not being treated for my thyroid problem

[suewatters1]

I found out about 6 weeks ago my TSH was 11. something. Anyway my Family DR I have is a new one so he doesn't have my history of past lab results. He asked the lab place I go to for past results and he never got anything from them. 2 weeks ago I went back to see him and he said he got no informtion from the lab yet and put another request to them and for me to call back in a month if his office didn't call me. In the mean time I am not being treated for my thyroid problem. Does he realy need results from my past blood work to start treating me? Also on my last vist I asked him what my T3 and T4 result were. He said T4 was normal and that they didn't check my T3 levels. Just to mention I am being treated for ADHD with Concerta and I have C.I.D.P. which I take Lyrica for the nerve biopsy that was done last summer.
Thanks I feel lost in this waiting game.

Sue

[spiritaziz966]

A related discussion, hypothyroidism was started.

[gotitall]

I forgot to mention that when the Graves' kicked in my seizures returned at ovulation and my periods decreased to five days.

[gotitall]

Talk about a long wait.  I started going to doctors for my hormone problems in college.  I am now 38.  I began having seizures (complex partial) around ovulation.  I did not have them when pregnant and nursing.  I have a history of endometriosis.  In 03 my periods increased to 7 days.  An ANA antibody also showed up in my bloodwork after I went to the Dr. with pain in my arms and inbalance.  Further testing ruled out lupus and arthritis.  I had a laparoscopy in 04 for hemmoraghic cyst.  Following the surgery my periods increased to 10 days and my seizures decreased.  I could go about five to six months without one.  However, at this time I was diagnosed with en coup de sabre morphea.  In April I went to my doctor with extreme heat, all over body itching, rapid heart rate, insomnia, breathlessness.  I was diagnosed with Graves'.  My TSH was .03, T4 2.74, T3 9.7 and stimulating hormone 157.  I was placed on Methinazole.  This helped for about three weeks and then I hit ovulation and my symptoms came back.  I upped the medication and then I started falling asleep during the day.  I have been asking what is going on with my body since college and I get blank looks.  No one has ever treated it as a whole.  I am now reading book after book and trying to get a handle on the triggers (adrenals, cortisol, diet, stress, etc.)  I am exhausted and my eyes really hurt.  I have a follow up in two weeks, but when I asked this DR. about my cycles and morphea, he didn't have a response and just treated the hyperthyroidism.  Again I wait.

[edra]

I wouldn't wait for a family doctor to treat your thyroid correctly, because mine didn't.  If you have the option, try to find a specialist who is known for good thyroid treatment; don't try to rely on an endo who does only diabetes.

If you're imprisioned in a HMO arrangement, start an appeal process.

[Julie65]

Hi Sue - Yikes, your "plate" is way fuller than mine! I'm not a doctor or anything, but I do know that hypothyroidism can bring all kinds of muscle and joint pains with it (along with severe anxiety) - because I had them both. I  had horrible pain in my wrists and knees that would come and go. Maybe your back pain is related. At any rate, as Dr. Mark said in his post to you, there's no sense in waiting any longer. You really should retest the TSH and see where it's at. If it's still high, you should be on meds regardless of the cause. Right now, your body is screaming for more thryroid hormones and isn't getting enough (because of your TSH of 11). Even if your thryroid recovers on its own (which can happen), taking meds for a while will really help. I started feeling noticeably better just 5 or 6 days after starting Synthroid. I'm now trying Armour and it seems to be working even better for me. I'm wishing you the best, Sue. Post again when you've been back to the doc.
Julie

[suewatters1]

I have been feeling crummy all my life. I had signs of Thyroid problems all my life with my hearing lost anxiety and just started to be treated for ADHD having pain in my leg do to a nerve biopsy having a chonic autoimmune disease diagnose last year(CIDP)and also back problem and waiting for a CT scan is so frustrating. Also I always had my thyroid checked every few years but it always came back normal. But like I read normal for some people maybe to high for others like us. Also trying to work 39hr a week to pay for my house and car payments. Right  now it feels like I got so much on the go and my Dad is in the hopital recovering from back surgery and the stroke he had afterwards. URGH! Wow you also have a lot on your plate thank god they found the culprit to your symptoms.

Sue

[Julie65]

Hi Sue -  maybe you could ask them just to do another TSH test - since it's been six weeks since your last one.  If you do need treatment for hypo, the sooner you start the meds the sooner you'll feel better.  I know what you mean about wanting to be careful and make sure that other meds or conditions aren't causing this.  In my case, though, I had all kinds of other conditions (depression, anxiety, heart palpitations, exhaustion, ovarian cysts, menstrual problems, dizziness, etc.)  I was on birth control pills for the cysts & menstrual problems, and beta blockers for the dizziness, heart and anxiety problems - in addition to Synthroid for the hypothyroidism.  It turns out the cysts were caused by the hypothyroidism.  The depression and anxiety were being caused by the birth control pills.  And the beta blockers were just covering everything up.  Once I got off of everything except the thyroid meds, things started getting much better.  But the highest my TSH ever was was 8 - I can't imagine how you must be feeling if yours is still at 11.  I feel crummy even when mine's at 3 or 4. I really need it down around 1 to feel good.  Good luck to you!  I hope your doctor will be able to sort this all out for you.
Julie

[suewatters1]

Hi Julie I feel I have to be patient because the DR wants to find out when I might have started my Thyroid problem and wants to find if any medication caused it. Since I don't pay to see my DR. and I have other health issues like CIDP which is an autoimmune disease, my ADHD, my anxiety and my back problem which I am waiting for a CT Scan I think he doesn't want to rush things and I would hate to lose my cool with him because I like him for being thorough and explaining things better then my old DR. But my anxiety is not getting better by waiting. So I am praying for a phone call very soon.

Thanks for your reply

Sue

[Julie65]

Wow - that's horrible!  I'd get on the phone today.  You are being way too patient and are getting terrible service!

[suewatters1]

Thank You for your prompt response. If I don't get a call within 2 weeks I will call my DR again.

Sue

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Seems that a delay in treatment is not necessary in this case...while it is possible the TSH of 11 is a transient hypo phase (can be confirmed by repeating TSH now) it is not likely and most likely you need treatment.  More important that previous results would be a repeat now to confirm a persistent elevation.