No help! :(

[CyndyMM222]

I am a 43 year old woman in fairly good health.  My mother has a 40 year hx of hypothyroidism.  She had a goiter removed about 40 years ago and has been on Synthroid for all these years.  Every physical, I ask to be tested for thyroid disease and diabetes.  My mother was recently diagnosed with diabetes as well.  I have had the same physician for about 20 years.  He is not my mother's physician.  Although I never checked my test result numbers in the past, I was told they were "normal".  I am very overweight, have issues with fatigue and insomnia, have been treated for depression/anxiety, had a partial hysterectomy when I was 29 due to excessive bleeding and anemia, have thinning hair, and have vitiligo patches on most of my body which first occured about 20 yrs ago.  In July, I had my annual physical and had blood work done.  Also had a consult with my doctor about weight gain and insomnia.  I was told that my blood work was a fine except the TSH test was "a little high" but he thought it was probably inaccurate.  After questioning this, he said he would have me go back in 2 mos for a second test.  I went for my follow up TSH test on 9/6.  At this time I requested the results on the first test.  Medical records provided me with a copy of my blood test results.  My TSH results for 7/16 were 8.36 and my FBS test and cholestoral tests were a little above average.  My doc told me none of this.  Called today for the results of my test of 9/6.  Was told that my results were "fine".  When I asked the number, I was told that my TSH result was 6.34.  I questioned the result being not in the normal range and was then told "it was a little high".  No follow up appt.  No talk of meds.  Nothing.  In fact the doctor had told me that "he doesn't know if I can handle the medication" ... whatever that means!  HELP!!!

[terri thyroid]

Yep - and do watch for hyper too - it sure feels good to feel good - enjoy !

[utahmomma]

Yeah, you will be surprised how much energy you have.  Just keep an eye on getting too hyper:  sleeplessness, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, etc.   Welcome back to the world.

[CyndyMM222]

Thank you both for the kind words! :)  Day 3 and I feel like a completely different person.  Just one question... am I supposed to be this "speedy"?? lol  Maybe I am just used to being sluggish but I have been zipping around like I had a pot of coffee the last few days.  I am however, getting a lot more done around the house!  Not really complaining just curious...

[utahmomma]

I am so glad that this doctor sounds like she cares!!  I have fired plenty of doctors because they either treated me like a hypochondriac or they patronised me.  I'm glad that you have found someone who will take the time and listen!  I'm not surprised that you can feel a difference with the meds - I can tell in the afternoon if I've forgotten to take my synthroid in the morning.  

Please keep us posted on your US results and how things progress.  Way to go for being proactive about your health!!

[terri thyroid]

Congrats on your great new doc - thats a treat - and on feeling well - I tell everynone this as I've found it helpful - ask for a copy of your bloodwork everytime - save them and also write the amount of whatever thyroid med youre taking on the lab work and I add a note as to how I was feeling at that time - I have 6 years of files, notes, dosages very helpful - I'm a big fan of PCP as I've had some nasty Endo's - there not all bad - I just got the big ego guys - happy trails!

[CyndyMM222]

Update!
Saw my new PCP this past thursday.  She is WONDERFUL!  She spent almost 2 hours with me talking about every aspect of my life.  Even my relationships with family.  But I digress...  most importantly... she spent the first 5 mins looking at my lab work and me and told me I was 110% hypothyroid.  She said there was no doubt in her mind because of tests and symptoms.  In the last few weeks waiting for a second opinion, I also developed a goiter that is almost visible at this time.  So I started Synthroid on friday.  She didn't want me to wait any longer.  I started on 50 mcgs.  She said that this was a little higher than usual but I have become pretty ill and she wanted to get this moving.  I also am scheduled for an ultrasound of my neck on 10/8.  So we are progressing.  I know this sounds crazy.  I've only been taking the meds for 2 days.  But I feel better and have lots more energy already.  God bless this woman.  My FBS and cholosterol were already slightly higher than normal and she told me these could only have gotten worse without treatment.  I can't thank her enough for taking me seriously.  And thanks to everyone here who responded when there was noone that understood! :)

[CyndyMM222]

Still have not been able to get in to see a doc.  I have an appt with a new pcp this thursday.  I was able to get a referrel to an endo from my usual pcp but only after I requested this.  They can't see me until 12/10.  So I looked for someone on my own and found someone who might take me even though they are not seeing new patients.  When I called for this referral, my doc got on the phone and told me I was NOT hypothyroid but he would refer me if I insisted.  He was very rude.  I have no idea what he is basing this info on since I have only had these 2 TSH tests.  No further testing... just you are fine.  I'm the meantime, for the last few weeks, I have felt awful.  I have no energy and feel like I have the flu all the time.  I get sick to my stomach and dizzy easily.  I keep feeling like this is "all in my head".  Blah!

[trouble10]

According the the American Association of Clinical Endocrinoligists  as of 2003 your TSH should be between .3-3.0. Less would be hyperthyroid and more would be hypothyroid.  I had the same trouble.  I had to drag a five page report done for school to my doctor before he would take me seriously.  Maybe you should take a page out of my book and look up a more up to date doctor.

[CyndyMM222]

Thank you all for supportive comments.  Ironically I got a call from the doc's office today.  They left a message so I don't know the nature of the call yet.  But I told the nurse yesterday that I was upset that nothing was being done and that I had made an appt with another doctor.  Just so you know... I live in northeastern CT... a town with 9K people. LOL  The closest endo to me is at least an hour away.  I'm surprised they don't use leaches around here!  

[DLA]

Totally agree with everything they said above.  My TSH was running 5.56 and my PCP said it was within normal range.  Now he told me that b/c that is what the lab told him and he didn't know any differently.  But when I went to new endo and found out what it should really be he was upset that he had kept it that way for so long.  But it was a lot my fault, b/c he was admittedly not very familiar with thyroid and I should have been seeking out someone who was.  But had gone through a whole list of endos and had not found one I could deal with.  They were idiots who wouldn't listen.

Your dr doesn't even sound like he is all that interested in finding out if there is something that could be done to make you better.  I would also agree in cutting him lose.  Time to move on!  Good luck.

Dac

[skymax2000]

It's time to break up with that doctor and go to one who listens and refers you to an endocrinologist. It's hard getting treatment for thyroid so you have to be aggressive.

[CyndyMM222]

I don't really know how this site works but my name here is my yahoo messenger name if you ever want to talk.  And thanks for responding! *hug*

[AR-10]

I think you are right to see another doctor. It sounds like you would benefit from thyroid treatment.

Good luck and I hope things get better for you.

[CyndyMM222]

If anything... I rarely go to the dr's.  The last time I went for a medical reason, I was misdiagnosed for a few months and given tons of pain meds.  After 6 mos of pain meds, physical therapy etc... a neurosurgeon diagnosed a herniated disk in my neck.  Had surgery on 3/05 and did wonderfully.  So no... I'm not a hypochondriac and my doc has not prescribed meds that I did not take or suggest methods I did not take.
I do believe he might not take much stock in thyroid issues as a disease.  He might think I'm looking for a quick fix to a weight problem.  I had a consult with him not long ago and he laughed away my concerns about gaining 40 lbs in the last 2 yrs as "getting older and a slow metabolism".  Said I could not eat little enough to lose or exercise enough and that I was healthy at this weight.  Also told me to meditate for 2 hours before bed if I couldn't sleep.  I sometimes think he thinks I'm med seeking and no I don't have an addiction background.
But yes... I have an appt with a new doctor on the 27th of this month.  No he did not run a T3 or T4 test at this time.  Just another TSH.  Results were 8.36 and 6.34 as I said earlier.  I think a family hx and these results would spark an interest but apparently not.  He seems to feel that those are not high figures....

[AR-10]

With a relationship that long, is there maybe something he knows that you are not telling us? Do you follow doctor's orders?

Can you handle taking one pill an hour before eating every morning? If you can comply with that treatment regimine, I don't know why he would be concerned about whether you can "handle the medication". Are you taking meds that would conflict with Synthroid?

Did he run tests for your T3 and T4 levels? If he didn't run those tests maybe he thinks 6.34 is close enough to 5.0, and doesn't want to hassle with it.

Since the normal range is 0.5 to 3.5, even though 5.0 seems to be acceptable in some circles, I would consider it a big deal.

If he ran a TSH test the second time without bothering to look at your T3/T4, I would talk to a different doctor. If he doesn't want to see what your three T's are doing, he may not be very well informed regarding thyroid issues.

If you have not been a "good patient" in the past, he may figure why bother if you won't take the meds anyway. That's a poor excuse on his part even if it is true, and I am not saying it is, just asking.

Doctors are human too. They make mistakes. Seek a second opinion.

I used to be just like you regarding tests. Let them take them and use the results to treat me. Now I want to LOOK at the test results and have them explained to me. Your health is your responsibility in the end, not his.

See another doctor and ask him to run tests on your TSH, T3, and T4. Take your test result from the last few sets of bloodwork with you.

Good luck. Hope I didn't offend you with my rambling. Just throwing some thoughts out there.