I have only charted on my own. I am not disiplined enough to get the moniters to work correctly. I need my own paper and pen to work it. But I am glad I chart BBT because then I know what is going on with my body. It has helped out a great deal with going to the doctor with problems.

I have been charting my temp for quite a few months and I have found that to be useful with knowing my cycle. We have been using OPKs and those too have been useful. I am thinking the OPKs are really similar to the monitor. I like it because I know that I am actually ovulating during my cycle. The only frustrating part is not getting pregnant after knowing you ovulated.

I\'ve been trying to get pregnant for over 1 year. I have a 3 1/2 year old son and got pregnant with him right away. I started to use the One Touch monitor about 9 months ago. I really like it. It takes away some of the guess work. Since I work the night shift, I couldn\'t guarentee that I could test my basal temp at the same time every morning. I was amazed at the monthly variations especially in times of stress or illness (i.e. colds, stomach virus).

Thanks for the info!!

If FT4 (and FT3) are in the top of the range, and TSH is at very bottom (.5) - is it possible you are hyperthyroid...or would you be way out of the top range?

Hi,
I never had any luck using OPK's, they only caused frustration to me and my hubby and I never got a positive! So I finally shelled out the dough for a OvaCue fertility monitor (http://www.fairhavenhealth.com/ovacue-bundle.html) and it was a great help to me and my efforts. I was able to figure out that I OV later then the standard fermara schedule so I was getting IUI's to soon and that I have low progesterone. So yeah I feel that they are a great tool to help with conception!

"If FT4 (and FT3) are in the top of the range, and TSH is at very bottom (.5) - is it possible you are hyperthyroid...or would you be way out of the top range?"

The clinical definition of HYPER is a TSH of less than the lower limit of the range for TSH (labs differ in their limits, so check your labs for the reference, K?) and a Free T4 OR Free T3 OVER the top of the range.

Now, just as Hypo doesn't mean we all have the same lab results to qualify, so does Hyper.

If you have hyper symptoms - they may be due to a titration. If they overlap with hypo symptoms it's a good bet that your body is trying to adjust to the new dosage. When first staring a new dosage (or first starting thyroid meds after being hypo) the body needs time to wear the dosage for a while in order to adjust. During that time it's not unusual to get hyper and hypo symptoms at the same time. It's uncomfortable and sometimes scary, but it usually passes. If it doesn't pass or you have dangerous symptoms it's safe to assume your hyper for YOU. We are not our lab results. We are our lab results plus symptoms, ya know?

So, hyper for you may be different than hyper for me. Some people can't tolerate top of the range numbers. We are all dots at different points on the spectrum. That's why it's so important to track symptoms as well as dosage and labs.

Are there particluar symptoms or lab numbers that alarm you? If so, do you want to share?

I am not on any thyroid meds....but my nervous system is all messed up - I also have been treating for lyme disease -tested positive about 10 months ago.
But, because my nervous system is ramped up, I thought maybe I was hyperthyroid.
I am not below the TSH range - just at the very bottom...and my FT3 and FT4 are upper end of range.
It's most likely lyme disease agitating my nervous system.
I had lost weight initially - very quickly...and coupled with the nervous system acting up (vibrations in my body, shivers when I'm not cold) - I had the lab tests for thyroid.
But I was surprised that my TSH was so low....
Just thought I would ask on here - as I can appreciate the knowledge on this site.

Lyme disease is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I'm so sorry you're dealing with that.

Have you been tested for Graves Disease (that's a hyper disease). It's something you might want to ask about.

Lyme disease really does a number on every organ in the body - most especially the thyroid gland.

Feel better and good luck!