Doctors - Growl, Snarl, Hiss!!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Doctors - Growl, Snarl, Hiss!!!!
5
Mon, 09-20-2004 - 5:56pm
OK, so I've been feeling lousy the past month. I went by my GPs office last Thursday and had blood drawn for a check of my TSH (it was 4.93 in December "normal" according to the lab and the doc). They called today and it was 3.89, again "normal". I tried reasoning that I think I need to increase my levoxyl because, even though the level had dropped, I still felt lousy. She refused because the lab says it is below 5 so it is "normal"!!!

I immediately called another GP to make an appointment (even though it will be an hour's drive from my small town). She only takes one new patient a day because she spends one hour on the initial visit. So I had an appointment on October 20.

Then I had the idea to make an appointment with an endo. There are only 3 in the area (still an hour's drive) and only one was taking new patients. The first appointment without a referral was December 1. So I called back to my current GPs office and she refused to make a referral. My only hope is that the new doc can work wonders when I see her on October 20.

Why won't doctors listen to us? I know my body is telling me that I need more replacement but because the "book" says 3.89 is in the "normal" range, I'm up a creek without a paddle.

Sorry for venting but I had to get it off my chest. Thanks for listening!

Sue

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2003
Tue, 09-21-2004 - 7:28am
OH Sue, I am so feeling your pain right now!!! I am in a similar situation.

My TSH has actually gone UP and my doc won't raise my meds because I'm still in the normal range. Nevermind that my TSH has gone from 1.2 to over 4, my choesterol is up, and I have every symptom in the book. I will also have to wait until October to see the endo, and will have to drive about 1.5 hours.

Where do you live? I am in Northeast Pennsylvania, I will be going into New York City for the endo appt.

It really makes me so angry that these doctors think that they know our bodies better than those of us who live in them. I mean, TsH is just a range, and just because someone else feels fine at 4.2, doesn't mean that I do!!! OK, even if 4 was normal,so is 1 and that's where I want to be, why do they have such a problem with that??

Thanks, I needed to vent too. Good Luck to you, hope your new GP can help. Feel free to contact me anytime.

Michele from PA

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-12-2004
Tue, 09-21-2004 - 7:45am
hello Sue ....this seem to be the same boat alot of us is in...been going through this for over 13 years and i still have problems getting doctors off the numbers and listening to me as a person....just keep trying telling doctors how you feel...remember you are paying the doctor find one who will listen....patience is a a long suit....mine is being tested also......it helps to has this board and to know you are not alone and other women have the same symptoms and problems as you...these last few weeks finding this board has helped me so much ....hang in there frankie
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Tue, 09-21-2004 - 8:34am
Hi Sue - I went through this for two years myself so I know exactly what you mean. I think it is one of the most frustrating things. I can't believe your GP wouldn't make a referral!! What nerve! I wish there were some recourse on this - some set answer or steps to follow to end up getting what you need. But right now, you're doing exactly the right thing by going to a new doctor. Perhaps if this one can't help, she will refer you to an endo. Thanks for coming here to vent! Let us know how your appointment goes. She sounds like she really cares if she's willing to take that much time with you. Hang in there! Cathy :)
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-20-2003
Tue, 09-21-2004 - 9:22pm
UGh (((HUGS)))) to you!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2003
Fri, 10-01-2004 - 6:52pm
I had the same situation-my medical Dr said I was normal-but I felt terrible-sleeping all the time-depressed-no motivation-and I didn't think anything was wrong-(because I also am on psych meds-and thought they were the cause) until I went to an endo-and he became angry that the med dr didn't catch the high tsh-and change my med level-grrr-