finally went to an endocronologist

[mimisandy]

i wrote several weeks ago that my primary md put me on 25 levothyroxine after my tsh was 3.87 and i complained to him alot. my mom has thyroid problems and i have many symptoms. i cant find my post from weeks ago, how do i do that? anyway, the endo took me off my levo... she says i dont need to be on it. i showed her all my symptoms, no eyebrows, (she noticed my severlly dry skin) ect ect. She explained to me that only 10% of people have true thyroid problems, and only 1% of that 10 need to be on medication!!! she does want to check my blood in 6 weeks to see a true reading without meds. she is looking for antibodies. i told her autoimmune disease runs rampant in my famile, lupus, anka positive ect ect. my brother and aunt died from  lupus. anyway, i asked her if my blood shows high in anything thryroid related issue will she put me on meds, she said no.... she said it causes thinning of the bones. she preceeded to tell me all kinds of garbage. i sat there and just tuned her out and remebered what i read on these boards before, how you can end up with a real dud for an endo. she is going to check my t3 and t4 also, so i will at least get that, then i will come back here and ask all of you if i have a thyroid problme and then maybe i will ask for a different endo, if my HMO will let me.... when i was on the 25 levothyroxine, wich i no is a tiny dose as she told me, i was actually sleeping a little better, feeling a little more energy. i almost increased it to 50, but thought i better waite, now i have to waite and get my system clear so she can see what my true numbers are. i bet i have hashimoto(whatever the name is), i almost hope im off the charts just to see what she does. can anyone tell me what her thinking is, have you heard of thinning bones from thyroid meds??? can anyone give me any advice, i think it was linda, not sure, who gave me such good encourgement several weeks ago, i wish i could find my old post. someone,,,, help!! she said a tsh of 3.87 is not hypothyroidism.

[skeeterknitwit]

I totally understand the dud for an endo comment!  Fortunately, I have found an MD who is a keeper.
Levo causes thinning bones?  Maybe because hyperT causes thinning bones and if you are overmedicated, this could be a consequence. I "think" this could be because hyperT can cause dehydration.  You have to pee all the time and this strips calcium from your system.  I "think" it would probably take decades to develop osteoporosis.  I'm having a bone density test next week to find out for myself.
If you find a good Dr. that is not within your HMO, call and ask for a GAP EXCEPTION.
I have played that card several times with my PPO (preferred provider organization) and it works!
  

[gimel]

Based on what you have told us about your Endo, I don't have much hope that you will get the response and treatment you deserve.  I would definitely start the process of finding a good thyroid doctor.  It doesn't have to be an Endo, just someone that is willing to listen to your symptoms, and do the recommended testing and medicate you accordingly.
Since I expect this will take you some time to  accomplish with your HMO, etc.  I suggest that in the interim, you try to work with your current Endo to get additional testing done.  You might also mention that you understand that the Amer. Assn. of Endocrinologists recommended that the reference range for TSH be revised to .3-3.0 and that since your TSH exceeds that level, that you would like to get free T3 and free T4 levels tested to confirm a possible hypothyroid problem.  Free T3 is the most active component and largely determines metabolism.  
This discussion with the Endo can go several ways.  Hopefully, he might accept that you have gained a bit more knowledge about thyroid and be willing to work with you to do the additional testing.  Another possibility is that he will not like your questioning his previous decisions and refuse to do anything further because your TSH test was "normal".  Be diplomatic in your questioning, but firm that you want the additional testing done.  If this doesn't work out then your backup plan is a new doctor.

[mimisandy]

it was laura, that helped me, not linda. i hope someone answers this, it took a long time the last time i posted