Doctor Problems... Any Suggestions???
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| Thu, 03-10-2005 - 1:15pm |
Ok, well about a month ago I got bloodwork done b/c I was feeling very tired all the time no matter what among other things, cold all the time, etc ... (my family also has a history of thryoid problems). Well I got the test results back, and my TSH was 3.73. Well I went in today for a follow up and he told me my thyroid was fine and that the symptoms I was describing could in no way be caused by my thyroid b/c the level isn't high enough for any symptoms to occur. He said "The symptoms you are describing (fatigue and being cold, etc...are found in individuals with TSH levels or 8 or 9." I showed him the stuff from the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists about their recommended levels of TSH normalcy, and he didn't bat an eye. He said that the labs levels were set at 4.2 being the high value in the normal range and that's what he goes by. He was so arrogant it was ridiculous. I seriously felt like I was being talked to like a 5 year old. Then he tried telling me that I am probably depressed and began a feebile attempt to psychoanalyze me (I have my degree in psych, so I'm not about to get put on an anti-depressant when I have no other symptoms than fatigue).
So after being a wide array of cuss words towards me, he proceeded to order a bunch more tests (6 more lovely vials of my blood) but the only additional test he was going to order on my Thyroid is an antibody test (b/c my mom has Hashimoto's). We're on a military post, and I don't have a high opinion about the quality of doctors here and I'm assigned to a clinic so those are my only options unless my lovely doctor will give me a referral. I have the name of a good Endocrinologist at Vanderbilt in Nashville, but now I just have to figure out how to get him to give me a referral.
Have any of you ladies been through situations with arrogant doctors like this? Do I just have to keep trying new doctors until I find one that believes me?? I am just so frustrated that I have to wait another two weeks only to be told that nothings wrong with me. Sorry this basically was a vent, but thanks for listening ladies!!


Hi Laura,
I haven't visited this board in a while because of a situation I've had at home that limited my computer time, not that that's important!!!
ANYWAY! I've been subject to the same kind of treatment you describe. My primary physician was concerned enough about the swelling of my throat to send me to an Endocrinologist who didn't give me any helpful words at all. HE basically told me that he'd support me if I decided to have the surgery or not!!! It took me a month to get an appointment with a surgeon, which his office rescheduled on the morning that I was supposed to go see him, and now, my husband is going to be working for a different company who (praise God) will have a better choice of insurance, and I'll be able to seek out the second opinion I was trying to get in the first place! So, no surgery as of yet, still have the swelling on the right side of my neck, but am confident that everything will go according to God's plan; and waiting seemed to be the right thing to do.
I'm sorry that you've had to experience this kind of treatment by your doctor. They seem to forget WHO makes sure they have a salary, don't they?
Good luck to you,
Carole