Time for an endocrinologist!

marriedwith

Well I had my blood work done prior to a physical that I will have on Friday. Currently I take an average of 240mg of synthroid. I am 5'8" and can't seem to get below 200 lbs.

I feel best when I do low carb, but it is difficult to maintain that lifestyle. I do exercise.

My latest blood work is not so good. Fasting glucose is 93. TSH went up to around 2.7. T4 is in range. Cholesterol and LDL is up. HDL is good. I am exhausted, and frequently crash for a couple of hours, especially in the afternoon after eating. I'm pretty sure I'm insulin resistant, and definitely am sensitive to carbs.

I plan to ask for a referral to an endo. I have asked about Amour thyroid but my dr will not prescribe it. I asked for a glucose tolerance test before and she said that an A1C is the same, but cheaper (it's not the same - it shows av blood sugar).

I'm glad to have a plan to see an endo and will follow ANY advice that I get. I know that I am heading to diabetes if I don't get my weight in line. I am also thinking of going to a medical weight loss clinic at a local hospital (not for surgery though). Wish me good luck my MFP friends - I will let you know how it works out!
Mary

lmelangley

Good luck! It's a hard journey, but it sounds like you're on your way. Just remember that if you don't get the answers you need from the endocrinologist, you can get another opinion.

beeceezee

Good luck!
Let us know how it goes.

firstsip

You haven't seen an endo yet? GET THEE TO AN ENDO!

I find that internists tend to not ever clearly grasp endocrinology--if you're having issues, go to the docs that know (although finding a good endo is a task in itself). You're on a pretty high dose of synthroid with fairly normal levels, so I'd def. be concerned with your doctor's response--especially if he "refuses" to prescribed Armour. Any good endo would have no problem trying another thyroid drug.

tecallahan

I believe there are a few endos out there who know what they are doing about hypo -- but I must confess I never found one. I have fired so many I lost count. In desperation, I turned to a Naturopath - not covered by insurance, but I am finally getting the help I need.

Good luck - hope you find someone that will treat your sypmtoms and not just your lab results!

Elizabeth_M

I am heading to the Dr. in 2 weeks to ask for an appt to an endo as well.

I have been at a plateau for 4 months now, I lost 10 in the beginning, which stayed off. But now I keep going back and forth with the same 5-7 pounds. This week I gained 5 pounds. I did NOT eat over my calories all freaking days to warrant gaining 5 pounds. So sick of it!

Good luck to you!!

marriedwith

Thank you all for responding to my posts. I am back from my doctor and she has referred me to an endo, the woman I want to see is out on maternity leave, but will be back soon. In the meantime my doctor did order some more tests. She said "you've never had an ultrasound of your thyroid? why not?" funny huh? So we're going to do that, test my vitamin D, B12, A1c, anti-thyroid and a few other things. She is increasing my thyroid medication slightly to try to get my TSH a little lower. She informed me that armour thyroid is synthetic and very old and NOT prescribed anymore. HAHAHAHAHAHA! I think she was confused about something else. She said that as long as my TSH was okay I was okay. OKAY!

She suggested I lose weight. I told her that I have been trying to, but can't seem to get anywhere with it.

She did agree with my diagnoses of pre-diabetes and insulin resistance, and offered to refer me to a specialist in pre-diabetes. Hmmmmm - I've done a lot of research on my own and don't need another co-pay so no.

Good luck to you all - now I JUST (*only*) have to lose weight!

Elizabeth_M

I thought Armour was natural?!?

Doesn't she see that you're probably having a problem losing weight BECAUSE of your thyroid?

Ugh, so frustrating!!

TXBelle1174

Not that I am an expert but Armour is a natural thyroid hormone. I was on levo and my endo just recently put me on Armour. I feel much better. I am still showing some symptoms but also have only been on it for 4 weeks. I hope your Dr. gets things straightened out for you. I am on a strict diet, new hypo meds, etc and still find it very hard to lose weight. It is very frustrating.