hypothyroidism - obstacle or excuse?

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  • Vermilla
    Vermilla Posts: 348
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    Warning: Rage Post (ie: don't read if you're just going to piss me off more in your reply)

    So I went to see my doctor and provided him with proof that there's a difference between the "old" test as I called it and the sensitive test. I also asked why he didn't order the T3 as I very specifically asked him to. He just said they didn't do the tests, the hospital did. I pointed out I was still asking why he didn't do the T3 when I ordered it. He seriously kept skiping around the question, answering things I didn't even ask that had nothing to do with anything, and I just kept asking "Why didn't you do the T3?" and finally he just said "I'm done with you." He had no answer why he didn't do the T3. A simple, "I forgot, let's redo the bloodwork." or whatever other reason he had would've sufficed. No, instead he avoids it and avoids it and then says he done with me like I'm the one neglecting a patient.

    So I call the hospital that does the bloodwork, see if maybe they did the T3 and the doctor didn't get the results or something and also ask about the "old" tests vs the sensitive tests. After being shuffled around and around and around and around, this is what I got: nobody in there has a medical degree or knows anything at all. Their tests come from a supplier who makes up these standards of whom also has nothing to do with medicine or any type of medical knowledge. They just supply the tools. So it's the blind leading the blind leading the blind who is misdiagnosing people like me. The guy in the lab who supposedly helps do these tests didn't even know what a T3 -WAS-. He barely even spoke English.

    Now normally, no matter how pissed off I am, I won't say who I'm pissed at. It's rude. But this time, I'm proud to say it.

    Dr. Walter Culver

    And the hospital system is St. Joseph Mercy.

    Now, I'd not mention the hospital except after this incident, I was mad enough that I started thinking about all the good times (well as good a time as is possible) I've had with doctors and nurses and such and all the times I've been f***ed over. I looked it up. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME I've been harmed - when they had me in pain for the ear infection for 6 months because they wouldn't listen, when they broke my foot because they thought it was merely dislocated, when they had me sitting in agony when there were no other patients for two hours because they were busy talking about random things within earshot instead of coming back into the room, and a dozen other times - they were ALL at offices/medical centers/hospitals that were St. Joseph Mercy. (minus the failed pregnancy tests in Alabama). So there you have it. Dr. Walter Culver and St. Joseph Mercy.
  • servilia
    servilia Posts: 3,452 Member
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    I'm sorry you're being treated like that. There's really no excuse!! :mad:
  • Ely82010
    Ely82010 Posts: 1,998 Member
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    Why can't you get medication for it? I have an underactive thyroid and take levothyroxine, I also take some thyroid supporting vitamins. I agree it is so unbelievably easy to put weight on and in a relatively short space of time too! My digestive systems is sluggish and I am often constipated too (all part of the effects of an underactive thyroid) so I try to eat lighter meals and always incorporate fruit, I also try to keep bread down to one meal a day otherwise I feel bloated. You really should get some mediation for an underactive thyroid

    I should've clarrified. I'm not a doctor or anything but apparently there's some kind of level or turning point or something that tells a doctor if you should or shouldn't be on medication for it. My sister has been on meds for it for a few years. My mom was tested and they didn't give her meds for a while. She only got them maybe a year ago. When I was last tested for it, he said I had it, and even after I explained the family history of it (also my grandmother and my aunt), he said that there was "no need for medication yet" I don't know why; again, I'm not a doctor but without that little piece of paper from the doctor saying that I need it, I can't get it. And so nobody asks; I do trust my doctor. He's been very good to me.

    I guess your levels are considered 'under control' - I assume you have had blood tests. In that case - to answer your question - it's an excuse - I have been hypothyroid for over three years now - yes I was overweight, but thanks to MFP I have lost 17 kgs (37 lbs) and my BMI is in the normal range. Your hypothyroidism is only an obstacle when your levels are not under control.

    Yeah, I had a blood test about a year ago, along with everything else. I thought about it again because it's been a while. I eat around 1000-1500 calories a day but I'm also very active and go to the gym nearly every day where I burn an extra 400-800 calories. I eat healthy and watch the nutrition of what I eat. I was doing pretty good till about four months ago or so where I just stopped dead no matter what I did, and now for the past bit, I just keep putting on weight and feeling extraordinarily tired and ceaselessly frozen stiff, even though my heat is constantly on at 70F. When I was talking to some friends, they said it may be the hypothyroidism so I figured I'd ask. I havent' been back to the doctor because - nothing personal against him - but I hate doctors.

    In my opinion, and based on your symptoms-which are the same ones that I experienced- you DO need medication and you DO need to seek a second opinion, preferable from an endocrinologist.

    Your thyroid values could be within "normal levels" according with the lab results, but if you are at the higher end of the normal values and suffering from those symptoms, it means that your thyroid functions better at lower values. Your doctor should know that, especially with such as strong family history.

    I understand that you don't like doctors or medication, but what you don't like, can also kill you or bring lots of other health problems. My humble suggestion is that you reconsider your point of view and seek medical help before is too late. Good luck and sorry about the problems that you experienced at that hospital and with that doctor.
  • servilia
    servilia Posts: 3,452 Member
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    Ely,
    I guess you're responding to an old post of hers because she just posted that she has been back to the doctor.. :)
  • Ely82010
    Ely82010 Posts: 1,998 Member
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    Yeah, you are probably correct Servilla, There are 5 pages and I only checked the original posting without looking at the date. I also suffer from hypothyrodism and I get upset when doctors don't treat the problem correctly or when people don't want to take meds for it. My apologies.
  • servilia
    servilia Posts: 3,452 Member
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    No problem! I know how it is with long threads :flowerforyou:
  • Wannabefit2319
    Wannabefit2319 Posts: 5 Member
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    i have the same conditon as you...i am on medicine for it though...i was diagnosed about 4 1/2 years ago..i started gaining weight and didnt know why so finally went to the dr and yep it was my thyroid..since then i had twins..but when i got pregnant i was 180 and when i had them i was 190 i was sick alot and after i had them i was 155 and then over 2 years i gained 10 lbs and then last dec to this april i lost 15 but then have put back on 10..i just started counting my calories again and am back to 155 with a goal of 140. i know it is possible to lose weight with this condition but without it being treated it might be like a rollercoaster ride....with your levels always adjustintg...do you have an email address? i can forward you something my uncle sent me because he also has the condition...and maybe this will help you
  • Jupitermermaid
    Jupitermermaid Posts: 270 Member
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    It's so hard to find a good doctor and/or endrocronologist that listens. Even if you "appear" to be in the "normal" range, every body is differenct, and if your symptoms show that you need to be on the lower or higher side of "normal," the doctor needs to be sensitive to it and prescribe accordingly. If your doctor is NOT cooperative to your degree of satisfaction, it is time to get another doctor. I suffered from hypothyroidism for several years and gained over 40 pounds before I found a doctor who would take me seriously.

    OTOH, eating healthy and exercising when possible DOES help to alleviate the symptoms and helps ward off weight gain. It takes both a healthy thyroid and good eating/exercise habits to maintain a healthy body. Good luck to you!
  • Vermilla
    Vermilla Posts: 348
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    One of my doctor's excuses was that I "lost" 16 pounds since I last went in...two years ago. Thing was, two years ago, I didn't have the problem I had now. I actually lost 50 pounds and since then gained it all back in just a few months and in the course of about a year have lost only 16 of it. (20 ish by now) But he only looks at the total loss, not at the fact that 2 years ago, I wasn't suffering like I am now and could easily lose weight. If he had taken my weight between now and 2 years ago, he'd see that I had actually gained a lot first. So yes, when I ordered my results in the mail from him to show the specialist when I go in on the 15th, he wrote on it "patient has lost 16 pounds - does not need medication." like that's the entire story. WRONG. I've gained 50 and lost 16 of that, so that's NOT the entire story. :explode:
  • Aneallen2009
    Aneallen2009 Posts: 16
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    You really need you tag and t3a ran and I wouldn't be against being tested for hoshimotos disease. That being said if you are having issues with tiredness and weight gain or the inability to lose weight when you are doing everything a normal person would I would get a referral for an endocrinologist they are thyroid doctors and they tend to follow a stricter set of levels. Normal fir a regular doctor could be bad for a specialist. My thyroid is outrageous I started out at 100+ with 1 50 microgram levothyroxine I'm down to 42 at the highest I should be an 8.0 so I've been bumped to 75 micrograms since the started my meds back up about a month and a half AGI I've lost 8 pounds not changing anything else in my life... Does your hair fall outmire than normal that another symptom associated with thyroid issues sometimes....... Sorry if any of my words are messed up I'm typing on my screen keyboard from my phone... Any of you feel free to add me I have 70 lbs to lose even with hypothyroidism!
  • Stacyanne324
    Stacyanne324 Posts: 780 Member
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    I would go and see another doctor. I have been diagnosed as being Hypothyroid for years and currnently take meds for it. It really is determined by the levels of TSH in your blood so I would think you either have it or don't and either need meds or don't.

    Either way though to get to your original question from the subject of this post I have lived with it for years and don't consider it an obstacle at all. With the medication it's not really a factor I just need to be sure that I follow up and get regular testing to keep it in line. When I've gained weight in the past it's been because of my poor eating habits and not the medical condition.
  • SherriH69
    SherriH69 Posts: 27
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    I'm late to this conversation but let me say this: I've had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis for 20 years. Only I didn't know it! My doctor kept telling me I had a low thyroid....I was on meds and never lost the weight. On Nov 21st I had surgery to remove my thyroid after it started causing me difficulty swallowing. The surgeon said he hadn't seen a more diseased thyroidl like mine in quite some time! All this time I was taking the medication that wasn't right for me, even though my doctor seemed to be fairly intelligent about thyroid issues. You need to have your levels checked at least twice a year. In the three weeks since I've had mine removed, I've lost 7 pounds - in the past that would have taken an entire year to do.

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  • kazza135
    kazza135 Posts: 16 Member
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    please get your blood taken again. I am on 150 mg a day. Three and half a years ago I stopped my medication and became very very ill and ended in itu - i nearly died. If you become pregnant when your thyroid is not working probably you can be in danger of miscarriage. Please get the levels checked again. A lot of women become underactive after a child - thats when my was disagnosed. It is not something to put to the back of your mind. You have all the symptoms of underactive thyroid. Once you sort it out you will feel so much better.
  • Vermilla
    Vermilla Posts: 348
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    Yeah, I'm trying to figure it out. I'm getting a bit anxious about my upcoming appointment. It's still two weeks away, and I"m afraid I"m going to get blown off again like I'm a nobody who isn't suffering. Even if by some miracle it ISN'T hypo (and the numbers and the symptoms all point to the fact that it is), there is still something wrong with me, and I'm tired of suffering because of it.
  • kazza135
    kazza135 Posts: 16 Member
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    I hope it goes ok - bring your sister and mum for support and maybe the doctor will realise that the problem is in the family and take you more seriously. Good Luck and keep everyone posted.
  • dalmiechick45
    dalmiechick45 Posts: 164 Member
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    HI! they have a new 'normal" range now .3-3.0 for tsh- I would say you;re probably feeling crappy at 4. something! Hope you feel better, try asking another doctor?
  • dalmiechick45
    dalmiechick45 Posts: 164 Member
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    (to Kazza) I so agree! UNtil my husband actualy called the doctor and said "hey look, my wife is working out everyday and eating Low fat, low carb, low cal (under 1100 most days- under 1200 the rest) and a minor 'cheat" (eg: I had a beer last weekedn with my sushi dinner) can send her weight up 8 lbs in a day" ... they started listening! Also, it took, saying look, give me a referral if you don't have time to help me.
  • sabinecbauer
    sabinecbauer Posts: 250 Member
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    Why can't you get medication for it? I have an underactive thyroid and take levothyroxine, I also take some thyroid supporting vitamins. I agree it is so unbelievably easy to put weight on and in a relatively short space of time too! My digestive systems is sluggish and I am often constipated too (all part of the effects of an underactive thyroid) so I try to eat lighter meals and always incorporate fruit, I also try to keep bread down to one meal a day otherwise I feel bloated. You really should get some mediation for an underactive thyroid

    Can I ask which thyroid supporting vitamins you take??

    ARE there over the counter meds I could take to help that I don't need a doctor's Rx for?

    Thyodine from Organika and Thyro Support from AOR. Both are available in your health food store.
  • dalmiechick45
    dalmiechick45 Posts: 164 Member
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    Why can't you get medication for it? I have an underactive thyroid and take levothyroxine, I also take some thyroid supporting vitamins. I agree it is so unbelievably easy to put weight on and in a relatively short space of time too! My digestive systems is sluggish and I am often constipated too (all part of the effects of an underactive thyroid) so I try to eat lighter meals and always incorporate fruit, I also try to keep bread down to one meal a day otherwise I feel bloated. You really should get some mediation for an underactive thyroid

    Can I ask which thyroid supporting vitamins you take??

    ARE there over the counter meds I could take to help that I don't need a doctor's Rx for?





    I would like to know this too
  • dalmiechick45
    dalmiechick45 Posts: 164 Member
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    Selenium boosts the levels of T3 your body produces, according to my Endo... now definitely don't take my advice without checking your bloodwork with a doctor ... also the levels are .3-3.0 TSH Above 3 HYPO, below .3 HYPER- thyroid.

    PS- its an obstacle, not an excuse, but its a doggoned TOUGH obstacle. If you don't believe that ... check out my diary and how much exercise I do daily.... LOL ....

    PPS- I am hypothyroid due to complete removal of my thyroid gland - which yes does help regulate metabolism, but it does SOOOO much more than that, so be careful, and don;t go taking a bunch of crazy drugs without talking to a doctor, this is a serious medical condition and you can literally die and/or slip into a coma after months without meds with this condition, so please makes sure you do have it before trying to treat it.

    ALSO if your normal doctor does not think you have, you certainly have the right to shop around and chat with other doctors who specialize

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