THYROID HELP AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!

[outstandinfarmer]

So I went to the endocrinologist, not the one my doc wanted me to go to, the only one that could get me in right away. My readings have all been severely high (I have a hypothyroid). He took one last test to see what the levels were at so he knew how much to prescribe me. The tests all came back normal. He then told me that since that day it was normal, he would NOT be putting me on prescription and see how I do through the next several months without any meds. My regular doc had told me that some days it will appear normal even when you have a severe problem. That's also what I had read when I did research on it. So even though all the other tests came back severe, this one test on one day came back normal so he will NOT PUT ME ON ANYTHING EVEN THOUGH I AM COMPLETELY SUFFERING AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FUNCTION LIKE A NORMAL HUMAN BEING FOR 5 YEARS!!

For those that have a thyroid problem, have you taken tests where some days it appears to be normal?

I am completely miserable. As soon as I do something like take a shower, I have to go back to bed and rest because I'm SOOOO tired. I just want to be able to live like everyone else.

PLEASE HELP!!!!

(Here's the link to my other discussion about my problem and what I'm going through if it helps)
Thyroid Discussion

I'm not trying to complain or anything, I just don't know what to do.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I would get an appt with the one your doctor wants you to and explain your thoughts.

 

[Rajah]

I agree, try again.

We still think my thyroid's off, but it *never* has been anything but normal.

 

[mamajoan]

I was diagnosed with hypothyroid about 12 years ago...
since then I have routine bloodtests to make sure my meds are working... sometimes they show better levels than others... If it is a big difference the doc adjusts my meds... I have alot of medical stuff going on with me and the meds for those conditions can affect the thyroid meds.. so I take lots of tests for lots of things.. LOL.. the phlebotomy techs know me by first name.. hec they know exactly where to poke me each time I come in for tests.

I understand why the endocrinologist avoided giving you the meds. Maybe your primary care doc can do a series of thyroid tests for several months to show cause for meds. I know this sounds terrible.. but if your PCP can show that for two-three months that your thyroid is below normal, maybe the PCP will prescribe the thyroid meds. Hec, I would think she could do that after two consecutive tests show hypothyroid results.

Sorry I could not be of more help.

 

[Christine]

Okay, you definitely need a new doctor. After years of dealing with thyroid cancer and it's issue, I will tell you there are some pretty whacked endocrinologists out there. That you could get in right away is a sure indicator that this one probably isn't that good. Endocrinologists are specialists and typically it takes a few months to get into a good one unless your doctor can work some magic for you. Endocrinologists also are specialized in different areas of the endocrine systems. Some of them are way more into diabetes than thyroid disorders and some of them or way more into thyroid disorders than diabetes. The first one I went to didn't know the first thing about thyroid cancer and had to call his *friend* at Johns Hopkins everytime he had an appointment with me. I got rid of him pretty quick. I had a nurse at the hospital tell that I needed to find one that was more thyroid oriented. So, you may have gotten one that is more into diabetes and only goes by lab values alone.

Secondly, your PCP can prescribe synthetic thyroid hormone with no problem. I'm sure they sent you to the endo to get a further diagnosis on your problem (do you have a goiter, do you have Hashimoto's thyroiditis, etc.). While it is important to know this and possibly do something further down the road (surgery or treatment to destroy your gland), it is more important that you get treated. I think your next step would be to talk to your PCP and find what you should do next. I think it is unrealistic to make you wait several months being hypothyroid to see this other endo, yet I understand the need to get a handle on your diagnosis. But, you do need to feel better soon. Hypothyroidism CAN be dangerous (not deathly) but problematic if left untreated.

 

[outstandinfarmer]

I kind of figured he wasn't that good when I told the doc I had gotten an appt with him and she said "God no, not him".

I told her he was the only one available and she said, "Well I guess you have to take it because I can't get you into any of them on my end either. You only have to see him once, then we are switching immediately"

The doc also sent me down to this crazy lady in a dynalab to take my blood that was sleeping across the desk with a pillow and blanket. The lab reeked of dog urine and she had to take blood from four places because she kept collapsing my veins.

(We have awesome health insurance I just think I got a REAL BAD ONE!!!)

 

[Yzma and Kronk]

I have read a great book for Thyroid problems:

The Thyroid Source book by M. Sara Rosenthal.

It really explains all types of thyroid problems in everyday terms.

Dr. Rosenthal has a website: www.sarahealth.com or if you "google" her you'll get a few thyroid related websites which might be of help to you.

Good Luck!

 

[outstandinfarmer]

Also when the crazy lady took my blood test, (I just thought of this) she never labeled the containers. She just took blank ones, put them back in the holder and went back to her business. Every other time I've had blood taken, they label it right away. I just thought that was weird and maybe that's why it came up with a different reading. IT WASN'T EVEN MINE!

Just a thought!

 

[Kristi1357]

That's awful!

Get an appt. with the better endo. - even if it is far off. I'd also see if your PCP would prescribe even a low dose of levoxl or synthroid in the meantime. I was always cared for my hypothyroid by a PCP alone until I was pregnant last year and things got a bit kooky.

Good Luck!
Kristi

 

[Krystina'sMommy]

Outstandinfarmer:

You poor thing. Sorry you've had nothing but bad experiences in trying to get your thyroid taken care of. I, too, cannot believe your PCP will not prescribe any meds for you! I suffer from hypothyroidism & went undiagnosed for several years (don't know how long exactly). When I finally decided I wanted to try & have a baby I went to my PCP (at that time) & told her I wanted off my birth control pills. She said no problem & I would probably have them out of my system in a few months & wouldn't be surprised if I was pregnant in about 6 months. Well, 3 years later & I still couldn't get pregnant! In the mean time I had been to her several times with all the classic symptoms of hypothyroidism (losing my hair, dry (scaly) skin, couldn't sleep, weight gain, unable to conceive, etc) and she never ONCE check my thyroid! At that time we relocated to the Dallas area & about a month after moving I found a new PCP. As soon as I described my symptoms to her, she sent me to the lab. Within a week I started on synthroid & she sent me to a fertility specialist just to rule out any other problems. Three months after starting synthroid I got pregnant! My little girl just turned 3. Anyway, last year we moved back "home" & I went back to my old PCP (don't know why other than I hate finding a new dr & had never been to anyone else besides her in the area). I ended up seeing her PA & loved her. She checked my records & couldn't believe my old PCP had never checked my thyroid! Just recently, though, I started to feel "bad" again. I finally found a new dr that I knew prescribed Armour thyroid (the PA wouldn't prescribe it) because I have heard GOOD things about it (and my sister takes it). The new dr ran my blood and although I was in "normal" range, he said he did see some "room" for improvement. He went ahead & prescribed the Armour (which contains T3 & not only T4 like synthroid) & I feel great! I've been on it for a couple of months now & have to go back to re-check my blood next month.
Just wanted to let you know that you are not alone! Unfortunately many women (and men) suffer from this problem & for some reason many drs will only go by the lab results (not how the patient is feeling). If at all possible, find a new dr! Don't know if you subscribe, but about.com has a newletter for thyroid patients full of useful information & dr directory. You may want to try that. Hope you start to feel better soon! Keep us posted!

 

[Blueeyes101817]

yeah, i agree with everyone else...i had an endocrinologist who would tell me its all in my head when i told her i could feel my levels were off...i still havent found an endo i like....anyhone in nj have any recommendations??


But good luck ,its annooying but as soon as you get this all figured out, you will feel soo much better!

 

[floridafam]

Do you know what your levels are? Did you get a copy of the lab slip?

Did they just test your TSH or did they do a total thyroid workup?

 

[loisg1]

I went through the same feelings of being tired but many of the other meds I'm on can cause that (I take 11 total daily). My PCP who is an internist, finally ordered the appropriate test to check for hypothyroidism and my levels were off. I've never been to an endo as my internist just follows my levels and adjusts as necessary. Would you feel comfortable if your PCP was monitoring your levels? It might be an option but certainly make that appointment with the other endo if that is not an option for you. Feel better and good luck.

Lois

 

[CindyKansas]

I first found out that I had Hyperthyroidism 10 years ago this month. I had or have Graves Disease. I can tell you that even after 10 years I still have trouble getting my medication regulated. I went about 4 years on the same level of medication and then just the past year everything went out of whack again. I didn't realize the reason I didn't feel right was because of my thyroid. Went to the doctor and they did blood work and I was getting too little. So every 2 months I have to go back in and have blood work done. The best advice is to find a great Endocrinologist. My doctor referred me to a fantastic Dr. at the KU Medical Center.