First endocrinologist appointment

[unfitstudent]

Hi, I'm seeing an endocrinologist for the first time on Thursday, I have low TSH, borderline high T4 and antibodies present. Could anyone please tell me what to expect?

[Fruitandnutcase]

How low and how high, do you have ranges and are you taking any medicines at the moment?

Apart from that, I waited from November until the end of February to get to see the endo. Basically I got to the hospital complete with a urine sample that wasn't needed, I was weighed, had my blod pressure taken sitting and standing then I waited in a queue in a very busy clinic and eventually a guy came out and called my name.

The guy I saw explained about what all my figures meant - I had read a lot about overactive thyroids and had also found this site so I knew all about what he was telling me and when he said omething and I said ' you mean like Graves? He looked at me in amazement and said 'Yes. Graves, that's what you've got youve got Graves' not sure he would ever have said if I hadn't brought it up.

Anyway, he left my Carbimazole at the same amount and gave me levo and told me when to come back. He asked if I had any questions and I asked if my heart was likely to have been damaged and he said no, no. - have since found out because of the levels I had hit top and bottom that that probably wasn't really true but I didn't know any better back then. The guy was ok but didn't have great people skills - or maybe women made him nervous. I felt that had I taken my husband in he would have ignored me and dealt with him.

I've since had two very successful endo appointments, one with that guy's lady boss and one with a really nice young man, so really my experiences have varied.

This was me way back then plus I had antibodies

TSH - < 0.03.(0.35 - 5.5 ) below low reference limit

Free T4 -38.5. (10.0 - 19.8) consistent with hyperthyroidism - above high reference limit.

I was started on Carbimazole within two days of the blood test (20mcg), I was retested at the end of December and had my carbo raised to 40 mcg via a letter from my endo and when I got to see an endo I started taking 50mcg of levo (I'm 64) alongside my 40mcg carbimazole - my levo has now been increased to 75/100 alternating and I am still on the 40 mcg carb because my hospital treats Graves with what is known as block and replace

I've been told I'm euthyroid now TSH -0.68 (0.35 - 5.5) Free T4 - 16.90 (10 - 19.8)

Have never had T3 done in spite of it being requested more than once I feel ok now plus my hair has stopped falling out so I figure I must be in or near the right place.

Hope some of this answers your question. Maybe better not to pin too much on Your visit. My first visit was a let down really, dont know what I expected but certainly more than what I got.

Also might be worth making a list of any questions and having that to hand in case you forget when / if you are asked.

Liz

[unfitstudent in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Hi Liz,

Thank you for taking the time to reply.

I don't have the figures, my GP just said my TSH was very low and my T4 is around 1 unit above the reference level. I'm not taking any thyroid meds at the moment but I'm taking atenolol, ramipril and citalopram.

I'm not expecting too much from my appointment, I'm hoping that they're just going to keep an eye on my levels and not treat it yet.

Thanks for the tip about writing down questions, I'm always useless at remembering what to say.

Isobel

[greenginger in reply to unfitstudent]

Hi having seen various endos and been underwhelmed by all of them, may I suggest you write questions down before you go. Take a friend and ask loads of questions. Ask what they think you have. Also always ask for a print out of your TSH, T4 and T3 (if done). You will need this to recognise your own health in the future. let us know how you go on.

[unfitstudent in reply to greenginger]

Thank you for the help, I will let you know how it goes.

[greenginger]

You are welcome and please do.

[Joy333]

Hi there,

I just had my first endo appt last Thursday. I got some really good advice from this forum (Huge thanks LizH and Greenginger).

Don't know if this helps but at my appt I was with the endo for about 30mins where he asked , when symptoms first appeared, what they were, how I felt now, if there is any thyroid history in the family etc. He also looked at my last 2 blood results and saw that they hadnt changed since being on 20mg carbo for 10weeks and put me on 40mg for a month. He also discussed possible causes and was open to my hundred and one questions and told me to fire on and keep asking. I would definitely agree with taking someone with you, I found it helped afterwards to chat about all that was said during the appt. as I found it difficult to take everything in and briefly zoned out a couple of times. Writing bullet points down def helps - even if you don't use it, it will give you piece of mind that you have said everything you had wanted to.

Take care and I hope it goes well for you x

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Joy333]

It is absolutely amazing how helpful this site is there is just so much knowledge and everyone understands exactly how you feel.

Your endo sounds really good. I think getting someone who treats you like a human being makes such a difference - and I agree even if you. Don't use your notes having them must sort of focus your mind. I don't think my brain can be as foggy as it was at first because I managed all the things on my list last visit without having to look at my notes. When I started treatment I pretty much had to write down my name in case someone asked me that- I was that dozy

Good luck on Thursday, I remember feeling quite excited about finally getting to see an endo.

Liz