Just want to vent about my endocrinologist appt

[Autoimmunity]

as it was just so ridiculous.  This is the new dr.  Saw him about 3 months ago for consultation.  He told me I did not have hashimotos and had me redo all the labs run by previous drs.  I then went back to go over those labs, did indeed have hashi's.  So today was a 3 month follow up.  Asked me how I was doing.  Honestly, normally, I have learned to keep a lot of things to myself and I don't share some of my symptoms because they fall on deaf ears.  Told him I haven't been sleeping for months.  I cannot fall asleep, or I fall asleep and wake up every 20 minutes or so.  I'm getting 2-3 hours sleep a night.  Kinda hard to function.  I do have narcolepsy and have heard that can cause a lot of nighttime sleep issues.  This doctor is "treating" me for the narcolepsy - aka writing me an rx for the nuvigil the previous endo prescribed.  This doctor literally ignored me.  Did not respond, ask me further questions, make any suggestions, nothing!!  No surprise, knew I should have kept my mouth shut.
So then he grabs my labwork and asks me if I am taking vit D.  We had had an extensive conversation about it last time, he knows I am.  Told him what I was taking.  He shows me the labs (which I already knew the results anyway, I work for the hospital) and asks ME why my vit D is low?  I literally said you are asking me?  I said I don't know.  So again he asks if I am taking my vit D.  I told him yes.  And honestly, there are a few times I have missed as I have been very ill with the RA, but yes I take it.  I was just floored!  I can never find a good endocrinologist.  The only one I like was so old school she wouldn't treat my hashi's until I went hypo.  This is my 4th endocrinologist.  The good news was I don't have to go back for 6 months, bad news I will dead by then from lack of sleep.
Honestly, I am so grateful I have such a fabulous Rheumatologist!

Thanks, just venting my nutty appt 

[engy]

I 've fired more endos than any other doctor. I finally found one I like but before her my integrative doc was treating my hashi's

Sorry, Carie

[irish]

Oh shoot, I didn't read this right and thought the post was about immunolgists. Pardon me and just excuse it. In fact I will delete it myself. Irish

[Joe S.]

I have fired a number of endos because they do not know or understand insulin resistance. A bio med tech I was talking to said it was omega 3 to 6 ratio. When I checked on the web I found a number of white paper studies that suggested this also. The bio med tech learned this in school over 20 years ago. So why did the Endos not know it? Most were younger than the bio med tech.

Working on changing this ratio is bringing down my diabetes numbers. Adding insulin had raised my numbers substantially. With so many doctors from other countries, maybe they just don't understand the English words, "Insulin Resistance"

[anita]

I'd stick to addressing sleeping issues (and vit) with your GP or neuro (since narcolepsy is a neurological problem) and focus your time with the endo on why he thinks your labs do not indicate hashimotos.  If he said 3 months ago that you did not have hashimotos, I'm guessing he stopped treating you for it.  Then your new labs would indicate whether your levels stayed stable during this time.  Any doctor who refuses to treat conditions obviously present by lab work should be fired and time for another.

There are some doctors that treat outside their specialty, but many that don't.  It a bonus to have one that does.  If he doesn't want to address the narcolepsy, then talk to your neuro about it.  maybe (i hope) he can help with the nighttime issues.   

[Patze]

Hi Autoimmunity,

I too have fired several endo's and I have the GP handle everything to do with my thyroid now a days (the 3-4 minute typical (around here) office visits were getting ridiculous).

I'm sorry but I can't remember, are you seeing a neuro for your narcolepsy?



Patze

[Autoimmunity]

I'd stick to addressing sleeping issues (and vit) with your GP or neuro (since narcolepsy is a neurological problem) and focus your time with the endo on why he thinks your labs do not indicate hashimotos.  If he said 3 months ago that you did not have hashimotos, I'm guessing he stopped treating you for it.  Then your new labs would indicate whether your levels stayed stable during this time.  Any doctor who refuses to treat conditions obviously present by lab work should be fired and time for another.

There are some doctors that treat outside their specialty, but many that don't.  It a bonus to have one that does.  If he doesn't want to address the narcolepsy, then talk to your neuro about it.  maybe (i hope) he can help with the nighttime issues.

It was the initial consultation he said no way I had hashis, original labs were a mistake, all the doctors just went along with it, he doesn't believe in armour thyroid, etc., etc.  I had labs redone at that time, went back and he had to admit, if you will, that I do in fact have hashis and he agreed to keep me on armour.  I had to fire my initial endo because she refused to treat the hashis ((she didn't even tell me I had hashis; luckily my sister who has hashis as well looked at my labs and brought it to my attention)) until I went hypo.  My personal thought on it is I have done quite well with the hashis and my thyroid has been protected because I fired the initial endo and found another doctor who would treat me with armour.  I would prefer to have my gp treat me, however, she is very anti-armour thyroid  and always lectures me and tells me I will have to go on synthroid eventually.  Not hardly.

[irish]

What is the deal with the docs not wanting to use the Armour??? Some docs think it is the only way to go. Irish

[Autoimmunity]

What is the deal with the docs not wanting to use the Armour??? Some docs think it is the only way to go. Irish

Around here, it is a huge point of contention.  The drug companies of course push they synthroid as it is more expensive.  I have heard it's not good, it's not healthy, can't control how much of it you are actually getting, it's bad for your bones, it's bad for your heart.  Gp told me too bad, I will eventually have to take the synthroid whether I want to or not (during the armour thyroid shortage).
First meeting with this endocrinologist he made a point to tell me how bad armour is, he doesn't prescribe it, yada, yada.  Then did the labs and said wherever I am getting, keep getting it there, it is working for me.  Almost fired him after that first meeting over the armour   I think the doctors are just not up to date on hashi's and the treatment (who in their right mind would make a patient suffer for years until labwork shows hypo?  Still have symptoms irregardless of what a stupid test says).
And I'm sorry, I swear, it's my body, my life, my choices.  I go to a doctor for diagnosis, treatment advise, etc., but I learned a long time ago doctors are not God and a lot of times they can be wrong.  And frankly, more often than not, who is reading and researching an illness and treatment options, side effects etc. more than the patient?  It's not personal for the doctor like it is for the patient.

[Patze]

Hi Autoimmunity,

Oh my, I know that argument all too well!  I finally had to go to a doctor that didn't practice endocrinology, but she was willing to prescribe Armour (also had to pay her out of pocket and that got expensive very fast, but she was worth every penny). 

Mary Shomon's website lists some doctors that are willing to work with Armour @ http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/ .

Good luck and I sure hope that you find a doctor willing to help.

Take care of yourself -

Patze

[irish]

When I first became hypothyroid I was told to get nothing but Synthroid. Then my insurance company started insisting on levothyroxin.

I have to add that I have been hypothyroid since 1989 and have to ovaries plus smoked for years till 2011 and drink lots of pop to this day. My bones aren't all that bad so I guess I will not worry about it.

I do know that years ago they gave a lot more of it. Thanks for the input. Irish

[Patze]

I'm with Irish, have been hypothyroid (Hashi's) for six plus years now, smoked for more than 20 years (off and on), and still drink a lot of diet soda (not nearly as much as I'd like though .....gosh, I guess I can't have everything ), and the old bones are doing pretty good so far (keeping the fingers crossed though).


Patze

[theosof]

Have you seen a sleep specialist? Are you using a cpap? Poor sleep will affect EVERYTHING so you may not be treated properly.

Good luck finding a good rheumy. I suggest a sleep specialist who will be able to treat the narc and other sleep issues.

[irish]

I am sort of confused about a remark Theo made. Something to the effect of needing treatment with Hashimotos even when not hypothyroid.

The way my immunologist handles explains it is that the hypo(can be hyper also) thyroid occurs and generally the Hashimotos shows up down the road. The immunologist always checks the TSH and the thyroid antibodies t know positively.

The FNP-certified specialist does't always check all these antibody tests right off the bat as she says that most people with the hypo or hyper thyroid eventually will acquire the high antibodies. The treatment is the replacement of thyroxin for hypo. The symptoms of the Hashimotos are usually treated symptomatically to make the patient more comfortable.

Does this make sense? I have researched several thyroid sites and not come up with any specific treatment other than replacement and symptom treatment for hypo. Any info would be appreciated. Irish