That's what I told the Dr I had been with as of yesterday. After getting back the test results for my thyroid and finding that I was pretty much off the charts, he refused to do further testing to find out whether it was my T3 or T4 that was causing the issue. His reasoning was this: According to the lab, the result was still within the range of normal - therefore, he was comfortable with the finding and didn't feel that further testing was justified.
When I pointed out the list of issues that I'd been having, he said that since he didn't see one specific issue he was looking for that "guaranteed" me having hypothyroidism, he was confident that I didn't have it and that further testing would be going in the wrong direction. What he instead wanted me to do was to double the dose on my Lexapro, keep a diary, and since I didn't have a regular shrink, I could see him once a month to check up on how I was feeling mentally...
So, I called another Dr, this time an internist specializing in women's health, and fired the first one. I have an appointment next Tuesday morning to (hopefully) start the ball rolling to get me feeling better.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Still alive...
In case anyone was keeping count, as of June 23rd, Fred and I have been married 1 year! And we're still alive!! For those keeping score, this is longer than some people had predicted us to be together. Officially, as of October 5th, we will have been together 4 years, WAY longer than some people had predicted. And I'm still as in love with him as ever - and he with me.
Our beautiful baby girl is now moving along toward her 5th month, and is on the fast track to moving. She's figured out hands and feet, and has been rocking back and forth on hands and knees occasionally, and has been inch-worming her way around her crib each night. She's also starting fights with the neighborhood plush toys, and argues with them when they don't do what she wants them to...
We are poor as churchmice at the moment, and getting even more so as we move along, but hopefully by December things will look better. Meanwhile, we won't be doing much that wasn't pre-scheduled and planned for early this year.
The relief check came, and the two large ticket items we had planned on getting were purchased - the rest went elsewhere. We now are the proud owners of a dyson vacuum cleaner, and a Char-Broil 4-burner grill, both of which we adore.
I was just diagnosed this week with Hypothyroidism, and am now fighting with doctors to actually get treated... As I mentioned in a previous entry, the "accepted" range for a thyroid is anywhere from .35 to 5.53. My thyroid is currently at 5.53... The higher the number, the further into hypothyroidism you are... However, since I'm still in the "normal" range, my doctor wasn't going to do further testing or treat me for it. I fired him. Now I get to go to a new doctor, and figure out how to pay THAT bill...
All in all, it's been a month.
~M
Our beautiful baby girl is now moving along toward her 5th month, and is on the fast track to moving. She's figured out hands and feet, and has been rocking back and forth on hands and knees occasionally, and has been inch-worming her way around her crib each night. She's also starting fights with the neighborhood plush toys, and argues with them when they don't do what she wants them to...
We are poor as churchmice at the moment, and getting even more so as we move along, but hopefully by December things will look better. Meanwhile, we won't be doing much that wasn't pre-scheduled and planned for early this year.
The relief check came, and the two large ticket items we had planned on getting were purchased - the rest went elsewhere. We now are the proud owners of a dyson vacuum cleaner, and a Char-Broil 4-burner grill, both of which we adore.
I was just diagnosed this week with Hypothyroidism, and am now fighting with doctors to actually get treated... As I mentioned in a previous entry, the "accepted" range for a thyroid is anywhere from .35 to 5.53. My thyroid is currently at 5.53... The higher the number, the further into hypothyroidism you are... However, since I'm still in the "normal" range, my doctor wasn't going to do further testing or treat me for it. I fired him. Now I get to go to a new doctor, and figure out how to pay THAT bill...
All in all, it's been a month.
~M
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
A bit of research...
I've been doing research for about a week or so on Hypothyroidism. I have been having increasing symptoms that point toward hypothyroidism, but so far my Dr has not felt that my symptoms point toward anything but needing an increase in my Lexapro, and a monthly check-up with him to go over journal entries that I'm to be writing each day about how I feel...
So, the following is cut-and-paste info that I got from a variety of different websites (all cited at the end of this entry). The list of symptoms is included, and the italizied ones are what I have issues with currently...
A Look at Undiagnosed Thyroid Problems
It's a common story. After having a baby, you find it unusually difficult to lose the baby weight, despite serious diet or exercise. Or you think you're getting enough sleep, but find yourself waking after eight or more hours of sleep exhausted and then drag around during the day feeling like a nap is the only thing on your mind. Or, conversely, you may find yourself anxious for no apparent reason, losing weight, up all night with insomnia and heart palpitations, and noticing that you're losing hair.
For many of you, the doctor will suggest that these symptoms point to depression, not enough sleep, a need for exercise, premenstrual syndrome, or simply the effects of stress.
The reality is that symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, unexplained weight gain or loss, hair loss, depression, and palpitations may indicate that you have an undiagnosed thyroid condition.
A February, 2000 research study found that the estimated number of people with undiagnosed thyroid disease may be 10 percent -- a level that is double current estimates, and may represent as many as 13 million Americans currently undiagnosed. For women, the risk is even higher. A woman faces as high as a one in five chance of developing thyroid problems during her lifetime. That risk increases with age and for those with a family history of thyroid problems.
The thyroid is our body's metabolic engine, controlling use of energy and foods. A small butterfly-shaped gland, the thyroid is located in the neck behind the Adam's apple, and produces key hormones -- triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) -- that fuel metabolism and help our bodies properly use energy and calories.
How do you know if you have hypothyroidism, the most commonly diagnosed thyroid problem? Your symptoms might include depression, forgetfulness, fatigue, weight gain, hoarse voice, high cholesterol levels, constipation, intolerance to cold, coarse hair, hair loss, dry skin, reduced libido, tingling hands and feet, heavy or irregular periods, and infertility or recurrent miscarriage. A careful review of our comprehensive Hypothyroidism Symptoms Checklist can help.
Undiagnosed hypothyroidism is blamed for many conditions and symptoms in women, including:
• infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss
• heart attacks and clogged arteries
• high cholesterol levels
• difficulty losing weight
• exacerbated menopausal symptoms
• fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome
• carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis
• low sex drive
• mitral valve prolapse
If your doctor suspects hypothyroidism, he or she will order a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) test. Most American laboratories have a normal range from around .5 to 5.5. TSH level above 5.5 or 6 is usually diagnosed as hypothyroid.
More doctors are also viewing high-normal or normal TSH levels as possible evidence of low-level hypothyroidism. Dr. John Dommisse, in an interview with Mary Shomon, has said that that "The so-called 'normal range' is way too high" Elizabeth Lee Vliet, M.D., is author of Screaming to Be Heard: Hormonal Connections Women Suspect...and Doctors Ignore. She does not tell her patients their thyroids are normal based only on TSH results. According to Vliet, "The normal range is relative. Many women have symptoms -- or are hypothyroid -- when TSH anywhere but the lower end of the range."
This broader interpretation of what constitutes 'normal' in terms of the thyroid is discussed in greater depth in “HELP! My TSH Is "Normal" But I Think I'm Hypothyroid.”
Dr. Vliet also tests for elevated thyroid antibodies, and low Free T3 and Free T4 levels. "Most women with elevated antibodies are in the process of developing autoimmune thyroid disease," says Vliet. "And even with normal TSH levels, I've found that majority of women with elevated antibodies, low Free T3 and low Free T4 require thyroid hormone replacement to feel well."
Doctors usually prescribe the synthetic T4 hormone levothyroxine to treat hypothyroidism. Popular brands include Levoxyl and Synthroid. Research reported in the New England Journal of Medicine in February of 1999 found that a majority of patients may feel better on a combination of hormones. On that basis of that study, more doctors are also adding synthetic T3 (liothyronine). Alternative physicians tend to prefer Thyrolar, Armour, or Naturethroid, drugs that include both hormones.
Occasionally, symptoms may accompany suspicious thyroid nodules. Nodules are typically evaluated by ultrasound scan and blood tests, and sometimes by an outpatient biopsy called fine needle aspiration (FNA). The vast majority of nodules are benign, and some are treated with levothyroxine. If cancer can't be ruled out, or your thyroid is obstructing breathing or swallowing, your doctor will likely recommend surgery.
Can You Prevent Thyroid Disease?
There are several things you can do to reduce your chance of thyroid problems.
Be Careful About Too Much Soy
There's evidence that excessive isoflavones -- found in popular soy products and supplements -- may cause hypothyroidism, goiter or nodules. Larrian Gillespie, M.D., author of The Goddess Diet, says "one serving of tofu a day is all you need to enjoy soy's benefits. Going overboard on soy supplements and powders may trigger or worsen thyroid problems." Also, remember that a long-term, steady diet of soy formula may make your baby more vulnerable to developing autoimmune thyroid conditions, due to overexposure to antithyroid isoflavones.
Drink Bottled Water
Fluoride in water, and a rocket fuel manufacturing by-product known as perchlorate, and other toxic chemicals are among the many substances in water that may trigger or worsen the risk of thyroid problems. Consider drinking purified or bottled water.
When It Comes to Iodine -- Think Moderation
Too little iodine, an increasing problem in the United States, increases your risk of hypothyroidism or goiter, but excessive iodine intake -- including kelp or bladderwrack -- can also affect the thyroid.
Stop Smoking
Smoking can damage the thyroid, and actually worsens some existing thyroid conditions . . . yet another reason to quit -- or never start -- smoking.
Reduce Your Stress
Reducing stress using effective techniques such as aerobic exercise, yoga and mind-body techniques can play a part in preventing some autoimmune problems like thyroid disease.
You can use this checklist to bring to your doctor to help aid in getting a proper diagnosis of hypothyroidism, or as background information in your discussions regarding finetuning your dosage so you are at the optimal TSH level for your own level of wellness.
Adults
In adults, hypothyroidism is associated with the following symptoms:
Poor muscle tone (muscle hypotonia)
Fatigue
Cold intolerance, increased sensitivity to cold
Depression
Constipation
Muscle cramps and joint pain
Arthritis
Goiter
Thin, brittle fingernails
Thin, brittle hair
Paleness
Dry, itchy skin
Weight gain
Bradycardia (low HR <60 BPM)
Late symptoms
Slowed speech and a hoarse, breaking voice. Deepening of the voice can also be noticed.
Dry puffy skin, especially on the face
Thinning of the outer third of the eyebrows
Abnormal menstrual cycles
Low basal body temperature
Less common symptoms
Heat intolerance, increased sensitivity to heat
Impaired memory
Impaired cognitive function (brain fog) and inattentiveness
Urticaria (hives)
Migraine headache
A slow heart rate with ECG changes including low voltage signals. Diminished cardiac output and decreased contractility.
Reactive (or post-prandial) hypoglycemia
Pericardial effusions may occur.
Sluggish reflexes
Hair loss
Anemia caused by impaired hemoglobin synthesis (decreased EPO levels), impaired intestinal iron and folate absorption or B12 deficiency from pernicious anemia
Anxiety/panic attacks
Difficulty swallowing
Shortness of breath with a shallow and slow respiratory pattern.
Impaired ventilatory responses to hypercapnia and hypoxia.
Increased need for sleep
Osteopenia or Osteoporosis
Irritability and mood instability
Yellowing of the skin due to impaired conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A
Impaired renal function with decreased GFR.
Thin, fragile or absent cuticles
Elevated serum cholesterol
Acute psychosis (myxedema madness) is a rare presentation of hypothyroidism
Decreased libido
Decreased sense of taste and smell (late, less common symptoms)
Puffy face, hands and feet (late, less common symptoms)
Depression
Getting a thyroid diagnosis if your TSH lab tests come back as normal. Many people write to me, asking if they could be hypothyroid, despite having had their TSH tested, and it comes back in the "normal" range. These people often describe a list of standard hypothyroid symptoms and have shown low basal body temperature tests, but standard TSH testing has shown them to be in the "normal range."
Here are some things to pursue in getting a diagnosis. What is your lab's "normal" range, and how does your doctor define "normal?"
Different labs have different values for what is normal. For example, at the lab my doctor uses, the normal range is .5 to 5.5. A TSH of less than .5 is considered hyPERthyroid, and a TSH of more than 5.5 is considered hyPOthyroid. Other labs might use .35 to 5, or .6 to 5.2, etc., but it's important for you to know the values at YOUR lab.
AND, it's important to know that as of March, 2003, the endocrinology community has recognized that the normal range is actually narrower. While labs are not necessarily reflecting this in their testing, the official "normal range" is now .3 to 3.0. For more information, read: Endos Say Normal TSH Range Now .3 to 3: Millions More at Thyroid Risk.
If you're on the higher end of the normal range, you could very well be borderline hypothyroid for YOU, but still in the "normal" range. So, you need to know what TSH level your doctor is targeting for you. This is a very loaded, but VERY important question. Your doctor's answer will tell you her or his philosophy about "normal" TSH. Some doctors believe that being in, or getting you into the very top of the normal range is their sole objective, and then the job is done. So, for example, using the 5.5 outer edge of the TSH level from my lab, that sort of doctor believes that getting me to somewhere around there constitutes full treatment.
Other doctors believe that certain TSH levels within the normal range are more appropriate targets. My endocrinologist, for example, believes that women don't feel well (and can't lose weight or get rid of other hypothyroidism symptoms) unless TSH is down between 1 and 2, far below the higher end of "normal." (There are some suggestions in research that have shown that the average TSH of a women without thyroid disease is 2, so that may be why some women don't feel well at 4 or 5.) My doctor wants me to feel as well as possible within normal range, but finds that on average, women don't feel well at the higher end, so she aims to take it lower.
In my own experience, I feel downright awful at anything above 4, and I feel great between 1 and 2, which is where my endocrinologist keeps my TSH. But some doctors would have no problem keeping me between a TSH of 3 and 4, still in the laboratory "normal" range, despite the fact that I still have the full range of hypothyroid symptoms -- fatigue, weight gain, irregular menstrual periods, dry skin, hair falling out -- at those levels.
The best doctor is one who believes that managing your thyroid is a combination of TSH AND how you feel. These are doctors who treat you like a patient, not a lab value! These doctors might say "well, let's get you into the normal range, see how you feel, and adjust the dosage from there."
Have you been tested for thyroid antibodies?
Some doctors believe that a thyroid that is in the process of autoimmune failure -- as evidenced by elevated antibody levels -- can cause hypothyroid symptoms BEFORE the hypothyroidism shows up as TSH outside the normal range, and should be treated with small doses of thyroid hormone.
One doctor who lays out this information is Elizabeth Lee Vliet, M.D., in her book Screaming to be Heard: Hormonal Connections Women Suspect...and Doctors Ignore. Dr. Vliet does not believe that TSH tests are the almighty indicator of a woman's thyroid health. Dr. Vliet says that symptoms, along with elevated thyroid antibodies and normal TSH, may be a reason for treatment with thyroid hormone.
Here's a quote from Dr. Vliet:
The problem I have found is that too often women are told their thyroid is normal without having the complete thyroid tests done. Of course, what most people, and many physicians, don't realize is that...a 'normal range' on a laboratory report is just that: a range. A given person may require higher or lower levels to feel well and to function optimally. I think we must look at the lab results along with the clinical picture described by the patient...I have a series of more than a hundred patients, all but twoare women, who had a normalTSH and turned out to have significantly elevated thyroid antibodiesthat meant they needed thyroid medication in order to feel normal. This type of oversight is particularly common with a type of thyroid disease called thyroiditis, which is about 25 times more common in females than males...a woman may experience the symptoms of disease months to years before TSH goes up..."
Have you had a TRH test?
In an article by Raphael Kellman, M.D. in Alternative Medicine magazine, Dr. Kellman indicates that some hypothyroidism may not be picked up by the standard thyroid hormone panel, which tests primarily the TSH, (thyroid stimulating hormone). If hypothyroidism symptoms are present, but TSH tests are normal, Dr. Kellman often relies on the TRH -- thyrotropin releasing hormone --stimulation test to assess possible hypothyroidism. According to Dr. Kellman, "the physician measures the patient's TSH level (a simple blood test), gives an injection of TRH, then draws blood 25 minutes later and remeasures the TSH. If the first TSH level is normal and the second TSH level is high--above ten--it tells us the patient's thyroid is underactive. A TSH reading of 15 is suspicious, while 20 strongly points to hypothyroidism." Dr. Kellman states that, "of the patients I've seen with three or more typical symptoms of underactive thyroid but who have tested 'normal' in standard tests, 35-40% actually have underactive thyroids based on the TRH test."
Could You Have an Underlying Additional Problem that Requires More than Just Standard Thyroid Hormone Replacement such as Levothyroxine Sodium/Synthroid?
Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothyroid, Euthyrox, Eltroxin are all brand names for the thyroid drug levothyroxine sodium, which is a synthetic version of the thyroid hormone T4. These are most often the drugs prescribed for thyroid hormone replacement for most patients.
But if you have hypothyroidism and are taking one of these conventional thyroid replacement drugs, your blood tests show a "normal" TSH and yet you still don't feel well, there may be an need for the addition of T3, the other major thyroid hormone.
For example, the book "Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: Trigger Point Manual, " describes the condition of "hypometabolism," where inability to adequately convert T4 to the T3 needed by the body leaves someone with a normal TSH level, but hypothyroid symptoms. Serum hormone studies typically show marginally low T3 and T4 levels, usually within the "normal" range, and TSH is rarely elevated out of the "normal range." At the same time, cholesterol is often elevated, and basal temperature is likely to be 97 degrees F or less. Patients with hypometabolism problems often respond well to T3 or T4/T3 treatments.
Fibromylagia can also be an underlying reason. Symptoms of fibromyalgia can be very similar to thyroid disease, and researchers have found higher incidence of thyroid disease among fibromylagia patients. And the researchers are also finding that these patients need the additional thyroid hormone T3 to resolve symptoms. For more information on fibromylagia and its symptoms, diagnosis, and relationship to thyroid disease, see my article "Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, and Autoimmune Thyroid Disease.
T3 is available on its own, as a brandname drug known as Cytomel, or can be included with T4 in the naturally derived thyroid drug Armour Thyroid, or the synthetic version of Armour, which is known as Thyrolar.
But My Doctor Thinks that TSH Testing is the Only Way to Diagnose Hypothyroidism, Antibody Tests are a Waste of Time, TRH Tests Are Useless, Synthroid is the Only Drug to Prescribe, and There's no Such Thing as Hypometabolism or Conversion Problems or Fibromyalgia, and Armour Thyroid is an Old-Fashioned, Dangerous Drug
Many endocrinologists are known for being "numbers" people. They manage by the numbers, and not by the symptoms, which can often create the "you're in the normal range, so you're fine" response many of us get to complaints that we still don't feel well. So keep in mind that even if you have easily diagnosed hypothyroidism, it may take some serious looking to find an endocrinologist who believes in finding an optimal TSH for you, and not just getting you into the high normal range and declaring you cured.
As for getting a diagnosis and treatment via the less conventional methods -- basal body temperature testing, TRH tests, antibody testing -- or drugs -- Armour, Thyrolar, Cytomel --you're probably going to need to look outside the standard endocrinology community and find a doctor who has a more holistic approach.
Sources:
http://thyroid.about.com/cs/hypothyroidism/a/normaltsh.htm by Mary Shoman.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothyroidism
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypothyroidism/DS00353
http://thyroid.about.com/
http://thyroid.about.com/od/symptomsrisks/a/symptomsrisks.htm
So, the following is cut-and-paste info that I got from a variety of different websites (all cited at the end of this entry). The list of symptoms is included, and the italizied ones are what I have issues with currently...
A Look at Undiagnosed Thyroid Problems
It's a common story. After having a baby, you find it unusually difficult to lose the baby weight, despite serious diet or exercise. Or you think you're getting enough sleep, but find yourself waking after eight or more hours of sleep exhausted and then drag around during the day feeling like a nap is the only thing on your mind. Or, conversely, you may find yourself anxious for no apparent reason, losing weight, up all night with insomnia and heart palpitations, and noticing that you're losing hair.
For many of you, the doctor will suggest that these symptoms point to depression, not enough sleep, a need for exercise, premenstrual syndrome, or simply the effects of stress.
The reality is that symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, unexplained weight gain or loss, hair loss, depression, and palpitations may indicate that you have an undiagnosed thyroid condition.
A February, 2000 research study found that the estimated number of people with undiagnosed thyroid disease may be 10 percent -- a level that is double current estimates, and may represent as many as 13 million Americans currently undiagnosed. For women, the risk is even higher. A woman faces as high as a one in five chance of developing thyroid problems during her lifetime. That risk increases with age and for those with a family history of thyroid problems.
The thyroid is our body's metabolic engine, controlling use of energy and foods. A small butterfly-shaped gland, the thyroid is located in the neck behind the Adam's apple, and produces key hormones -- triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) -- that fuel metabolism and help our bodies properly use energy and calories.
How do you know if you have hypothyroidism, the most commonly diagnosed thyroid problem? Your symptoms might include depression, forgetfulness, fatigue, weight gain, hoarse voice, high cholesterol levels, constipation, intolerance to cold, coarse hair, hair loss, dry skin, reduced libido, tingling hands and feet, heavy or irregular periods, and infertility or recurrent miscarriage. A careful review of our comprehensive Hypothyroidism Symptoms Checklist can help.
Undiagnosed hypothyroidism is blamed for many conditions and symptoms in women, including:
• infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss
• heart attacks and clogged arteries
• high cholesterol levels
• difficulty losing weight
• exacerbated menopausal symptoms
• fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome
• carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis
• low sex drive
• mitral valve prolapse
If your doctor suspects hypothyroidism, he or she will order a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) test. Most American laboratories have a normal range from around .5 to 5.5. TSH level above 5.5 or 6 is usually diagnosed as hypothyroid.
More doctors are also viewing high-normal or normal TSH levels as possible evidence of low-level hypothyroidism. Dr. John Dommisse, in an interview with Mary Shomon, has said that that "The so-called 'normal range' is way too high" Elizabeth Lee Vliet, M.D., is author of Screaming to Be Heard: Hormonal Connections Women Suspect...and Doctors Ignore. She does not tell her patients their thyroids are normal based only on TSH results. According to Vliet, "The normal range is relative. Many women have symptoms -- or are hypothyroid -- when TSH anywhere but the lower end of the range."
This broader interpretation of what constitutes 'normal' in terms of the thyroid is discussed in greater depth in “HELP! My TSH Is "Normal" But I Think I'm Hypothyroid.”
Dr. Vliet also tests for elevated thyroid antibodies, and low Free T3 and Free T4 levels. "Most women with elevated antibodies are in the process of developing autoimmune thyroid disease," says Vliet. "And even with normal TSH levels, I've found that majority of women with elevated antibodies, low Free T3 and low Free T4 require thyroid hormone replacement to feel well."
Doctors usually prescribe the synthetic T4 hormone levothyroxine to treat hypothyroidism. Popular brands include Levoxyl and Synthroid. Research reported in the New England Journal of Medicine in February of 1999 found that a majority of patients may feel better on a combination of hormones. On that basis of that study, more doctors are also adding synthetic T3 (liothyronine). Alternative physicians tend to prefer Thyrolar, Armour, or Naturethroid, drugs that include both hormones.
Occasionally, symptoms may accompany suspicious thyroid nodules. Nodules are typically evaluated by ultrasound scan and blood tests, and sometimes by an outpatient biopsy called fine needle aspiration (FNA). The vast majority of nodules are benign, and some are treated with levothyroxine. If cancer can't be ruled out, or your thyroid is obstructing breathing or swallowing, your doctor will likely recommend surgery.
Can You Prevent Thyroid Disease?
There are several things you can do to reduce your chance of thyroid problems.
Be Careful About Too Much Soy
There's evidence that excessive isoflavones -- found in popular soy products and supplements -- may cause hypothyroidism, goiter or nodules. Larrian Gillespie, M.D., author of The Goddess Diet, says "one serving of tofu a day is all you need to enjoy soy's benefits. Going overboard on soy supplements and powders may trigger or worsen thyroid problems." Also, remember that a long-term, steady diet of soy formula may make your baby more vulnerable to developing autoimmune thyroid conditions, due to overexposure to antithyroid isoflavones.
Drink Bottled Water
Fluoride in water, and a rocket fuel manufacturing by-product known as perchlorate, and other toxic chemicals are among the many substances in water that may trigger or worsen the risk of thyroid problems. Consider drinking purified or bottled water.
When It Comes to Iodine -- Think Moderation
Too little iodine, an increasing problem in the United States, increases your risk of hypothyroidism or goiter, but excessive iodine intake -- including kelp or bladderwrack -- can also affect the thyroid.
Stop Smoking
Smoking can damage the thyroid, and actually worsens some existing thyroid conditions . . . yet another reason to quit -- or never start -- smoking.
Reduce Your Stress
Reducing stress using effective techniques such as aerobic exercise, yoga and mind-body techniques can play a part in preventing some autoimmune problems like thyroid disease.
You can use this checklist to bring to your doctor to help aid in getting a proper diagnosis of hypothyroidism, or as background information in your discussions regarding finetuning your dosage so you are at the optimal TSH level for your own level of wellness.
Adults
In adults, hypothyroidism is associated with the following symptoms:
Poor muscle tone (muscle hypotonia)
Fatigue
Cold intolerance, increased sensitivity to cold
Depression
Constipation
Muscle cramps and joint pain
Arthritis
Goiter
Thin, brittle fingernails
Thin, brittle hair
Paleness
Dry, itchy skin
Weight gain
Bradycardia (low HR <60 BPM)
Late symptoms
Slowed speech and a hoarse, breaking voice. Deepening of the voice can also be noticed.
Dry puffy skin, especially on the face
Thinning of the outer third of the eyebrows
Abnormal menstrual cycles
Low basal body temperature
Less common symptoms
Heat intolerance, increased sensitivity to heat
Impaired memory
Impaired cognitive function (brain fog) and inattentiveness
Urticaria (hives)
Migraine headache
A slow heart rate with ECG changes including low voltage signals. Diminished cardiac output and decreased contractility.
Reactive (or post-prandial) hypoglycemia
Pericardial effusions may occur.
Sluggish reflexes
Hair loss
Anemia caused by impaired hemoglobin synthesis (decreased EPO levels), impaired intestinal iron and folate absorption or B12 deficiency from pernicious anemia
Anxiety/panic attacks
Difficulty swallowing
Shortness of breath with a shallow and slow respiratory pattern.
Impaired ventilatory responses to hypercapnia and hypoxia.
Increased need for sleep
Osteopenia or Osteoporosis
Irritability and mood instability
Yellowing of the skin due to impaired conversion of beta-carotene to vitamin A
Impaired renal function with decreased GFR.
Thin, fragile or absent cuticles
Elevated serum cholesterol
Acute psychosis (myxedema madness) is a rare presentation of hypothyroidism
Decreased libido
Decreased sense of taste and smell (late, less common symptoms)
Puffy face, hands and feet (late, less common symptoms)
Depression
Getting a thyroid diagnosis if your TSH lab tests come back as normal. Many people write to me, asking if they could be hypothyroid, despite having had their TSH tested, and it comes back in the "normal" range. These people often describe a list of standard hypothyroid symptoms and have shown low basal body temperature tests, but standard TSH testing has shown them to be in the "normal range."
Here are some things to pursue in getting a diagnosis. What is your lab's "normal" range, and how does your doctor define "normal?"
Different labs have different values for what is normal. For example, at the lab my doctor uses, the normal range is .5 to 5.5. A TSH of less than .5 is considered hyPERthyroid, and a TSH of more than 5.5 is considered hyPOthyroid. Other labs might use .35 to 5, or .6 to 5.2, etc., but it's important for you to know the values at YOUR lab.
AND, it's important to know that as of March, 2003, the endocrinology community has recognized that the normal range is actually narrower. While labs are not necessarily reflecting this in their testing, the official "normal range" is now .3 to 3.0. For more information, read: Endos Say Normal TSH Range Now .3 to 3: Millions More at Thyroid Risk.
If you're on the higher end of the normal range, you could very well be borderline hypothyroid for YOU, but still in the "normal" range. So, you need to know what TSH level your doctor is targeting for you. This is a very loaded, but VERY important question. Your doctor's answer will tell you her or his philosophy about "normal" TSH. Some doctors believe that being in, or getting you into the very top of the normal range is their sole objective, and then the job is done. So, for example, using the 5.5 outer edge of the TSH level from my lab, that sort of doctor believes that getting me to somewhere around there constitutes full treatment.
Other doctors believe that certain TSH levels within the normal range are more appropriate targets. My endocrinologist, for example, believes that women don't feel well (and can't lose weight or get rid of other hypothyroidism symptoms) unless TSH is down between 1 and 2, far below the higher end of "normal." (There are some suggestions in research that have shown that the average TSH of a women without thyroid disease is 2, so that may be why some women don't feel well at 4 or 5.) My doctor wants me to feel as well as possible within normal range, but finds that on average, women don't feel well at the higher end, so she aims to take it lower.
In my own experience, I feel downright awful at anything above 4, and I feel great between 1 and 2, which is where my endocrinologist keeps my TSH. But some doctors would have no problem keeping me between a TSH of 3 and 4, still in the laboratory "normal" range, despite the fact that I still have the full range of hypothyroid symptoms -- fatigue, weight gain, irregular menstrual periods, dry skin, hair falling out -- at those levels.
The best doctor is one who believes that managing your thyroid is a combination of TSH AND how you feel. These are doctors who treat you like a patient, not a lab value! These doctors might say "well, let's get you into the normal range, see how you feel, and adjust the dosage from there."
Have you been tested for thyroid antibodies?
Some doctors believe that a thyroid that is in the process of autoimmune failure -- as evidenced by elevated antibody levels -- can cause hypothyroid symptoms BEFORE the hypothyroidism shows up as TSH outside the normal range, and should be treated with small doses of thyroid hormone.
One doctor who lays out this information is Elizabeth Lee Vliet, M.D., in her book Screaming to be Heard: Hormonal Connections Women Suspect...and Doctors Ignore. Dr. Vliet does not believe that TSH tests are the almighty indicator of a woman's thyroid health. Dr. Vliet says that symptoms, along with elevated thyroid antibodies and normal TSH, may be a reason for treatment with thyroid hormone.
Here's a quote from Dr. Vliet:
The problem I have found is that too often women are told their thyroid is normal without having the complete thyroid tests done. Of course, what most people, and many physicians, don't realize is that...a 'normal range' on a laboratory report is just that: a range. A given person may require higher or lower levels to feel well and to function optimally. I think we must look at the lab results along with the clinical picture described by the patient...I have a series of more than a hundred patients, all but twoare women, who had a normalTSH and turned out to have significantly elevated thyroid antibodiesthat meant they needed thyroid medication in order to feel normal. This type of oversight is particularly common with a type of thyroid disease called thyroiditis, which is about 25 times more common in females than males...a woman may experience the symptoms of disease months to years before TSH goes up..."
Have you had a TRH test?
In an article by Raphael Kellman, M.D. in Alternative Medicine magazine, Dr. Kellman indicates that some hypothyroidism may not be picked up by the standard thyroid hormone panel, which tests primarily the TSH, (thyroid stimulating hormone). If hypothyroidism symptoms are present, but TSH tests are normal, Dr. Kellman often relies on the TRH -- thyrotropin releasing hormone --stimulation test to assess possible hypothyroidism. According to Dr. Kellman, "the physician measures the patient's TSH level (a simple blood test), gives an injection of TRH, then draws blood 25 minutes later and remeasures the TSH. If the first TSH level is normal and the second TSH level is high--above ten--it tells us the patient's thyroid is underactive. A TSH reading of 15 is suspicious, while 20 strongly points to hypothyroidism." Dr. Kellman states that, "of the patients I've seen with three or more typical symptoms of underactive thyroid but who have tested 'normal' in standard tests, 35-40% actually have underactive thyroids based on the TRH test."
Could You Have an Underlying Additional Problem that Requires More than Just Standard Thyroid Hormone Replacement such as Levothyroxine Sodium/Synthroid?
Synthroid, Levoxyl, Levothyroid, Euthyrox, Eltroxin are all brand names for the thyroid drug levothyroxine sodium, which is a synthetic version of the thyroid hormone T4. These are most often the drugs prescribed for thyroid hormone replacement for most patients.
But if you have hypothyroidism and are taking one of these conventional thyroid replacement drugs, your blood tests show a "normal" TSH and yet you still don't feel well, there may be an need for the addition of T3, the other major thyroid hormone.
For example, the book "Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: Trigger Point Manual, " describes the condition of "hypometabolism," where inability to adequately convert T4 to the T3 needed by the body leaves someone with a normal TSH level, but hypothyroid symptoms. Serum hormone studies typically show marginally low T3 and T4 levels, usually within the "normal" range, and TSH is rarely elevated out of the "normal range." At the same time, cholesterol is often elevated, and basal temperature is likely to be 97 degrees F or less. Patients with hypometabolism problems often respond well to T3 or T4/T3 treatments.
Fibromylagia can also be an underlying reason. Symptoms of fibromyalgia can be very similar to thyroid disease, and researchers have found higher incidence of thyroid disease among fibromylagia patients. And the researchers are also finding that these patients need the additional thyroid hormone T3 to resolve symptoms. For more information on fibromylagia and its symptoms, diagnosis, and relationship to thyroid disease, see my article "Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, and Autoimmune Thyroid Disease.
T3 is available on its own, as a brandname drug known as Cytomel, or can be included with T4 in the naturally derived thyroid drug Armour Thyroid, or the synthetic version of Armour, which is known as Thyrolar.
But My Doctor Thinks that TSH Testing is the Only Way to Diagnose Hypothyroidism, Antibody Tests are a Waste of Time, TRH Tests Are Useless, Synthroid is the Only Drug to Prescribe, and There's no Such Thing as Hypometabolism or Conversion Problems or Fibromyalgia, and Armour Thyroid is an Old-Fashioned, Dangerous Drug
Many endocrinologists are known for being "numbers" people. They manage by the numbers, and not by the symptoms, which can often create the "you're in the normal range, so you're fine" response many of us get to complaints that we still don't feel well. So keep in mind that even if you have easily diagnosed hypothyroidism, it may take some serious looking to find an endocrinologist who believes in finding an optimal TSH for you, and not just getting you into the high normal range and declaring you cured.
As for getting a diagnosis and treatment via the less conventional methods -- basal body temperature testing, TRH tests, antibody testing -- or drugs -- Armour, Thyrolar, Cytomel --you're probably going to need to look outside the standard endocrinology community and find a doctor who has a more holistic approach.
Sources:
http://thyroid.about.com/cs/hypothyroidism/a/normaltsh.htm by Mary Shoman.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothyroidism
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hypothyroidism/DS00353
http://thyroid.about.com/
http://thyroid.about.com/od/symptomsrisks/a/symptomsrisks.htm
Friday, June 20, 2008
Cynics - work together!
Well, the most recent developments really don't bear repeating. I thought about everything that's going on in my life, and most people simply don't care either one way or another about it... Still, for my own records to look back at, here's what's going on...
We almost lost our babysitter two days ago. Unfortunately, we had not been able to pay more than a small set amount. However, thanks to my mother, we are now able to keep our babysitter - which is good. The baby and the sitter both adore one another, and it's nice to have someone around that I know and trust with her. It's worth the extra cost.
In addition, we got our relief check. After buying two large ticket items (a grill and a vacuum), and a yearly zoo pass, the rest is going to bills. I get to pick up the two large, bulky items with the help of Ronnie, as of this evening. Soon, there will be a grill party. I'll let people know when.
I have continued to lose my hair by the handfuls since I had the baby. I also have hardly any sex drive, am moody and depressed most days, and/or am crabby and snappish the rest of the time. I'm exhausted all the time, no matter what. There are a few other things going on as well, which I won't go into at this point. Amie thinks it's my thyroid... I plan to find out Monday, when I go in to the dr about it.
Elizabeth is continuing to grow at an almost exponential rate. She's over 16 lb's now, and over 26 inches long... She's into the 6-9 month clothing because she's so tall. She figured out how to sit up by herself last weekend, and as of a few days ago, she's on hands and knees, wobbling back and forth. It's only a matter of days before she decides to get going and crawl. We started her on a small amount of rice cereal, per her pediatrician. She actually likes it, and it's gotten her to slow down a bit on the formula/breastmilk...
We took her swimming last Sunday, and she loved it. Looked at the pool, then gave me a look like "That's the biggest tub EVER!" It was a little on the cool side, but she didn't seem to mind at all, which was nice.
Work continues to be work. I'm frustrated at not getting out of the call center at this point, but apparently it's not to be for now. I gave up applying for new positions for a while, since it's not going to happen until the time is right.
I have come to the conclusion that there are some people in my life that I've repeatedly extended invitations to, and conciously made an effort to continue a friendship with them, to no avail. They simply don't want to be friends anymore. So, I'm done. I am not going to waste precious energy trying to continue on a friendship which is obviously not reciprocated. Whatever. I can use that energy elsewhere, and be happier for it, though have fewer friends.
Honestly, speaking of friends, I've figured out I'm really just not friend material. I'm available to help people, I am useful to be around if you need sewing or cooking to be done, and I'm always counted on to either have money to borrow or a shoulder to cry on - but I'm not good for a friend... *shrug* whatever. Fred's always been the social butterfly anyway, so Elizabeth can learn how to be friends with people from him. I'll be there for moral support.
Other than that, nothing much going on. Oh, and got a great T-shirt for Fred for Father's Day: "I'm sorry... I can't hear you over how awesome I am".
~M
We almost lost our babysitter two days ago. Unfortunately, we had not been able to pay more than a small set amount. However, thanks to my mother, we are now able to keep our babysitter - which is good. The baby and the sitter both adore one another, and it's nice to have someone around that I know and trust with her. It's worth the extra cost.
In addition, we got our relief check. After buying two large ticket items (a grill and a vacuum), and a yearly zoo pass, the rest is going to bills. I get to pick up the two large, bulky items with the help of Ronnie, as of this evening. Soon, there will be a grill party. I'll let people know when.
I have continued to lose my hair by the handfuls since I had the baby. I also have hardly any sex drive, am moody and depressed most days, and/or am crabby and snappish the rest of the time. I'm exhausted all the time, no matter what. There are a few other things going on as well, which I won't go into at this point. Amie thinks it's my thyroid... I plan to find out Monday, when I go in to the dr about it.
Elizabeth is continuing to grow at an almost exponential rate. She's over 16 lb's now, and over 26 inches long... She's into the 6-9 month clothing because she's so tall. She figured out how to sit up by herself last weekend, and as of a few days ago, she's on hands and knees, wobbling back and forth. It's only a matter of days before she decides to get going and crawl. We started her on a small amount of rice cereal, per her pediatrician. She actually likes it, and it's gotten her to slow down a bit on the formula/breastmilk...
We took her swimming last Sunday, and she loved it. Looked at the pool, then gave me a look like "That's the biggest tub EVER!" It was a little on the cool side, but she didn't seem to mind at all, which was nice.
Work continues to be work. I'm frustrated at not getting out of the call center at this point, but apparently it's not to be for now. I gave up applying for new positions for a while, since it's not going to happen until the time is right.
I have come to the conclusion that there are some people in my life that I've repeatedly extended invitations to, and conciously made an effort to continue a friendship with them, to no avail. They simply don't want to be friends anymore. So, I'm done. I am not going to waste precious energy trying to continue on a friendship which is obviously not reciprocated. Whatever. I can use that energy elsewhere, and be happier for it, though have fewer friends.
Honestly, speaking of friends, I've figured out I'm really just not friend material. I'm available to help people, I am useful to be around if you need sewing or cooking to be done, and I'm always counted on to either have money to borrow or a shoulder to cry on - but I'm not good for a friend... *shrug* whatever. Fred's always been the social butterfly anyway, so Elizabeth can learn how to be friends with people from him. I'll be there for moral support.
Other than that, nothing much going on. Oh, and got a great T-shirt for Fred for Father's Day: "I'm sorry... I can't hear you over how awesome I am".
~M
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Update, and a true rant...
I am still here, and still keeping tabs - life, however, has had its demands lately; not the least of which was becoming a new mommy about 4 months ago as of this last Friday… Meanwhile, I am still occasionally getting comments on my original post over under the “Sallie Mae Sucks Ass” entry (you can check it out), even though I’d posted there (in the comments section) that everything that had to do with Sallie Mae from that point on should be directed over to this blog. The following is the most recent of comments that apparently was posted to try and dissuade me from continuing on with my determined plan to help stop (or at least slow down) the financial hemorrhaging that Sallie Mae has caused to so many borrowers:
companies like sallie mae are purhased and sold all the time emailing the VP will do no good. Besides do you honestly think anyone will read them? I used to work for "Salie Mae" although i represented the Guarantor, USAFunds. We are in the same building (same #) calling about the same loans but are a seperate corp. thank you "mortgage financer" All i can say is you know how much money you are borrowing what did you expect the payment to be afterwords? try taking out 40 - 50,000 for a car and see what that payment is. The fact of the matter is that federal student loans have an extremely low interest rate are are the best type of loan a student can have. If you took out Private loans then sorry for you those interest rates are crazy high, but that amount was figured at an amount that someone (you, parents etc) should have been able to contribute to your education, wastefull spending is no justification for these "harrassing" calls. If you borrowed enough money to make a $500 / mo payment your job should reflect that. I borrowed 40k myself make $9/hr and can still find plenty of money to live and pay every bill i have. Stand up be a man and adjust your lavish lifestyle back to normality. I would imagine you have used forbearance over and over which has only capitolized your interest probabl doubling your loans by now. Word of advice if you havnt already. START PAYING anything will slowly eat away your debt, may not stop the calls but will obviously help. You have to prove and "Undue Hardship" to get any legal help for student loans. These loans are created to be given easily to students to get them the knowledge they need to succeed, for that reason they are incredibly hard to dismiss. Your choices are A: Permanent and Total Disability or B: Death.
Now, let’s take a good look at this note, piece by piece. Let’s really analyze it and see where it’s coming from. First and foremost, the lack of spell-check and punctuation, not to mention the proper capitalization of words. It’s sad that what I’m seeing here is someone who still works for Sallie Mae (It‘s pretty obvious), who can’t spell their name, and who can’t seem to figure out how to create proper sentence structure or spelling.
So, from the beginning…
companies like sallie mae are purhased and sold all the time emailing the VP will do no good. Besides do you honestly think anyone will read them?
Actually, not only did they read it, but something actually got DONE about it - and you’d know this if you actually did a bit of research through my actual Sallie Mae blog and noted that I not only got a reduction of payments, but also a reduction of my percentage rate - via Barry Feierstein, the VP of the company. Thanks, but you’re already beginning to annoy me from sheer stupidity.
I used to work for "Salie Mae" although i represented the Guarantor, USAFunds. We are in the same building (same #) calling about the same loans but are a seperate corp. thank you "mortgage financer
I’d say you STILL work for them, what with your lack of empathy, not to mention your piss-poor information. Further, they are NOT a separate corporation - they are all under the same major corporate vendor identity that is Sallie Mae (or is that Salie Mae, as you spelled it). This is something that has been a repeated bone of contention throughout the company’s long history with its borrowers. They own over 12 different collection companies, but claim since those companies are all named differently, they are all allowed to call individually for loan collection - even though they are all doing debt collection for the SAME COMPANY - Sallie Mae.
All i can say is you know how much money you are borrowing what did you expect the payment to be afterwords? try taking out 40 - 50,000 for a car and see what that payment is.
I’m sorry - if you’re going to take out a loan for $40-$50,000 for a CAR, then that’s a different kettle of fish. A vehicle is not supposed to get you further in your career. It will not provide further knowledge or help to increase your value as a member of society based on your training. Try comparing this with something else - I’d be more inclined to listen about it. Furthermore, the percentage rate on a car loan is based on your annual credit score, and is normally a fixed rate. This is not necessarily so for a student loan.
The fact of the matter is that federal student loans have an extremely low interest rate are are the best type of loan a student can have. If you took out Private loans then sorry for you those interest rates are crazy high, but that amount was figured at an amount that someone (you, parents etc) should have been able to contribute to your education, wastefull spending is no justification for these "harrassing" calls.
You are correct - Federal student loans *do* have extremely low interest rates, and ARE the best type of loan a student can have. However, many schools do not differentiate at the time of signing which type of loan they are having you agree to - legal or not, this is the absolute truth of the matter. In addition, truth in lending laws are regularly suspended when requesting student loans, and interest rates on private school loans are not required to be disclosed until AFTER the paperwork has been signed.
Further, as for an amount that either my parents or myself “should” have been able to contribute to my education… I was 30 years old when I requested the loan - well past the age that my parents income would have been looked at. In addition, I had no job, no income, and owned an 11-year-old Ford Festiva when I signed the papers - I had NOTHING to base an amount on. What sort of “wasteful spending” are you talking about? Rent? Food? Electricity? Am I expected to live out of my car and eat nothing for days on end in order to pay back my loans? I think not. NO ONE should be forced into that type of situation, yet Sallie Mae places thousands of people into similar situations each year, all in the name of “bettering” and “helping” people.
If you borrowed enough money to make a $500 / mo payment your job should reflect that. I borrowed 40k myself make $9/hr and can still find plenty of money to live and pay every bill i have. Stand up be a man and adjust your lavish lifestyle back to normality.
You are able to make it on $9 per hour? And still find plenty of money to live on and pay every bill you have?? REEALLY? Let’s do the math here, bub. Let’s base it on a standard 40 hour work week and see what’s going on here:
$9/hr x 40 hrs x 2 weeks = $720 x 70% (what you’ll keep on avg after taxes) = $504
So, you make a total of $504 every two weeks… An average of $13,104 for the year…
Now, let’s look at interest - we’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and say that you’re annual interest rate on your $40k loan is at 6%. That’s an additional $2400 per year. Let’s say you pay $500 per month for you’re loan. That means at the end of the year, you’ve paid a total of $6000 - $2400 of which is that interest, and the other $3600 in the actual loan. Which is really good, considering. I must say, I have to applaud you - you’ll be out of debt at that rate within 13 years of the original borrowing date - if you continue on and NOTHING causes you to lose your current situation…
Also, if you pay $500 per month for you’re loan, you have a total of $546 each month for everything else. It’s nice living with your parents rent-free, isn’t it… Because that’s what’s going on here. Let’s be honest - even in the cheapest states at this point, rent for a 1 bedroom averages about $300 per month. Even if you have roommates, you still end up paying about $250, if not $350 per month, just for your rent - and then there’s the electricity and food to go along with it.
As for a “lavish” lifestyle, let’s really look at what I own/have vs. what I WANT… I own nothing - or at least, nothing of any real value. I have no car, I have no house, I have no major appliances. I have a computer that is aging into antiquity as I type this, which I had before I got the loan… I have A cell phone with no extra frills because it’s necessary for me to have a way to contact others due to work/baby/bills/family. I have ONE splurge that I give myself every month, which is the cable internet, because I do work from home on occasion, and need the speed.
Did you even READ anything that I’d written about how much I was paying? Or what my interest rate was at the time that I decided to actually DO something about it? They had me sign paperwork with me agreeing to pay on a loan with 18.9% interest! That’s usery, plain and simple. They bent me over, and without even a lick of KY or a drink offer afterwards, Sallie Mae totally screwed me. Just as they have thousands of others.
As for me “standing up” and “being a man”, that would be rather difficult, since I’m a WOMAN - again, if you’d read any of what I’d written, you’d know that. Stupid git.
I would imagine you have used forbearance over and over which has only capitolized your interest probabl doubling your loans by now. Word of advice if you havnt already. START PAYING anything will slowly eat away your debt, may not stop the calls but will obviously help.
Yes, I have used forbearance. I’ve had to… Between not having a job that paid enough to even cover rent for about 5-6 months, and then finally getting myself back onto my feet enough to pay my basic utility bills and rent, Sallie Mae has been routed to the back burner a few times - they didn’t like it, but that’s the way it was. The fact of the matter was (and still is), paying “anything at all” was not going to “slowly” eat away at my debt - not at the interest rate that it was at. I wasn’t even paying a THIRD of the interest rate per year before I got them to re-negotiate and lower it. The level of absurdity both of Sallie Mae, and of your continued diatribe of noxious vomit leave me relatively speechless, and I only continue on with this to help others who I KNOW read this to understand exactly what they’re up against.
As for the calls stopping, that’s easily solved with a threat of a law suit via a faxed letter to their legal and customer service team (see a prior entry at my other blog to find out how). Legally speaking, as a company, Sallie Mae cannot call you more than once every 24 hours on your debt, and cannot call you names, cannot threaten you, cannot threaten your family or work, and cannot otherwise demean you or your character at ANY time, regardless of the amount of money that you owe them. Period. End of story. If they do, and you send them written notice, and they continue, you can sue them for harassment. If you don't believe me, call the feds. I did, and they verified that for me.
You have to prove and "Undue Hardship" to get any legal help for student loans. These loans are created to be given easily to students to get them the knowledge they need to succeed, for that reason they are incredibly hard to dismiss. Your choices are A: Permanent and Total Disability or B: Death.
This falls under the “duh” category. HOWEVER, one thing you forgot to mention is that while student loans were *originally* created to be given easily to students to provide opportunity to increase their potential and succeed in the workplace, the reality is FAR different.
Sallie Mae has made student loans into a multi-billion dollar for-profit business, specializing in the default collection of loans that they themselves, through multiple “bank” names, have provided, at high interest rates and even higher re-payment costs. It is not what those who originally created student loans EVER envisioned, and I’m sure that they are horrified at the knowledge that a company is preying so viciously (not to mention greedily) on people’s lack of knowledge by providing such misleading information like you’re giving here. You have been uncovered, found out, and proven to be a fraud. Try again.
~M
companies like sallie mae are purhased and sold all the time emailing the VP will do no good. Besides do you honestly think anyone will read them? I used to work for "Salie Mae" although i represented the Guarantor, USAFunds. We are in the same building (same #) calling about the same loans but are a seperate corp. thank you "mortgage financer" All i can say is you know how much money you are borrowing what did you expect the payment to be afterwords? try taking out 40 - 50,000 for a car and see what that payment is. The fact of the matter is that federal student loans have an extremely low interest rate are are the best type of loan a student can have. If you took out Private loans then sorry for you those interest rates are crazy high, but that amount was figured at an amount that someone (you, parents etc) should have been able to contribute to your education, wastefull spending is no justification for these "harrassing" calls. If you borrowed enough money to make a $500 / mo payment your job should reflect that. I borrowed 40k myself make $9/hr and can still find plenty of money to live and pay every bill i have. Stand up be a man and adjust your lavish lifestyle back to normality. I would imagine you have used forbearance over and over which has only capitolized your interest probabl doubling your loans by now. Word of advice if you havnt already. START PAYING anything will slowly eat away your debt, may not stop the calls but will obviously help. You have to prove and "Undue Hardship" to get any legal help for student loans. These loans are created to be given easily to students to get them the knowledge they need to succeed, for that reason they are incredibly hard to dismiss. Your choices are A: Permanent and Total Disability or B: Death.
Now, let’s take a good look at this note, piece by piece. Let’s really analyze it and see where it’s coming from. First and foremost, the lack of spell-check and punctuation, not to mention the proper capitalization of words. It’s sad that what I’m seeing here is someone who still works for Sallie Mae (It‘s pretty obvious), who can’t spell their name, and who can’t seem to figure out how to create proper sentence structure or spelling.
So, from the beginning…
companies like sallie mae are purhased and sold all the time emailing the VP will do no good. Besides do you honestly think anyone will read them?
Actually, not only did they read it, but something actually got DONE about it - and you’d know this if you actually did a bit of research through my actual Sallie Mae blog and noted that I not only got a reduction of payments, but also a reduction of my percentage rate - via Barry Feierstein, the VP of the company. Thanks, but you’re already beginning to annoy me from sheer stupidity.
I used to work for "Salie Mae" although i represented the Guarantor, USAFunds. We are in the same building (same #) calling about the same loans but are a seperate corp. thank you "mortgage financer
I’d say you STILL work for them, what with your lack of empathy, not to mention your piss-poor information. Further, they are NOT a separate corporation - they are all under the same major corporate vendor identity that is Sallie Mae (or is that Salie Mae, as you spelled it). This is something that has been a repeated bone of contention throughout the company’s long history with its borrowers. They own over 12 different collection companies, but claim since those companies are all named differently, they are all allowed to call individually for loan collection - even though they are all doing debt collection for the SAME COMPANY - Sallie Mae.
All i can say is you know how much money you are borrowing what did you expect the payment to be afterwords? try taking out 40 - 50,000 for a car and see what that payment is.
I’m sorry - if you’re going to take out a loan for $40-$50,000 for a CAR, then that’s a different kettle of fish. A vehicle is not supposed to get you further in your career. It will not provide further knowledge or help to increase your value as a member of society based on your training. Try comparing this with something else - I’d be more inclined to listen about it. Furthermore, the percentage rate on a car loan is based on your annual credit score, and is normally a fixed rate. This is not necessarily so for a student loan.
The fact of the matter is that federal student loans have an extremely low interest rate are are the best type of loan a student can have. If you took out Private loans then sorry for you those interest rates are crazy high, but that amount was figured at an amount that someone (you, parents etc) should have been able to contribute to your education, wastefull spending is no justification for these "harrassing" calls.
You are correct - Federal student loans *do* have extremely low interest rates, and ARE the best type of loan a student can have. However, many schools do not differentiate at the time of signing which type of loan they are having you agree to - legal or not, this is the absolute truth of the matter. In addition, truth in lending laws are regularly suspended when requesting student loans, and interest rates on private school loans are not required to be disclosed until AFTER the paperwork has been signed.
Further, as for an amount that either my parents or myself “should” have been able to contribute to my education… I was 30 years old when I requested the loan - well past the age that my parents income would have been looked at. In addition, I had no job, no income, and owned an 11-year-old Ford Festiva when I signed the papers - I had NOTHING to base an amount on. What sort of “wasteful spending” are you talking about? Rent? Food? Electricity? Am I expected to live out of my car and eat nothing for days on end in order to pay back my loans? I think not. NO ONE should be forced into that type of situation, yet Sallie Mae places thousands of people into similar situations each year, all in the name of “bettering” and “helping” people.
If you borrowed enough money to make a $500 / mo payment your job should reflect that. I borrowed 40k myself make $9/hr and can still find plenty of money to live and pay every bill i have. Stand up be a man and adjust your lavish lifestyle back to normality.
You are able to make it on $9 per hour? And still find plenty of money to live on and pay every bill you have?? REEALLY? Let’s do the math here, bub. Let’s base it on a standard 40 hour work week and see what’s going on here:
$9/hr x 40 hrs x 2 weeks = $720 x 70% (what you’ll keep on avg after taxes) = $504
So, you make a total of $504 every two weeks… An average of $13,104 for the year…
Now, let’s look at interest - we’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and say that you’re annual interest rate on your $40k loan is at 6%. That’s an additional $2400 per year. Let’s say you pay $500 per month for you’re loan. That means at the end of the year, you’ve paid a total of $6000 - $2400 of which is that interest, and the other $3600 in the actual loan. Which is really good, considering. I must say, I have to applaud you - you’ll be out of debt at that rate within 13 years of the original borrowing date - if you continue on and NOTHING causes you to lose your current situation…
Also, if you pay $500 per month for you’re loan, you have a total of $546 each month for everything else. It’s nice living with your parents rent-free, isn’t it… Because that’s what’s going on here. Let’s be honest - even in the cheapest states at this point, rent for a 1 bedroom averages about $300 per month. Even if you have roommates, you still end up paying about $250, if not $350 per month, just for your rent - and then there’s the electricity and food to go along with it.
As for a “lavish” lifestyle, let’s really look at what I own/have vs. what I WANT… I own nothing - or at least, nothing of any real value. I have no car, I have no house, I have no major appliances. I have a computer that is aging into antiquity as I type this, which I had before I got the loan… I have A cell phone with no extra frills because it’s necessary for me to have a way to contact others due to work/baby/bills/family. I have ONE splurge that I give myself every month, which is the cable internet, because I do work from home on occasion, and need the speed.
Did you even READ anything that I’d written about how much I was paying? Or what my interest rate was at the time that I decided to actually DO something about it? They had me sign paperwork with me agreeing to pay on a loan with 18.9% interest! That’s usery, plain and simple. They bent me over, and without even a lick of KY or a drink offer afterwards, Sallie Mae totally screwed me. Just as they have thousands of others.
As for me “standing up” and “being a man”, that would be rather difficult, since I’m a WOMAN - again, if you’d read any of what I’d written, you’d know that. Stupid git.
I would imagine you have used forbearance over and over which has only capitolized your interest probabl doubling your loans by now. Word of advice if you havnt already. START PAYING anything will slowly eat away your debt, may not stop the calls but will obviously help.
Yes, I have used forbearance. I’ve had to… Between not having a job that paid enough to even cover rent for about 5-6 months, and then finally getting myself back onto my feet enough to pay my basic utility bills and rent, Sallie Mae has been routed to the back burner a few times - they didn’t like it, but that’s the way it was. The fact of the matter was (and still is), paying “anything at all” was not going to “slowly” eat away at my debt - not at the interest rate that it was at. I wasn’t even paying a THIRD of the interest rate per year before I got them to re-negotiate and lower it. The level of absurdity both of Sallie Mae, and of your continued diatribe of noxious vomit leave me relatively speechless, and I only continue on with this to help others who I KNOW read this to understand exactly what they’re up against.
As for the calls stopping, that’s easily solved with a threat of a law suit via a faxed letter to their legal and customer service team (see a prior entry at my other blog to find out how). Legally speaking, as a company, Sallie Mae cannot call you more than once every 24 hours on your debt, and cannot call you names, cannot threaten you, cannot threaten your family or work, and cannot otherwise demean you or your character at ANY time, regardless of the amount of money that you owe them. Period. End of story. If they do, and you send them written notice, and they continue, you can sue them for harassment. If you don't believe me, call the feds. I did, and they verified that for me.
You have to prove and "Undue Hardship" to get any legal help for student loans. These loans are created to be given easily to students to get them the knowledge they need to succeed, for that reason they are incredibly hard to dismiss. Your choices are A: Permanent and Total Disability or B: Death.
This falls under the “duh” category. HOWEVER, one thing you forgot to mention is that while student loans were *originally* created to be given easily to students to provide opportunity to increase their potential and succeed in the workplace, the reality is FAR different.
Sallie Mae has made student loans into a multi-billion dollar for-profit business, specializing in the default collection of loans that they themselves, through multiple “bank” names, have provided, at high interest rates and even higher re-payment costs. It is not what those who originally created student loans EVER envisioned, and I’m sure that they are horrified at the knowledge that a company is preying so viciously (not to mention greedily) on people’s lack of knowledge by providing such misleading information like you’re giving here. You have been uncovered, found out, and proven to be a fraud. Try again.
~M
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