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...

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Endocrine System
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*sigh* Endocrinologist

jessmm
jessmm
My doctor sent me a referral to an endocrinologist, and their office just called to set the appointment. The endo had reviewed my latest labs and said with my "normal TSH and normal FT4", it's not necessary to see me right away so the appointment is for December. My FT3 and FT4 came in around the low 30% of the range. I can wait, I've been maintaining ok the past few weeks. Except that my heart palpitations have been getting worse and I experienced actual burning pain in my heart the other day (is that common?)

I just wondered if any of you had any advice about how to discuss things with a new endo. I've made the mistake before about bringing up my "hyper" symptoms (anxiety, insomnia). Should I write all my symptoms down? Should I keep a journal of some sort? I could print off a clinical study that I found that shows that treating Hashimoto's early is actually helpful to the patient, rather than waiting for things to get worse. But I don't know if bringing things like that to a doctor offends them or if it's helpful.

Does anyone have any advice that has worked for them and a new doctor? Thank you!
dawnrose0004
dawnrose0004
If I were you, I wouldn't waste my time with this guy. He can see that your 30% of range and thinks it's not important to get you in asap? Try and research a new doc. And it's a good idea to keep a diary of symptoms. Good luck!
cd3764
cd3764
Sorry to hear about yet another clueless endo!

I agree with dawnrose - please try to find another doctor.

It's clear the endo doesn't understand thyroid disease since your labs were declared "normal" and it's a pretty sure bet his/her ego will get in the way of any patient-driven education.

Just as you can't force someone to love you, we can't force a doctor to manage thyroid disease properly.

Here's a few ways some of us found thyroid-savvy doctors:

http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Hypothyroidism/forum/16741232-list-recommended-thyroid-drs

Any time I went in to see a new doctor, I'd have my labs and symptoms history with me. The doctor's responses told me whether or not there was hope.

Obviously, patients need to be educated and doctors need to be cooperative.....that is a winning combination.

Best of luck to you!
GageL
GageL
Find another doctor now if possible, this guy is bad news for you and his other patients. Endos. Hate em.
jessmm
jessmm
Bah, I thought you guys would say that. When I had called my doctor to let them know that I'd have to wait until December and could they send me to someone else, they made it sound like it's a big deal to set up referrals and there's a whole approval process they have to go through with the insurance company. I feel at their mercy, seeing whoever they feel like sending me to. Guess I should look for a new GP.
GageL
GageL
You are only at their mercy if you allow that dynamic. Its necessary to push through the system with whatever means possible to get the correct medical care. Once you get started, its not so difficult. The medical industry likes to push patients around to their liking, not to the patients advantage, so taking hold of the reins is essential. Good luck, keep us informed. Yes, try getting a new PCP or GP. Without a good primary, you wont get good referrals.
deleted_user
deleted_user
What insurance company do you have? Many insurance companies have very helpful (I know it's contradictory) nurses on staff that may be able to help give you information and help you find a doctor from their end. We've had that service with Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
GageL
GageL
Lab results are essential. Symptoms play a large role in your treatment as well, but symptoms lie and labs dont.
GageL
GageL
I am quite symptom free right now regarding my thyroid if you are referring to me BB and only because I monitored my labs and updosed accordingly. Only an idiot would go by symptoms alone for the obvious reasons that symptoms are confusing, can overlap and mimic other problems. That is like telling a diabetic to evaluate their symptoms and then adjust their insulin accordingly. That would be insanity.
I am still trying to get my adrenals fixed, and my adrenal specialist at a major metro hospital, who deals only with adrenal issues, nothing else, definitely relies on lab results as well as symptoms. If any doctor tells you to rely only on symptoms, dump them fast.
StillListing
StillListing
M Butterfly provided info on HipHappy's post about symptoms. There is some literature to read. It explains that some of the symptoms you are experiencing can also be hypo or under treatment.
A doctor that won't test your Free's or isn't interested in their result is not someone that will be able to ultimately help you.
I have been placated and told them I am "fine". Why would I need the doctor if I was feeling fine?
Sometimes endos are not the best doctor's for hypo, because they focus more on diabetes management. That being said, I do have a new endo that listens and it not providing medication based on my TSH- Hallelujah!
jessmm
jessmm
Their office actually just called yesterday and said the doctor would see me next week. I was surprised and asked if they'd had a cancellation. The scheduler said no, that apparently my primary doctor had somehow found out about the December appt and called to say that that was unacceptable and that I needed to be seen sooner. I was happy that she did that. This endo isn't one she's ever used before - the main endo she refers people to isn't accepting new patients right now.

I still don't have high hopes but we'll see. Thank you everyone for your advice and if this doc doesn't work out I'll just keep pushing!
MButterfly
MButterfly
Hey - let us know how it goes, K?
I haven't had much luck with endos but, hey...there's gotta be one good one out there, right? :)

Here's the list of symptoms (but do NOT play up the anxiety aka otherwise considered by endos as hyper symptoms, K?) That's usually a death nell for hypo patient treatment.

http://hypothyroidmom.com/300-hypothyroidism-symptoms-yes-really/
cd3764
cd3764
In 7 years of thyroid forum participation, I can count on one hand the number of people who have had success with endos.

However, people come to forums because they are struggling so I would imagine/hope there is a larger percentage of thyroid-savvy endos out there than one would think based upon forum posts.
(and congrats StillListing for finding a promising one!!! yay!!!)

I must admit I gave up on endos as a profession to treat my thyroid disease after dealing with 3 clueless ones.

You know what the endo should be saying.....let's hope you hear it :)

Please let us know how things go and best of luck to you!
StillListing
StillListing
Good luck to you and brava to your primary for stepping in to help, that's the way it should be!