How to get started? Armour Thyroid.

[renatus]

I  have a convaluted story.  I work freelance in film and live on very little (i.e. no health insurance).  
I worked on a film once that had me hauling too much stuff and I believe caused me to get a hernia.  Worried, I found a friends dad, a doctor, willing to look at me for free and he told me to have surgery etc.  I had the surgery, and this doctor still reported to my then temporary insurance that I had none when I saw him.  I've been paying off this surgery for a few years now, almost done (nothing was covered).
   Anyway, during that time this doctors office left me a phone message saying he had a prescription for me to take that I needed called in;  no explanation, no consultation.  His office said they couldn't tell me what it was for or any information, just that they'd call it in and I'm supposed to take it.  It was a prescription for a high dosage of Synthroid, which I'd since looked up and learned on my own about Hypothyroidism, which I probably have (considering my consistently low body temp, very bad metabolism, etc), but I wasn't going to jump into a high dose of anything by a phone order from a horribly rude doctor.  
  I found another doctor since and went once, and I was still wary about pharmacuticals and said I'd like to try some natural suplements for a while and dietary changes before I commit to anything else.  She looked at my labs from then and suggested I could try Armour Thyroid if I want, since she felt I definitely had an underactive thyroid.  I didn't but in the year or two since then I think I'm ready to try Armour Thyroid as a longer term treatment, but I know that would mean an appointment, labs, more apointments, all before even getting started on it, then more of the same.  I make so little money that even a visit to the doctor is just so expensive, but I'm tired of being tired and fighting to stay at a somewhat normal weight all the time.  Any ideas from anyone in my place about how to get labs done cheap or free, or some kind of prescription without waiting months and months?  Thanks to anyone for any advice.

[kitty9309]

Is there a local Health Department you can go to? They should have a sliding scale based on income.
You should really treat this before you suffer any serious health consequences, which could be more costly in the long run.

[stella5349]

If this doctor is certain - as you say - you need thyroid replacement therapy - then the longer you wait - the more costly it will become for you.

Nip this now - before you get into a rollarcoaster of medical bills.

I know it easier said then done - but you do not want to find yourself in a situation you cannot handle.

The labs are cheap - the meds are cheap and the visits to the doc can be cheap if you nagotiate (oh geez .. my spelling)

All I can say is "Take the plunge" now.

Your health is better to have then any dime you have in your pocket.

[laura1967]

Unfortunately you cannot put off a thyroid disorder. Eventually it will catch up to you....I know from experience. You are going to have to find a way to budget it in or go to a clinic for help. Up at top right hand corner are help pages you can go to and get more information. I know there are labs on line that will do thyroid panels....you will have to search online. Maybe someone else here will have more info on labs. Try a search here for labs?
I only pay $11.00 per bottle of my armour....so it isn't expensive. It is the price of a lunch for 2 at McDonalds. You cannot put a price on your health....especially since your untreated thyroid can make it impossible to work if it gets bad. There are a lot of us here that have gone through this. It is no fun trying to get your life back.
I hope this helps you a little.  :)