How can I get to an endocrinologist?

[Charline181]

I believe I have trouble with my thyroid.  I have had it tested before but was borderline and the doctor thought nothing of it.  I stopped smoking back in March and was told that smoking could have affected my testing.  Within the last 3 months I have gained almost 25 pounds.  I have been working out and eating better but can't lose a pound.  About a week ago I even started on a diet pill to try and help but still nothing.

The last two days I have been hurting so bad in my joints and back I feel like I have been in a car wreck. At one time I had long beautiful fingernails and now they won't grow at all without breaking off.  I have even started taking vitamins and putting hard as nails on them and they still won't grow.  I have to empty my hair brush every other day due to my hair falling out.  My hands are swollen and hurt really bad if I try to hold on to something for a long period of time.

I was looking all of this up last night and it sent it back to the thyroid.  My mother, aunts and grandmother all have thyroid issues.  I called an endo doctor in my area and was told they take patients by referral only so I called my doctor to see if he would refer me.  The nurse said she would ask but most likely the endocrinologist wouldn't take me unless there was a proven thyroid issue going on.  Hello?????? That's what I'm trying to find out.  Do endo's not have more thorough testing than regular physicians?  

[Kipp44]

I have only one comment - get a new GP!

If he did not retest with that family history then there is something seriously wrong.

You need the antibodies checked and the other T4 & T3 to find out what is going on, what is the family history?

My Gp told me my symptoms (hyperthyroidism - with T4 of 32, T3 of 10 & tsh of less than 0.01) were anxiety related - but he still tested me anyway, I insisted that he prove me otherwise. I had the pleasure of pointing that one out to him when the results come back.

I am sure your GP would be a little sheepish over the results now and order any tests you request.

Have a look at AR-10 site - he is very knowledgable in this area and I am sure can enlighten you.

[Charline181]

I'm not sure about any scans or ultra sounds.  I'm guessing he thinks its just hereditary.  He did a T3 and T4 but not sure if it's the "free" you describe.  He said they were right at normal but I didn't get the numbers.   I'm really new to all of this so I wasn't sure what to ask.  He started me on Levothyroxine 100mcg and I go back in 4wks for retest.

I just hope it doesn't take 4 weeks to get relief from my symptoms.  My extremities have been very cold the last few days and I am having awful joint pain.  I thought I had really hurt something in my wrist and then the pain just disappeared and now I can hardly put pressure on my right ankle.  My voice is real raspy this time of night and I have no energy whatsoever.

[redheadaussie]

Glad you found out you had a high TSH, which is why you were having the symptoms! It would be good to see if you had Free T3 and Free T4 done..did they do an anti-bodies test too?
  It may take a bit longer than 4 weeks to feel any differently, but they usually can see if the TSH has started to move down, if it hasn't they may up the dose a bit for a month or so.
Good luck!

[blksapphire]

Wow, you are starting synthroid right away?
Did they do a full thyroid panel to see whats going?
Will they schedule you for a rai scan or a ultra sound?

The TSH is high, however you need to find our why its high and what else is going on with the thyroid.  


If your GP doesnt listen to you, maybe you need to find another doctor
Take care

Terri

[Charline181]

Thanks - this was my gynocologist that I went to and tested me.  My GP would have brushed it off as nothing.

[Cynnieb4]

Yes, usually get tested after four to see how your feeling, then every six to eight until your stable

[Charline181]

FINALLY some answers.  My dr just called and my TSH level was 10.  I didn't want to have thyroid problems but I'm so glad to finally know why I have been feeling like this for so long.  He's starting me on synthroid and I have to go back for blood tests in 4 weeks.  Is this the normal process?

[Charline181]

I had a thyroid work up on Thursday so hopefully I'll know something in a few days.  I don't want to have thyroid problems but I sure want to know what's going on with me.  These last few days have been awful.  

[redheadaussie]

Your best bet is to get you local doctor to do a thorough thyroid function test. These include Free T4, TSH, Free T3 and antibody tests. Only then if it shows something out of the ordinary will your GP give you some medication. You may find that previously being borderline you may now have a higher level and be hypothyroid.
  You can then go to the endocrinologist with your results if you feel your GP is not listening to you.
Be aware though, endos are notoriously booked up for many months in advance. Even after you see them you may not be happy with them. It can take a while to find one you get along with.
  But first and foremost...stop the diet pills, they have inordinate amounts of caffeine in them and other icky stuff.This will NOT help you if you are hypo..in fact they will only make you feel worse.
Go get a new set of tests and see how you go from there.
Good luck!

[Cynnieb4]

You could also see another gp and have them retest you!

[Cynnieb4]

Endos are very hard to get into in my area as well. I honestly believe the only way that I got into mine was because of a proven history, and my mother with ovarian cancer. He also knows that I have been out of it so to speak my whole life. I am starting to see clear, brain is trying so hard to work. Just keep trying.