Re: what does it take to be diagnosed?

[Guest guest]

Pam, I live in Olympia. How exciting to know that someone on this site

lives very near. I am only about 50 miles south of Seattle. If you have the

money, the best recommendation that I can give you is to get your GP to give

you a referral to the UW. There is a doc up there that is supposed to be one

of the best in the nation. Just my opinion, but I did not have luck with any

endo's. I found them to be very arrogant and I eventually just switched

between an ND and my regular GP for treatment. I really like my GP-not

arrogant and does not try to push you into anything. I sincerely hope that

you find someone good to treat you. Take care.

[Guest guest]

I forgot to say that I also had an ultrasound and they found no

specific nodules and didn't reccomend a fnb and didn't think it was

cancerous, though it was difused and enlarged.

> Hi, I'm new here. I've posted on ithyroid and the supportpath bbs.

> I'm really getting frustrated. I've been to three doctors in the

past

> month and no one has yet to tell me what I have - other than an

> overactive thryoid.

>

> All three say that the TSI and Trab tests aren't necessary at this

> point. That the antibody test I had is sufficient.

> (thyroidautoanitbody test???) And they all want me to take the

> radioactive uptake scan, which I've been refusing to take. Today's

> dr. is consulting with an endo and will get back to me. She says

it

> is most likely that I have either hashimotos or graves. And of

> course she says it's still to be seen whether or not ATDs will even

> work, that killing the thyroid is probably the best solution.

>

> First off, I'm not going to kill it. I want to give it a chance to

> heal like so many of you have.

>

> So, my question is, what all did you all have to do to be

diagnosed?

> It seems like a lot of you find out with one dr. visit, and it's

> taking me more than a month so far.

>

> Thanks

> Pam

[Guest guest]

Where are you geographically? Maybe someone could recommend a Doc?

Dawn Rose

>From: " pbrisse2000 " <pam@...>

>Reply-hyperthyroidism

>hyperthyroidism

>Subject: what does it take to be diagnosed?

>Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2002 22:39:02 -0000

>

>Hi, I'm new here. I've posted on ithyroid and the supportpath bbs.

>I'm really getting frustrated. I've been to three doctors in the past

>month and no one has yet to tell me what I have - other than an

>overactive thryoid.

>

>All three say that the TSI and Trab tests aren't necessary at this

>point. That the antibody test I had is sufficient.

>(thyroidautoanitbody test???) And they all want me to take the

>radioactive uptake scan, which I've been refusing to take. Today's

>dr. is consulting with an endo and will get back to me. She says it

>is most likely that I have either hashimotos or graves. And of

>course she says it's still to be seen whether or not ATDs will even

>work, that killing the thyroid is probably the best solution.

>

>First off, I'm not going to kill it. I want to give it a chance to

>heal like so many of you have.

>

>So, my question is, what all did you all have to do to be diagnosed?

>It seems like a lot of you find out with one dr. visit, and it's

>taking me more than a month so far.

>

>Thanks

>Pam

>

DAWN ROSE

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[Guest guest]

I'm in the Seattle area. I went through the reccomended docs in the

thyroid.about.com site and none are on my insurance. I also spent

all day monday and tuesday calling (friend/family) reccomended

doctors only to hear " I'm sorry, she's not accepting new patients "

over and over again.

> Where are you geographically? Maybe someone could recommend a Doc?

> Dawn Rose

>

>

> >From: " pbrisse2000 " <pam@w...>

> >Reply-hyperthyroidism@y...

> >hyperthyroidism@y...

> >Subject: what does it take to be diagnosed?

> >Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2002 22:39:02 -0000

> >

> >Hi, I'm new here. I've posted on ithyroid and the supportpath bbs.

> >I'm really getting frustrated. I've been to three doctors in the

past

> >month and no one has yet to tell me what I have - other than an

> >overactive thryoid.

> >

> >All three say that the TSI and Trab tests aren't necessary at this

> >point. That the antibody test I had is sufficient.

> >(thyroidautoanitbody test???) And they all want me to take the

> >radioactive uptake scan, which I've been refusing to take. Today's

> >dr. is consulting with an endo and will get back to me. She says

it

> >is most likely that I have either hashimotos or graves. And of

> >course she says it's still to be seen whether or not ATDs will even

> >work, that killing the thyroid is probably the best solution.

> >

> >First off, I'm not going to kill it. I want to give it a chance to

> >heal like so many of you have.

> >

> >So, my question is, what all did you all have to do to be

diagnosed?

> >It seems like a lot of you find out with one dr. visit, and it's

> >taking me more than a month so far.

> >

> >Thanks

> >Pam

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

> DAWN ROSE

>

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> Join the world's largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail.

> http://www.hotmail.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Pam,

I am in Northern California - too bad we are not just a wee bit closer!

I was diagnosed around 8 months ago, with Graves'. I believe I had the TSH

test, plus T4 in the beginning. Oh boy, but I am not an expert on this...

Anyway, they were my first tests, and because my TSH was unmeasureable, my

general practitioner felt it was Graves', but I needed more tests. She then

sent me for a TPO (Thyroid Peroxidase AB, and an Anti-thyroglobulin ABS

test, along with my TSH. (don't ask me what these are, I still don't

understand all this stuff) Everything indicated Graves', she felt. These

tests were done almost a month after the first tests, but she RELUCTANTLY

put me on ATDs, because I INSISTED on them. She pushed RAI several times

with me, but luckily, I had a sister and niece with Graves' (I guess not

luckily for them!)

I responded very very quickly to the PTU (300 mg. a day) and by around 6

weeks later, my lab tests were normal. (However, then she screwed up and

kept me on this high dose & I went hypo - but that's another whole story).

I am now off medication and waiting to hear how I am doing, after my next

blood test in around 2 weeks.

I am NOT sorry I opted for this, at all. I had to fight for an

endocrinologist, with the general practitioner, because they actually get

paid more money if they keep you away from specialists, at least on my HMO.

My endo concurs that I have Graves', based on the tests I have had, but he

felt that my goiter (none now) was smooth, hence no nodules nor holes in my

goiter (which he claims, I think, means I don't have Hashimoto's, though I

am not sure about this one!)

Good luck, and keep your thyroid. It might be useful!

Arlene

what does it take to be diagnosed?

> Hi, I'm new here. I've posted on ithyroid and the supportpath bbs.

> I'm really getting frustrated. I've been to three doctors in the past

> month and no one has yet to tell me what I have - other than an

> overactive thryoid.

>

> All three say that the TSI and Trab tests aren't necessary at this

> point. That the antibody test I had is sufficient.

> (thyroidautoanitbody test???) And they all want me to take the

> radioactive uptake scan, which I've been refusing to take. Today's

> dr. is consulting with an endo and will get back to me. She says it

> is most likely that I have either hashimotos or graves. And of

> course she says it's still to be seen whether or not ATDs will even

> work, that killing the thyroid is probably the best solution.

>

> First off, I'm not going to kill it. I want to give it a chance to

> heal like so many of you have.

>

> So, my question is, what all did you all have to do to be diagnosed?

> It seems like a lot of you find out with one dr. visit, and it's

> taking me more than a month so far.

>

> Thanks

> Pam

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Pam,

I too, went to many doctors. They all did blood work - specifically a TSH, Free T4, and Total T3 and the results clearly indicated that I was hyperthyroid. All the docs wanted me have my thyroid removed with RAI but I refused and started taking tapazole, an ATD or anti-thyroid drug. Later on, at my insistence, we did the various antibody tests and included the Free T3 (along with TSH and Free T4) in my every 2 to 3 week blood test ritual. I have been off medicine for a year and 3 months and so far everything is fine. Insist that your doctors do the thyroid bloodwork and make sure you get and keep a copy of the results. The results should be available within days of the tests. Good luck and welcome. Zoey

PS: Are you having any symptoms and if so, what are they?

what does it take to be diagnosed?

Hi, I'm new here. I've posted on ithyroid and the supportpath bbs. I'm really getting frustrated. I've been to three doctors in the past month and no one has yet to tell me what I have - other than an overactive thryoid. All three say that the TSI and Trab tests aren't necessary at this point. That the antibody test I had is sufficient. (thyroidautoanitbody test???) And they all want me to take the radioactive uptake scan, which I've been refusing to take. Today's dr. is consulting with an endo and will get back to me. She says it is most likely that I have either hashimotos or graves. And of course she says it's still to be seen whether or not ATDs will even work, that killing the thyroid is probably the best solution. First off, I'm not going to kill it. I want to give it a chance to heal like so many of you have. So, my question is, what all did you all have to do to be diagnosed? It seems like a lot of you find out with one dr. visit, and it's taking me more than a month so far. ThanksPam

[Guest guest]

I had to have blood tests and x-rays and more blood taking . thats all i know that they did to me

dawn rose <getdawnrose@...> wrote: Where are you geographically? Maybe someone could recommend a Doc?Dawn Rose>From: "pbrisse2000" >Reply-hyperthyroidism >hyperthyroidism >Subject: what does it take to be diagnosed?>Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2002 22:39:02 -0000>>Hi, I'm new here. I've posted on ithyroid and the supportpath bbs.>I'm really getting frustrated. I've been to three doctors in the past>month and no one has yet to tell me what I have - other than an>overactive thryoid.>>All three say that the TSI and Trab tests aren't necessary at this>point. That the antibody test I had is sufficient.>(thyroidautoanitbody test???) And they all want me to take the>radioactive uptake scan, which I've been refusing to take. Today's>dr. is consulting with an endo and will get back to me. She says it>is most likely that I have either hashimotos or graves. And of>course she says it's still to be seen whether or not ATDs will even>work, that killing the thyroid is probably the best solution.>>First off, I'm not going to kill it. I want to give it a chance to>heal like so many of you have.>>So, my question is, what all did you all have to do to be diagnosed?>It seems like a lot of you find out with one dr. visit, and it's>taking me more than a month so far.>>Thanks>Pam>DAWN ROSE_________________________________________________________________Join the world’s largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com

[Guest guest]

Oh, I have all the symptoms - there's no double I'm hyperT: heart

pounding, hot flashes, always hot, lost about 25lbs, lump in my neck,

easily anoyed, exhausted all the time. But I'm on propanolol and

following the advice on iThyroid.com and am feeling SO much better.

My TSH is practically non-existant and my T3 is out the roof. I

guess it's just a matter of a dr. deciding what is wrong with me so I

can insist on ATDs. The first dr. thought there was a possibility of

it being pregnancy related thyroiditis since the symptoms started

happening before my son was one, but the other two drs. said that

wasn't very likely.

> Hi Pam,

>

> I too, went to many doctors. They all did blood work -

specifically a TSH, Free T4, and Total T3 and the results clearly

indicated that I was hyperthyroid. All the docs wanted me have my

thyroid removed with RAI but I refused and started taking tapazole,

an ATD or anti-thyroid drug. Later on, at my insistence, we did the

various antibody tests and included the Free T3 (along with TSH and

Free T4) in my every 2 to 3 week blood test ritual. I have been off

medicine for a year and 3 months and so far everything is fine.

Insist that your doctors do the thyroid bloodwork and make sure you

get and keep a copy of the results. The results should be available

within days of the tests. Good luck and welcome. Zoey

>

> PS: Are you having any symptoms and if so, what are they?

> what does it take to be diagnosed?

>

>

> Hi, I'm new here. I've posted on ithyroid and the supportpath

bbs.

> I'm really getting frustrated. I've been to three doctors in the

past

> month and no one has yet to tell me what I have - other than an

> overactive thryoid.

>

> All three say that the TSI and Trab tests aren't necessary at

this

> point. That the antibody test I had is sufficient.

> (thyroidautoanitbody test???) And they all want me to take the

> radioactive uptake scan, which I've been refusing to take.

Today's

> dr. is consulting with an endo and will get back to me. She says

it

> is most likely that I have either hashimotos or graves. And of

> course she says it's still to be seen whether or not ATDs will

even

> work, that killing the thyroid is probably the best solution.

>

> First off, I'm not going to kill it. I want to give it a chance

to

> heal like so many of you have.

>

> So, my question is, what all did you all have to do to be

diagnosed?

> It seems like a lot of you find out with one dr. visit, and it's

> taking me more than a month so far.

>

> Thanks

> Pam

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Pam,

Maybe it's time to find a new doctor. It's true that thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies can show up in both Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease, but the point here is that they show that you have autoimmune thyroid disease. When you're also hyperthyroid, this indicates that you have Graves' disease. Your doctor should be focusing on reducing your thyroid hormone levels, not trying to coerce you into having the RAI-U test. If she thinks you might also have nodules that are causing the hyperthryoidism, she can do an ultrasound. Can you find another doctor? This one may not be keeping up with things. Let us know how things work out, Elaine

[Guest guest]

Hi Elaine, thank you again.

I'm actually feeling a little better about this newest dr. (third one

this month). She's part of the University of Washington Physicians

group and she's activly trying to contact an Endo because she thinks

I either need to see one of them right away or they need to tell her

what to do while I'm waiting to see one because she feels like

something has to be done right away - She personally called me last

night to tell me that she wasn't able to reach one that day (one is

on vacation, one is supposed to be returning her call later that

night) and she is going to call me today. Ultimately, I guess it's

the endo I have to argue with about RAI, if it comes to that. So,

I'm thinking that I should have some answers SOON.

Thank you for all your help and for all the work you are doing on

this subject.

Pam

> Hi Pam,

> Maybe it's time to find a new doctor. It's true that thyroid

peroxidase and

> thyroglobulin antibodies can show up in both Hashimoto's

thyroiditis and

> Graves' disease, but the point here is that they show that you have

> autoimmune thyroid disease. When you're also hyperthyroid, this

indicates

> that you have Graves' disease. Your doctor should be focusing on

reducing

> your thyroid hormone levels, not trying to coerce you into having

the RAI-U

> test. If she thinks you might also have nodules that are causing

the

> hyperthryoidism, she can do an ultrasound. Can you find another

doctor? This

> one may not be keeping up with things. Let us know how things work

out, Elaine