180 degree thyroid turnaround!

Hi everyone. I had my Endo consult last Friday and finally have an Endocrinologist who is on the same page with me. Did every test I asked for; believes in T3 replacement.I have been really, really exhausted these last 14 days but as soon as my labs come back this week he will begin new meds/dosages. Thanks to everyone in my forums who offered input that helped me know what questions to ask and what optimal lab values I want to shoot for. He did say from the radiation (from larynx cancer years ago) my thyroid has become very atrophied-probably for years and he could barely palpate it. Also he said, in a very professional and kind way (re my PCP) that my thyroid has not 'received optimal care for quite a while'. So I am in the process of changing PCP's (GP). This visit could not have gone better for me if I had written a script. I brought a tentative 'treatmant plan.' with me. He liked that and said we will work together. I also pulled up reviews on several websites and he had all 5's. I also looked up my current PCP who barely had 3's. Will post labs and new meds and dosages when I receive them this week. One thing he suggested as my labs (my PCP would only order these- TSH and freeT4) over the last 2 years were all over the place. (Another reason to keep track of your tests yourself to have a pattern). He suggested switching to brand Synthroid asking if I could afford it and reassuring me he would justify this recommendation to my insurance company so hopefully they will share the cost. Trust me this is something US doctors don't often concern themselves with. He believes for some of us using different generic levo (what ever the pharmacy sees fit to fill) doesn't always serve us well as the variation in med amts between generic companies can be enough to cause ups and downs that aren't caught at test time. And he gave me samples to save me from spending money on a prescription that may change. Don't give up. Good, caring doctors are out there. He explained that getting and feeling euthroid would be a process but he would help me feel better as fast as possible mainly by testing and evaluating and not making me wait unnecessarily long between appts. I wish everyone who is dealing with an #@*^%)! doc could come to Atlanta and see this guy. Happy Monday and talk to you soon. Still tired but no longer teary and frustrated. PS. Don't want to sound righteous or religious but the day before the appt I was feeling so hopeless and was talking to God. I just said I was tired of feeling so bad and please let things go well with this new doc. Request answered big time. One of my favorite sayings is an old Russian Proverd. "Pray to God but continue to row to shore." Take care. Everyone. irina1975

[Jazzw]

I’m so pleased for you Irina. Hope so very much that you will feel much better very soon x

[Hidden in reply to Jazzw]

Thank you, Jazz. I'm amazed how one small organ can cause so many problems in our other body systems. And I was surprised after talking with this new doc how many healthcare practitioners I've dealt with in the past seem to give it so little importance.Often we really have to do our own research and help doctors understand how to help us. Take care. irina

[Holza]

Hi irena that is great news you must be so chuffed!! It's horrible feeling like your life is never going to get better from something a doctor can help you with. Can I ask were you saw this doctor and there name I am in need of help I feel terrible 24/7 thankyou xx

[Hidden in reply to Holza]

Good morning, Holza. I am sending you a PM right now. He is in Atlanta GA (US). Fortunately I also live here but if I didn't and was within reasonable driving distance I would make the trip. Take care. irina

[Hidden in reply to Holza]

Update. Check your 'chats'; hope the PM is helpful. xx irina

[Hidden in reply to Holza]

Hi Holza. Talk about brain fog. I just wrote you a PM and forgot o press send. I am re-writing now. irina

[fortunata]

That’s great news, Irina. X

[wellness1]

very happy for you, Irina

[Paula101]

Irina, that really is great news. To say your delighted & relieved must be an understatement. It's such a nice change to hear about a finding a 'good' un' for a change. I love the Russian proverb by the way 😊 The best is yet to come for you, the very best of health to you 👍🏻🙂

[Hidden in reply to Paula101]

Hi Paula. Thank you for the good wishes. I have collected 'sayings/proverbs/humourous helpful thoughts' for years. I like short, pithy advice that helps me through my day. I especially like a little humor with my philosophy. LOL (or a lot!)

[Hidden]

I would just like to add to my post re "180 DEGREE TURNAROUND..." that the main symptoms, for me, that have made being 'thyroid undermedicated' difficult are: 1) Brain fog, 2) anxiety and depression-out of proportion to external events/over-reactions, 3) extreme fatigue, 4) muscle and joint aches and pains, 5) poor sleep quality despite a CPAP machine, 6) feeling overwhemled by situations I would normally handle with ease, and 7) gastrointestinal symptoms. There are more bothersome things but these are the main ones. Also prior to 'blaming these sx on my thyroid,' I checked them out in several ways and with other docs to rule out other causes. My approach to my medical problems is, when possible, deal with one at a time, as other specialists tend to attribute sx to their 'part of the body'. This can be a good thing but can also at times confuse the issue and allow some docs to dismiss the cause and 'pass us down the medical specialty line.' Also because the above symptoms can be attributed to other body systems, I wanted to keep the focus on one potential cause at a time. My plan is to give my body time to see what heals with proper thyroid care and, then if there are leftover sx' it will be time to investigate another cause. Just my thoughts. Hope these specifics are helpful. Thanks, irina

[Canta]

Irina, I can certainly identify with a lot of those symptoms. Well done on finding a good doctor to help you on the way to good health. Great proverb, and I'm sure I will use it a lot. Best wishes.