Is a 2nd opinion on hypothroidism worth it?

[XxSimplyAnonymousxX]

I am a 17 year old female. A couple of months ago, I went to the ear nose and throat doctor because I could not stop clearing my throat. He saw I had allergy related irritation in my throat, and picked up on other weird symptoms I've been having (bathroom irregularity, extremely low average body temperature, new allergies out of nowhere, cold hands and feet, constant fatigue, inability to lose weight, etc.). He ordered that I get blood work done. Note, I have been having these symptoms for at least 3-4 years now and was told by a pediatrician to "not worry about it" when I mentioned these things last summer.

When I got blood work done and came back to see him, he noted that my T3 was lower than average (I saw the numbers myself and I can't remember them now, but it was certainly lower than what I was told was average). He told me to try out 5 mcg on liothyronine (generic of Cytomel) twice a day, get blood work a month later or so, then come back. Three weeks into taking the new medicine, I had never felt better in my life. No more fatigue was the first thing I noticed, then my body temperate started to creep back up from 97 degrees. A month into it, and I lost 5 pounds with no effort, despite the fact I had been trying for years to even lose more than 1 pound. I feel so happy. I just saw him again a week ago, and he said that my T3 levels are now perfect (I think he said "3.8"?), and that he'll see me in a few months. Pretty simple.

However, my grandmother (guardian) saw her personal endocrinologist a few days ago and told the doctor all about my situation, and this endocrinologist lady got my grandma flipping out. The doctor told her that otolaryngologists have no clue what they are doing, and that she personally fears that my doctor will "kill me" and that my "life is at stake" taking this liothyronine that my doctor has me on. I feel this is ridiculous. Now my grandma is trying to force me to get a second opinion by seeing this woman in her office, which just wastes my time and money. Do you guys really think that there is a need for a second opinion?

My T3 levels were low, now they are not. It seems black and white to me. I don't know why such a big deal is being made out of this. I felt terrible for years, now I feel better. Is there really any possibility this doctor could have been wrong is his diagnosis? He's an extremely reputable doctor in the business for a long time, I certainly trust his judgement. My main fear is that I'll see this endocrinologist and SHE'LL be the one who doesn't know what she's talking about, and she'll tell me to stop taking the medication. I don't want to stop. I feel so much better. I don't want this to be ruined for me.

So, second opinion?

[gimel]

With what you say of your T3 level, and your symptoms, and your response to the thyroid med, I would absolutely ignore the other doctor.  I'm not saying that the ENT knows enough about thyroid either: however, what he did was directionally correct.  Just being an Endo does not guarantee a good thyroid doctor.  Many of them specialize in diabetes, not thyroid.  Also, many of them are so rigid in their "Immaculate TSH Belief" that they only want to test and treat based on TSH.  That absolutely doesn't work.  Many of them also use "Reference Range Endocrinology" by which they will try to convince you that a thyroid test that falls anywhere within the range is adequate.  That is also wrong.  

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.  Symptom relief should be all important, not just test results.  

Would it be possible for you to phone the ENT doctor's office and get the test results and reference ranges used by that lab?  Or at least get them to send a copy of the test results?  If so, we will be much better able to assess your status and advise further.  

At any rate, you need to find a good thyroid doctor that will treat you as described above.  I have names of several doctors in the NY area that have been recommended by other thyroid doctors.  If interested, I will send the info to you.  

[XxSimplyAnonymousxX]

I was never given the test results, as I am just a minor (at least I think that's the reason) and my guardian never cared enough to keep them. If I get my hands on them though, I'll certainly post it. All I know if he had his laptop right next to me, showing me the data that the lab sent in, and he showed me every single number next to everything he ordered to be tested for, explained to me what the average was for each and how everything that was tested for except T3 was fine. I saw the average range, and my T3 was quite a bit below that. What I have been trying to stress my my grandma is that I SAW the numbers myself! He couldn't have made anything up. I was looking at exactly what the lab sent in on his screen. You didn't need to be a doctor to read that the average is this, and you are this. Yet apparently he is trying to kill me.

[gimel]

I totally agree with you not seeing the other doctor.  It is ridiculous  to say that your life is at stake from taking a relatively small dose of T3 med.  That shows a lack of knowledge about thyroid.  Plus she didn't really even know your test results and symptoms.  

I would like to know more about your status, by looking at your thyroid related test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report.