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.
You could also see another gp and have them retest you!
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!
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.
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?
Yes, usually get tested after four to see how your feeling, then every six to eight until your stable
Thanks - this was my gynocologist that I went to and tested me. My GP would have brushed it off as nothing.
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
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!
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.
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.