• Fight or flight syndrome.... Cortisol... belly fat... stress... Will Taurine help me? How can I get my body to stop producing so much cortisol. Hypothalmus, pitutary, etc... out of whack. I feel like a computer with its electrical system not clicking on all cylinders. I read that Taurine helps decrease cortisol, and level blood sugar, etc.

  Answer:  I do not know about Taurine for this purpose. It is one of the main ingredients in most energy drinks. That is a bit on the contrary as to what you are saying. I do know that lemon balm, theonine, and ashwaganda have all been show to help decrease stress. This should help to lower cortisol. Phosphatydal choline has also been shown to lower cortisol. JJP 8/15/08

• Hair loss do to under function thyroid. After Thyroid function is regulated with meds, will hair re grow?

  Answer:  in the vast majority of cases, yes. JG 8.6.08

• Hair loss do to under function thyroid. After Thyroid function is regulated with meds, will hair re grow?

  Answer:  it should in the vast majoirty of cases if that was the only cause. JG 8.6.08

• I suffer from hypothyrodisim. I have been taking T4, 50 mg. My hair keeps on falling and I wonder if that means that I need more or that I need less (since hyperthyroidism also causes hair loss!) but my endocrinologist is on a trip and it will take me a couple of months to see her. In the meantime I am having my blood tests done. What I don`t understand is how to read the results. If my values ever fell off the normal range for someone taking T4, how could I know if those values indicate hypo or hyperthyroidism? Say, if the concentration was lower than the lowest number in the range, does that mean one has hypo? and if off the range but with a value higher than the higher level of that range, does that mean one has hyper? I am scared of taking too much or too little of T4 until my doc comes back (and boy I am scared to see my hairs fall like that!!!). I know you can only give me a guide, that your advice does not replace the doc`s. I just want to understand the blood test results and depending on the values and what it could mean, consider the urgency or not of seeing another endocrinologist until mine comes back from the trip. Hugs

  Answer:  you need to get the blood tests done and then see, the ranges are on the lab results, and then you can see your endocrinlogist, or whomever is watching his patients for him while he is gone. JG 5.8.08

• I am on synthroid and just got a metabolism booster. Should I mix the two?

  Answer:  I do not know what a metabolism booster is, so I can not answer the question informatively. JJP 5/07/08

• Can I have plastic surgery if I take Synthroid (150mcg).

  Answer:  as long as the thyroid is well balanced, yes. JG 4.1.08

• There`s a weight loss patch out that touts the use of diiodotyrosine, a bulding block for T3 and T4 thyroid hormones, along with an extract of coleus forskohlii that they say assists in stimulating the thyroid . Is this (a) safe and (b) effective? They also throw in some chromium, guarana, 5HTP. Vee

  Answer:  safe, maybe, effective, probabaly not. JG 3.16.08

• I have a question for myself this time. I am 40, I have had irregular periods for most of my life. I also have diabetes, underactive thyroid. I am talking medication for both. I am taking the generic version of synthroid 100mcg. I have been taking it for almost 1 year now and I am still tired. Actually for the first 6 months I felt great. Now I am tired again and even though I did lose 40 pounds a few months after starting the synthroid, I can`t seem to lose anymore even though I don`t eat much. I also have major unwanted facial hair. I have to shave once a day. My ob/gyn did hormone tests and said they were fine. I don`t see that doctor anymore, so I don`t know what my levels were. Laser hair removal seems to be my only option, but it`s so expensive and I can`t afford it. I don`t think vaniqua would help either. Could there possibly still be something wrong with my hormones? Thank You

  Answer:  Yes there could be an imbalance in your hormones. It sounds as if there is. I would suggest finding a qualified physician in your area to help you determine your needs and properly treat you. Go to http://www.worldhealth.net/p/51.html This will help you locate someone in your area. JJP 3/5/08

• Hello Dr..Hope all is well. It has been 11 mths since my tummy tuck. Everything is good so far except for pain I get around my bellybutton from time to time not to mention that the area is still numb. Is this normal? Also at the ending of this mth I`m having lipo of flanks. During tuck I also had lipo but since then it has been kind of sagging. I heard that this is called dog ears. I was wondering if having lipo without even having a yr since surgery would be harmful to me. Thank You for your time.

  Answer:  all noraml and the nerves might still get better, sounds like a good plan they have and I think it is OK to proceed with the lipo, best of luck.JG 2.2.08

• My doc has taken me completely off of T4(it was way too high) and placed me on a compounded formulated T3(which was way too low). I feel better(less fatigue and ability to loose weight), however, I have noticed an interesting side effect: It takes me a very long time to achieve orgasm and it`s not very satisfactory. I have experimented and I am positive it`s the medication. I am going to ask for a very small amount of T4 to see if it helps. Have you heard of this and if so what to you suggest for your patients to help with the problem? FYI, I cam currently taking both testosterone(helps with the desire but no help with the above problem) and progesterone.

  Answer:  have not heard of that but I would look at your estrogen to as that can affect those issues. JG 1.27.08

• I was taking synthroid for hypothyroidism, but then was taken off of the pills by my doctor. Shortly after, I developed dry eyes, could the dry eyes have developed from not being on the synthroid, or is it purely conincidental. I am currently back on the pills, and take oils (omega 3,6,9) and natural medicines for treatment as Restasis is not available where I live.

  Answer:  More than likely a coincidence. JJP 1/16/08

• Hello, I have a silent solitaire(7mm) gall stone in my gall bladder, I am 5.1 and 1/2 in height and currently weigh 61 kgs, my doctors have advised me to loose further 9 kilos to come back to my normal weight and also advised me to avoid certain foods that could be a reason for my bladder to produce stones, Recently on my anniversary my Husband gifted me the slendertone belt coz since I have had two C-secs with both my girls, I have a flabby pot belly of which I am very concious of.Now I want to ask you, is it okay for me to use this product and number 2 would it be effective for me, Pls let me know asap, coz otherwise I might need to return this product, but I would love to use this if it is not harmful for me. I had a weight increase problem and my weight kept on increasing at a speed that couple of months ago I weighed around 67 kgs!So the doctors did 3 extensive Thyroid checks and when they came up negative prescribed me sibutramine hydrohloride monohydrate capsules for two months, which is the result that I m 61 kgs, now that I can no longer take this medicine,since the coarse is finished and still need to get to a target weight of 52 kgs according to my BMI, my Husband got me this belt, can u please advise me on this,asap, also I would like to tell you that I am Asian-Indian. Thank you so much for your kind attention Ria

  Answer:  I suggest you speak with your gastroenterologist, this is a plastic surgery website. JG 11.13.07

• Hello, I have a silent solitaire(7mm) gall stone in my gall bladder, I am 5.1 and 1/2 in height and currently weigh 61 kgs, my doctors have advised me to loose further 9 kilos to come back to my normal weight and also advised me to avoid certain foods that could be a reason for my bladder to produce stones, Recently on my anniversary my Husband gifted me the slendertone belt coz since I have had two C-secs with both my girls, I have a flabby pot belly of which I am very concious of.Now I want to ask you, is it okay for me to use this product and number 2 would it be effective for me, Pls let me know asap, coz otherwise I might need to return this product, but I would love to use this if it is not harmful for me. I had a weight increase problem and my weight kept on increasing at a speed that couple of months ago I weighed around 67 kgs!So the doctors did 3 extensive Thyroid checks and when they came up negative prescribed me sibutramine hydrohloride monohydrate capsules for two months, which is the result that I m 61 kgs, now that I can no longer take this medicine,since the coarse is finished and still need to get to a target weight of 52 kgs according to my BMI, my Husband got me this belt, can u please advise me on this,asap, also I would like to tell you that I am Asian-Indian. Thank you so much for your kind attention Ria

  Answer:  please do not make multiple posts with the same question. JG 11.13.07

• Hello, I have a silent solitaire(7mm) gall stone in my gall bladder, I am 5.1 and 1/2 in height and currently weigh 61 kgs, my doctors have advised me to loose around 8 kilos to come back to my normal weight and also advised me to avoid certain foods that could be a reason for my bladder to produce stones, Recently on my anniversary my Husband gifted me the slendertone belt coz since I have had two C-secs with both my girls, I have a flabby pot belly of which I am very concious of.Now I want to ask you, is it okay for me to use this product and number 2 would it be effective for me, Pls let me know asap, coz otherwise I might need to return this product, but I would love to use this if it is not harmful for me. I had a weight increase problem and my weight kept on increasing at a speed that couple of months ago I weighed around 67 kgs!So the doctors did 3 extensive Thyroid checks and when they came up negative prescribed me sibutramine hydrohloride monohydrate capsules for two months, which is the result that I m 61 kgs, now that I can no longer take this medicine,since the coarse is finished and still need to get to a target weight of 52 kgs according to my BMI, my Husband got me this belt, can u please advise me on this,asap, also I would like to tell you that I am Asian-Indian. Thank you so much for your kind attention Ria

  Answer:  I think you need to go to a differnt website to get those answers, this website is for vitamin and hormonal supplementation. JG 11.13.07

• I had endometroysis surgery 6/yrs ago.I had my hormones imbalanced and have has hypothryriod.I am on HRT and dr says you are okay now.I am getting married and was wondering how much do i have chances to get pregnent?i am afriad i still have endo so there will be a difficulty in pregnency?

  Answer:  it can affect the pregnancy I am afriad, all you can do is to try, there might need to be some medicines that are used but your gynecologist can help there, best of luck. JG 8.28.07

• I`m 44 and I went off the pill (yasmen) 2 months ago can that cause thyroid levels to be low (just below normal)

  Answer:  Probably not, but if all of your hormones are not in balance that may be a cause. As we age our conversion from T4 (inactive) to T3 (active form) decreases. This may cause a subclinical Hypothyroidism. This is determined by your symptoms. At Ageless...Forever we treat the patient not just the numbers. JJP 8/1/07

• I have been prescribed levothyroxine (synthroid) to treat what my doctor says is a mild case of underproductive thyroid . I have been taking 1 Vasopro (which contains 25mg ephedrine) 3 days a week on my gym days for an energy boost during my workouts. Is it safe to continue doing so while on levothroxine?

  Answer:  It is safe but prolonged periods of using ephedrine-like products can lower your thyroid level due to its thermogenic effects. You might want to stop them. JG 7.7.07

• Dear Dr. Garcia: Does our thyroid level TSH fluctuate day to day or even within a day? I was checked a whole year (pcos was final dx) and it was 2... Then I had severe bouts of hair loss and had my thyroid checked early 6am and the TSH was 6...they re-checked it days later during the afternoon and it was back to 2...They checked TPO-antibodies and they were within range...could severe/extreme ongoing stress cause our thyroid/TSH to fluctuate? Are there detailed thyroid tests to rule a thyroid issue in or out? (aside from blood draw for tsh,t3/t4 free/total & antibodies)

  Answer:  it does fluctutate daily with slightly elevated levels in the night time so that you have adequate levels of T3 in the morning. In PCOS it can also be due to the oral contraceptives used at times as the thyroid binding globulins go up with the oral contraceptives. I think the blood tests you have gotten are what is usually tested for, along with reverse T3 which can tell you if your own T4 is not converting into the active form as reverse T3 is inactive in the body but will suppress the TSH unfortuantely. JG 7.1.07

• Hi Dr. Garcia, Thanks for the answer about Hotze Wellness Center. Do you know of any Dr. in the Houston area that you would recommend for someone in my situation? And also, how can I get info about your center and costs and also do you deal with patients like me? thanks DD

  Answer:  may try looking at www.worldhealth.org, info at our center is available if you email us through the website but we would need to see you in person for the initial consultation. JG 5.30.07

• hi dr garcia. Have you heard of Hotze Wellness Center in Houston, tx? They do natural treatments for hormones and thyroid. their webpage is http://www.hotzehwc.com/w/. They said they charge about $3000 for the initila consultation which includes blood work and first 3 months meds. Is that about the normal charge for natural treatment centers? Do you do that kinda therapy such as Armor for thyroid and so on? Do you recommend a Dr. in Houston, tx that can help me with my hormone, PCOS, Ulcerative colitis, hair loss, etc.....problems? Appreciate it. DD

  Answer:  I do not know them personally, as to the fees, well it depends on what meds you need, it might be a deal and it also might be a lot of money, no way to tell without the blood results first, I think that is a tip off. I would see if they will do your blood work and then do a consultation to see what you need. JG 5.29.07

• I am 1 1/2 years post total thyroidectomy and have the same tightness in the front of my neck that I had when I came out of the anesthesia. I have been to over 15 specialty doctor`s who have no explanation of why this severe tightness is still present. Their colleagues have checked with other Dr.`s through out the country without any success. I have had PT, and steroid injections, muscle relaxants and GERD medications Pleae advise what may have happened for me to continue experiencing this horrific tightness which Dr.`s cannot provide any treatment or explation. Thank you.

  Answer:  all I can say is that there is scar tissue but I am afraid that cutting it out surgically will not remove that, I am sorry. JG 5.29.07

• desribe the function of the valve in the heart?

  Answer:  it is made so the blood flow goes only in one direction if normal. JG 5.19.07

• A few other symptoms i have had going on are night sweats, and maybe the following is nothing but just me.. but I am always stiff when I get up from sitting, etc.... I am not that old, and also run a lot, so I wouldn`t expect to be stiff per se, but then again, may be particular to me?? My doctor put me on the BC pill when I was 19 because I was so irregular, and sometimes hardly there at all... just a little more information regarding earlier emails I sent you.. thx

  Answer:  OK

• Thank you for your input!!... I am able to get the blood work done sooner than I had anticipated, so in the next day or two. I spoke with your office today,and understand the procedure, etc... You mentioned above that antibiotics and birth control pills can affect things. Normally I do take the birth control pill, but haven`t in the past two or three months... but contrary to what they say about a hypothyroid, my cycle is almost nonexistent when i DON`T take the pill? I have been on BC since I was about 19 and I am 34. In fact, this month, I didn`t have one. Even when I don`t take the pill, I DO normally still have a cycle, even if nominal. I know that is opposite of a hypothyroid, trust me I don`t have the FAST one though!!... Also, I had dental surgery in the past month.. twice, and was put on antibiotics, but that didn`t seem to alter anything. I am not concerned about that, since the problems have been going on probably since about last July, but strongly since August and September. To be honest, I markedly noticed a complete loss in libido in August. Wasn`t really a concern, I wasn`t in a relationship, etc.... but it was SUCH a drop in ANY interest that I remember thinking it was strange. I am wondering if that may be more related to estrogen or progesterone?? I know you need to see the blood work, but I am just interested in your thoughts, as I also understand that the blood work may take about two weeks and you are in Arizona part of the time. Is there much of a chance that it could be anything other than my thyroid?? I hadn`t been aware or considered that something other than my thyroid could be causing these symptoms?? My biggest fear is that with all of the symptoms I have listed, that someone will tell me that everything is normal ?? Below is a list of the prescriptions I am taking: Bupropion (been on this or some form of antidepressant for ten, plus years) Lexapro (this was introduced after and in conjunction with bupropion about 6 years) Cytomel (been on about 6 years) Levothyroxine (been on about 6 years) BC Pill (been on about 14 years) I don`t know if any of the above makes any difference, but thought I would include that info.. Anyway.. thank you again for your thoughts, and I will be in to get blood work done in the next day or two and wait for results :-) Thanks again I also tried the email address that you listed earlier and it came back three times undeliverable?? Thx :-)

  Answer:  I can tell you more when I see the blood work, the libido issues can be related to estrogen and testosterone ratios too. Try to private email again, drgarcia@lvcosmeticsurgery.com Chat soon. JG 5.8.07

• Dr. Garcia... I have been taking medication for hypothyroiodism for about the past six years... I am actually a patient of yours, but I came in for surgery, not the Ageless for Life clinic. When I was researching hypothryroidism last night, I came across your web site. Acutally friend of mine goes to you for hormone therapy, I just hadn`t thought about it. I am going to schedule an appointment this Monday, but won`t be able to get in by my schedule for at least a week or so. But I have a question that I wondered if you could me your general thoughts on to put my mind at ease over the next week or so (I know it takes a little time to get the lab results back for blood work, etc) I have felt great up until about seven months ago. I initially didn`t notice the syptoms, as they came on gradually. I was feeling depressed, anxiety, cold hands and feet, tired (which feels like depression most of the time) and total loss of libido. As these things come on gradually, initially i was just attributing things in general to stress.. something that I should be able to remedy myself. I also noticed slight weight gain. My weight has been pretty stable for a several years. I noticed it as I hadn`t had to worry about my weight much in several years. I thought it was a little strange, but started questioning... was I eating more and hadn`t noticed??? Was my activity level different than usual, and the answer I came up with was no. When I gained about 3 pounds over the course of about a week I began to think something definitely doesn`t seem right?? I can tell I have probably gained an additional 3 pounds on topof the first three... I am normally about 112 pounds and 5`3 and a size 2. my clothes went from loose to tight, so trust me, it is not me just worrying being a typical female obsessing about somehting in my head. It was defintiely a gain i noticed. It still hadn`t occured to me that it was my thyroid giving me problems. I started thinking, wow, I had better up my exercise and really watch what I am eating, which isn`t difficult when I probably consume 2 high protein meal replacement shakes a day. My day isn`t too difficult to follow!!... Recently a friend of mine mentioned that it could easily be my thyroid. I started doing some research and couldn`t believe that I hadn`t noticed that these were symptoms I hadn`t felt in a long time. Like I said, initially I thought it must be something I was doing. But everything I am feeling looks like the checklist for hypothyroidism. I am wondering if my dosage is low for me right now?? I am taking cytomel 50 MCG/once daily and levothyroxine .100 MG. I know that I need to come in and get my blood work done, but I cannot do that for about another week or two. What I am wondering is if the amounts of the prescriptions I am taking is considered in a high dose range.. relative to the vast majority of people you see. I know that everyone can vary greatly. I guess what I am wondering is if when I get my blood work done, even the levels are low.. that I am already taking a pretty healthy doseage of the prescritptions??? I have seen a general practitioner, and mentioned what was going on.. and he said it could easily be my thyroid and recommended I have my blood work done. When I started doing research last night, I came across your web site and realized that you specialize in thyroid conditions and would prefer to schedule an appointment with you and have you do an evaluation. (the doctor I saw recently is not the one who initially put me on these medications). Any general thoughts you could share with me would be greatly appreciated!!.. Like I said, I know that I need to get the blood work done to absolutely know what is going on. I am just hoping this does not seem normal to you because I am beginning to feel a little crazy and this is something I am bringing on!!!!?? Thank you for your input,

  Answer:  doses sound about middle of the road, it could be your estrogen or progesterone are off, and thyroid levels can be affected by those and even antibiotics or birth control pills too, I can tel you more after we see some blood tests, just keep your activity and diet stable until we see you. JG 5.6.07

• Hi again!! I just wanted you to know that the reason I hadn`t gotten the blood wk done , or cannot get it done for about a week is because of financial reasons. It is not that I am not going to get this checked out. Like I said, I will schedule an appointment tomorrow, but don`t know how long it will take to get in. I am a patient of yours, I had augmentation done a year ago in December.. As I am sure you did MANY augmentations then and since then, if that doesn`t ring a bell, I was Quinn Pace`s girlfriend :-) I know he comes in to you for therapy... I am hopeful that you do not post THIS message on the web site, I just wanted you to know that I wasn`t just asking for iformation to self medicate myself!! And to be honest I had tried dobling the cytomel, but didn`t seem to remedy it. I have been craving sugar much more than normal also. To the point that my mother mentioned it when I went home recently, and TRUST ME!!.. She is always wanting me to gain weight, so for her to mention the sugar thing was a risk for her. She just noticed it was strange , abnormally so?? Like I asked, please don`t post THIS message!!!.... Thank you VERY much for your input!! Alison

  Answer:  if you post it here on this message board it automatically gets posted on the web, in the future send your comments and question to drgarcia@lvcosmeticsurgery.com JG 5.6.07

• good day Dr. Garcia , does exercising ( strength training ) help with spasms on the neck ... also does exercising ( strength training ) help with fibromyalgia?

  Answer:  helps the fibro most of the time but will not affect and can make the spasms worse. JG 4.18.07

• Doctor Garcia,i am 23 male.. and hypothyroid ... i had dizziness that persisted for 2 weeks last november 2006... at first that was the only concern i was worried about.. but then after some time the back of my neck felt tight up until now.. i went to an internist and had my blood tested.. i was hypothyroid.. so i was taking GSK`s Eltroxin 50 mcg (Levothyroxine Sodium) for almost 2 months now... i am not feeling dizzy anymore... but some symptoms are still there...what`s worse is there are some new symptoms ( tingling on feet, hands... right eye twitching, twitching in different parts of the body, heart pounding, cracking sound at the back of my neck when i twist it because my neck feels tight) that surfaced and this is already when i was taking medication already and what bothers me is that they come and go .. for a week or two i won`t have some of the symptoms but after some time they will surface again.. so i am going crazy as to why my body is like this.. i am already taking medication and yet the symptoms come and go ( the only symptom that is constantly there is the tightness at the back of my neck).. my question is : is it really like that.. the symptoms come and go?.. and also.. are the symptoms that i have mentioned above related to having hypothyroidism.. because i can`t understand why my heart pounds sometimes without me feeling excited considering i am hypothyroid so my heart should go slow.. and why the back area of my neck feels tight always.. pls. be patient with my post as it is very long..thanks a lot

  Answer:  I think your symptoms need to be worked up for other casues as I do not think they are all related to your thyroid, best of luck. JG 4.18.07

• Dear Doc...I jus asked endometroysis prob for my daughter.As she does not have health insurance and does not work has a kid and single parent...will hospital take her as an emergency when she has heavy periods and unbareable pain and i will take her for surgery and pay later on easy payments.Is that an emergency??and i can get some help??

  Answer:  I do not think they will consider it an emergency in most cases, they will give her pain meds and that is about it, at most they would do a D and C but if the endometriosis is outside of the uterus it will not help. Sorry. JG 3.29.07

• Dear DOC...My daughter hd a endometroysis surgery 4yrs ago.Dr did not removed from rectom area due to high risk.Now all pain and symptoms back and she is all time i pain and cramps and heavy periods.She is also on HRT taking Thyroids from past 3months.My question is is there any way to treat her beside surgery??i can not afford to pay for her she does not have any health insurance.How can she be treated??and is there any other way she can get rid of this endo prob?she is getting married in 4months and there are more chances to get pregnant if she has this surgery??she wants another kid....PLZ doc help me i can not afford this surgery and can not see her pain...HELP.

  Answer:  you need to decrease her estrogens and balance her estrogen progesterone ratio, that may require using Arimidex to decrease estrogens and also giving progesterone orally or as a cream, she should stop an oral estrogens. JG 3.29.07

• hi dr.garcia. i am on 88 levoxyl an dmy tsh was 1.5 uIU/ml. I hav ehad high cortiso for a year now but done mri and ct scan and all ok. Estradiol was 37 pg/ml. I am on Mircette. I hav emajor hair loss. what coul dbe the cause and what should I do? I did meso scalp therapy for a few months with cyprone and hairloss stopped for 2 months, but started again. thanks

  Answer:  might be the birth control as it has some similarities to testosterone. JG 3.22.07

• Dr ..i have had premature maopause in age of 30`s and had been taking estrogen and progestron for years.Last 2month i have stopped taking the tab.Now i have secere pain in my thighs somtimes i can not even walk.I also have stiffness in my hands and my fingers stiff and can not move.I am really concern that is that a side effect to stop hormones tab or its un usual??plz dr help me.

  Answer:  I do not think muscle and joint pain would be due to stopping the hormones, it must be something else. JG 2.20.07

• Dr.Gracia, Could trauma from a macsfacelift and neck pilcation cause a condition called Subacute Thyroiditis. My blood test was done on Dec 16th 2006, TSH was 0.02, T4Free 1.4, T-3 Total 156. Was retested by an Endocrinologist on Jan 16th the numbers are still low. This is inflammation of the thyroid gland,can go from hyperthyroidism to hypo, the course can last up to six months or longer.srdenver,co 1/23/07

  Answer:  I have never seen surgery cause anything like that, unless the blood supply to the thyroid was severed which should not happen, especially with the type of surgery you had. JG 1.23.07

• Hi Dr, the lady with Yasmin BCP and eye lashes falling. I did have a Thyroid check, Total tesosterne was 37, testoreone%free was 0.4 low, and testosternoe,free 1.5, Dhea sulfate 143, Tsh was 2.18, T4 1.1 They did not do a T3 for some reason, should i do that one as well? Cortisol came back super high in blood work, but i did the 24 urine test and came back middle range which was fine. 3 things came back out of range, cortisol was high, but after doing the 24h urine test came back fine, MPV was out of range 11.8 don`t know what that means, the dr did not comment on it, and the testosterone%free was low 0.4. Of course they cannot do a hormonal test because I`m on the pill? they did a metabolic panel, liver check, sugar. Anything else i should do?

  Answer:  I would get a free T3, thyroid binding globulin, reverse T3. JG 12.15.06

• Dear Dr. Garcia - Recent TSH, Free T3, and Free T4 levels were all normal. However, my hair has been thinning in the front above forehead. 6 months ago I had to take very large doses of prednisone, IV and oral. I am told my hair loss is a reflection of what happened during that time. Is this correct, and if so will it grow back? Thank you.

  Answer:  yes, most likely form the steroids and from whatever caused the need for them it might take 8 months or more for the hair to grow back, could try some Rogaine or ScalpMed. JG 11.19.06

• My sister displayed symptoms of thyroid hormone difficiency, yet TSH results wnl. The symptoms continued x 1-2 years until a bulging goiter warrented retesting, at which point TSH low. Thankfully with RX, she is back to her former self. I`ve had the symptoms x 2-3 months, yet TSH is wnl. Is it possible that the symptoms can appear a few years prior to appearing on the lab work? My sister made the most of it, but I really do not want to feel this way if it is not necessary. Who would I see about this?

  Answer:  I feel TSH is not a good measure of thyroid function, I suggest checking free T3 and free T 4 instead. You should see an endocrinologist. JG 11.9.06

• Do you prefer synthroid over Armour thyroid?

  Answer:  nope, Armour over Synthyroid, but time released T3 is better. JG 9.25.06

• What are the current recomendations for a history of hyperparathroidism? PTH 171, Calcium 10.5. No gall or kidney stones in the past nor do I want to wait for one. Is there a relationship between that and borderline hypothyroidism after menopause? Any connection to HRT? Given this history why would testosterone, estradiol and progesterone jump up suddenly when only estradiol is being replaced? To 600, 300 and 240 respectively from previous levels of 98pg/ml, 109pg/ml, 115pg/ml respectively. Especially since only estradiol was being replaced at an identical dose.

  Answer:  I do not see a direct link with your sex hormones to the parathyroid, I think your endocrinologist might need to see you. Parathyroid disease can affect bone mineral density though and that is also affected by the sex hormones. JG 9.25.06

• Dear Dr.My 30yrs old daughter had endometroysis surgery 4yrs ago and had been having heavy periods.Now dr told me she need hormones therapy and lacking Progestron and thyriods.She is having hormones med 2months but losing weight have hair fall and dark under eye circles.She has headeeches when ever she wakes up.She is already skinny and now look sick.Dr says no need to worry but i assume her dark circles and hair fall problems can be worse.Is that normal??What ur advice?

  Answer:  sounds like they need to check her blood levels and increase her hormones. JG 9.14.06

• Dear Dr. Garcia, What is the range you look for for best thyroid health. I think my thyroid is low (from my physical symptoms), but my Dr says it is in the acceptable range, even if it is at the bottom of the range. I am 60. Thank you.

  Answer:  well,, blood tests are always helpful but ultimately, we need to listen to the patient`s symptoms, I at times will push the free T3 level to the 50-75th percentile and see how the patient feels, I do not go above the higher limit of normal though. JG 9.13.06

• Dr. Garcia, with my tyhroid I am having a hard time to lose weight, i searched the internet and I found Alvidar, would you recommend that for me to take?

  Answer:  I think you need to see a doctor and get blood tests done before doing anything like that. JG 5.17.06

• What will happen if I stop taking levothyroxine for my thryroid.

  Answer:  you will become hypothyroid and all of the symproms of low thyroid might show up. JG 5.17.06

• Thanks for all your help on this website. I am currently taken Armour thyroid, but I moved to a new city and my new endocrinologist recommends I switch to Synthroid. I tried it for a week and felt like I could barely move. He said I just had to wait, but I couldn't function and went back to Armour. Do you have any thoughts about which is better and why most endocrinolgists want you off Armour? Thanks.

  Answer:  Doctors have their likes and dislikes with medicines, I am not a big fan of Synthroid as many people cannot metabolize it well to the T3 they need, it is called Wilson's Syndrome. Stay with what works. JG 2.4.06

• hi Dr. Garcia, I saw in response to another person, you mentioned eye lash thining could be thyroid related. I have the same problem. Would that be due to hypo or hyper thyrodisim? Also, is it like the hair follicle, that once gone and dead, it won't come back? I already take thyroid medicine and my thyroid is within range, but still losing eye lashes. Thanks

  Answer:  low or hypo. If it is thyroid related, once that is corrected it should come back. May need a little higher level of the medicines. JG 1.31.06

• I see in several places that you recommend a hormonal cream for hair loss. Could you be specific on what it is, how you get it and how much to use? Also, I've noticed my eyelashes are thinning, is there any thing to help/reverse that? Thanks so much. SM

  Answer:  it is prescription and the doctor needs to get blood work and then check your levels to see what you need. Eyelash problem may be thyroid related. JG 1.30.06

• Sorry-also wanted to mention that TSH was 2.224 uIU/mL Thank you.

  Answer:  that is normal for any age. JG 10.26.05

• I recently had my hormone levels checked(I am 45, almost 46) and my progesterone was .8 ng/ml; FSH was 8.6 mIU/ml and my Serum Estradiol was 12 pg/mL. Are these #'s within the normal range for a perimenopausal woman? Thank you.

  Answer:  certainly normal for perimenopausal woman. But that is the point, they are low as your ovaries are begining to fail. JG 10.26.05

• I have a serious problem with compulsive/binge eating. I have hypothyroidism and I take synthroid. I am able to eat normal and healthy for about a week but then I go nuts and eat tons of sugar, fat, and even good food - but in obsene quantities (thousands and thousands of calories at one sitting). I am not obese or even over weight, but I can't stand eating like that anymore. Is there something wrong with my body/blood/thyroid that is causing this or is it more of an eating disorder. What can I do?

  Answer:  Well your thyroid should be checked again but binge eating is not typically a hormonal problem. You may need some counseling or some type of psychotropic medication for the compulsive behavior. I would recommend a psychiatrist or primary care doctor for your evaluation. JG 4.24.05

• I am 10 day post partum, I am going to have a thyroid scan and ultimate biopsy. Is it safe to breast feed? mjd

  Answer:  I would not breast feed for a while after the thyroid scan just to be safe as there is radiation that goes into your body and I am unsure what effect it can have on the babay, probably a good idea to ask the radiologist. JG 2.7.05

• Hi, I'm 42 and have gained 15lbs in about 6 months. I work out regularly and eat a clean diet. I have started prozac because of mood swings (_itchy) Would the Prozac be causing the weight gain or thyroid, hormones, etc? How would you treat me? What would be the cost of testing and treatment? RCS 8/4/04...

  Answer:  Prozac has a well known side effect of weight gain in some individuals. Testing your hormones, especially your thyroid could at least rule out those casues, but if they are normal, and you need the Prozac, we may be stuck. Of course, if your hormones being out of balance is what was causing the mood swings, then correcdting the hormones may alleviate the need for the Prozac. The testing for a basic panel is about $300, that includes the sex hormones, all thyroid hormones, growth homone, and DHEA. It usually takes about a 5-7 day time period to get results back. JG 8.4.04

• Could depression, poor sleep patterns, anxiety, etc. be due to an imbalance of hormones in a man? I have suffered from these things for most of my adult life. I wonder if you could suggest a workup of tests and a doctor in the Sacramento, CA area to adminster them. Your comments would be sincerely appreciated. Jim L.

  Answer:  The symptoms you are relating are commonly related to low thyroid or testosterone levels in men. Appropriate testing can reveal any deficiencies you may have and direct the correct supplementation. I do not know anyone in the Sacramento area, but would suggest looking for a local wellness or antiaging clinic and call them. I could only treat you if you were to be seen here in Las Vegas, at least for the inital visit. After that, we can do it long distance, as we have many patients from out of state. Legal requirements demand that we physically see the patient before starting a treatment relationship. JG 4.2.04

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