Another Thyroid Thread.... (Redux)

[maillotpois]

So...would you stick with primary care, or go ahead and make a back up appt with an endocrinologist?

I went to both when first diagnosed because they wanted me to get ultrasound, biopsy, etc., to make sure there wasn't cancer. Now I stick with my primary (who also has Hashimotos). I'd stick with your primary IF you feel you are getting proper service and attention to your concerns from primary or the primary's sub you are seeing this month. If not, then ask for a second opinion.

[redrhodie]

I'm generally feeling better, but my hair is still falling. Has anyone dealt with this, and had it grow back once your numbers were good? I freaked out a few days ago, and almost cut it all off myself in a fit of turmoil. Luckily I stopped myself because that definitely would have made things worse. It seems to have slowed a bit since then, but it's still too much. Give me hope if you can. I am still thinking of cutting it all off (by a pro) but if it's going to improve soon, I would rather wait. I'm afraid shorter will look worse. Love my helmet these days!

Other than that, I feel like I have more energy. I've been sleeping better. I haven't needed to nap in the afternoon as much and I've been able to make it through my favorite shows without falling asleep. My weight and appetite are the same. All good.

[indysteel]

You should see some improvement in your hair as your numbers improve. When do you get your labs done again? It might take one or medication adjustments before you get your numbers in a good place.

[redrhodie]

More labs in a month. I know, 2 weeks isn't enough time for the drug to even work yet. I need to be patient.

[indysteel]

I understand your frustration and impatience. Believe me. Just hang in there. Hopefully, you'll continue to see improvements.

[Catrin]

+100 on what Indy said. It IS frustrating waiting for improvements to come, especially when something like hair loss is going on. Hopefully you will see more improvements soon!

[snapdragen]

Y'all are jinxes. I've been on thyroid meds since I was 20, with no issues. The last few weeks I've been having these weird semi-panicky feelings. Did a vague web search, it sounds like I may be getting too much synthroid. I get my blood work done in a few weeks, so we'll see.

Now stoppit!!

(I've recently lost about 10 pounds, so maybe the weight loss is affecting my levels.)

[Brandi]

Just this past week I was putting lotion on my face and neck when I noticed a large mass on one side of my neck just above my collar bone. The rush of fear that passed over me almost took me down to my knee's. And I was out of town to make things even worse. My husband looked at it and felt it as well and said " Well we need to get this looked at right away" and looked me in the eye's and said " DON'T Worry". Ha that was not easy!! We got back from our business trip on thursday and I was in the Dr's office the very next morning first thing. She took one look and felt my neck and said "yup that is your thyroid". So now I am doing the waiting game. Did a blood test on friday so hopefully I will find out results tomorrow then have a ultrasound on thursday.
I have had several issues the past few years that make me think it was all leading up to this though my blood test were always normal. I have read that your levels can be normal but you can still have slight thyroid issue's.
It does run in my family, mother, grandfather and great grandmother all had issues. Hoping if this is it it will explain things like, my moods,high bp, lots of hair falling out (I have a ton of hair so that is not an issue really) dry skin, sleeping problems and the worst the adrenlian rushes and anxiety I have had for a few years now. It really would make more since. I was scared at first when the Dr said worse case cancer but from what I have read it is highly treatable. But I am not going to give it that energy and keep on the posative side. It is amazing how common thyroid issues are. Glad this thread is here.

[indysteel]

Oh, Brandi. I'm so sorry. I'm glad you're getting an ultrasound, along with the bloodwork. I hope they reveal what's going on and that you can start treatment soon. Keep us updated, okay?

[Brandi]

I am glad I am doing something about it. I can be a chicken when it comes to Dr's but I am taking this seriously. I am getting myself informed but not too much because I know you can freak yourself out if you read to much before you even know anything. Keeping myself busy every day is the key. Though my energy is not to great and we are having super rainy weather for days now.
Staying in good spirits but I am getting a massage tomorrow morning because the tension in my back and muscles needs to be released big time.
I am with good friends this weekend and hubby has been a sweet heart about helping me put up christmas decorations. Yup keeping busy. Will ride my trainer tomorrow get a good hour in that should help too.

[redrhodie]

Welcome to the fun house, Brandi. My saga is also continuing. I got a call from a nurse today saying they were referring me to an endo (finally) because my cbc was off (I wish I listened better, she may have said low) and my iodine was high, which is weird because I asked for it to be tested because I suspected it was low.

I have been encouraged that my hair has stopping shedding, but it still looks bad, dry and weird. I don't look healthy if my hair is the barometer. I hope the endo figures me out. Although I generally feel a lot better, I suspect there's still something wrong.

[Blueberry]

I'm off to an endo too. My doc was willing to up my dose, but she doesn't really feel comfortable with targeting a range to make me feel better (though if I do feel better and my bloodwork is good in 4 weeks, I have the option to not go and she'll keep me as is). At my request, she did test all of my antibodies, and I was negative for everything, so no Hashi's. I've been on 50 micrograms for a little over a week. I do feel better - but I did when I first started the meds too so not getting too optimistic. I'm also on 1000 mg Vit D daily at her instruction - probably a very good idea.

Of course, the scrip got screwed up and I had to talk to her nurse to get it re-called in - who argued with me about my dosage and said my values were "perfectly normal." I was more than a little irked.

[indysteel]

Brandi, you might ask your ENT to run some bloodwork to screen for the antibodies that are associated with thyroid related autoimmune disease. It is possible for labs to be in a normal range in the presence of such antibodies.

[Brandi]

I will do that!
Meow!

[indysteel]

Well, I met with my third, and hopefully, last endo today. He's just what I was hoping to find. He listened, didn't talk down to me, and offered understandable answers to my questions. He seems to more closely monitor his patients levels if they aren't yet stable. Plus, he uses an online portal for posting my labs and communication. I just felt a lot more confident talking to him than I did the other two docs. He's not going to push me toward RAI, which is a huge relief.

On a related note, my skin has been really itchy lately and my palms red so he's running some liver tests. sure hope nothing is wrong on that count.