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...
Would anyone have a recommendation for a good endo in NJ? Since my doc is back to ignoring me I really have to find someone who will listen
Thanks
Thanks
I saw 3 NJ endos and they were all clueless about thyroid disease. I gave up on the specialty for thyroid treatment.
My experience is not uncommon.
Many of us have found that a "whole body" doctor such as an internist, DO or family practice physician is more thyroid-savvy....or at least willing to work with the patient.
Several people have had success with doctors from the following doctor recommendation list that is continually updated. Maybe one is in your area....or worth a drive.
http://www.thyroidchange.org/patient-recommended-doctor-list-us.html
Other doctor-find ideas were exchanged on this older thread:
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Hypothyroidism/forum/16741232-list-recommended-thyroid-drs
Good luck!
I also have searched for a good endo in nj for a few years. I wouldn't bother unless u absolutely need one. I did and they all screwed me up worse than i was in the first place. If you don't have graves which I did regular docs tend to be more open. Try dr. Marc concern somerset and dr. Fitzpatrick overlook hospital. both are family medicine. Cd is the doctor that treats u in nj?
Thanks fran
While I am doing well with my doctor, she's dropped the ball with several Hashi's people I referred to her.
The short version of my 5-year association (and success with her) is that she seems to remember vital thyroid facts (ignoring TSH in Graves' patients and that each of us has setpoints (optimal FT3/FT4 levels).....but I've needed to remind her about these facts from time-to-time ;)
Yes, she runs the right labs within the appropriate timeframes but she often forgets just what my optimal levels are.....and I've had to alert her at times when my levels "strayed" from optimal and ask for a dose adjustment.
She obviously works with me and that's the best I can hope for. She's an internist and I'm able to get away with my $30 co-pay which is quite appealing to me.
I will never see an endo again for thyroid care..
http://www.atlantichealth.org/overlook/our+services/integrative+medicine/atlantic+integrative+medical+associates/
If yes, it seems she's in Morristown and I love the fact that she's an integrative MD.
I'd considered seeing Dr. Campanile because my thyroid doctor likes me to get a cardiac evaluation every year due to my thyroid issues.
The other cardiology practice I tried was beyond lame....one doctor there tried to push a betablocker on me when he acknowledged I did't really need it (while pushing the Rx across his desk to me)....and the other was telling me that magnesium oxide is the best form to take (when *every*where else says it's the worst lol)
The only thing I know about dr Fitzpatrick and I believe the person u found in Morristown is the same doc. my husband got the referral from someone he worked with. The guys wife was sick with hashis for quite some time. No one could figure out what was wrong with her and she went to this person who got her straightened out. I have an appt in February so we will see. I have been changing med doses for a couple of months now but I seem to be getting more symptomatic. I have been seeing dr. Concern for a couple of months. He seems to want to help me feel better. Last blood was ft4 1.48 and ft3 4.3. Each time I did blood work it was coming back with ft3 at the top of the range and over so we have reduced armour to 90 from 105. Still on 25 of levoxyl. I haven't been able to titrate up with that but I think it's time. It's just hard to know what is normal for symptoms. I am getting temp changes big time can't sleep keep waking up some palps and mild nervousness. Does this sound like I need to increase the levoxyl? Been doing blood work about 8 hours after meds so I would say it's pretty accurate.
Thanks fran
Thanks for the additional info about Dr. Fitzpatrick. I added her contact info to my thyroid doctor email folder and already shared it with my son's fiance who is desperately trying to find a good doctor (in-network with her insurance...she cannot afford to pay out-of-pocket).
Re sorting through symptoms....
Ironically, my 25mcg levo starting dose optimized my levels but I obviously didn't know they were "my" optimal levels.
However, I actually achieved complete symptom relief for several weeks but eventually needed a dose increase.
There was a 2nd time during tiration that I achieved those same types of levels and complete symptom relief so it was a safe bet for me moving forward that I'd identified my optimal levels.
Symptoms can be confusing - especially since many symptoms can be either hyper or hypo.
That's why it's really best to aim for "the most commonly comfortable" levels.....FT4 and FT3 around 75-100% of range (without meds in the system).
Once those levels are achieved, it makes sense to "wear" them for awhile to see if symptoms dissipate.
Your FT4 level is really on the low side - especially for someone with Graves'.
Most Graves' patients seem to need top-of-the-range FT4 levels (even slightly over-range) to be symptom-free.
Of course, that FT4 level needs to be accompanied by an appropriate FT3 level.
One without the other just doesn't cut it.
That said, I'd be asking Dr. Condren for a 12.5mcg T4 dose increase if I were you.....and just know that you will (unfortunately) be dealing with titration symptoms.
Those symptoms might feel hyper.....they might feel hypo. And, no, they're never fun.
We do have to suffer a bit to get to optimal levels but, it's soooo worth it.
Best of luck to you getting there!!!
A quick PS to franda123
temp changes are classic hypo
waking up (with or without palps and with or without anxiety/panic) is also classic hypo
Bottom line: your FT4 level is on the hypo side for someone taking thyroid hormone replacement and that's why I suggested talking to your doctor about a T4 dose increase.
There's a chance that, via conversion, your FT3 level will also increase.....or things will even out.
Unfortunately, it's a matter of trial and error while always making small, logical dose adjustments.
Thanks again
I have yet to find a useful one who is not practicing Old School medicine. The minute they use the letters TSH, get up and leave. All these old school Doctors have a love afffair with TSH and Synthroid. It's a fact that if your taking dessicated thyroid your TSH will come out all screwed up and way too low, you can't rely on it. I'm talking a TSH like .009. Which should indicate being Hyper, except you have none of the symptoms. That's why in the book "Stop The Thyroid Madness", it says to throw TSH out the window and simply go by how you feel as a guide.
I had the extremely low results yet I had no anxiety, chest pains, or any other symptoms associated with Hyperthyroid. Now I take dessicated thyroid with Cytomel and I go by my feelings. I also put more emphasis on the "Free T3 test). The goal is to get your Free T3 up on the high side. If you start to feel Hyper symptoms simply back off on what your taking.
https://www.officialgenaleenolin.com/preferred-doctors/