1st dr appointment to address thyroid issue

[mbs]

hello all - went to pcp today for annual...I think he felt sandbagged with all my symptoms. He ordered every test I requested stating....I am order whatever you want but I am not sure I will be able to interupt them. Thats OK I said we will find someone who will!

He mentioned that we checked my TSH 2yrs ago and I was at 3..I remember he stating that was normal...I presented with what seems to be more neuro issues, but what I now know are still thryoid related. I couldn't believe it when I saw that nystagmus was a symptom of thryoid....I have a bi-lateral and it was so bad back then that I almost stopped driving...

Any back to TSH at 3....I would think I am still at least that and my symptoms are 500% worse.

feed back? suggestions? He even ordered cortisol testing.

[Nancy LC]

The type of cortisol test your doctor will do won't be the sort that would reveal adrenal fatigue, its more like for detecting when you're about dead from Addison's. :p

A TSH of 3 is WAY too high, but most doctors would call it normal and insist their patient is insane instead.

[nawchem]

My TSH was 2 when I started thyroid supplements. I think 2 other things are more important.

Your free T4 and T3
How you feel

The old way of diagnosing thyroid was by temperature. Take it first thing in the morning with a basal thermometer under the arm for 10 minutes.

The site about.com has a list of Drs by region. The more holistic types you will treat you for symptoms with less emphasis on whether your bloodtests fall into the statistically normal category.

[mbs]

I have been going pharmacy to pharmacy for a basal thermometer. The day of digital is killing me. I know I have a sub"normal" temp. have had for years and year now it is time to track it so I can show to Dr.

I did find a Dr. on about.com in my region and I already have an appointment 5/31 - I am on the wait list as I work next yr and can get there in 3minutes. I had my PCP order the test so I don't wait to waste weeks...

In responds to an early poster...I got the pcp to order a ACTH test not just your run of the mill adrenal test - however he did make a comment that if I was in adrenal distress I would be flat on my back...I told him to walk in my shoes for a day and then tell me that.

[wcollier]

Hi mbs:

Fantasic job getting the ACTH test. There's really no "perfect" cortisol test, but the ACTH test is a good one (as opposed to the cortisol serum test). The important thing is the interpretation of the results. Your doctor will be looking for pure Addison's, but we won't. ;) If you get your ACTH results copied to you, we can help you interpret the results (or send you to someone who will).

BTW, if you're on the about.com site, they have a great "Adrenals" subforum.