Doctor frustration

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Originally Posted by OakLeaf

Oh boy. That stinks. Subjectively, do you feel hypothyroid, consistent with the test results? Or is it possible something's just off with the lab?

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Generally speaking, I'd say that I don't feel hypo. The power of suggestion when it comes to my thyroid has been strong, and sometimes I've found it challenging to separate my lab numbers from how I'm actually feeling. Even if I am technically hypo right now, it's arguably subclinical (because my Free T4 is still within a normal range). Right now, it makes sense to just keep a check on how I'm feeling and see what my next round of labs reveal.

I do still sense some stuff going on with my eyes and Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) remains a major concern of mine. I'd like to get another antibody test, but it's an uphill battle getting this doc to test for anything other than FT4 and TSH.

The bottom line is that there's a degree of trust lacking between us, and it's arguably time to just find somebody new--as much of a PITA as that might be. I have an annual visit with my internist next week. I might wait to see if she has any suggestions. Of course, she didn't think anything was wrong with me last summer and ordered two rather expensive tests rather than run a basic, but complete, blood profile. So I don't know how that's going to go. :(

I would get a new doctor at this point. I think you are wasting your time with this person because you have lost trust in their judgement. Even if this doc was right I don't think you would be comfortable with it. Just my two cents, I just know how I would feel. Best of luck to you Indy, I hope things start get better soon.

Saw my endo again today. The good news is that it appears my mild case of Graves is in remission (or was never Graves to begin with; I have to wonder). The bad news is that my bloodwork continues to show a mildly elevated TSH. Because I've noted some increased fatigue and mild depression of late, she went ahead an prescribed a small does of synthroid. We'll see what that does for me. Prior to my Graves diagnosis, my TSH was also mildly elevated for a couple of years--but no doc had bothered to tell me that. Because of this yo-yoing, I have to wonder if I have Hashi's, not Graves. But I'm to the point that I'm tired of trying to figure out the right label--as I'm not sure what difference it really makes; I just want to get my labs within a normal range.

I'd add that I had an opthamalogist appointment a couple of weeks ago and my eyes show no serioud sign of Graves eye disease. That's a big relief, too.

Well, at least one thing solved, Indy.
My weird, new PCP closed her practice. I knew there was something wrong when the doctor called you on her personal cell phone. She had no patients! I now am doctor-less and I don't want to go back to my old one.

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Originally Posted by Crankin

Well, at least one thing solved, Indy.
My weird, new PCP closed her practice. I knew there was something wrong when the doctor called you on her personal cell phone. She had no patients! I now am doctor-less and I don't want to go back to my old one.

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Ugh; that sucks. But that's also kind of weird. Most PCPs are booked solid around here. Good luck finding a new doctor. It's such a pain.

Our local hospital has hired a bunch of new docs or at least is helping a bunch get started with privileges and publicity for their practices. Also, the community hospitals here are making an agressive effort to lure people away from the big guys in Boston. Yes, there it's very hard to find a doctor, but I don't need to go to Brigham and Women's for a PCP.
I think it's because her office was in a weird location.

Yikes Crankin, hope you find another PCP you like in your area. It is hard to find a PCP that gets people who like to exercise - at least I've had that problem.

Indy - good news on the progress, and hopefully things will stay in remission...whatever it is.

So, I guess I have to join the group of Synthroid users who struggle to find a decent time to take their daily dose of it. I am not a first-thing-in-the-morning breakfast eater, but I do have a cup of coffee within 15 minutes or so of waking up. Make that half-a-cup. While I could change my morning routine, I'm just one of those poeple who needs about fifteen minutes of alone time with my coffee before I'm fit company and before I'm ready to embark on my day. I get up at 5:45 and spend 15 mintues feeding the cats and taking care of a few minor details for the day (like getting my work clothes ready). Then I sit on my couch with my coffee and iPhone in hand and a cat in my lap. I generally read TE and a few other forums I frequent. DH knows to leave me alone as I do this. Then I shower and get ready for work. I usually spend five more minutes with my coffee and the cats before heading out the door.

I'd take it at night, but we often don't eat until late and/or I eat a snack not long before bedtime. That's not likely to change either. I get up in the middle of the night every night--usually around 3 a.m. or so. While I'm generally pretty blurry-eyed, I'm arguably awake enough to take a pill. I guess I'll try that and see how it goes. I also have to rearrange when I take a couple other pills (a BCP with Iron in it and Allegra).

Indy, my routine was similar when I was working, minus the cats. I would take my Synthroid after my shower. I didn't eat breakfast until I got to work, which was about 45 minutes later.

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Originally Posted by snapdragen

Indy, my routine was similar when I was working, minus the cats. I would take my Synthroid after my shower. I didn't eat breakfast until I got to work, which was about 45 minutes later.

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I'm fine with the not eating until later part. It's the coffee that I can't/don't want to wait on. Do you drink coffee and, if so, did you wait until well after you took your synthroid before drinking it?

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Originally Posted by indysteel

I'm fine with the not eating until later part. It's the coffee that I can't/don't want to wait on. Do you drink coffee and, if so, did you wait until well after you took your synthroid before drinking it?

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I've not noticed a problem with way where coffee is concerned. Generally I don't get to my coffee until I've been up around 30 minutes, and I take my pill as soon as I wake up. I think that real food is more of an issue - and I eat less than an hour after taking my pill. This hasn't caused an absorption problem, my levels are pretty steady.

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Originally Posted by Catrin

I've not noticed a problem with way where coffee is concerned. Generally I don't get to my coffee until I've been up around 30 minutes, and I take my pill as soon as I wake up. I think that real food is more of an issue - and I eat less than an hour after taking my pill. This hasn't caused an absorption problem, my levels are pretty steady.

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Actually, I've read some literature that suggests that caffeine can interfere significantly with absorption, which is why I'm concerned.

I've been taking Armour thyroid for about 12 years now, and it was only in the last 2 years that I even knew that you were supposed to take it on an empty stomach! I have stayed on the same dose for several years, except when I was pregnant with my second child and had to increase my dose slightly during the pregnancy. I take it first thing in the morning, and generally have my coffee (2 cups, half-decaf, with milk) within 30 minutes of taking it, then breakfast another 15-30 minutes later, and haven't had any issues from it.

I tried Synthroid but it made me quite sick to my stomach, no matter when I took it. Armour is an animal (pig) product, which is why I tried synthroid (I avoid animal products when I can). Not sure if it would be appropriate for your needs, but you might ask your doc if Armour would work better for you and your schedule.

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Originally Posted by indysteel

Actually, I've read some literature that suggests that caffeine can interfere significantly with absorption, which is why I'm concerned.

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Interesting, I hadn't heard that. I've been doing it this way for years and have had no apparent problem but perhaps I've just been lucky. Like Sookiesue I have breakfast within an hour of taking my daily dose. My levels are always in the same range when tested.

I won't take the Synthroid brand, I've had more problems with that than Levothyroxine. It shouldn't matter, but certainly did at one time and now I won't risk trying that brand again. Since I don't have a thyroid at all, when things get out of balance it can take months to get it back again - so I don't mess with what works for me ;) Levothyroxine is one of the older "generics", I've been taking it since for a very long time. I tried Synthroid about 10 years ago and it took close to a year to get things right again. For some it works fine, but not for me. I've no idea what, if anything, differs between Synthroid and Levothyroxine, and it may be that something else was going on at the time that caused that problem outside of changing the brand of my thyroid replacement.

Isn't Synthroid just a brand name for Levothyroxine? I'm other words, seen 't they one and the same? I haven't looked at my pill container, but given how insurance works, they probably just gave me the generic formulation.