Posted by KaraS on March 22, 2005, at 14:00:48
In reply to Possible thyroid problem - thyroid antibodies?, posted by Sarah T. on February 16, 2005, at 23:42:02
> How do I get my doctor to test me for thyroid antibodies? My thyroid tests (T3, T4 and TSH) have been mostly normal, although the TSH has fluctuated a lot, but I have several symptoms of hypothyroidism including increasing hair loss over the past few months, very brittle nails, puffiness in my face especially in the morning, and worsening constipation. I feel as if my brain is not the same brain I had 7 or 8 months ago. My thinking is dulled and much slower than it used to be. I never feel well anymore. This started quite precipitously in mid-June and worsened, again quite suddently, in late September. Do I have to go bald before doctors take me seriously and do more extensive tests? I welcome any suggestions for dealing with these doctors.
Hi Sarah,I realize that I haven't answered your question here in my other responses. In my case I had all of the symptoms of hypothyroid but my TSH was on the low side of normal (back then normal TSH was a bit higher). My gp refused to consider that I could have a problem with my thyroid based solely on my TSH level. Fortunately my pdoc knew a little bit more. She talked about a subclinical condition which I talked to my gp about. My gp was adamant that there's no such thing as a subclinical condition. Because I kept pressuring for a referral to a specialist and because my pdoc was wanting it, my gp humored me and gave me the referral. Low and behold, the endo could feel the enlarged thyroid and knew immediately that I had Hashimoto's. He did the antibodies test which also came back positive. He got me started on thyroxin at that point. This info was all sent to my gp. Unfortunately I never saw her again after that because I moved out of town but I really wish that I had a chance to confront her over this. I wanted to make sure that she read the results and that she would learn something from this in her treatment of future patients - but I never got the chance. Anyway, is there a possibility that your pdoc could push your gp for the test or could talk to your gp to get you sent to an endocrinologist?
Kara
poster:KaraS
thread:459121
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20050306/msgs/474038.html