery, drug and chain stores) is acceptable. Start low, say 200mg, and take it with a meal, lest you wind up on the toilet all day. If you have issues with constipation, you can go higher than that. Works great as a laxative, too!

JanuarySun wrote:Another possibility is magnesium--you can test in the normal range on a serum test and still have a terrible deficiency, something many doctors don't know. Magnesium is tightly controlled by the body, so while there may be plenty in your serum, there may not be much in your cells, where you actually need it. I'd suggest supplementing unless you have a kidney issue--in that case, consult with your doctor. Otherwise, it's very safe. Any form except mag oxide (typically the cheap stuff labeled "magnesium" at grocery, drug and chain stores) is acceptable. Start low, say 200mg, and take it with a meal, lest you wind up on the toilet all day. If you have issues with constipation, you can go higher than that. Works great as a laxative, too!

Just because something isn't a med, doesn't mean there can't be side effects. Personally, I can't take any magnesium supplement no matter how small without getting severe agitation. I even tried a higher quality one that fortunately had a money back guarantee.

My advice with any supplement is to take 1/4 to 1/2 the starting dose and be very cautious in raising it. If you don't have reactions after 3 to 7 days and think you might do better with an increase, raise it very slowly. Proceed very cautiously.

49er

Make sure any vitamin D supplement is a liquid or oil-filled capsule D3 supplement. Tablets are not a form your body uses. Vitamin D works best with Vitamins A and K2 at optimal levels. I take a liquid form of D3/K2. And I eat plenty of dietary sources of vitamin A (colorful veggies and pastured eggs and dairy).

TSH test for thyroid alone does not tell the whole picture. You might ask for a complete thyroid panel if your symptoms persist. Unfortunately, it's hard to find a doctor (even an endocrinologist) who understands enough to order the right tests and interpret them correctly.

My daughter has thyroid symptoms like exhaustion and feeling stupid and depression in the low normals. Luckily her doctor also has thyroid issues and had a hard time getting diagnosed so she goes after it like a bulldog. The symptoms are more important then the initial readings!

Get it checked out more!!!!

You might find http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com useful (I found it overwhelming!)

Janknitz wrote:You might find http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com useful (I found it overwhelming!)

Is there a way to avoid shelling out a few thousand of dollars to Dr. K's affiliates?