Doctor Problems... Any Suggestions???

Avatar for laurajb_1
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2003
Doctor Problems... Any Suggestions???
2
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!!



 



 

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-25-2004
Thu, 03-10-2005 - 9:23pm

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

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
Sat, 03-12-2005 - 8:39pm
Hi Laura - yes, yes, yes and YES!! LOL! To all your questions. You need to see another doctor. Obviously what you're feeling is because of your TSH level being up at 3.73. Some people just don't feel good at that level. I'm one of them. Perhaps you can call that other doctor and explain how you're feeling to the nurse there and see if he would treat you. It doesn't make any sense to get the referral if that doctor won't give you medication either. That's just my opinion, of course. If you get a good feeling from this other doctor, go to your doc and tell him in the sweetest way possible that you really think it would be a good idea for you to see an endo. That you might be crazy for thinking it's your thyroid that's bothering you but the before you give up on it, you at least want to try an endo and see what he says. Tell him how much you appreciate all his input but say you really just need to put your mind at ease on this. Then, when you get the referral and get to the new doc, and get your medication, write a letter to the AMA and whoever is in charge of doctors on military posts and let them know exactly what a creep this other guy is. I'm convinced doctors don't change because there are no consequences for their horrible behavior. At least letting someone know how badly he treated you is a step in the right direction. That's my 2 cents!! Cathy :)