What would you have differently if you "just" knew ....

[ChitChatNine]

Anything you would have done differently if you knew about something as you do now?  

In other words ..any words of wisdom to pass along to us?

[alfonsina]

I would have learned to read my lab results and take responsability of my own health.

I would not have believed doctors are "God" because they went to medical school. Of course they know better than us, but there are different aproches, there are many who are outdated, too conventional or just indifferent because "you are young (=making up symptoms=Hypochondriac)"

I spent 20 years listening to "Gods" that said my labs were normal and there was nothing wrong with me despite the brutal sympotms I have been experiencing.

I wish internet had been available, the way is now, 20 years ago when I started to feel like $#&/.&#

I would have educated myself.

[kl42]

i would have learned about the correct ranges,  thyroid treatment. different thyroid meds, wouldn't have trusted  an endo who kept me severely under-medicated for 6-7 months with severe symtoms. would have went to another doctor right away instead of believing in that doctor, thinking it was going to improve. i would never blindly trust any doctor anymore!

[LazyMoose]

Would have learned about the importance of finding where I am most symptom free in the lab ranges, and would have looked for a doctor that understands this. Also would have looked for another doctor that understood T4 meds are not the only way to treat Hashimoto.

Not knowing these things for ten years cost me time, money and a lower quality of health, all because I listened to my old GP. He doesn't know c_ _ _ _ about thyroid. Why do I now know more than he does?

[laura1967]

First- I would have started meds when Dr wanted me to. I was stupidly stubborn and tried to take a natural approach.
Second- I would have educated myself much quicker and not brushed it off as no big deal from being uneducated. I didn't understand the seriousness.
Third- I would have found a "thyroid specialist" and not just an endo who specialized in diabetes and kept me sick for a few years!  I would have then insisted on proper testing and treatment, thus I would have been better educated!

Boy have I learned a lot!!! lol

[ChitChatNine]

I would have asked my ENT and Endo what the stats are for a partial thyroidectomy regarding the other side not working again after surgery.

I was told, "you probably won't need medication unless it's cancer" and I never asked more info about that "probably" and learned from Dr. Lupo on our expert forum aprox. 20% of all partial thyroidectomies necessitate further medication because the other side stops working or doesn't work properly again (not a direct quote).

C~