Been referred to Endocrinologist... Finally!

[scuba2dan]

After almost two years of battling with several different surgeries, I have finally found a doctor who had referred me to an endocrinologist.

The reason for it wasn't my thyroid but the other hormones in my body. Turns out that over several blood tests my testosterone has been consistently low.

I am 25 and I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism almost three years ago, in this time I have lost 7 stone and 6 inches off my waist and now I'm hoping to lose more once the endocrin fixes my other hormone levels. Especially as I find it incredibly hard to put on muscle to increase my metabolism, I'm hoping to get my level topped up so I can start muscle building again. When I was 18 and younger I used to put on ridiculous amount of muscle through the gym and rugby, so much that I have stretch marks on my arms from my muscle loss.

Im currently on 200mcg Levothyroxine, which changes all the time, usually I bounce up and down by 25mcg every few months, my body seems to just hate the stuff. Luckily my new GP is allowing me to go mostly by how I feel along with using the blood test results.

Has anyone else experienced their testosterone/other hormones go out of balance along with their thyroid?

I am currently facing a 2 month wait on the NHS to see an endocrinologist, sounds a bit long to me.

[scuba2dan]

I would question it as testosterone plays just as an important role for women as it does for men. Even after having my thyroid tests come back perfect for several months, I still don't feel perfect, like how I used to feel before the thyroidism set in, when I was incredibly athletic and trim.

[greygoose]

Testosterone is just as important for women as it is for men. My testosterone is too low and it's not pleasant. Without testosterone you lose muscle and can't build it up again. He should have done something about it. Although, having said that, no-one has ever done anything for my low testosterone accept give me DHEA, but I didn't do very well on that. But you could try it. It might work for you.

Hugs, Grey

[greygoose]

Hi Dan, all hormones are inter-dependant on each other. It's a very delicate balance, and if one of them is out of line, others will probably be too. So it's not surprising that you have low testosterone. You aren't taking statins, are you? Because that will lower your testosterone. And if your testosterone is low, you won't be able to build up muscle.

It really isn't a good idea to keep changing your dose of levo like that. You are stressing your body unnecessarily. Is the doctor lowering it and raising it according to the TSH? They often do that, and it is rubbish! Refuse any reduction in dose due to TSH, insist on an FT4 and FT3 test. You cannot be over-medicated unless your T3 is over-range. The TSH is meaningless once you are on thyroid hormone replacement because the link between the thyroid and the pituitary is broken.

Good luck with the endo, Grey

[scuba2dan]

Hey Grey, thanks for the advice on the rollercoaster that is my levothyroxine prescription.

I got a letter from the NHS saying my appointment in October had been canceled due to unknown reasons in the Endo department and that I would need to rebook (Which knowing the NHS would set me back to December!).

I phoned up and asked them to call me with any cancelations and the very next day I got an appointment for the day after! So last Thursday I saw an Endocrinologist at Pembury Hospital, Kent (Dr Haq) and I was extremely impressed.

The hospital is brand new, very clean and efficient, with my appointment starting early (very surprised about that!). I saw a friendly nurse who weighed and measured me before meeting Dr Haq, who was brilliant, professional, genuinely concerned and listened to everything I had to say. From what we spoke about a lot of things wrong with me clicked into place and I feel that there is a light at the end of the tunnel now.

So after my next blood test for Endocrinology I should be starting hormone treatment for my low testosterone levels with a brain scan (for my pituitary gland) in the pipeline to check for anything abnormal as a precaution.

[scuba2dan]

Where abouts are you in the UK? I really recommend Dr Haq at Pembury, Kent.