Time for an endocrinologist?

[jcdec63]

Hello,
   I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's in 2002 and have been on Levothyroxine at various doses since then.  For the past 4 years my thyroid levels have been fluctuating greatly; 3.3 a few months ago, to now 9.96.  It has been swinging that way like I said for about 4 years, with my doctor's lowering and uping dosage as needed.  My question is, with my levels fluctuating that much, should I be seeing an endo to get my thyroid under control a little better, perhaps trying a different medicine also?  I've heard of Cytomal and was wondering if it would be beneficial for me to try that along with the levothyroxine.

[TamraW]

The problem with endos is that many specialize in diabetes, not thyroid. Yes, you need an endo, but do some research first. Find one who knows how to treat thryoid.

Believe it or not, many endos treat either TSH or FT4 levels and ignore FT3. If your FT3 is low, then you could benefit from Cytomel (T3 drug). You are currently taking just a T4 drug.

A good doctor will treat FT4 and FT3. TSH will be secondary! Judging by your above numbers, you are speaking of the TSH test, right?

Also, many Hashi sufferers don't feel well without proper vitamins (the list is long, but at www.drlowe.com he provides a good list) and a gluten/soy free diet, plus exercise.

Take care...
:) Tamra

[Barb135]

It looks like your doctor is adjusting your med based solely on TSH, which can be disasterous for the patient.  You need to also have your Free T4 and Free T3 tested.  

If you can convince you current doctor to treat based on symptoms, and the "frees", there is really no need for an endo.  I certainly wouldn't be going to one, if my pcp had been willing to treat my symptoms instead of TSH.......that was horrible for me because my TSH bottomed out almost as soon as I started on T4 med, but my actual thyroid hormone levels did not come up, yet my pcp kept lowering my med based on TSH, so I never could get better........even today, with my free levels only about mid range, my TSH is still "in the basement"....... fortunately, I've convinced my endo to ignore it because I feel so much better.

Try to get your doctor to test for the frees, along with TSH and it wouldn't hurt to get on a vitamin regimen.  As far as I know, there is no "standard" list -- some do well on one set of vitamins and some do well on entirely different ones.  And if you don't have deficiencies, you may not feel better on ANY of them...

Good luck and let us know how you come out.  

[jcdec63]

Yes, thank you for your view of thyroid issues.  It seems the overall concensus to test T3 and T4, as I have heard this not only from you here on this forum, but also a friend of mine who has Hashimotos.  I am going to be changing doctors and will certainly insist this be done, because obviously my thyroid has not be treated in the proper manner for years and I have been suffering with all the symptoms while being on Levothyroxine the whole time!  Thanks again, Jeanine:)