Thanks for the info. I will check it out. Doctors should be required to read these forums, they could learn so much :)
cold urtica/hives is also associated with autoimmune diseases and problems with the thyroid. You may also want to check his back by drawing with a pen that does not have the ink point out. If you see a mark left behind this is called dermographism or also called dermatographism this disease is also associated with autoimmune disorders of the thyroid.
If your son is advancing rapidly this can be a result of an endocrine disorder that is effecting growth hormone from the adrenal or pituitary gland. This would effect concentration, mood etc,
Vitiligio is also associated with autoimmune disorders.
You might want to look at (APS1) Autoimmune Polyendocrine Syndrome Type 1 and 2.
Or (MEN 1 and 2) Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia.
There are several prospects for you to consider in this link to patient nominated Top Thyroid Docs in the Kentucky area.
http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/kentucky.htm
This site is not always 100% correct, but it is far better than starting from scratch trying to sort the prospects from the suspects. I always read patient feedback to see if there is evidence that the doctor is willing to treat clinically, for symptoms, and also if willing to prescribe meds containing T3, if necessary.
Thanks. I'm in the center of Kentucky (middle of nowhere). There are only 6 endo's in our insurance network and they are in Lexington KY and Louisville KY. I will call around and ask if they treat a lot of thyroid patients and how.
Just because a doctor is an Endo does not mean that he is a good thyroid doctor. Many Endos specialize in diabetes, not thyroid. Also, many have the "Immaculate TSH Belief" by which they only want to test and use TSH as the diagnostic for thyroid issues. That absolutely doesn't work. Others will test beyond TSH, but usually only for Free T4, and then use "Reference range Endocrinology", by which they will say that a test result that falls anywhere within the range is "normal" and adequate for you. That is also incorrect.
A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. You can get some good insight into clinical treatment from this letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he sometimes consults with after initial tests and evaluation. The letter is then sent to the participating doctor of the patient to help guide treatment. In the letter, please note the statement, "the ultimate
criterion for dose adjustment must always be the clinical response of the patient."
http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf
So, if you will tell us your location, perhaps a member can recommend a good thyroid doctor in your general area.
Thank u so much for your response. I feel more at ease now reading everything here. I will see which endocrinologist he can go to with insurance and call to make an appointment. I will definitely get a copy of his labs. I can stop jumping up and down at the doctor office and take action! Thank you.
With the high level of antibodies, and symptoms, it sounds like your son has the most common cause of diagnosed hypothyroidism, which is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. With Hashi's the autoimmune system somehow erroneously identifies the thyroid gland as foreign and produces antibodies to attack the gland. This continues until the gland is eventually destroyed. To offset the loss of thyroid hormone production, thyroid medication is required.
The most difficult part of treating Hashi's is finding a good thyroid doctor. By that I mean one that will treat clinically, by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. Symptom relief should be all important, not just blood test results.
In the US doctors are required by law to give you a copy of lab test report, upon request. So I think the first thing needed is to get a copy. It sounds like the doctor is being very defensive about the lab test results, because he should have done something long ago and now he is embarrassed for you to see the actual results. So insist on a copy, and if they resist, remind them that they law requires it. Don't leave until they give you a copy.
Then, when you have the copy, please post results and reference ranges shown on the report, so that members can advise further.