Topic: how to get your doc to treat hypothyroidism?
sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
I was going to ask this question after reading another member's post but didn't want to hijack that thread.
So, how do you all get your doctors to treat your hypothyroid symptoms adequately? I'm on 88mcg of Synthroid but it does not seem to be doing enough.
My last labs were TSH 4.51 (high), Free T4 and Free T3 were mid normal range, reverse T3 was high 314 (norm 90-350).
I have many symptoms of hypothyroidism including hair loss (so bad that you can see my scalp easily through my hair and now I have a balding patch that I cannot cover up). I also have dry skin, menstrual irregularities, constipation, fatigue, cold feeling all the time, etc.
Any recommendations on how to get my doctor to treat this more seriously? I would like to think that my thyroid will repair itself after I treat Lyme and Co adequately but it is hard to ignore they symptoms.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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Try this, the TSH range is say 0.5-5.0 +/-. The mean would be close to (5 + 0.5)/2= 2.75. Your are at 4.51 which is higher than you would like and definitely higher than the population at large. Try using that as a starting point e.g. let your Dr. know you would like the TSH to be closer to the mean, and would like to try a slightly higher dose of Synthroid to achieve that and also to see if you can just feel better.
The art of negotiating revealed
Beachinit.
Posts: 448 | From Downeast Maine | Registered: Jul 2009
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" The American Thyroid Association recommends that your doctor try to keep your TSH within a narrow range of 0.5 to 2.0 mU/L. Within this range, your body gets the best possible amount of thyroxine and you’re likely to feel the best."
Posts: 819 | From East Coast | Registered: Apr 2009
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
kitty,
Yep. But when it comes to Lyme and Wilson's syndrome...
Looking at Free T3 T4 and rT3 seems to be the better indicator.
TSH is probably a good indicator once you begin treatment with armour or synthetics.
Most here will tell you they want their TSH around 1
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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posted
Right, I did mention the TSH being best at a 1.
I was just trying to give info that was accepted by a mainstream organisation, that would be rec'd better by a "regular" doctor.
You start mentioning "Wilson's Syndrome" to a mainstream doc and you will be dismissed by most.
Posts: 819 | From East Coast | Registered: Apr 2009
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
oh i see where you did. whoops : )
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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massman
Unregistered
posted
Can refer you to an alt doc by Urbana that can help you with that, if you like.
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nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
You might consider switching doctors. Mine gave me thyroid without even doing a test and yours must be deaf and blind not to see all the symptoms you have. You sure don't want to start a losing battle with a close minded doctor.
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
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Sammi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 110
posted
Hi sammy. Have you had your thyroid antibodies tested? How long have you been on this dose?
Your TSH is very high. Many people with hypothyroidism feel their best when the Free Ts are in the upper 1/3 of the range. I definitely do.
It took years for me to find a doctor who could properly treat my thyroid disorder. I was undertreated for a very long time despite having classic hypothyroid symptoms. Too many doctors looked only at my TSH result.
The doctor I have now has helped me more in one year than the others combined have in years. I found him by calling a compounding pharmacy in my area and asking the pharmacist if he could recommend a good thyroid doctor who considered symptoms also and not only test results.
I recommend trying this to see if you can find a better doctor if your doctor is not willing to work with you.
Posts: 4681 | Registered: Oct 2000
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
Sammi,
Can you post some recent results of yours?
Just curious to see what others out there consider "feeling good" numbers.
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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massman
Unregistered
posted
TSH, T3, T4, rT3, rT4 + on + on + on + on.....
Lets all dance with the numbers on + on + on....
Lets dance for years + years + years...
IME if you encourage the gland (or glands, if indicated) to heal correctly you can stop the continual dancing and obsession with numbers.
Massman, playing the broken record again. and again
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
lol
massman and my naturopath are probably the only ones keeping me from going on synthetics. (they definitely keep me 2nd guessing myself)
So massman, what do you recommend to heal the thyroid gland? While treating lyme and co?
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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massman
Unregistered
posted
First assess the HPA axis (not from blood) using symptom surveys, sclerology etc to find what really is involved + stressed.
Eat real foods (if I recall correctly raw brassicas like cauliflower, broccoli etc. depress + slow down the thyroid).
Then use the correct support from specifically blended herbals from Inno-Vita or Systemic Formulas. They both are self limiting meaning you should not need them forever.
In non lyme cases about 2-3 months is often sufficient. With lyme probably longer or as needed.
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Thank you all. My LLMD is prescribing my Synthroid. I've been taking this dose for 2-3mo now.
It's frustrating because I had to beg to get the initial testing done and when I didn't get symptom relief on lower doses I've had to ask repeatedly to retest.
I wish I didn't have to "negotiate" with my doctor. I'm good at advocating for other's needs but when it comes to expressing my own, I'm quiet.
Looks like I just need to keep talking with my doctor and hopefully he will begin to treat this seriously. If not, I might have to call around to compounding pharmacies to find a local doc willing to help.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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canefan17
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 22149
posted
Mass,
I'm on supplements + herbs : )
Workin very well so far.
I'm probably way too impatient to heal my thyroid gland. Even though it's probably healing : )
I do wish I could rule out hashimotos. Like completely rule it out. apparently antibodies isn't a solid enough test (I've had it done twice)
I would just think if I had hasimotos I would have gained weight, I would be COMPLETELY tired, I would be in a deep depression, and have terrible skin problems.
I don't have those. In fact i've lost 20 lbs since getting sick and I eat ALL DAY! haha I'm not really tired (since starting my adrenal supplements) and only time I get sort of depressed is when I'm herxing.
Posts: 5394 | From Houston, Tx | Registered: Aug 2009
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