Anyone been to a thyroid specialist?

[Beauty]

I finally got an appt. for a thyroid specialist. I have to travel to our states cap. Jackson since there are none that specialize in the thyroid where I live.

The drive is about 2 hours away and my appt. isn't until 2 in the afternoon. Just wondering what I should expect. Will they just take my levels or will they want to do scans??

I have had so much trouble with my thryoid this year. I can't get weight off no matter how much I try by excersising, eating right and drinking water. My hair falls out by the handsfull in the shower and my neck bothers me constantly where my thyroid is. We can also get into the fact that I'm cold so much lately and I used to NEVER be cold. Its just everything goes right back to my thyroid. I've been on synthroid for over a year now but something just isn't right.

Anyway any advice anyone can give on what I should expect?

Thanks!

 

[kilee]

I actually work for 2 endocrinologist. I am not a nurse, but being in the office for the last 10 years you pick up a thing or 2. As well as being hypothyroid myself. First remember that all doctors are different. Our initial consultations of course include a complete history and physical. They usually require that you have recent thyroid function studies to review (bloodwork). They then devise which plan is best for you. Some people go on to have thyroid scans, while others will need biopsies. Don't want to discount anything, but it may be as simple as uping your dose of Synthroid. The good news will be that you are getting the ball rolling and hopefully will feel better soon!!

 

[Trish5768]

It sounds like you are hypothyroid, my DH is also. They probably need to adjust your medication. He has been treated by his general practioner.

DD was just diagnosed with Grave's Disease and I've had to take her to Children's Hospital to see an pediatric endocrinologist. Hers is an autoimmune disease that attacks the thyroid and tissue behind the eyes and that makes her hyper thyroid. I totally understand your driving dilema as Children's is about 2 hours away for us also.

It will be totally worth it (IMHO) if they can make you feel better. You won't have a scan tomorrow - probably just blood work, a med check and history. Good luck and if I can answer any other questions let me know.

 

[Christine]

I see a thyroid specialist (endocrinologist) because I have/had thyroid cancer and no longer have a thyroid gland.

Basically, they should do a full thyroid panel on you (bloodwork). Then the doctor will examine your gland by feeling it. If he feels any enlargements/abnormalities they often times first send you for an ultrasound and then a thyroid scan. If they locate anything on these two tests, then they may choose to biopsy whatever they see. Depending on how "nodular" you gland is and how much it is bothering your neck, you may opt to have it removed. But that's down the road.

 

[meandtheguys]

Hi Beauty! I can so totally relate. Was diagnosed last April and went to see an endo. in June...yes two hours away. He checked my levels which were "okay". I spent another few months feeling crummy, at which time they discovered my TSH levels were again skyrocketing. It is so frustrating getting the levels right, etc. BTW, I cannot believe I am not bald by now...too bad I still have to shave my legs!

I do know that everyone I talk to says that once my body recovers, I will feel SOOOO much better. So will you! Good luck, I hope you like your doc. Big hug from one hypo to another!

Michelle

 

[BHFan25]

Good luck on your appointment!!

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

I also have had thyroid problems.

I have read a great book which I have passed on to friends and family (my Dad's doctor even borrowed it). It is written so "average" people can read it and understand as thyroid can be very complicated.

"The Thyroid Sourcebook" by M. Sara Rosenthal

Good luck!

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Beauty,

I also have hypothyroidism. I can relate to everything you are experiencing. No advice, just hugs.

Lori

 

[chager]

I don't have any advice but I found this to be an interesting thread. I have read some about thyroid issues and my Dr has done bloodwork but it always comes back ok. A nurse where I used to work out asked if I had thyroid issues becuase no matter what I have trouble losing weight. I just recently had a hair stylist ask if I had thyroid problems becuase of the texture of my hair. SHe said she has 3 other people with the same hair texture and all 3 have thyroid issues. I have several symptoms listed such as...eternally cold, weight gain (doesn't want to go away), sluggishness, currently being treated for depression, eternally tired(even after sleeping alot), increased menstrual issues (Gyn. says my uterus is just being a witch with a "B") OK I have most of the list, but evidently according to my bloodwork not a thyroid issue. The Dr. says I just need to exercise more and watch my diet Oh, I missed one...sandpaper for skin!! No matter how much water I drink or how much lotion I use my skin is ALWAYS dry!! I have resorted to putting vasiline on my hands and feet and then wearing socks over both when I go to bed. It helps some, but by the afternoon I'm back to dry, scaley skin again. Very frustrating. Ok done with my little vent.
I really need to find the energy to go to the store now
I think I will look up the book that was mentioned at the library today.

 

[meandtheguys]

Just wondering if you have had the full thyroid panel? They tested me for years, and I always came back neg. It wasn't until I went in and once again showed my skin (ick!) and a mentrual chart,and checking out my eyebrows, that they ran a full scan...after patting my head and saying "wouldn't it be nice if that was why you aren't losing weight..." My TSH was off the scale. It totally freaked them out and they started me on a large dose of synthroid. Not the best thing to do, but I am slowly getting straightened out. I am sorry you feel so bad!

Michelle

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

I wasn't properly diagnosed until I had the full panel bloodwork done also.

Lori

 

[Christine]

Carolyn,
There is a new "theory" out now that while some people have "good" thyroid numbers, clinically they present with all of the symptoms of hypothyroidism. Many "forward thinking" doctors will go ahead and try to treat someone like you with a little bit of Synthroid (synthetic thyroid hormone) to see if they get an improvement. The key is finding a doctor who will do that. If you go to about.com, they have a thyroid disease site that is run by Mary Shomon. She is very into the alternative side of thyroid disease. They also keep a list of doctors that understand that sometimes it is more than just the numbers. I suggest you take some time and look at this site--you can spend DAYS reading the info.

Having said all that, unfortunately, you CAN have all these symptoms without having a thyroid disorder. I know that my friend had them all (exactly as you listed) and she always tested normal. She found a doctor who gave her some thyroid medication. You know, it didn't make a darn bit of difference. She didn't lose any weight, she didn't feel more rested, etc. So, after many months, she stopped using it. And not to say that you haven't given your best effort, but after 10 years of trying to lose weight she got REAL serious about it and has managed to drop 35 lbs over the past year. And I listened to her tell me that for 10 years she couldn't lose weight.

 

[kimber79]

Originally posted by chager
I don't have any advice but I found this to be an interesting thread. I have read some about thyroid issues and my Dr has done bloodwork but it always comes back ok. ..............currently being treated for depression

I found this thread interesting as well! I had my thyroid tested Jan. 2003, and they reported that my lab tests came back okay. I have read quite a bit on thyroids, and called to find out what my level was. They told me thyroids are scaled from 0-4, and mine came back 3.6 which falls in the normal range (I thought on a 4 point scale with mine being 3.6 sounded high, but I am not in the medical field so what do I know!). In my readings, they suggested you to find out what your level was, and if it was higher than 3 to ask your doctor to test the TRH levels. Well......I called and asked my doctor and he would not do that.......he said if one comes back that level the other one will come back the same??? This doctor put me on Zoloft for depression........I took it for 2 months, and felt no different so I quit taking it. I just went to a different doctor yesterday and he is testing me...........he was dazed and confused when I told him the other doctor would not run the TRH test. He is running a couple different thyroid tests on me as well as a few other things.......so hopefully we can find out if there truly is something wrong or if I am going to have to be tired, fat, tired, depressed, fat, tired, cold, .........forever!!! I will update you all of my results in a few days!

So........find out what your thyroid level came back as, and don't settle with that result until you are completely satisfied! Go and get a second opinion like I did!

 

[floridafam]

A few years ago I lost 35 pounds in 2-3 months-I thought it was because I just had a bad break up with a boyfriend. I was sleeping for 16 hours straight. I had never really heard much about the thyroid at all. I went in for my yearly physical and my OB/GYN felt my neck as a part of a routine exam and I had a huge nodule. I could do without the other issues-dry skin, thin hair, always cold but I'd love the rapid weight loss again.

From there, it went quick. I saw a thryoid specialist, had a scan, had a biopsy and was scheduled for surgery shortly thereafter.

I have had trouble regulating my levels since I had my thyroid removed. Make sure you have the full panel blood work up. This is often the only way to tell if there is really something going on. You may have trouble regulating your levels but it can be done. Each person is different. I felt better when I didn't take my synthroid!

Thyroid levels should be checked if you have a history of coronary disease in your family as it can make clogged arteries worse. They should also be checked and kept an eye on during pregnancy as the unborn child has to be getting the adequate amount of thyroid hormone.

Good luck and keep us posted!