Frustrating waiting for a diagnosis

[TJ49]

I read the previous posting and can definitely empathize. My GP diagnosed me with hyperthroidism after looking at clinically significant T3 and T4 levels and noticeable clinical features. I have numerous troubling symptoms (dizziness, tachycardia, hair loss, weight loss despite increased appetite, hot flashes, insomnia, etc.) though I have always been healthy in the past. He refered me to both a cardiologist and endocrinologist. Findings from the cardiologist appear normal, with the exception of the very high resting heart rate. Beta blockers have helped lower this and reduce the hot flashes, but the endocrinologist I recently saw attributed the symptoms to anxeity and false positive blood test results due to birth control, despite stating that my thyroid is enlarged. He went ahead and did more bloodwork to entirely rule out the thyroid. This leaves me frustrated, feeling as if I'm making up the symtpoms, and wanting answers. Any suggestions or thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

[ancientmariner]

Bravo for your GP - certainly sounds a lot more on the ball than that endo! Can the GP find another endo that might be able to help you? Or is the GP willing to trat you himself?

[TJ49]

Thanks for your feedback. My GP already said that he wants me to get a second opinion, so I am definitely going to proceed with that. I have requested copies of the bloodwork and am still waiting to get them from the endocrinologist. I'm about ready to nag the office again. I will post them when I get them. I can't believe how much advocating we have to do to get some doctors to take these symptoms seriously.

[ancientmariner]

Do you have copies of the bloodwork? The first thing I would suggest is that you insist on being given copies of all lab tests - if you are in the US you are legally entitled to have them. Second, your symptoms are exactly the same as mine were in 2002, when I was diagnosed with Graves'. Just from the symptoms, you sound hyper, in my opinion. You can always get a second opinion, and it sounds like that might be a good idea! Maybe if you post the bloodwork results from both your GP and endo, Dr. Mark can do that for you...

[doodlebug1]

I don't get it. As you pointed out, your symptoms scream hyperthyroid, and your labs confirmed it. Yet, you are sent to an Endo who simply says you have have anxiety and false positives related to birth control?? And now MORE labs??? I am REALLY sorry to read what you are going through. You might understand why there is a HUGE movement among patients for MUCH better thyroid diagnosis and treatment...and a plea to docs to LISTEN TO SYMPTOMS and the humans who are reporting them, not just labs. Hang in there!! And by the way, you might want to go to Google and type in atomic women graves disease, and read, read.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

Total T4 and Total T3 levels can be falsely elevated by birth control pills, but your symptoms warrant definitive evaluation by checkin free t3 and free t4 as well as the TSH.  With your symptoms and your enlarged thyroid, hyperthyroidism needs to be investigated -- if the free t4/t3 levels and TSH are all normal it is most likely not thyroid.