- Re: Finally a response to my Letter to my Doctors

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your response. Your list of questions will be very

helpful.

Leah

> Hi, Leah -

>

> Congratulations on being referred to an endo, and even though your

conversation with your GP may not have been satisfying enough, I

think it speaks well for her that she called you late at night

(probably

> the end of her work day), and was at least willing to discuss your

concerns.

>

> As for what to ask your new endo, you know enough at this point to

know what you want from your doctors in general, and your endo in

particular.

>

> Some questions I would want to ask:

> - how many thyca patients do you have currently?

> - what do you recommend for my follow up protocol? (ie: annual

scans for 5 years, then stretching out to every few years; no more

scans, just Tg tests, etc.)

> - do you recommend the LID (of course, you will do it anyway, but

this will tell you something about his or her thinking)?

> - how can I reach you on non-urgent matters? (e-mail, phone, fax)

> - how quickly can I expect to speak to / see you for an urgent

matter?

> - what do you see as my target TSH level, and what negative side

effects might this lead to in the future?

> - what other blood test levels are relevant, and what should they

be?

> - what happens if, once I am at those target levels, and all my

blood test numbers are where they should be, I still don't feel well

enough? what additional protocols can we try?

>

> Hopefully, your GP will see to it that your new endo is

knowledgeable, so your job is to see if you are a good fit. Does

this doctor treat you with respect and have good communication

skills? I think

> it is much more important that you be satisfied with the way your

doctor responds to your questions (and to the fact that you have so

many), than the actual responses. If the doctor is open to

discussion,

> willing to explain your treatment protocol, and to listen to more

questions and suggestions

> from other well respected doctors, then chances are you have found

a rare gem, and will likely have a happy relationship with this

person.

>

>

>

> NYC