What I have learned is that many doctors don't know much about Thyroid condition and what tests to do. Besides TSH as you said T3 & T4 levels should be tested. What many don't do is to test Free T3 which is very important because total T3 & T4 does not show the amount of it is being used by your body to say it in easy terms.
I have learned the hard way that it is hard to find doctors that understand this and also listen and dose according to symptoms. Many patients are told they are at the correct level of Thyroid replacement meds but their symptoms continue. It is not 1 dose fits all issue and without the right doctor that doses based on symptoms you can deal with years of being misdiagnosed and given additional meds for depression, joint pain, chronic fatigue, headaches, weight issues, etc.
I am still looking for the right doctor that will get me to be the old me again. I have an appt with an thyroidologist that I found through this website and have high hopes. At least I am educated now and know and understand everything much better.
For anyone dealing with hypothyroidism, I strongly suggest getting books on it and self educate. My first book was Living well with Hypothyroidism by Mary Shomon. From there on I have read many more books and found several great websites to help me. But that book explained the basics to me.
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What I have learned is that many doctors don't know much about Thyroid condition and what tests to do. Besides TSH as you said T3 & T4 levels should be tested. What many don't do is to test Free T3 which is very important because total T3 & T4 does not show the amount of it is being used by your body to say it in easy terms.
I have learned the hard way that it is hard to find doctors that understand this and also listen and dose according to symptoms. Many patients are told they are at the correct level of Thyroid replacement meds but their symptoms continue. It is not 1 dose fits all issue and without the right doctor that doses based on symptoms you can deal with years of being misdiagnosed and given additional meds for depression, joint pain, chronic fatigue, headaches, weight issues, etc.
I am still looking for the right doctor that will get me to be the old me again. I have an appt with an thyroidologist that I found through this website and have high hopes. At least I am educated now and know and understand everything much better.
For anyone dealing with hypothyroidism, I strongly suggest getting books on it and self educate. My first book was Living well with Hypothyroidism by Mary Shomon. From there on I have read many more books and found several great websites to help me. But that book explained the basics to me.
Good luck to all in your search to better health!
May 17, 2009 - 4:02pmThis Comment
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