31 years with an underactive thyroide never seen a endocrinologist

Posted , 7 users are following.

Hi just a quick question had thyroide since 16 now 47 never seen a endocrinologist what do they do.

As im back at dr on monday as last blood test came back very low over the years gone from 50mg to now 175mg. Thanks

0 likes, 18 replies

18 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Paula, you'll want to find a good Endo. Like anything, some are good, some bad.

    i don't know if this is just coincidence, but the two great doctors (1 Endo, 1 GP) I've found, we're both trained in Eastern block countries. One Romanian, one Russian. The GP was better than most endos.

    If you've been hypothyroid your whole life, you're probably at your wit's end and desperate. This is a great forum and people share experiences so you can benefit from others' trials.

     

    • Posted

      Hi. I had a blood test 6 weeks after I had my first son they say the pregnancy knackered my thyroid. Once a year without failure my thyroid will play up. Had a blood test 6 weeks ago as requested by new gp and he rang to say it was extremley low. Normally within a week of an extra 25mg Im fine. This time its different.

      I moved around a bit with work and everytime Ive gone to new dr they always said are you sure your underactive your to skinny!! My reply as been yes and im under active and yes when its cold im freezing if its warm im melting. Hair always been thin and yuk.

      My depression is worse at mo im sleeping at the drop of a hat heart racing. Its bad at mo.

      I will ask why ive never been to see an endo and if I can see one. As this is the worse Ive been. Thanks for reply

  • Posted

    Hi Paula

    They are specialists in the area of endocrinology and can do tests which a GP won't. Eg. Test your T3 instead of just relying on the basic T4 blood test. I was born with hypothyroidism and most of my life have been under the care of the GP. However I saw an endo regularly as a child and have just seen one in August to review my medication post menopause. GP was reluctant to refer me this time but another hospital doctor recommended that I might benefit so I got the referral. Do you feel that your treatment isn't working ?

    • Posted

      Hi. It plays up every year and an extra 25mg to kick start it and I feel better in aweek.

      Not this time. Im drained physically mentally emotionally. I have a fab new dr so fingers crossed he will send me to one.

    • Posted

      Paula, when your thyroid acts up, can you link it to season, stress or some other regular factor? I have a friend who swears she needs more thyroxin in the winter time. So she just increases it in the winter and lowers it again in the spring.

      The triggers for me are stress and chemical exposure.

      it may be worth some thought back over the years about the time and conditions around when your thyroid acts up.

      Id be interested to hear what you come up with.

    • Posted

      Hi. This time its down to stress. As there is so much going on at mo.

      Ive not really given it any thought as to why it plays up.

      Giving it a good 3 months to see if it settles.

      Px

    • Posted

      Paula, during the time when it acts up, can you try a thyroid supplement? When mine acts up,  rather than messing with the dosage of the meds, I use with kelp and some herbs. It seems to help get me through the rough times.
    • Posted

      Hi cathrine. I've never thought of that. What herds do you use & where do you get kelp from. I will try anything at mo. I was tired this afternoon so went to have a lay down almost 5 hours later I wake up. Thanks for advice sweet I really do appreciate it x

  • Posted

    Hi,

    An endocrinologist's treat people who suffer from hormonal imbalances, typically from glands in the endocrine system. The overall goal of treatment is to restore the normal balance of hormones found in a patient's body. They know more what to look for in thyroid diseases. My endo gave me my iodine treatment last year to shrink 1 of my nodules I had 2 so it did work. Also I see her every 2 months for her to check my labs and do biopsy if needed to see if cancerous. So my primary works very close with her she actually contacted me late last night when she spoke with my endo to see if they want to change my thyroid meds to synthroid- the brand name of Levo since supposed to be better or something else. So this weekend I'm off everything except my iron pill and antibiotic to see how I feel she told me last night when my results came back my levels were fine. So we will c what happens this week I hope I can go back to work.

    • Posted

      Hi. Bless you. Im moaning about mine playing but sounds like your going through it.

      I hope your feeling better soon.

      Thank you for reply will be asking dr on monday if he will send me to a endo

    • Posted

      Paula

      Yes I can't tell you how bad I have been going through but a lot of it I think came from my HB meds because When I first was diagnosed with hyper my BP readings were high everytme I go to appt but prior to 2015 I always had normal pressure. So yesterday when I went I hadn't take any BP meds and my pressure was fine so she took me off them.

  • Posted

    Hello Paula:

    My name is Shelly and I am a Nurse in the USA.  I have Hashimoto's thyroid disease since 1987.

    An Endocrinologist  often called an ENDO for short is a medical doctor who went through extra years of training in the glands in the body. They may have specialized for 6 or more years in that study alone!   Now that includes, Thyroid and adrenal glands, the pancreas, and the lymph glands and these doctors can order extra thyroid tests that a GP may not be able to do. They are considered a Specialist and a higher authroity in the medical field.

    They know and study all of these glands and how they work and the role played in the body.  Some are very good and can diagnose much better than a GP.  So many people are refered to one. Some GP's are very good and do know about the thyroid, and can take care of you also.  It depends on where you live as some rural areas do not have an Endo nearby.

    They also know about the interactions of the thyroid meds, and they can prescibe other treatments if needed and ultrasound of the thyroid, and refer to a surgeon if needed.

    Most people are on Levo and anywhere from 75mcg to 150mcg and the dose is based on your weight.  Our doses can changeif we gain weight or a low dose is not working. 

    I hope this helps,

    Shelly

     

    • Posted

      What exactly are symptoms of hypothroidism?  I have been diagnosed for the last 10 years and am on synthroid, but, I'm also on BP, HR, meds and had to have a stent put in my stomach and heart because of blocked blood supply.  My stomach  bloated horribly, but has started again......can't figure out what is causing it this time.  Could it be thyroid?

    • Posted

      Hello Sec2709:

      Symptoms are:  Low energy, feeling tired or sleepy all the time despite rest, gaining weight for no reason despite diet, low body temp and low pulse, no periods or infrequent ones, depression feelings, bruising for no reason, dry skin and scalp, brittle nails, constipation, some people get dizziness, fluid or swelling in the body in legs can also be a symptom.  These are common ones there are more.

      Synthroid is the same as Levothyroxine.  Levo is a generic name. Synthroid is a brand name and used in the USA.  Bloating can be from a cardiac problem or GERD, or even diet, and some stomach ailments like  Chron's disease, liver problems like a fatty liver, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) that can cause pain and loose bowels and the constipated bowels.

      A Gastroenterologist can help if you have bloating and can run tests on you called an upper and lower GI series.  Also some people report that the thyroid med can make them bloat.  So the way to test that would be to stop taking it for a few days and see if the bloat goes away.

      If it is the medication, in the USA, we have other thyroid meds, such as Thyrolar (T4 and T3 combo pill), Ctyomel -T3 alone, NDT also called Armour Thyroid and made from a pig's thyroid gland, it is very close to our human one.  So you can ask to change to one of the above ones if needed.

      Watch gas forming foods and if you have heart problems and it sounds like you do, you may want to be on Prilosec (Omeperazole) or Zantac (Raiantadine) for acid.  Heart patients tend to be acid builders more and can form acid faster than a non heart patient.

      I hope this helps, any questions just ask,

      Shelly

       

    • Posted

      Shelly, thank you so much for this response.....I do have other medical issues, heart, etc., but I thought this bloating and pain was gone, but it is back....just trying to ascertain what is the true root to the problem.
    • Posted

      Sec, try a blend of turmeric and bromelin to help get you through the pain. You can get it at most health stores. The Prilosec was a dud for me and they're coming out with a lot of information that Prilosec is REALLY BAD as far as side effects .

    • Posted

      Hello Sec:

      I am glad to help.  I know people bad mouth acid blockers, but in some cases they will reduce pain and bloating.  There are many on the market also another good long acting one is, Prevacid, (Pantoprazole) that may help. Some are short acting like Raiantadine (Zantac) and only last 8 hours.

      I am for whatever works for you! So if you can find a Natural way to reduce acid, then go for it. You may need to find a health food store or specialist for this.

      Always remain in a sitting upright position for about 1/2 hour after eating.  Do not lie down.  Also if you must lie down, raise the head of the bed with old books under the feet of the head of the bed, or with pillow wedge to keep you in a 45 degree position.

      Reduce acid foods and do consult with a diet specialist if needed. Cut out high fats like lard, butter, heavy creams, use low fat items or non-fat and that can make a big change for you.

      Please keep me posted on how you do, I care!

      Shelly

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