Kansas Endo

[ssevart]

Can anyone out there recommend a good endocrinologist in Kansas?

[ssevart]

I did get your PM yesterday and replied. Thanks!

[gimel]

A good family physician does not guarantee it is a good thyroid doctor.  Di you get the PM I sent with a doctor name?

[ssevart]

Is there such thing as a physician who deals with only thyroid issues? Or would I just need to find a good family physician?

[gimel]

Not quite sure of why you are confused.  What I said was that you don't necessarily need an Endo, that you need a good thyroid doctor, for the reasons stated.  After learning of your test results showing both low TSH and low ish T4 levels, there could be a pituitary issue, so that needs to be investigated.  I have no issue with an Endo for that.  

Evaluating a potential pituitary issue could help identify the cause of your being hypo, but will not change what I said about the best way to treat  hypothyroid patient as being clinical, by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms.   So for your best resuts the Endo evaluating your pituitary function will also need to be a good thyroid doctor.  Those seem to be hard to find.  

[ssevart]

Well then I guess I am just lost. This website clearly has me confused!

I first posted a couple of days ago about having an almost completely diminished TSH and low reference range T4 levels. My family physician has been treating me for 6 years now on my thyroid condition. I don't seem to be getting anywhere and am still very symptomatic. When I have my follow up labs ... they never test anything but my TSH and T4 levels.

When I posted a couple of days ago, Dr. Lupo commented and said that it would be wise to consult with an endo to research possible pituitary issues because of my low TSH and low-ish T4 levels.

I have never EVER had high TSH and low T4 or low TSH and high T4. Ever. After Dr. Lupo commented ... I did research on pituitary issues and am concerned that I fall more into those categories.

I need help. I can't get anyone to tell me or suggest to me the same thing!

[gimel]

You've probably heard this before, but it deserves repeating.  Be aware that Endos frequently specialize in diabetes, not thyroid.  Some also have the "Immaculate TSH Belief", by which they only want to use TSH to diagnose and treat a thyroid patient.  That doesn't work.  If they test beyond TSH frequently they fall back on "Reference Range Endocrinology", by which they will tell you that any thyroid test that falls anywhere within the reference range is adequate.  That also doesn't work for many patients.

A good thyroid doctor 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 test results.

Sending a PM with doctor (not an Endo) recommended by a fellow member.