how to find a good endocrinologist

[rampage928]

My wife has been having health problems for about two years now and she had 2 tsh levels come back low from her PCP over the last 5 months and he never referred her to an endocrinoligist.  The levels were not too low but her symptoms are becoming more severe and its getting to the point where she can't even hardly work.  Her symptoms are headaches, SEVERE! joint pain, swelling in her feet and ankles, and muscle cramping, and serious insomnia.  Sh is also very irritable and is getting more angry with doctors as time goes on.  We finally saw and endocrinologist the other day and it was not a good experience, he was not very attentive to her and he told her she has many symptoms of Grave's Disease and her thyroid was enlarged on the right side.  He ordered MORE blood tests and basically gave her two treatment options and told her that if we were planning on having children we needed to wait at least 1 year depending on which treatment method we chose.  My wife was very upset and left the office in tears.  Anyone know any good endo docs in Nashville area?  By  the way I am an RN and I started noticing changes in my wife 2 years ago. The symptoms got so severe I had to start going with her to her PCP before anything was done  She used to be a very active and atheletic person and now she can hardly find the strength to get out of bed in the morning.  I would appreciate any input on this.  We also had her checked for Lupus, tick borne disease, and RA.  All came back negative.  Only abnormal labs are TSH levels

[arneece]

It does sound like Graves disease. We found my thyroid levels out of sync when they ran test because I was having trouble doing ab workouts!

My city is small and only has one endocrinologist. I would suggest going to one of the major hospitals and make an appointment with an endo dr. I went to Cleveland Clinic for a "2nd opinion" and heard the same options. It is unfortunate, but true that once you get so far with your thyroid there's only 2 options: RAI and surgery.

My Graves was diagnosed about 2 years after I started taking Synthroid.

If you go to a big hospital, they will usually have a big department.

[gimel]

I have been keeping a list of doctors recommended by members as being good thyroid doctors.  Unfortunately I don't have one for your area.  The best I can suggest right now is to go through the doctors in this link to thyroid doctors in your area. The patient feedback is especially useful in trying to determine if the doctor is a good prospect.

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