Confused, don't know where to go!

[db1019]

Hi, I'm new to this forum - am seeking help as to where to go and what to do next?
Basics:  I'm 64 yr. Female. Basically good health, walk every day. Am probably having more Doctor probs than anything else, but I'm not sure where to turn?
5-6 yrs ago, I was diagnosed with thyroid probs. My doctor sent me to an Endo. specialist.  I wasn't thrilled with him as a Dr., not great on explanations or interest, didn't get answers to questions, and probably didn't KNOW what questions to ask.  It was so long ago, I don't remember much. I think I took methamazol (? - that sounds familiar) for about 1 - 1.5 yrs. When it was time to renew the prescrip, of course the Dr. wanted to see me, and I chose NOT to go back to him (he was over 50 miles away and didn't like him anyway). I found another Endo closer to home and went to see her. Was told at that time that I didn't HAVE thyroid probs, and was taken off any medication. (My original symptoms included rapid and irregular heartbeat - that lessened with taking the medication)  End of story? Not quite.
Now, and for the last 6 months - year, the symptoms have been returning, and include:

Rapid and irregular heartbeat
Hoarse Voice (this has been a problem for several years!)
Massive Hot Flashes, night sweats (and I'm well past the menopause stage!)
Probs. swallowing (more like, makes loud and funny noise when I swallow, everything goes down Ok)
Hair Loss
Fingernails weak and 'not growing'

This is looking like Hyperthyroidism, rather than Hypo. - from what I am reading!

So I made an appt. with my Reg. Dr., or rather the Nurse Prac. (couldn't get in to see the Dr. for almost a month!).
Note: I have taken high BP meds for years, along with Furosemide for water-retention. This Dr. also wanted to see me before renewing those meds, but because of Health Ins. probs I hadn't gone, and was completely off all meds for about 6 months. Made this Appt. both for this reason AND the thyroid symptoms reappearing.
Of course, they ordered Blood tests, with Thyroid TSH and Free T4 added. 2 days later, I had BT taken, and I called Lab to ask for results to be Faxed to me at my work.  The ONLY thing that is flagged on the BT is the TSH - Low, everything else was in normal ranges.
TSH    0.05   Range 0.34 - 4.82
FT4     1.09   Range  .77 - 1.61     No FT3 was ordered or done.

I called Drs office to find out what was next. They gave me a 'message'  from the Nurse Prac. that I should go to see the Endo Spec. again.  That was IT!  No explanation, no discussion, no chance to ask questions, no OPINION from the doctor - nothing.  After my past experience with the Endos, I wasn't too thrilled about going that route again - not to mention afraid of the costs.  Is this standard practice for doctors now?  This doctor doesn't seem to "Treat" me for anything. She performs a few tests and sends me to a Specialist - there's no attempt to diagnose or treat any symptoms on her own . . ?
I had noticed on the Blood work, that NO cholesterol tests were indicated.  - when I asked about it, I was told that 'I' hadn't asked for it!  (This Dr. had prescribed Choles. med for me before - shouldn't that have been a concern??).

I was a little upset about the lack of concern and lack of communication with this office (and DEFINITE lack of thoroughness!) - I don't want to return. But I'm also not looking forward to starting over from scratch - and having to wait months to get appointments.  Plus, I don't know where or how to start looking for another doctor.  Are they ALL like this?  I'm just so frustrated and depressed over all this, I don't know which way to turn.  I saw this forum, and thought maybe others have experienced this as well, and can help point me in the right direction.  

Badly in need of Advice!!
Thanks for listening to my Rants!
D

[gimel]

I went through quite a list of doctors trying to find some prospects among the mny suspects.  LOL  The best possibility I came up with was unfortunately not taking any new patients until probably January, I was told.  So I resorted to calling a local compounding pharmacy and asking for names of doctors for which they fill prescriptions for T3 type meds like Armour Thyroid and Cytomel.  That got me 2 names, both in the same office.  I called there and asked my usual questions about clinical treatment and was happy with the answers I got.  The doctor is accepting new patients also.  Sent PM with info.  Just click on your name and go to your personal page, then click on messages.  

[db1019]

Thank you for the response and thanks for understanding!
I'm just so frustrated with doctors, but I'm wondering if my "irritibility and impatience" isn't a symptom . . and wondering why the doctor doesn't take that into consideration?  
It helps to know what tests to have - until I started reading here, I didn't know about the FT3, and again, wonder why it wasn't ordered.

Is it an Endocrinologist that I should look for?  I'm in Carson City, NV - so northern part of the State, and I haven't found many listed here.
First Dr. I went to was in Reno, which is a drive, and if I don't have to go that far, I'd rather not.  
Thanks again, I appreciate the help!
D

[gimel]

After all that you have been through you need to find a good thyroid doctor and get a number of tests done to find out what issues you have.  Just as a start I would suggest that you make sure to be tested for Free T3, Free T4, TSH, Thyroid Peroxidase antibodies (TPO ab), Thyroglobulin antibodies (TG ab), TSI,  Vitamin D, B12, and ferritin.  

In addition, if you will tell us your location in Nevada, perhaps we can help find a good thyroid doctor for you.