Re: Frustration at an all time high :)

[Guest guest]

kathe, if in the future this happens again with him or any dr. you may need to get prescription and just pay for it yourself at a lab that will let you. I'm not sure if you're on medicare or other ins. but you may find that as problem other than your dr's ignorance. for insurance purpose , you may need a different icd 9 code to get them to pay for a more complete profile as sometimes the tsh is the one they stop at. the best way to really know how your thyroid is working is to take the test not fasting as I feel this is how we live and how foods affect it. linda rn

Frustration at an all time high

Hi,This is my first post to the group and I am so glad you are here. This thyroid info is all new to me and I have only read a bit, so far.When I read the list of symptoms I was "right off the chart." For years I have had so many of the symptoms and it was a trip to emergency in late January that has me anxious.I finally received the results several days ago, saw the doctor at the walk-in-clinic and requested TSH, Free T3 and T4. Today I was told that only the TSH was done because the reading was normal 1.57.I asked why, when I requested a more thorough test, it was ignored. I am 69 and the doctor spoke to me as though I were a not too bright child.He said I had tunnel vision and wanted to have thyroid dysfunction. I said stricly from a cosmetic view point, I have dry skin, hair thinning, difficulty losing weight and I have little energy and isn't this symptomatic? He said lots of people are like this and it does not necessarily mean a thyroid problem. As we walked to the waiting room, I again asked for the T3 and 4 test and he rambled on, mainly for the benefit of those in the room.......I told him I undertood what he was saying, I just didn't accept it. So for what it is worth, I just stood there until the call was made on my behalf.I apologize for the lengthy rant, but I am really upset.A while back I learned about Iodoral and went to the compounding clinic. The tablets are 12.5mg and the clerk told me to take a half tablet daily. I ignored that and started with one and within several days felt better. A week or so later I increased to 2, and am still at this amount. As soon as possible I intend to read Dr. Brownsteins book, but it would be more reassuring to have this monitored.Thank you for this web site and I plan to spend many happy hours learning from you and others in this group.Kathe

[Guest guest]

> I apologize for the lengthy rant, but I am really upset.

Don't be upset, be proud of yourself. You took charge. Congratulations on

getting what you wanted.

Dorothy

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Dorothy,

That means a lot.

Kathe

>

>

> > I apologize for the lengthy rant, but I am really upset.

>

> Don't be upset, be proud of yourself. You took charge. Congratulations on

getting what you wanted.

>

> Dorothy

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I am in B.C. Canada but I am sure there are private clinics where I can get more

accurate readings. And yes, they did stop at the TSH, just as you mentioned. I

am going to look into your suggestion and hopefully with better results. Thanks

BTW........ I called the hospital to speak with the radiologist, but he will

only talk with my doctor.

Will keep you posted.

Kathe

>

> kathe, if in the future this happens again with him or any dr. you may need to

get prescription and just pay for it yourself at a lab that will let you. I'm

not sure if you're on medicare or other ins. but you may find that as problem

other than your dr's ignorance. for insurance purpose , you may need a

different icd 9 code to get them to pay for a more complete profile as sometimes

the tsh is the one they stop at. the best way to really know how your thyroid is

working is to take the test not fasting as I feel this is how we live and how

foods affect it. linda rn

> Frustration at an all time high

>

>

> Hi,

>

> This is my first post to the group and I am so glad you are here. This

thyroid info is all new to me and I have only read a bit, so far.

>

> When I read the list of symptoms I was " right off the chart. " For years I

have had so many of the symptoms and it was a trip to emergency in late January

that has me anxious.

>

> I finally received the results several days ago, saw the doctor at the

walk-in-clinic and requested TSH, Free T3 and T4. Today I was told that only the

TSH was done because the reading was normal 1.57.

>

> I asked why, when I requested a more thorough test, it was ignored. I am 69

and the doctor spoke to me as though I were a not too bright child.

>

> He said I had tunnel vision and wanted to have thyroid dysfunction. I said

stricly from a cosmetic view point, I have dry skin, hair thinning, difficulty

losing weight and I have little energy and isn't this symptomatic? He said lots

of people are like this and it does not necessarily mean a thyroid problem.

>

> As we walked to the waiting room, I again asked for the T3 and 4 test and he

rambled on, mainly for the benefit of those in the room.......I told him I

undertood what he was saying, I just didn't accept it. So for what it is worth,

I just stood there until the call was made on my behalf.

>

> I apologize for the lengthy rant, but I am really upset.

>

> A while back I learned about Iodoral and went to the compounding clinic. The

tablets are 12.5mg and the clerk told me to take a half tablet daily. I ignored

that and started with one and within several days felt better. A week or so

later I increased to 2, and am still at this amount.

>

> As soon as possible I intend to read Dr. Brownsteins book, but it would be

more reassuring to have this monitored.

>

> Thank you for this web site and I plan to spend many happy hours

learning from you and others in this group.

>

> Kathe

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathe,

Welcome to Steph's group!

You might want to go back to the compounding pharmacy and ask them for a list of

drs who prescribe armour thyroid and who also test the Free T3 & Free T4 levels,

too.

Your dr would piss me off.....I wouldn't return to him if it was me.

You can also order your own lab work thru Health Check Labs.

www.healthcheckusa.com

They also have a thyroid package.

Good luck and I'm glad to meet another member who knows how to stand up for

herself. Good girl! I'd also read the books by Dr Brownstein, too...especially

his book on salt and why your body needs it. (as long as it's real sea salt)

>

> I finally received the results several days ago, saw the doctor at the

walk-in-clinic and requested TSH, Free T3 and T4. Today I was told that only

the TSH was done because the reading was normal 1.57.

>

>

> As we walked to the waiting room, I again asked for the T3 and 4 test and he

rambled on, mainly for the benefit of those in the room.......I told him I

undertood what he was saying, I just didn't accept it. So for what it is worth,

I just stood there until the call was made on my behalf.

>

> As soon as possible I intend to read Dr. Brownsteins book, but it would be

more reassuring to have this monitored.

> Kathe

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathe,

If you post your state, maybe someone can recommend a dr in your area for you to

go to.

Good luck!

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

What a great idea! I will go to the compounding pharmacy today. I never thought

of that. Thanks

I am in Vancouver, B.C. and it sounds as though many of the members are " south

of the border. "

The situation for many here, is that there is a shortage of doctors, so we have

to rely on a walk in clinic with a rotation of 6 or more doctors on staff.

I usually try to see one particular doctor and she does the best she can.( she

requested the Free T3 and Free T4 when I asked for it )

BUT, I was anxious about the results of the thyroid test and of course met up

with this self important little twit who probably just sqeaked through med

school.

I will check out the labs. Do you make a sea salt brine?

Thanks for writing and for all the great suggestions.

Will keep you posted on the latest.

Kathe

>

> Hi Kathe,

> Welcome to Steph's group!

>

> You might want to go back to the compounding pharmacy and ask them for a list

of drs who prescribe armour thyroid and who also test the Free T3 & Free T4

levels, too.

>

> Your dr would piss me off.....I wouldn't return to him if it was me.

>

> You can also order your own lab work thru Health Check Labs.

> www.healthcheckusa.com

>

> They also have a thyroid package.

>

> Good luck and I'm glad to meet another member who knows how to stand up for

herself. Good girl! I'd also read the books by Dr Brownstein, too...especially

his book on salt and why your body needs it. (as long as it's real sea salt)>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathe,

I asked our local compounding pharmacy for a listing of local drs who know how

to treat hormones, including iodine testing. Hope yours can offer ideas but if

your current dr is open to learning, you'll find lots of great info here to take

to her.

Are you familiar with Iodoral and how important it is to our bodies? I am taking

two per day and really need to get tested but I'm sure that I'm deficient so

taking two should help but in the long run, the level needs to be monitored by

someone who knows. My dr had never heard about Iodoral so I gave him my empty

bottle on my last visit and now I see that he is listed in the Iodine Dr

listing!

I buy celtic sea salt from www.celticseasalt.com and mix 1/4 - 1/2 tsp per day

in 8 ozs of warm water and drink it. I also use it for cooking when needed.

You might want to post your thyroid results and see what others think of the

results.

Hope that you're enjoying the group.

>

> Hi ,

>

> What a great idea! I will go to the compounding pharmacy today. I never

thought of that. Thanks

>

> I am in Vancouver, B.C.

>

> I usually try to see one particular doctor and she does the best she can.( she

requested the Free T3 and Free T4 when I asked for it )

BUT, I was anxious about the results of the thyroid test

I will check out the labs. Do you make a sea salt brine?

> Kathe