Please help me understand(M)

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Please help me understand(M)
4
Thu, 07-15-2004 - 7:29pm
i know this is probably a good thing, but i need some help understanding. my family dr. has referred me to an endo. ok, here is the part that is unsettling for me. first of all, my family dr. was the one who got me regulated last yr when i was first diagnosed with hypo. second, he told me when i was in on tuesday that we were looking for a number lower than 63 on my TSH and at least we would know we were moving in the right direction. so here is the most recentlab draws: 2 wks ago my TSH was 63 my T3 was 1.0. at this appt. dr. upped my synthroid from 0.075 to .1mg. he wanted me to come back in 2 wks for another draw. so on tue. i went to see him cuz i was sick and he decided it was close enough to fri (which would make 2 wks) to go ahead and do another draw. so this time my TSH was 33 and my T3 was 2.0. then the nurse called my today and gave me my results and told me dr. was referring me to an endo. it sorta concerned me cuz i thought these were better lab values- and they are- so i thought we were *moving in the right direction* so i could not understand why he would refer me. i would think he would just up the synthroid again and draw me in a few wks.

does this seem right that he would refer me, even tho we are making progress? that is the part that is confusing me. and has me a little worried.

Erika

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-16-2004
Thu, 07-15-2004 - 10:43pm
I know this is frustrating for you, but your doctor is smart in referring you out to an endocrinologist. Your doctor is not as educated on disorders of the endocrine system as the endocrinologist, its their specialty. So, your doctor wants to send you to the endocrinologist who will be better educated on how to help you.

With such a major drop in your TSH your doctor might want to send you to the endo now so that your TSH doesn't continue to drop and you go hyperthyroid. An endocrinologist is just more qualified and your doctor wants to refer you out, they might feel like the situation could get to a point where they are having a difficult time monitoring your meds.

Maybe you could call your doctor and ask why they want to send you to the endocrinologist now.

I'm sorry that you are feeling so frustrated by this. I think it will be a positive thing, just knowing that you will be in the care of a doctor where thyroids are their specialty!

Best of luck to you. --lisa
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Thu, 07-15-2004 - 11:12pm
Hi Erika - I agree with Lisa. I don't think it's anything to worry about. It's just that your doctor isn't a specialist and he's hesitant to continue treating you because he probably doesn't know much more about it. My son's doctor has been the same way and absolutely has refused to raise his medication even when it's so obvious that he needs it. So your doctor might just feel the same way ..... that he's in over his head and doesn't want to do anything wrong. I think it's more a reflection on him than an indication that something is wrong with you!! It's great that your TSH level is coming down! Hope this helps! Cathy :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-20-2003
Fri, 07-16-2004 - 9:22am

My doc did the same thing.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Mon, 07-19-2004 - 9:30pm
could be. i can't wait to see the endo and find out. i lucked out and have an appt. for this wed. at 8am! pretty fast huh?

Erika