Doc won't medicate Hashimoto's until thyroid dies

[Chark Attack]

I originally went in to OB for irregular periods.  They thought I may have a pituitary tumor, but no.  So I went to an endocrinologist.  Then they said my blood test indicated subclinical hyperthyroid even though i have all the symptoms of Hypothyroid.  Went in for another blood test, now they say it looks like Hashimoto's, but they will not medicate me until my thyroid is completely dead! sounds absurd to me but..what do I know?  They also thought I may have Polycystic Ovary Syndrom (syndrome) but I do not have elevated insulin levels!! Any advise?

[Mandy44]

I was diagnosed with PCOS 5 years ago but the symptoms can be vaguely familar with hypothyroid- which I was just diagnosed with- and I also have a pituitary tumor- I don't know now if I ever had PCOS because of my thyroid problems- its definitely all connected in some way though- In order to really diagnose PCOS you should have an ulra-sound of your ovaries (should show cysts all over them) and look at your DHEA and testosterone levels- they will be elevated, but any hair loss, weight gain, menstrual irregularities can be related to thyroid and PCOS- also not everyone with PCOS has insulin deficincies- Maybe you should get a second opinion on the thyroid dying- My assumption is it could take quite awhile to die and then you ae stuck dealing with all of the negative side effects of it-

[Jimlow]

Chark Attack, Hi, Mandy44 sounds knowlegable about PCOS, so glad you got her advice on that. But as far as the thyroid, I have NEVER heard a Dr. state that or ever read that on any medical resource. You may be simply dealing with the old "burnt-out and don't care", Dr. routine. I know Docs who get furious when this trend is pointed out but the "proof is in the puddin" and people EVERYWHERE are having this problem with Doctors. I believe I would get a second opinion, if possible, from an Endocrinologist. Everyone with Hashi's Disease has a fizzling-out thyroid but if your thyroid hormones are low, you need to have replacement medication therapy! By the time it finally dies completely off, you could be so severely hypothyroid that you can actually die!
I hope you find a caring Doc!!

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

The presence of antibodies is usually but not always associated with hashimotos.  If you had subclinical HYPERthyroidism then the TSH was low and treating with thyroid replacement meds would be inappropriate.  There is a condition called hashitoxicosis that fluctuates between hyper and hypo and can be tricky to treat.  You need to see a thyroidologist to sort this out.

PCOS is not necessarily linked to thyroid and the diagnosis can be tricky and does not require the presence of ovarian cysts on ultrsound.  It does require abnormal periods and signs (or lab values) of high male hormones.  Insulin is not deficient in this syndrome, but often elevated due to insulin resistance - this is not seen in all patients however....

[Jimlow]

Hi, just an added thought that your Doc said "looks like Hashimoto's", then said to wait until the thyroid dies completely out.
When I mentioned you getting severly hypo, that's with the implication your Doc made that it is Hashi's disease. The condition I was referring to that can cause coma and death is referred to as myxedema coma. If you are instead hyperthyroid, of course this requires the former treatment you were getting. I hope they can figure out your diagnosis soon!