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Frustration with meds, endo's etc...
This is ridiculous!! I just called to get my lab report, which at this point I only have the TSH # which frankly, I really don't care about the numbers- my body always knows! The nurse claims I was in the upper range of normal .6 or something like that, so it has come down from the 10.87 but I am "hyper-sensitive" in both directions. When the lab results show ever so slightly out of range in either direction, I feel way out of whack! I begged her to ask the Endo for a light synthroid increase because I still have all the HYPO symptoms x10, she said he would probably not change the dose but would talk to him...when are these docs going to learn to listen to patients and not always look at a piece of paper ????
Not to mention I have fluid around my heart which is directly related to the hypothyroidism
- and a friend of mine who sees same doc for hypothyroidism claims he keeps him on the lower end!
UGHH!
Not to mention I have fluid around my heart which is directly related to the hypothyroidism
- and a friend of mine who sees same doc for hypothyroidism claims he keeps him on the lower end!
UGHH!
Finally after a few weeks of the Cytomel/Synthroid combo I am feeling better, more energy, shaking those extra lb's I had and mentally feeling better too!
I had to visit my Endo today for some labs because I am in a study that he is doing for patients who are risk for thyroid cancer and the correlation between Autoimmune Thyroid diseases and the % of patients that get thyroid cancer. I am happy to help in the study.
I had to visit my Endo today for some labs because I am in a study that he is doing for patients who are risk for thyroid cancer and the correlation between Autoimmune Thyroid diseases and the % of patients that get thyroid cancer. I am happy to help in the study.
Congratulations! I'm so happy for you. Keep us posted, but I'm sure it's going to help you feel better.
Amidst the frustration of my old Endo, I decided to call and screen a new one. Called and left a message yesterday but have not heard anything back! So today, at which point I had lost all hope of my old one....the phone starts a ringing and it's one of his super educated nurses, yipee. Anyway it was like beautiful music to my ears to hear her say she was calling in **Cytomel** to add to my Synthroid dose!! The weirdos came through, I can't believe it. She is knocking my Synthroid from .1 down to .75 and if heard right which I probably didn't but she said I would be on 2 (.5) cytomel tabs a day ? Don't care really as long as it will regulate my T3 and I will feel better. Will report back and let you know how it goes:)
I live in NC and yes having a job would be nice so far as the insurance would cost. The only reason I met my deductible last year was due to gall bladder removal, UGHH! so I had to pay the deductible + 20% of the hosp. bill. The last couple of years has actually paid off for me to have insurance as I have used it quite often.
If you do a simple online quote for BCBS in NC insurance and only change the gender on the form there is easily a $100 difference- NOT FAIR!!
If you do a simple online quote for BCBS in NC insurance and only change the gender on the form there is easily a $100 difference- NOT FAIR!!
What state are you in? The PPO I have is basically what you describe. I pay a "discounted" rate for many things because my insurance company has negotiated with the suppliers for certain prices. In other words, I pay what the insuraance company would pay if my deductible had been met. So, that helps, but it's coming out of the suppliers' pockets, not the insurance company's. After the deductible, I pay 20% to the insurance company's 80% until my "maximum annual out-of-pocket" is reached, at which point they pay 100%.
I've never even reached my deductible (not complaining, believe me). Most of my life, the six visits would have more than covered me. Last year, though, I started seeing my endo who was tweaking my meds and wanting to see me every six weeks for a while. Then I had to have some GI surgery...couple of office visits before, couple after...a few messing with my PCP before the referral to the surgeon. I paid!
Now, Moose, you know that Lenin said "If you repeat something often enough, it becomes true." So, repeat after me, "A consultant is much more important than a contract laborer and is compensated at a much higher rate." I'm a consultant, thank you! And you should be, too! Fancy, schmancy, it's all about money. LOL
I've never even reached my deductible (not complaining, believe me). Most of my life, the six visits would have more than covered me. Last year, though, I started seeing my endo who was tweaking my meds and wanting to see me every six weeks for a while. Then I had to have some GI surgery...couple of office visits before, couple after...a few messing with my PCP before the referral to the surgeon. I paid!
Now, Moose, you know that Lenin said "If you repeat something often enough, it becomes true." So, repeat after me, "A consultant is much more important than a contract laborer and is compensated at a much higher rate." I'm a consultant, thank you! And you should be, too! Fancy, schmancy, it's all about money. LOL
Lets hope health ins gets better in the next few years.......cross our fingers. I and many would like to be self employed, but health ins cost is a good reason not to go that route.
BCBS is pricing themselves out of the market in this state. I looked into private inc for contract (consulting - for people that like to make it sound fancier) and found a mid price that pays for lab work - almost like a co pay plan. That was a MN based inc co.
In this state mens and womens insc is the same price - it law a few yrs back. So what did they do? Just jack up mens premiums. It was silly to think they would meet in the middle.
BCBS is pricing themselves out of the market in this state. I looked into private inc for contract (consulting - for people that like to make it sound fancier) and found a mid price that pays for lab work - almost like a co pay plan. That was a MN based inc co.
In this state mens and womens insc is the same price - it law a few yrs back. So what did they do? Just jack up mens premiums. It was silly to think they would meet in the middle.
Okay Cytomel...will need to remember that. I have read a lot on these boards about that drug but never knew why they were taking it. As for the insurance I have BCBS and am self employed so I too pay out the *** for it, the deductibles are ridiculous, each year the plan sky-rockets I will have to reconfigure cause I cannot afford monthly prem.
I noticed my carrier has a several plans and I am looking into one of them called HSA-options which allows the patient to pay "contracted pricing tier" for Dr. visits, prescription etc...so instead of a deductable you pay the contract price BCBS has arranged with that Dr. and all those bills go towards your deductible and once the deductible is met, they cover 100% so in turn you monthly premium is way lower, your out of pocket is initially higher until the deductible is met then your scott free. I have to call around to see what my contracted prices might be. Not sure if this pays off better for someone who has a lot of problems or rarely goes to the doctor.
I get allergy shots so I am not sure I want to flip that bill weekly, as it right now I pay nothing for them. There are always trade offs I guess and I don't think there is ever a great deal for health ins. especially when you are self-employed!! Is that your allotted amount of Dr visits ?? 6 is all you get...well, I guess that's not bad unless you have an issue...heck, most people never even go, which is another issue that burns me up, why women's health is always way higher...because we actually go the doctor is the explanation I get.
I noticed my carrier has a several plans and I am looking into one of them called HSA-options which allows the patient to pay "contracted pricing tier" for Dr. visits, prescription etc...so instead of a deductable you pay the contract price BCBS has arranged with that Dr. and all those bills go towards your deductible and once the deductible is met, they cover 100% so in turn you monthly premium is way lower, your out of pocket is initially higher until the deductible is met then your scott free. I have to call around to see what my contracted prices might be. Not sure if this pays off better for someone who has a lot of problems or rarely goes to the doctor.
I get allergy shots so I am not sure I want to flip that bill weekly, as it right now I pay nothing for them. There are always trade offs I guess and I don't think there is ever a great deal for health ins. especially when you are self-employed!! Is that your allotted amount of Dr visits ?? 6 is all you get...well, I guess that's not bad unless you have an issue...heck, most people never even go, which is another issue that burns me up, why women's health is always way higher...because we actually go the doctor is the explanation I get.
The T3 might someday corect itself...I can't say no, but I think you might end up being miserable for a very long time waiting for that to happen. If you add some T3, you can always discontinue/reduce it if conversi0on for some reason kicks back in.
There are advantages to both synthetic T3/T4 combos and dessicated. Some people only do well on one or the other. The advantage to adding Cytomel is that the T3 and T4 can be manipulated separately so you get just what you need of each. Dessicated has a fixed amount of each. Moose can tell you some of his horror stories from the past year of dealing with the shortages of dessicated...hopefully that's all over now. It all boils down to personal choice and what works for YOU. I, personally, would try synthetic T3 (Cytomel) first for the ease of controlling it separately from the T4. Also, many more doctors are willing to prescribe Cytomel than dessicated (shame on them)...an unfortunate, but practica,l consideration.
I agree with you...modern medicine has its place, and it's done a lot of good. But, you're right, it's becoming unsustainable due to skyrocketing costs. My husband and I both work our butts off and always have. We're both self-employed. We have health insurance (huge deductable/catastrophic-only), but what we can afford doesn't help us much. The upshot is that I pay for most of my own health care. I get six doctor visits at a $25 copay. Aside from that, the insurance that costs us around $500 a month has newver paid a penny for ANYTHING. Is it just me, or is there something wrong with that picture?
There are advantages to both synthetic T3/T4 combos and dessicated. Some people only do well on one or the other. The advantage to adding Cytomel is that the T3 and T4 can be manipulated separately so you get just what you need of each. Dessicated has a fixed amount of each. Moose can tell you some of his horror stories from the past year of dealing with the shortages of dessicated...hopefully that's all over now. It all boils down to personal choice and what works for YOU. I, personally, would try synthetic T3 (Cytomel) first for the ease of controlling it separately from the T4. Also, many more doctors are willing to prescribe Cytomel than dessicated (shame on them)...an unfortunate, but practica,l consideration.
I agree with you...modern medicine has its place, and it's done a lot of good. But, you're right, it's becoming unsustainable due to skyrocketing costs. My husband and I both work our butts off and always have. We're both self-employed. We have health insurance (huge deductable/catastrophic-only), but what we can afford doesn't help us much. The upshot is that I pay for most of my own health care. I get six doctor visits at a $25 copay. Aside from that, the insurance that costs us around $500 a month has newver paid a penny for ANYTHING. Is it just me, or is there something wrong with that picture?
"I am totally unfamiliar with the T4/T3 combo"
- Cytomel is a synthetic T3 med often paired with a T4 med like what you take. Not everyones body converts T4 to T3 as it should, thus why cytomel is around.
Natural dessicated thyroid (from pig thyroid gland) has all the thyroid hormones in it, and that is the last step (med) to try. Armour, Nature Throid, ERFA (Canadian), Thyroid -S (Thiland?).
- Cytomel is a synthetic T3 med often paired with a T4 med like what you take. Not everyones body converts T4 to T3 as it should, thus why cytomel is around.
Natural dessicated thyroid (from pig thyroid gland) has all the thyroid hormones in it, and that is the last step (med) to try. Armour, Nature Throid, ERFA (Canadian), Thyroid -S (Thiland?).
The "selenium info." site I was on mentioned foods high in the nutrient but warned against too many brazil nuts as they are very high....I used to be in the boonies but not so anymore but brazil nuts are not on my list...probably cost and arm & a leg too, like macadamia's.
Okay, I get what your saying about labs...makes sense now! Even after I moved, bloodwork is still being sent to old lab so at least the ranges are the same or at least its the same lab.
Do you think the T3 will ever correct itself and what is the med to bring that number up ? I am totally unfamiliar with the T4/T3 combo....do you take something in addition to Synthroid doctor permitting ?
I am on the fence with old school vs. modern medicine...the worst part for me is the time allotted - they don't listen to the patient anymore, your rushed in and out, insurance is a scam etc etc...My insurance keep going up & up, I almost cannot afford it but cannot afford to go without as I get older more problems arise, IT *****!!
Okay, I get what your saying about labs...makes sense now! Even after I moved, bloodwork is still being sent to old lab so at least the ranges are the same or at least its the same lab.
Do you think the T3 will ever correct itself and what is the med to bring that number up ? I am totally unfamiliar with the T4/T3 combo....do you take something in addition to Synthroid doctor permitting ?
I am on the fence with old school vs. modern medicine...the worst part for me is the time allotted - they don't listen to the patient anymore, your rushed in and out, insurance is a scam etc etc...My insurance keep going up & up, I almost cannot afford it but cannot afford to go without as I get older more problems arise, IT *****!!
Doctors used to be able to dignose lots of things without expensive tests (I think the tests are often just confirmation to cover their butts for lawsuits). What struck me about your comment about diagnosing "bedside" was that they're very rarely in that position anymore...they sure don't make house calls, and when you're in the hosital, you most often have a "hospitalist"...maybe that's what's missing...the bed! LOL
There's a great book called "The Lost Art of Healing" by Theodore Lown, a cardiologist from Boston. It's many years old at this point and perhaps no longer in print, but it talks about diagnosis and how it used to be done and how it's changed. Lown was trained by a cardiologist who diagnosed heart attack correctly about 95% of the time by asking a few simple questions. "Modern" testing isn't that good! What are we missing here?
The differing lab ranges should be somewhat "self-correcting", since it's the equipment and methods(mostly) that cause the different values. Just making up numbers here. But say the range at one lab is 1.0-2.0, and your result is 1.5. Another lab has a range of 0.8 to 1.8. I'd expect your result to be different at that lab, too...perhaps more like 1.3 (midrange on both). The second lab's equipment might be less sensitive, so "everybody" is being reported lower than the first lab. IF the ranges are properly arrived at (a whole different discussion...ugh), variation from one lab to the next and one area to the next can be a good thing as it controls for environmental factors that affect each population.
I always think it's best to get nutrients from food rather than supplements. Brazil nuts are loaded with selenium as are mushrooms (with the added bonus of being vitamin D bombs and having very few calories)...hard to find Brazil nuts (I live in the boonies) unless it's holiday season...
There's a great book called "The Lost Art of Healing" by Theodore Lown, a cardiologist from Boston. It's many years old at this point and perhaps no longer in print, but it talks about diagnosis and how it used to be done and how it's changed. Lown was trained by a cardiologist who diagnosed heart attack correctly about 95% of the time by asking a few simple questions. "Modern" testing isn't that good! What are we missing here?
The differing lab ranges should be somewhat "self-correcting", since it's the equipment and methods(mostly) that cause the different values. Just making up numbers here. But say the range at one lab is 1.0-2.0, and your result is 1.5. Another lab has a range of 0.8 to 1.8. I'd expect your result to be different at that lab, too...perhaps more like 1.3 (midrange on both). The second lab's equipment might be less sensitive, so "everybody" is being reported lower than the first lab. IF the ranges are properly arrived at (a whole different discussion...ugh), variation from one lab to the next and one area to the next can be a good thing as it controls for environmental factors that affect each population.
I always think it's best to get nutrients from food rather than supplements. Brazil nuts are loaded with selenium as are mushrooms (with the added bonus of being vitamin D bombs and having very few calories)...hard to find Brazil nuts (I live in the boonies) unless it's holiday season...
Yeah, I have always wondered after 8-12 years of school, then they think they know it all, then 20 years later they still know it all...how is that ? It's like CPR...don't you have to renew your certificate every so often & real estate agents have to renew their licenses etc (new laws)...they should have to go to Seminars or something annually. My old Allergist was always flying off to a conference somewhere...makes sense to me. I guess it depends on the Doc's belief system too.
My old Family Doc (who really wasn't knowledgeable in Thyroid at all) said to me one time, "used to, you could diagnose Thyroid disease bedside, just by testing reflexes, looking into the eyes and at the fingernails."
What really baffles me is all the differing lab ranges, I might have a totally different diagnoses from another lab, same blood~same test but different diag. SCARY!!
Thanks for the Selenium tip Goolarra, I may give it a try. I eat fresh turkey just about every day so I should get the minimum, but read a chart where up to 400mg/day was okay. What about that Doc over on the thyroid nodule board ?? I was over there when I was going through my biopsy. Wonder if he reads any over here.....
My old Family Doc (who really wasn't knowledgeable in Thyroid at all) said to me one time, "used to, you could diagnose Thyroid disease bedside, just by testing reflexes, looking into the eyes and at the fingernails."
What really baffles me is all the differing lab ranges, I might have a totally different diagnoses from another lab, same blood~same test but different diag. SCARY!!
Thanks for the Selenium tip Goolarra, I may give it a try. I eat fresh turkey just about every day so I should get the minimum, but read a chart where up to 400mg/day was okay. What about that Doc over on the thyroid nodule board ?? I was over there when I was going through my biopsy. Wonder if he reads any over here.....
And yet before the TSH test was created, they had to dx by other means. That's why I so often have more faith in the older physicians who had to use their brain as clinical diagnosing.
That's exactly what they need...or they might consider picking up a medical journal now and then...or peruse this forum once in a while...but, then again, the forum is just for mere mortals...
One of our members calls it "The Immaculate TSH". It fails so many of us as a diagnostic, and yet they persist in thinking of it as the "gold standard".
Did I mention that some of our members find selenium useful in controlling that choking feeling?
One of our members calls it "The Immaculate TSH". It fails so many of us as a diagnostic, and yet they persist in thinking of it as the "gold standard".
Did I mention that some of our members find selenium useful in controlling that choking feeling?
Did not hear back from Dr.'s office so I called and pressed them again on Friday, the nurse said she would push my complaints through but I never did hear by end of day so I have taken the steps to find another Endo, I found one locally that also deals with osteoporosis so I will see what their thyroid treatments are.
I still hope to hear from my current one monday with an adjustment so I don't have to go through the mess of getting in with another one. I feel like garbage and my throat constantly feels like someone has their hands around it, not to mention the scrolling list of other symptoms all because of the low T3 ?? I just don't get it, there is so much information about TSH not being the guide to medicating so why are all these docs using it like it's the "thyroid law"...maybe they need up to date refresher courses!
I still hope to hear from my current one monday with an adjustment so I don't have to go through the mess of getting in with another one. I feel like garbage and my throat constantly feels like someone has their hands around it, not to mention the scrolling list of other symptoms all because of the low T3 ?? I just don't get it, there is so much information about TSH not being the guide to medicating so why are all these docs using it like it's the "thyroid law"...maybe they need up to date refresher courses!
Good point. When I was looking for my endo, I actually faxed a questionnaire to all endos in the area in my health plan (multiple choice to save their time). In addition to the questions I've already suggested, I asked about treating thyroid in combination with my heart arrhythmia (in your case menopause and osteopenia). I haven't seen my electrophysiologist (cardio specializing in arrhythmias) in years now because my endo treats me for both.
I agree with Galsal...you can and will get help...I love my endo (and was totally prepared to hate him before meeting him...no, no, no, neither young nor good-looking)...and, believe me, I'm not an easy sell! Stick with it...it's worth it!
I agree with Galsal...you can and will get help...I love my endo (and was totally prepared to hate him before meeting him...no, no, no, neither young nor good-looking)...and, believe me, I'm not an easy sell! Stick with it...it's worth it!
Thanks so much for advice, I think this Endo deals with a lot of thyroid but one thing right off the bat I didn't like was he only deals with Men's hormonal issues and not women's. I was hoping that he was going to help with my menopausal & osteopenia issue along with the thyroid since they all interact with each other in the body.
After my phone call tomorrow I may be looking for a new Endo..probably a good thing if it comes to that.
After my phone call tomorrow I may be looking for a new Endo..probably a good thing if it comes to that.
I hope this potential specialist turns out exceptionally well for you. The one doctor I went to from the "top thyroid doc" list said my thyroid was fine. What a surprise to find the T3 was almost bottomed out in the range. T4 was at a better level, but still below an optimal range.
Fast forward to eight months later...and had been gaining weight inappropriate and quickly over a period of several weeks. Went to my friend's doc that treats her thyroid. He recognized things for what they are and immediately put me on dessicated thyroid combo of T3/T4. Did I ever luck out or WHAT! Bottom line...help for you is out there!
Fast forward to eight months later...and had been gaining weight inappropriate and quickly over a period of several weeks. Went to my friend's doc that treats her thyroid. He recognized things for what they are and immediately put me on dessicated thyroid combo of T3/T4. Did I ever luck out or WHAT! Bottom line...help for you is out there!
I wouldn't assume that just because a doctor's an endo that he's a good thyroid doctor. Many of them, especially in the larger medical markets, specialize in diabetes and don't really do well with thyroid. You want either a thyroid specialist or, at the very least. a "generalist" (endo), who knows thyroid. Since you need T3, and this can be a sticking point for many doctors, you want to make sure you don't get one who refuses to prescribe it (and they are out there).
Best of luck with the endo and with your echo...keep us posted.
Best of luck with the endo and with your echo...keep us posted.
Thanks for the info. I will call them tomorrow since they neglected to return the call today. I knew seeing a GP all these years was an excuse for them not get into all the T4 & T3's but an Endorcrinologist should look at all values & listen to the patient, even my old family physician told me one time that a patient will always know they have a thyroid problem before you will see it on a piece of paper just by listening to their symptoms.
This guy came highly recommended but my well being (mentally & physically) is more important to me cause I still am symptomatic and the heart thing scares me, I have another echo scheduled for end of May.
I have been researching about T3 and it's very interesting...thanks again for all your info.
This guy came highly recommended but my well being (mentally & physically) is more important to me cause I still am symptomatic and the heart thing scares me, I have another echo scheduled for end of May.
I have been researching about T3 and it's very interesting...thanks again for all your info.
So, FT3 is falling despite rising FT4 levels. Your FT4 is above midpoint now (good). If they refuse to do anything, you can try to educate them (often a losing battle) or you might have to start looking for a new doctor. There is really nothing you can do about low T3 but add T3 meds.
If you do look for a new doctor, I'd suggest pre-interviewing them over the phone (probably through a nurse) and asking a few pertinent questions, like what thyroid bloodwork they routinely order (to make sure it includes FT3) and what therapies they're open to (T4-only, synthetic T3/T4 combos, dessicated). You can get a pretty good feel for them with just a few minutes on the phone.
If you do look for a new doctor, I'd suggest pre-interviewing them over the phone (probably through a nurse) and asking a few pertinent questions, like what thyroid bloodwork they routinely order (to make sure it includes FT3) and what therapies they're open to (T4-only, synthetic T3/T4 combos, dessicated). You can get a pretty good feel for them with just a few minutes on the phone.
New numbers are in, the "janitor" I talked to yesterday was partially correct. Slackers still have not bothered to call me today- guess they too busy sharpening their needles, haha! Is there anything I can do to naturally boost T3 ?? and should I find another Endo if they refuse to do anything...
TSH - .619 Lab Ranges- .450 - 4.50
T4 - 1.34 Lab Ranges- 82 - 1.77
T3 - 2.2 Lab ranges- 2.0 - 4.4
TSH - .619 Lab Ranges- .450 - 4.50
T4 - 1.34 Lab Ranges- 82 - 1.77
T3 - 2.2 Lab ranges- 2.0 - 4.4
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