Now I AM Confused!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-03-2003
Now I AM Confused!
5
Tue, 08-10-2004 - 12:09pm
Hi all! I was diagnosed hypothyroid mid-2003 and have gradually been increasing my Synthroid dosage. I've been getting frustrated because my doctor is so un-caring about the symptoms that I'm experiencing and just keeps giving me more medicine. When I asked the doctor about it she said I'm on a "medium" dosage and not to be concerned. When I got the bloodwork back this last time (8/3), my TSH level is still at 19.1 and my T4 is .81. I didn't really think a lot of this until I started looking around the board and the Internet and saw that there really aren't a lot of cases like this. The doctor I'm seeing is my PCP, should I go to an Endocrinologist? I'm now taking 200 mcg of Synthroid and I think they only make one more level (300 mcg)....

Anyone have an opinion or advice?

Do you know if they will remove the thyroid if it is really out of whack?

Sorry for the long post, I'm just hoping for some info....

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Tue, 08-10-2004 - 1:01pm
Hi and welcome! I think you really need to go to an endocrinologist because you are taking a high dose of Synthroid and yet, your TSH level is still high. The fact that your doctor is so uncaring about your symptoms is just the way many doctors seem to be about this. You are not alone there!!! But ..... I don't think your doctor really knows how to treat your hypothyroidism. Have you had a the full panel of thyroid tests or just the TSH? Full panel would include T3 and T4, as well as anithyroid antibody tests. Have you had your other glands checked as well, like your pituitary and adrenal? Do you have any swelling in your thyroid?

There wouldn't be any reason to remove your thyroid unless there were some cancerous nodules and even then, they wouldn't remove your whole thyroid unless that was absolutely necessary. Your thyroid is underactive, not overactive ....... so you that means it's not making enough thyroid hormone. Removing it would only mean that it would be making LESS!! You wouldn't want that. So my opinion is that you need to ask around and see if anyone knows a good endo, or ask your doctor for a referral if you need to have that to get to a specialist.

You must feel awful with a TSH level that high. I hope that you're able to get in to see someone soon. Cathy :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-03-2003
Tue, 08-10-2004 - 3:02pm
Thanks so much for your advice.

I've never had anything else checked out, but I'm beginning to think that wouldn't be such a bad idea. I don't believe she's done any other thyroid testing (aside from TSH and T4) or if she did, she didn't tell me. I've never even heard of the tests that you mentioned. : )

Oh, well. I'm looking up endos right now...by doing that without a dr. referral, am I stepping on my PCP's toes? Not that I should care, but I know that if I were a dr. and someone told me that they went to see a specialist and they undermined everything I'd been doing, I may be a little upset....

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2004
Tue, 08-10-2004 - 4:10pm
I wouldn't worry about 'stepping on any toes'. Afterall, this is your health.

I am going to see an endo, despite what my PCP said. I figure at the very least

its a second opionion. And there's nothing wrong with that. Right?!?!

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Tue, 08-10-2004 - 5:13pm
Hi again - no, you're not stepping on toes!! You're protecting your health. And you have every right to do that. And your endo wouldn't be undermining your pcp, but expanding your care. I doubt that pcp's have too much training in thyroid issues and treating them. I know my son's pediatrician and my NP refused to increase my son and my medication because they just didn't "feel comfortable" with it!! Well, it's not really up to them to feel comfortable, it's up to them to ensure our health, for goodness sake!! :) So I wouldn't worry about it, especially if you don't need the referral. If you do need the referral, just explain to your pcp that you want to speak with a specialist because this is such a critically important issue to your overall health. Does that help? Cathy :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-03-2003
Wed, 08-11-2004 - 1:27pm
Thanks so much for all of your input and suggestions. I'm going to make an appointment today!

~Melanie