Hypothyroidism Support Group
Hypothyroidism is the disease state caused by insufficient production of thyrohormone by the thyroid gland. There are several distinct causes for chronic hypothyroidism, the most common being Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism following radioiodine therapy for hyperthyroidism. Advanced hypothyroidism may cause severe complications, the most serious one of which is...
Well, after touting how great my doctor/naturopath is, I have been entirely let down. I seriously feel betrayed. My pills were failing me ahead of schedule so I tried to schedule an appointment since I was due for one (after a year). I called the office and was told the doctor would be out of the office for the next four days and didn't have available appointment time until MAY 15!
I was able to talk them into running labs so I could at least get a refill. I did that last Wednesday at which time I discovered they had relocated the office and replaced most of the staff. I submitted a list of questions and a request that she contact me for a phone consultation, which I offered to pay for. I was told that she probably wouldn't give me any info without having the face-to-face appointment,,,,on MAY 15! So, I asked them to call me when the lab results came in so I could at least get a refill. They said it would take 5-6 days.
They didn't call. I contacted them today and was informed that the results had come in (this was after being on hold for about 5 minutes). They wouldn't tell me my results. The doctor had just left on a TWO WEEK VACATION....but they'd TRY to call her and see if I could get a refill.
ARE you KIDDING me?!? I don't have 2 weeks of pills. I contacted the pharmacist so he will call and try to get some info.
I don't know...it's just my life we're talking about. Oh, I forgot to mention that when I first contacted them and talked them into drawing my labs, their original suggestion was to take the (substandard) pills that I had left (which would run out) until they ran out and wait (yes WAIT) for my appointment on MAY 15!
WILL BE SHOPPING FOR a NEW DR. Plus, I'm going in tomorrow to see if they will just give me my results. I paid for them..........
True story.
I was able to talk them into running labs so I could at least get a refill. I did that last Wednesday at which time I discovered they had relocated the office and replaced most of the staff. I submitted a list of questions and a request that she contact me for a phone consultation, which I offered to pay for. I was told that she probably wouldn't give me any info without having the face-to-face appointment,,,,on MAY 15! So, I asked them to call me when the lab results came in so I could at least get a refill. They said it would take 5-6 days.
They didn't call. I contacted them today and was informed that the results had come in (this was after being on hold for about 5 minutes). They wouldn't tell me my results. The doctor had just left on a TWO WEEK VACATION....but they'd TRY to call her and see if I could get a refill.
ARE you KIDDING me?!? I don't have 2 weeks of pills. I contacted the pharmacist so he will call and try to get some info.
I don't know...it's just my life we're talking about. Oh, I forgot to mention that when I first contacted them and talked them into drawing my labs, their original suggestion was to take the (substandard) pills that I had left (which would run out) until they ran out and wait (yes WAIT) for my appointment on MAY 15!
WILL BE SHOPPING FOR a NEW DR. Plus, I'm going in tomorrow to see if they will just give me my results. I paid for them..........
True story.
What a horrifying account about your interaction with your "doctor" and the medical profession in general. Unfortunately, your story is quite common as you know. American medicine is going down hill fast, hold on for dear life. Ranked 70th in the world now, Gee, I wonder why??????????
Do go in person and demand your lab results. You are out of medication, you would think they would understand that crucial issue, no? I feel so badly for you and I know that millions of others are afflicted with the very same thing every day. Of course, your doctor is on "holiday", I mean really, with doling out so much BS every day, I would guess she needs a break from that. Meanwhile her patients suffer.
I wish I had an answer for you for your immediate needs. All I can suggest is to be forceful. Its time to put on the gloves and fight for our lives. To get what we deserve from that pathetic medical system, if no one stands up to it, it will flourish and continue. People in the US are so afraid of their doctors, they worship them like gods, which is totally and completely absurd. They are killing us with misinformation and sloth, and we need to smack them into reality.
SO sorry to hear about this disappointing chain of events!! I hope your pharmacist helps because it's clear your doctor's office just doesn't seem to understand the implications of their actions.
And, yes, your lab results are yours and they better give them to you.
I have two suggestions for the future:
Get 90 day Rx's for your thyroid meds and refill asap.
Sign up with your lab to get results online. I know LabCorp offers this service and I think Quest does.
Best of luck to you fighting for what you know is right!
Thank you for the support! It is much appreciated.
There seems to be some resolution but certainly not a solution!
I am not sure that your meds could have broken down between Arizona and ND, is that North Dakota? I assume you drove between the two and did not fly? Remember, these meds go thru lots of climate variations whilst shipping from the manufacturer to wherever you are anyway. I believe they are stabilzed to some degree. My meds are shipped all over the world in extreme climates and have never been informed about irregularities.
Now, YOU going from a hot desert clime to a northern tundra clime can certainly affect your levels. (If I understand that ND is S.Dakota).
That said, it also started with a pretty bad sinus infection, which may have also contributed. It may have been a culmination and it may have been a false sense of security on my part. I'm definitely going to have to look at this as an ongoing process of "it is treatable but not curable".
I got my scripts today and, as it tuns out, he gave me three months' worth anyway. I'll just be more careful and try to keep them in a more stable environment. Next month is Florida for a week though, so I'll just bring the amount I think I'll need and keep my fingers crossed.
I bring my meds to south Florida all the time, for years, and I hope they are not contaminated by climate change!!!!! Crap, is that another thing we have to worry about???
Everything in our lives seems to affect our hormone levels, travel, climate, virus, jet lag, emotions, stress, and god knows what else. This is a very slippery slope indeed.
Many people living in colder climates (such as the northeast US) have the need for slightly higher doses in the winter.....I know I do.
The patient information leaflet that accompanies prescriptions I get at a regular pharmacy lists the temperature ranges at which meds can be safely stored. Short trips aren't considered overly hazardous.
Whenever I travel, I make sure to bring enough extra meds in the event I'm delayed.
Without a doubt, thyroid disease is one that can be managed (like diabetes) but not cured.
I know that you are getting your drugs compounded. Many people on T3 find that they need to take the T3 at different times of the day and don't have them compounded for that reason.
Example: 7.5mg with your T4 / 1:00-5mg / 6:00 - mg (something like that)
Agree, that the travel toll on your body will also play into that. You had also stated that you recently had a sinus infection too, which can play into it...
What a clueless doctor in terms of your needs and care. So sorry...but glad that the pharmacist stepped in. I have always found them to be very conscientious and caring.