Thyroid help PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE...

[brenroe]

I went to see a doctor (D.O.) b/c my pcp was not willing to test and really help me any. I am having so many symptoms of hypo. I am tired ALL the time, can hardly get out of bed, gaining weight (especially in stomach area), very dry skin, cannot think clearly, very forgetful (almost feels like I have demetia), often dizzy, depressed, etc.

The doctor I went to see did the below labs for me. I cannot keep seeing this guy b/c he is not on our insurance and I already spent 2k with him and just can't do that. My pcp and the one endo I have seen says I do NOT have a thyroid problem. They will do nothing. I am looking for an endo who will treat based on the below labs and my symptoms. I am in the Atlanta area...recommendations please? Also based on these numbers, would you say I am hypo? Also do the amount of antibodies support or rule out hasi's? Please give me any insight you have. I am desperate for help at this point. I have 3 wonderful children and an amazing husband and I cannot even enjoy life a little b/c I am too tired to get up.

TSH 3.66 (0.34-5.60)

Free T3 3.0 (2.30-6.79

Free T4 1.06 (0.58-5.60)

Anti-Thyroglobulin AB <10 (0.0-25.0)

Thyroid Peroxidase AB <5 (0-60.0)

Vitamin D 33 (47.7-144)

Methylmalonate (indicator of B12) 2.0 (<2.0)

[nonstickpam107]

You're not making enough hormone to get out of bed in the morning IMHO. Let me get my nice friend in here...she has a good doc in Atlanta (that's a REALLY difficult place to even FIND a thyroid doc, btw).

ETA..I don't know as you're going to find a doctor who takes YOUR particular insurance either...but Ileen (inatic) has a PM from me to stop in when she gets time...and you may have to TRAVEL to find a decent doc to help you...most of us are travelling about two hours drive (one way) to find someone good.

Pam

[brenroe]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am so anxious to find help. I just cannot continue living this way.

FWIW, I will drive as far as I need to. And I have pretty basic BCBS insurance. The D.O. I saw takes no insurance. I will drive anywhere to get help. The endo from Emory made me feel like a joke! He laughed--saying no way was my thyroid causing the symptoms I am complaining of. UGH!

[inatic]

Im here

There are quite a few of us that have great success EVEN in the atlanta area. I second pams thoughts that most often, the best doctors dont take insurance. That said, there are a few that are good and currently do take insurance.

Let me invite you to join our GA thyroid group. Its a very active group We'll be able to better direct you from there.

Georgia_Thyroid_Groups : Georgia Thyroid Groups

WHo are you currently seeing and what part of Atlanta are you in?

[brenroe]

just a few minutes from Stone Mountain Park. I will, however, drive anywhere.

Thank you!!!

[nonstickpam107]

Thank you Ileen!! I know she's in 'good hands' now.

Pam

[PalmTreeGal]

Even just your TSH says you're hypo - the current guidelines say it should be 0.3-3. So infuriating when docs blow you off as if they don't even know the guidelines in their own field. In a way I was grateful my TSH was over 5 so my doc would pay attention.

Also I don't see why more docs won't just try a trial of thyroid hormone with someone who has symptoms - there are not a lot of downsides if it is slowly titrated up.

Sorry, this is more a rant than helpful, but I absolutely think you are on the right track with your suspicions. Hope the folks here can help you find a doc who gets it.

[nonstickpam107]

And if you see the doc that Ileen is gonna recommend...TSH won't 'matter'...your FT's will.

Pam

[theothertwin41]

To.nonstickpam107 i need your help and fast.
this is Joan i had email you a couple of months ago. i need your help please!!! welli went back to the Dr and he was telling me that my test shows i have a thyroid problem and he put me on armour 60 mg and he also put me on testosterone cream 1% 10mg/ml cream and he has me on estriol/estradiol 80/20 /prog sr 1/150mg capsul. this is what the blood test say
free T3----3.0
Free T4----0.92
Free testosterone---0.8
Estradiol---46
progesterone---0.8
dhea -217
he was telling me that my tsh is .o98 and he wanted to do a fsh test to see way my estradiol is a 46 becouse if i am in menapouse then the estradiol levels should me higher.
do you think i need to do a tpo test. and a ferrition, and iron test as well a antibodies test to. i have some weight gain and my hair is thinning.and some hot flashes. he is a good dr i have also heard a lot of good thing about him. his name is dr berkins in the 1960 area. i need your input soon please. thank you. oh where can i find a place here that does the blood testing cheper. if i had to pay my self. thanks Joan. this is theothertwin41 thank you

[nonstickpam107]

Blood testing: Online Lab Tests: blood work, blood testing and laboratory tests I don't see doctors who go by TSH or FSH to determine hormone levels, sorry. (and if you're going to post labs, you need to be putting the lab RANGES that YOUR SPECIFIC lab sheet has for each).

Pam

[theothertwin41]

Originally Posted by nonstickpam107

Blood testing: Online Lab Tests: blood work, blood testing and laboratory tests I don't see doctors who go by TSH or FSH to determine hormone levels, sorry. (and if you're going to post labs, you need to be putting the lab RANGES that YOUR SPECIFIC lab sheet has for each).

Pam

Hello, pam this is Joan can you tell me what we have to do to make sure are dr's are doing right or wrong. and i am trying to make sure i realy do have a tyroid problem what kind of test do i need for that. and what kind of test i need to make sure i realy am in menopuse. as i am confused . i would like to know to make sure i am seeeing the right dr and the range i gave you are the ones from my chart the dr gave me the same one he was looking at. he was checking my fsh to make sure i realy have menapouse becouse my level is saying Estradiol is 46 when it should be higher right. i am in houston, tx do you have a dr who is good that lives near the spring,tx area or the woodlands tx area, as i have heard dr berkin being a good dr for older women. i am only 41 and need to make sure i am healthy i have some thinning hair and some weght gain and some hot flashes. your help would be very helpful. i have read some of your other blogs now i am realy confused to what to do. thank you. Joan

[nonstickpam107]

Joan, I'm sorry but right now I don't have the time to help you...seriously. I think it would be worth your while to join a group though.... Texas Thyroid Support Group in Yahoo groups. Those people live near you and will know who's who. Best of luck.

Pam