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Endocrinologist for Hypo?
I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism late September/early October of 2012. My doctor did not mention too much about it, nor did he even tell me the name of the disorder. He had come to me explaining how the thyroid produces TSH and that mine was just very, very slightly lower than it should be which could be why I was feeling so tired all of the time (had sleep tests and blood work testing for other disorders - nothing). So I was put on Synthroid. After taking blood tests numerous times within this time period, I have always been on the same amount of Synthroid (50 mcg) but he has just increased the amount of times I take it a week every time that I came in complaining that I was still tired, which is up to 4 times a week now. After my last blood test, he called saying that everything is normal and to continue taking the Synthroid 4 times a week.
The problem is, is that I still feel so ridiculously exhausted at times I cannot function literally cannot open my eyes (especially at work) if I do not drink some form of energy drink. It's an exhaustion that I just feel has gotten worse over the past 2 years.
I was impressed with my doctor (at first) because I know that many doctors just tell their patients that they are in the "normal range" and let them go. Mine did not do that. On the other side of that though, he did not explain anything to me really about the disorder, how to take my medicine, or anything. He just told me that my thyroid was not producing enough TSH. I don't even think I've had a physical examination on my thyroid.
I on my own, had done research online about how to take my medicine correctly, and how to diet and whatnot.
Ever since I've taken the medicine, I have lost 20-25 pounds, not drastically changing my diet. I have become healthier, but I didn't think it would allow me to lose that much weight in under a year.
The problem is here is that I am constantly tired and nothing feels like it's going to help and after being this tired for this long, consistently, it is very frustrating and discouraging.
My question is, should I look into seeing some kind of specialist to help me out?
The problem is, is that I still feel so ridiculously exhausted at times I cannot function literally cannot open my eyes (especially at work) if I do not drink some form of energy drink. It's an exhaustion that I just feel has gotten worse over the past 2 years.
I was impressed with my doctor (at first) because I know that many doctors just tell their patients that they are in the "normal range" and let them go. Mine did not do that. On the other side of that though, he did not explain anything to me really about the disorder, how to take my medicine, or anything. He just told me that my thyroid was not producing enough TSH. I don't even think I've had a physical examination on my thyroid.
I on my own, had done research online about how to take my medicine correctly, and how to diet and whatnot.
Ever since I've taken the medicine, I have lost 20-25 pounds, not drastically changing my diet. I have become healthier, but I didn't think it would allow me to lose that much weight in under a year.
The problem is here is that I am constantly tired and nothing feels like it's going to help and after being this tired for this long, consistently, it is very frustrating and discouraging.
My question is, should I look into seeing some kind of specialist to help me out?
I was also diagnosed with hypothyroidism but didn't lose any weight with my medication. I'm not sure why but when i was younger i had a really fast metabolism not anymore tho. My tsh levels etc is fine now. Alison
Test results and associated reference ranges vary from lab to lab, so for us to best assess your test results, please post reference ranges shown on the lab report.
t3- 0.6
t4- 4.1
tsh- 6.9 (this was august 2012 lab result)
thats my result of my thyroid panel...then the biopsy result is normal goiter...
t4- 4.1
tsh- 6.9 (this was august 2012 lab result)
thats my result of my thyroid panel...then the biopsy result is normal goiter...
what i mean is i bought 150mg but i only take 75mg a day...that means that half tablet a day..ok...where can i post my results here?
Your hair loss and heart palpitations may well be due to low levels of thyroid hormone. Please post your thyroid related test results and their reference ranges shown on the lab report, so that members can try to assess the adequacy of your testing and treatment.
By the way, if your doctor prescribed as a starting dose, the 150 mcg of levothyroxine, that tells me that he doesn't know much about treating thyroid patients. A normal starting dose is usually no more than 50 mcg.
By the way, if your doctor prescribed as a starting dose, the 150 mcg of levothyroxine, that tells me that he doesn't know much about treating thyroid patients. A normal starting dose is usually no more than 50 mcg.
hi im carmell..i am 24 years old...i have been diagnosed by hypo...since august 2012 i discover that i had a goiter which is hypo...my doctor biopsy me then the result it is NORMAL...then he gave me a med (levothyroxine 150mg)..after 2 months of taking it, since we live in urban most pharmacy here had no complete med, they do have only 100mg of the same brand so i have no choice but to buy it...is it ok that i only take 50mg? instead of 75mg a day? i have go to doctor once..since that i never go to him...until now...then january 2013 i discover that my heart palpitates and i have hair loss..
is it normal that my hearts palpitates faster? is it dangerous? what should i take to be my heart back to normal beating? can it cause a heart disease? any comment plsss....i need some answer
is it normal that my hearts palpitates faster? is it dangerous? what should i take to be my heart back to normal beating? can it cause a heart disease? any comment plsss....i need some answer
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So you should go back and request to be tested for Free T3 and Free T4 (not the same as Total T3 and T4), along with the TSH. If the doctor resists, just insist on it and don't take no for an answer. Since hypo patients are also frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, those should be done as well. I would even go so far as to ask the lab people to confirm what tests are going to be done, just to assure the right tests.
Since the cause for your hypothyroidism has not been identified, you should also ask to be tested for the thyroid antibodies associated with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, which is the most common cause for diagnosed hypothyroidism. With Hashi's the autoimmune system produces antibodies that attack the thyroid gland and over an extended period, the gland is destroyed. The tests to run are Thyroid Peroxidase and Thyroglobulin antibodies, better know as TPO ab and TG ab.
Then when results are available, please post results and their reference ranges shown on the lab report and members will be glad to help interpret and advise further.
As for your question about another doctor, I just wanted to give you this for perspective. You will need to determine whether your doctor can be persuaded to treat you clinically as described.
A good thyroid doctor will treat a hypo patient clinically by testing and adjusting Free T3 and Free T4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels. You can get some good insight into clinical treatment from this letter written by a good thyroid doctor for patients that he sometimes consults with after initial tests and evaluation. The letter is then sent to the participating doctor of the patient to help guide treatment. In the letter, please note the statement, "the ultimate
criterion for dose adjustment must always be the clinical response of the patient."
http://hormonerestoration.com/files/ThyroidPMD.pdf