Doctors appointment today....

[MrsSAcky]

So finally got my doctors appointment today, after 3 weeks of waiting, and I feel more deflated. I go in there wanting to say all these things all the info I wanted to share, explain how I feel etc. But to be honest I broke down, said I'm not depressed, but I need help because I feel so ill & fed up of feeling ill, but I'm not depressed (lol I'm not know what that feels like).

I know I need new bloods, so after a 'chat' of I understand what your saying but we just can't change your meds, then a thyroid & vit D test is been done on Friday of this week...

Ive also been told that the following is fine, and my t4 is where it should be

Thyroid function test,

Serum TSH 3.51mlU/L (0.3-4.5)

Serum free T4 15 pmol/L (10.0- 22.00)

So the doc then said if they did increase my dose then it's by 25mcg, but it may change everything rapidly and I could be taken off it. The risk of my t4 changing and could make me hyper instead.... Which of course I understand also

My response was 5yrs at the same level, no change, but my symptoms are again worsening, breathlessness, stiffness of joints, hair falling out, excessive swelling at abdomen, weight gain, oedema, and sleeping heavy but not restful etc.

Blood test Friday, so let's see after she's consulted with my own doctor and then calling me back next week.

Just feeling dismayed

X

[Hidden]

So what did the GP attribute all these symptoms to then? What's your dosage and don't suppose you had an FT3 test done?

[MrsSAcky in reply to Hidden]

They don't at the mo, until see blood results come. FT3 we don't get those in the West Mids unfortunately. I just don't want other meds when I want my thyroid 'sorted' first, see if symptoms subside first

[Hidden in reply to MrsSAcky]

I'm in the West Midlands and I get my FT3 done x It's the reverse one I haven't been able to get checked x

[MrsSAcky in reply to Hidden]

i've asked, and asked, `we dont do them, the test you have shows what you need' had that before x

[linlow in reply to MrsSAcky]

MrsSAcky you need to stand over your doctor whilst s/he reads this document nahypothyroidism.org/thyroi... Granted there are those who won't even test for T4 but ruling out possible alternatives in such a close-minded fashion shows our health service out to be so primitive.

[debraleee in reply to linlow]

Help! 5mcg T3 added to 125mg T4 (Levothyroxine) last June. Severe stress + 2mg Xanax xr/ Alprazolam XR 3x daily. Recently had three anaphylactic allergic reactions (skin not choking) & was given hydroxyzine for 7 days. Today is last day. Gained 20lb. over last year. Constant, Increased stress. Read your articles and charts and save from where my primary physician (HMO). She's receptive to research I bring so thank you. Any suggestions on what might help me as my total T4 8.3, mid normal; T4 free 1.4 (mid normal) down from 1.9; T3 free 3.1 (mid normal) down from 3.4. Do I need increased T3 liothyronine? The 137 levothyroxine had my hand shaking and showing hyperthyroid symptoms.

[linlow in reply to debraleee]

debraleee I am not an expert on thyroid hormone therapies. You really need to open a separate post on that and get some guidance from the 'experts' on here about that. They have far more knowledge and experience. My own personal feelings would run along the lines of upping t3 and lowering t4 - but that is only because that is what makes me feel better.

As far as I know both Xanax & Alprazolam are known to cause skin problems. Whether these relate to what happened to you or it was caused by something entirely different I wouldn't like to say.

With regard to your increasing stress levels (when did they start?) I would be far more inclined to suggest that you look at your diet. There are far too many toxins absorbed through foods, thanks to modern farming and production methods, for our bodies to be able to cope. I'd start with things like eliminating any sugar/sweetener/juice content and getting a good balance of vitamins and minerals. You probably need to look at your essential fatty acid ratios too. Current consumption levels of omega 6, way way too high, are causing a world wide rise health epidemic. Instead, after lowering those, look to increasing your omega 3s (until you have a ratio as close to 1:1 as you can get it). These can help enormously in lowering stress levels. Spending time outside (fresh air & sunshine) plus vigorous exercise (enough to make you sweat but still able to hold a conversation between puffs) would be beneficial too but without more information I can't really make any more concrete recommendations.

It is my experience that levothyroxine can dramatically effect weight so, again, making changes to your diet might resolve that (have you ended up looking pillar box shaped or a bass drum on legs?). Look to lowering carbohydrate levels and upping your intake of fats - again without more information I can't be more specific.

[debraleee in reply to linlow]

Thank you so much for the advice. My stress is REAL LIFE STRESS: serious & prolonged illness/an inoperable tumor/fibroid that caused me to nearly die (from 2007 to 2012) and ultimately 3 days of hemhorraging, admission to ER and 2 blood transfusions, emergency surgery and a 5 day hospital stay, then diagnosed with sleep apnea, bleeding ulcers, Went from Penthouse to Poorhouse in late 2010/homeless virtually as I couldn't work but my Senator aided in getting me disability and Medicare. Lost 88 lb. with low carb, low fat on Dr. diet supervised. Gained 20 over last year, as my son got married then his love nearly DIED of leptospirosis then had breakdown and my son's carrying entire financial load and was forced to move in with in laws and is suffering, struggling. Add to that I live now with my 93 yr. old DEAF, sharp (mostly) but can be verbally abusive, cruel. Told me to acccept myself as house N-word or move out (since reconciled that issue). Nephew in and out of ER, hospital with rare illnesses. Super sister issues, hostility tho we're trying to resolve them and she really stepped up to help my son. I started dating (when I looked SUPER GOOD, felt super good) only to date one gay guy, one guy who spent date sick with diahrrea and then heart problems/hospital, then another who developed his own serious health problems. Two of my beloved 3 dogs (17 and 14 died within 1.5 days of one another in 2012. Need I go on? I have LEGITIMATE, psychiatrically diagnosed "SITUATIONAL ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION". I'll tackle this forum for myself once I get thru seeing my primary Dr. (HMO) next week and request additional labs for Folate, Ferritin, B12 and Vitamin D (which was low and maybe what I'm taking isn't enough or right type, as she prefers a liquid sublingual). B12 shots seemed to help me. TO BE CONTINUED... on different post.

[linlow in reply to debraleee]

Wow!!

I'd investigate magnesium, zinc, b6 and coQ10 as well.

I am even more convinced that a look at your diet might be called for. (Low fat is NOT a healthy diet whether your doctor recommended it or not.) In the meantime go with what I have suggested above - particularly the sugars & efa ratio bits.

Have you ever come across Bach flower rescue remedy? bachflower.com/rescue-remed... I believe that it could help you cope with stress and reduce anxiety. Lavender and/or citrus essential oils would work alongside it to aid in coping with your anxiety levels.

Taking a tablespoon of (organic cold pressed) coconut oil before each meal (up to3-4 a day) should also help improve your mental state and, as a bonus, might help kick off a weight loss. The lauric acid in the oil can pass the blood/brain barrier and improves both mood and clarity. Don't however start on maximum dose as your digestive system will likely reject it. Begin with just 1 teaspoon a day and work up.

Live kefir is something else that you would also benefit from adding to your diet.

[Hidden in reply to MrsSAcky]

Do you see an Endo any time? I have recently started to see one after insisting at my surgery. This is in the West Midlands. I ask for this test during my first appointment and it was done. x

[MrsSAcky in reply to Hidden]

I asked, and got a no you don't need one.... that told me! x

[Hidden in reply to MrsSAcky]

Ask again only insist..this is what I did. x

[Jazzw]

Your GP is being ridiculously cautious. You're only on 50mcg of levo, which is a starter dose! There's virtually no chance that taking 75mcg of levo would make you overmedicated.

So - bit confused - you're waiting on the new set of blood tests results?

[MrsSAcky in reply to Jazzw]

Blood test on Friday, going to ask the phlebotomist if she'll do me a vit B12 & folate one too.... Won't hurt to ask!? 5yrs of 50mcg and worsen symptoms I've had enough. Told me I read too much!! Lol I did reply with I'm getting no doctors support tho

[bluebug in reply to MrsSAcky]

The next doctor who tells you that you read too much ask them politely "what would they do if they weren't feeling well for years?"

Btw your tsh could be lower.

[MrsSAcky in reply to bluebug]

I know it should/could be lower, I'm dismayed at the docs and there 'in the range' and the what you whinging for tone....

I will ask that question tho

[humanbean in reply to MrsSAcky]

Also ask for ferritin and vitamin D if you haven't had them tested recently.

[MrsSAcky in reply to humanbean]

Vit D is listed to do with thyroid, and i'm asking for Folate B12 & Ferrtin, never had the ferrtin, folate or B12 done before

[Hidden in reply to MrsSAcky]

Good idea to ask phlebotomist. I have ask our nurse to add a few extra ticks on the blood form and she has kindly obliged. x it's worth a try. x

[LAHs in reply to Jazzw]

Jazzw is correct. 75mcg is not a very high dose. Secondly, does the doc not know that you do not necessarily need to jump in a 25mcg interval, if he prefers 12.5mcg, you just take the 25 pill every other day. His ignorance should concern you.

[Hidden]

Have you been seeing the same idiot doctor for five years if so I would say it is time to change GP. You are on a tiny dose and your tsh is really high. It makes me so cross.

[MrsSAcky]

same docs surgery..... this is why i went to a female doc at a different surgery but part of the same group our docs are part of..... im just as cross, deep breaths

[Angel_of_the_North]

Your T4 is way off the top of the range and your TSH is high for someone on meds so it is very unlikely that a small increase would make you over medicated.

[humanbean]

This is what TSH distribution looks like in a healthy population :

web.archive.org/web/2004060...

As you can see, the bulk of the healthy population have a TSH below 1.5. Print the graph out and give it to your doctor. Your TSH is absurdly high.

The data for creating that graph came from this paper :

eje-online.org/content/143/...

The really important bit of that paper (in my opinion!) is the right hand half of Table 3.

It shows you (amongst other things) the median level of TSH for healthy males and females separately, and for different age groups.

(The median is the figure which is bang in the middle of a group of data. 50% of the population have a result that is the same as or lower than the median, and 50% of the population have a result the same as or higher than the median.)

[MrsSAcky in reply to humanbean]

i went armed with the graph..... but the conversation didnt get that far

getting ready for next appointment already, and bloods arent till friday

[humanbean in reply to MrsSAcky]

I hope you get the chance to use your printout another day. I know how difficult it is to introduce bits of paper on any subject to a doctor in the middle of an appointment.

I remember once going to see the doctor about a set of symptoms I was convinced were connected. I wrote them all down on a piece of paper so I wouldn't forget them (I have memory problems...).

I got the piece of paper out of my bag and the doctor says "You can put away anything you printed off the internet!" in a very threatening voice. I said, "But I didn't print it off the internet, I wrote it myself."

Doctor : "I don't care, put it away."

Me : "But I won't remember what I wanted to say without it."

Doctor (Practically screaming by this time) : "Put it away or I'll have to ask you to leave!"

So I put it away and decided the doctor was a man with some very serious issues, I just wasn't sure what they were. It wasn't the most successful appointment I've ever had.

[MrsSAcky in reply to humanbean]

omg! really, disgusting, i got `tutted' at for saying ive been on here..... i dreading the conversation next week especially when your know your own body.... what makes me laugh is the blooming doctors print info off the net to give you to read now too

[vixvixvix in reply to MrsSAcky]

That sounds like my surgery too. So sorry to hear about your experience. I was talked down to like a child and basically told "we go by the numbers and you're a picture of health you hypochondriac".

When will they learn it's how the body feel that's important and not the numbers?

[MrsSAcky in reply to vixvixvix]

OMG! (facepalm)

[debraleee in reply to humanbean]

Please get another doctor immediately! An ethical doctor appreciates a knowledgeable and proactive patient. If you stay with this doctor. When I got this reaction from a noted endocrinologist, I changed to an endocrinologist who posted on his site that interaction with his patient was as important as lab work and that's the kind of doctor you need. The second doctor came highly recommended by a genius pharmacological psychiatrist who knows a lot about medical interaction especially associated with stress.

[humanbean in reply to debraleee]

I should have said that the conversation I reported took place quite a while ago now, and the doctor involved has left the surgery. *Hooray*

[thyr01d]

So sorry to read this Sjep. I've just read the article by Dr Mirkin posted the same date as yours and wonder if it might apply to you.

[MrsSAcky in reply to thyr01d]

Dr Mirkin article? send me a link if possible? thanks

[thyr01d in reply to MrsSAcky]

Hi Sjep, I have a huge amount to do with deadlines looming otherwise I'd find that article for you. If you check through the posts the same day as your own, which I presume you have received, I'm sure you'll find it, I think the link is even showing in the email we receive without actually opening up into Thyroid UK.

You'd better look at anything similar to Mirkin, I could have mis-remembered.

If you don't find it, I might be able to look next Tuesday but you'll need to remind me.

[thyr01d in reply to MrsSAcky]

Here you are:

drmirkin.com/morehealth/g17...

[MrsSAcky in reply to thyr01d]

Thank you 👍🏻