frustrated

[Deannasl]

I am sitting here in tears right now after reading all of your post. I have always been able to control my weight, 120-125lbs. I now weigh 140 lbs, have been on nutri-system for a month and have even started walking 20-30 minutes most days. I can NOT lose a pound!!  I take trazedone to help me go to sleep at night but am now having problems staying alseep. I am also having the problem with my upper stomach aching and my belly staying swollen looking. My TSH has gone from a 9 to just below a 3 and my t3 is still low. I have undergone a series of heart related test because of the symptons I was having...they all came back clear and was told that it was probably all due to my thyroid....grrrrrrrrr.
David Robertson of Atlanta Diabetes Associates in Atlanta has been highly recommended to me.....does anyone have any info on this doctor????



This discussion is related to Weight Gain and Big Bloated Stomach on .35 Synthroid.

[cupofjoe1978]

your t3 free should be 3.5 and you need to get your t3 reverse checked.   I went to a doctor in sandy springs .. betterliving md dr. cuddapah (he takes my insurance blue cross PPO)  he and really sits down a explains all you numbers to you he is amazing if you have labs he will not make you retake them.  you need to be on bio-identical thyriod .... changed my life.

[Deannasl]

Thank you so much!!! My doctor is of the belief that my numbers are within the normal range and others I have talked to said anything above a 2 TSH is still high. I know how I feel and I know based on my diet that I should be losing weight.
I will look at the site you have mentioned and hopefully find someone that can help me!
Again, thanks for the info!!
Dee

[gimel]

An Endo is not necessarily a good thyroid doctor, since many of them specialize in diabetes, as mentioned.  Also many of them have the "Immaculate TSH Belief', or use "Reference Range Endocrinology", either of which can keep a hypo patient suffering with lingering symptoms.

A good thyroid doctor will treat a patient clinically by testing and adjusting FT3 and FT4 as necessary to relieve symptoms, without being constrained by resultant TSH levels.  Symptom relief should be all important, not test results.  Test results are valuable mainly as indicators during diagnosis, and afterward to track the biologically active thyroid hormones, FT3 and FT4, as meds are revised to relieve symptoms.  

If no one gives you a recommendation for a good thyroid doctor in your area, based on their personal experience, then you can look through this listing for the Georgia area.  Also I am sending a PM with a specific doctor that looked like a good prospect, based on the patient feedback.

http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/georgia.htm

[goolarra]

No hurry...but we do need the ranges on those labs.  Ranges vary lab to lab so have to come from your own lab report.

[Deannasl]

Quickly, my t3 free is 2.3, my thyroxin free is 1.6 and my tsh is 2.8. I have been on synthroid .05 for 5 months now. When I first started taking my tsh was 8.9.... So there has been some improvement in those numbers but no change in the symptoms.

[goolarra]

I agree with FTB4...would like to see your labs.

I think I might ask some serious questions before seeing a doctor at Atlanta DIABETES Associates.  Many endos are only interested in diabetes and are really very poor thyroid doctors.  The name of the practice might be speaking volumes.  Just because an endo is good with diabetes doesn't make him a good all-round endo.

Have you considered pre-interviewing doctors over the phone (probably through a nurse).  You can weed out a lot of them that way...

[Deannasl]

Thank you all....  Will post my levels tomorrow.... Leaving for dinner now. Hoping for good info from this site and good discussions : )

[HessyKat]

I also live right outside Atlanta and I would like to recommend to you Dr. Harry K Delcher in Sandy Springs. He treated me for years and saved my life. My thyroid was so bad when all this started when I was 20yrs old. He doesnt except my insurance so I am seeing an Endo in Gainsville ga. I am not happy with her at all and wish I could go back to Dr. Delcher. Anyway, best of luck and better health.

[tangerinelz3]

Hi, I live in the Atlanta area and have a friend who is diabetic and sees an Endo by the name of Dr. Bode at the same practice that you mentioned and she LOVES him.  He doesn't specialize in thyroid, but if he is an indication of the other doctors at that practice, maybe it might be worth checking out.  I also have heart issues, have went to the doctor for an EKG several times and was also told my fast heartrate was due to hyperthyroid.  I am now hypo.  I also have PPD and all of this thyroid stuff was discovered after having my son.  I am frustrated also.  Hang in there, if you aren't happy with your current doctor find another one.  I wish you luck.

[FTB4]

Please post your last labs, Free T3 Free T4 and TSH, Incude the reference ranges for each.  Many Endocrinologist MD's specialize in Diabetes, but are not up on Thyroid, All the symptoms you are having are thyroid symptoms, your TSH indicates a Hypo thyroid condition, but is only a pituitary hormone, Free T4 and Free T3 are the important levels to follow. I was on trazodone also for sleep, it never helped me, and as an anti depressant can make depression worse for some, as in my case, I also have the digestive issues along with insomnia, Once your thyroid is balanced. By posting your labs, other members can see where you are in regards to thyroid and advise.  Half the battle is finding an MD that will treat you based on your Symptoms and Free T3, not limited to outdated lab ranges and or TSH alone.  Welcome to the Forum  Best Regards FTB4