Appt Today

chelekaz

Today is my doc's last chance at keeping me as a patient.

Still has not done FT3/RT3? Antibody Tests? Yet, I am "normal" even though I feel like crap - some days, the stuff under the crap!

Initial labs pre-medication:

TSH - 225
FT4 - .0.33

Last labs in July:
TSH - 2.03
FT4 - 1.42 ---- this was only time Endo ran test and because I called; Primary ran initial.

So, going to find out HOW he diagnosed me as Hashi w/o any antibody tests being run. If he is going to have me do ultrasound (like primary recommended) as I can feel that my throat is 'thicker' and feels like I have a lump.

And, my aunt asked me the other day how I am on hormone replacement meds when I have Factor V and am not supposed to be given hormones (bye-bye went birth control pills). Possibly different type hormone? I don't know but GREAT question. (I always forget about having that as it is a non-issue).

Taking a list of questions in my notepad and if he tries to rush me, or brush me off I'm telling him I am paying for his time and deserve his attention. I'm taking the bos with me as no sitter so they will at least keep me from totally spazzing should he prove to be as big as *kitten* as he was the first appt!

Anniel88

Good luck! I hope your doctor's appointment goes well and that you finally get some answers. I know how frustrating that is! Unfortunately, I don't have any advice, but I can offer loads of encouragement! Remember that if something isn't jiving with that doctor you could always try to shop for a new one. You want to find a doctor that you feel confident working with because if you have thyroid problems, you're in it for the long haul!

chelekaz

GREAT APPT.

We all have bad days and I guess my first appt was his. Today he was concerned, explained things very well. He IS going to run tests that I suggested. He DOES support use of Armour however he stated that since in 3 months my levels are evening out very nicely that he wants to wait a little. Because of other health issues he doesn't feel it is the 'right' fit unless Levoxothryne really does not work.

LOVED that I explained symptoms did not match lab results and he said "Of course not, these are just guidelines!".

Put me on Antivert for the dizziness. Running more labs next week and stated that Cytomel might be a good supplemental "booster" if needed.

THIS is how I needed him to be 3 months. He hugged me as I left and told me that I've come a long way in 3 months (9 pouneds even lost!) and that when he sees me in November he knows I will be that much healthier!

erinlea75

GREAT APPT.

We all have bad days and I guess my first appt was his. Today he was concerned, explained things very well. He IS going to run tests that I suggested. He DOES support use of Armour however he stated that since in 3 months my levels are evening out very nicely that he wants to wait a little. Because of other health issues he doesn't feel it is the 'right' fit unless Levoxothryne really does not work.

LOVED that I explained symptoms did not match lab results and he said "Of course not, these are just guidelines!".

Put me on Antivert for the dizziness. Running more labs next week and stated that Cytomel might be a good supplemental "booster" if needed.

THIS is how I needed him to be 3 months. He hugged me as I left and told me that I've come a long way in 3 months (9 pouneds even lost!) and that when he sees me in November he knows I will be that much healthier!

Can you talk to me about your dizziness? I've always described mine more of a woozy feeling - like I took cold medicine and my head is heavy and I have a hard time focusing. I also get unsteady on my feet. It was the what first sent me to the doctor last year for a physical. I never expected it to be a thyroid issue. And the doctor didn't think the 2 were related. She kept trying to tell me it was because I'd had bronchitis and wasn't getting enough oxygen. But it did clear up once I started thyroid meds. Of course now, all my symptoms have returned and I'm off to my first endo next week. I really hate the feeling.

Do you feel it all the time? How bad is it. I don't get it all the time. But it will hit me all of a sudden and I have to steady myself. If I'm walking I almost forget how to move my feet for a moment.

chelekaz

GREAT APPT.

We all have bad days and I guess my first appt was his. Today he was concerned, explained things very well. He IS going to run tests that I suggested. He DOES support use of Armour however he stated that since in 3 months my levels are evening out very nicely that he wants to wait a little. Because of other health issues he doesn't feel it is the 'right' fit unless Levoxothryne really does not work.

LOVED that I explained symptoms did not match lab results and he said "Of course not, these are just guidelines!".

Put me on Antivert for the dizziness. Running more labs next week and stated that Cytomel might be a good supplemental "booster" if needed.

THIS is how I needed him to be 3 months. He hugged me as I left and told me that I've come a long way in 3 months (9 pouneds even lost!) and that when he sees me in November he knows I will be that much healthier!

Can you talk to me about your dizziness? I've always described mine more of a woozy feeling - like I took cold medicine and my head is heavy and I have a hard time focusing. I also get unsteady on my feet. It was the what first sent me to the doctor last year for a physical. I never expected it to be a thyroid issue. And the doctor didn't think the 2 were related. She kept trying to tell me it was because I'd had bronchitis and wasn't getting enough oxygen. But it did clear up once I started thyroid meds. Of course now, all my symptoms have returned and I'm off to my first endo next week. I really hate the feeling.

Do you feel it all the time? How bad is it. I don't get it all the time. But it will hit me all of a sudden and I have to steady myself. If I'm walking I almost forget how to move my feet for a moment.

Woozy is a good way to. My doc said that the one is not cause by the other but more that Thyroid issues tend to enhance the effect of any slight vertigo that you might experience (most times w/o realizing it). He's trying me on this for a week to see if it helps. I notice it a lot shopping or in wide open spaces. Home; not so much.

I'll tell you last week we were at Wegman's and (I always take cart to make sure that I am steady) and my husband actually noticed before I could say anything and steadied me. It can be pretty severe at times... so much that I refuse to go shopping alone. Even if I just have one of my kids so that I can hold their hand to keep steady. It is such a scary feeling because I have no control over it!

tecallahan

Woozy, dizzy, etc. can come from Adrenal Fatigue -- did he offer to test your cortisol levels? You would need a 24 hour saliva test to see how your adrenals are functioning throughout the day.

Cortisol is the hormone that ushers T3 into your cells. I found out I have adrenal fatigue -- very low, flat-lined cortisol levels. So, even though I was taking Armour (T3 + T4), the T3 wasn't being used by my cells because I don't have enought cortisol.

It's all tied together... so it will pay off if you educate yourself about how your thyroid and metabolism works.

chelekaz

Thank you! I didn't know that adrenal function could be the cause of the dizziness.

I have been taking the anti-vert when I get the dizzy feeling and I can say that it has helped. Of course it is just stopping the symptom; not the problem.

tecallahan

Glad that antivert helps you -- I've taken tons of Anti-vert in my day, but it no longer does anything for me. I have debilitating vertigo periodically and nothing makes it stop - I just have to ride it out and it usually lasts about 6-8 hours.

In my younger days, I used to have the dizziness/vertigo a couple of times a year and it was mild. Now, I have it several times a month.

My Naturopath is trying like heck to find the root cause and get it under control, but it's a very complicated set of symptoms.