NEW DOC / THYROID RESULTS / CALLING ALL THE REAL EXPERTS !!!!

[kimbo]

1st of all, thank you Irish for your response and help.
I feel like I went prepared and knowing enough what to ask. And enough understanding I did not feel in the dark and at the New Rhuemies complete mercie.

The only abnormal result he had was   T 4 Free  (expected 0.59-1.17)  Mine was low at  0.52  (not to bad low?)

He said he did not take care of Thyroid issues. I would go to my regular Dr. for that.

I won't go into detail about how he did not know what I was there for, did not have my report of every kind of lab work under sun on hand (that he sent me for, to suck half my blood out 3 weeks earlier), didn't act like he knew any thing about odering them. Finally when they located the reports he looks at them and says your GP ordered these. I said no, you did. Because you thought I exhibited symptoms of thyroid issues. He says well you have Sjogrens. I said yes we know that. This was my 2nd apt with him. It was a return appt for Lab results, I felt like I was the only one who knew that fact.

I guess now I make an appt with my family Dr.

Thanks to Irish, I knew to ask if he had checked for autoimmune thyroid issues. And about Hyper or Hypo. He did not know if this reading on the T4 free was either. I feel like he really did not know.

What does this reading indicate?
I have a copy of all the results here. TSH was 2.85 --- and many more......

SO SJS FORUM FAMILY I'M CALLING ON YOU TO BRING ME OUT OF THE DARK !!!!

kimbo

[abner]

Free T4 that low would make me feel very tired and unwell.  A TSH of 2.85 is considered normal, usually, but many docs will treat if it is above 2.  Considering how low your Free T4 is, I hope your doc will treat.  Do you have T3 or FT3 values?  T3 is the active hormone.  T4 is like the gas in the pipeline, FreeT4, like the gas at the gas station, T3 like the gas in your tank, and FT3 like the gas that your engine is using.  Probably a bad analogy, but I hope you get the idea.

Hope you feel better soon.

[kimbo]

Thank you for your response, abner
I don't see anything that looks like T3 or FT3, unles it's called something different.
kimbo

[irish]

kim, If this is your rhuemy I think I would be finding myself a new one. He sounds like he is one brick short of a load as they say. I think you were lucky to get much of anything out of him. Hopefully, your GP will be more helpful when you see him. Irish

[Pooh]

Kimbo,
I think I would find another rheumy.  I think Irish gives him to much credit, he sounds like he's more than a brick short.  Sounds to me like he's quite a few bricks short of a load.  Good grief!

Talk to your GP and see if he/she can recommend another rheumy for you.  Ask for one they would send their family to. 

Good luck with this and keep us posted.

Hugs, Pooh

[Linda196]

Kimbo,

While I agree that you should look for a new rheumy, I also think an endocrinologist is on order. Endos look after hormone issues and thyroid is a hormone producing gland. With a TSH that is slightly high, and a T4 that is slightly low, and pronounced symptoms, maybe an endo could "tweak" thinks a bit and help you out. The T3 (may also be called Triiodothyronine) is also a valuable reading to help sort it out.

The tests for autoimmune thyroid issues would be antibody tests...called Thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb), Thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), and Thyroid stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TRAb). Some labs may simply report them as Antithyroid antibodies (ATA) or Thyroid microsomal antibody (TMA). The TSH and T4 only indicate function, they don't indicate the reason for altered function.

[kimbo]

Thank you all, Irish , Pooh & Linda,

So I guess what I have learned;  rhuemies don't do thyroid.
Also this thyroid thing, really is rocket science.
And the rhuemy who authorized my thyroid work up, did not seem to know as much as my sjoggie pals.
How did you ladies get so smart. I really do mean that. I know you are RNs and all, and you know the Sjogren's AI very well on top of your education and experience. I am just so thankful you all chose to share with care and compassion.

Linda, I will go as you have suggested. My family doc will know of a good endocrinologist in our area.

For that matter, I might be a little hormonal.

kim

[irish]

kim, We aren't all RN's---there are an awful lot of people with a lot of personal health issues that have resulted in a lot of knowledge that they are willing to share with others. Ain't it wonderful!!! Irish

[Sjenny]

Kim:

I have Hashimoto's (thyroid antibodies were positive) and found that T4 only medicines, like Synthroid were ineffective because my liver was not converting the T4 to T3.  When I was switched to Armour Thyroid which contains T4, T3, T2, T1 and calcinon like natural thyroid, it made me feel normal again.  Apparently it's the free T3 level that determines how well you will feel.

Sue

[irish]

jenny, kim and everyone, That is why Linda suggested seeing an endocrinologist for the thyroid issues if they seem to be more complicated than your regular doc can handle. The thyroid is such an important gland that does so many things in out body.  I know it is another "specialist" to see but well worth it. Irish

[kathylee]

Yes the people here are golden! From my few months of experience here  ive learned that patients with the disease ARE the best resource. Truly.

Kathylee

[ph]

Sue

I have apparently managed to have Hashimoto's now and a probable Graves in the past.

I don't convert either, and find the Cytomel works well for me.