Getting no treatment & not feeling better

[mommy2tandt]

I had a multi nodule goiter which was aspirated and biopsied and came back negative for cancer.  The symptoms I am having are extreme lethargy, pain in joints mostly knees some hip, dry skin, dry brittle frizzy hair, cold, hard to think straight (could be just me), sometimes I get palpitations.  I am sure there are more I just can't think of them right now.  

My problem is that my endocrinologist checked my thyroid concluded that I had the goiter and sent me for the fine needle aspiration etc.  And I came back for the follow up and that has been the gist of it.  I am not feeling well and I am being told that I am fine.  Are these symptoms thyroid related or should I be looking elsewhere?

Very confused.

[TDCRose]

Mommy2tandt I just looked at the doctors list for my medical insurance and went down the list and found a good one on the 3rd try.  It took a long time for me so I had done a lot of research on the internet.  I went to him with a folder full of test results for the past four + years and I guess he took me seriously when he saw the US results and FNA results.  Ask you dr. for copies of your lab results, they are yours and you have a legal right to them.  You could ask the office before you schedule if they see mainly thyroid patients of diabetic patients and what the normal thryoid test they request.  Good luck in your search.  I went through 2 endos and 3 GPs and 2 GYN/OBs all of who said it was not my thyroid!

[898]

Just a side note: using palpation to determine the thyroid size is VERY unreliable method, required daily experience (unless the endo used to work somewhere in Tibet region or North Africa where goiters are extremely common). Now the ultrasound is used to detect the thyroid size as well as the nodules. The palpation is used to find the lumps (nodules) if they are tender or large enough.
The low to normal T3 T4 hormone levels mean Hypothyroidism, while low TSH level means Hyperthyroidism, so the doctor’s statement is kind of confusing. the doctor must take time to explain what hormones she was looked at; what type of goiter you have (diffuse , nodular, multinodular), and she MUST listen to your symptoms and analyze them to come out with possible conclusion. This is what she is paid for!

[mommy2tandt]

I don't have any numbers.  She said I was low to normal whatever that means.  And she said to make appointments for a few months where she did the same thing, felt my thyroid, took blood and said I was still low to normal.  I feel horrible and have for about 3 years now.  

Also, TDCRose, did you just find a new doc and hod do you know if they will look beyond?  Should you question them before you go?

[TDCRose]

I had a similar situation with my second endo.  I have a multi nodule goitre also and my labs were in the basement of normal.  I was feeling like garbage for almost 5 years and no dr. could find a problem.  This endo at least sent me for an US and found the enlarge thyroid with 3 nodules all around 2 cm.  FNA came back neg for cancer so he said see you in six months.  I went to a new endo who immediately put me on 50 mgs of synthryoid and since has raised it to 75 mgs.  I am feeling better but not great.  Moral of this story-find a dr. who will look beyond the numbers and listen to patient!

[898]

Do you have any blood test results?