Thyroid Questions from Our Readers: Communicating with Your Doctor
Friday, July 06, 2007
JC Jones MA RN
Take the time to write and organize your own medical history. Take the time to go back over your personal health history and record every diagnosis you have ever been given and every surgery you ever had - succinctly. I can not stress enough that most doctors want to hear just the medical facts and sorry, not your emotional or psychological reaction to them. Save that for a therapist. I am going to give you the cold, hard truth here to help you navigate your way through the health care system and get what you want - better care.
Write it in this format:
Diagnoses
1983: migraine HA Dr. xxzzy Crossroads, WY
1995: High Blood pressure Dr. Pttss Crossroads, WY
1996: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Dr.Ssdst Sevenrivers, WY
Work Comp
2003: Hypothyroid Dr. Ptss Crossroads, WY
Surgeries:
1988: C-Section Dr. bbbby Sevenrivers, WY
1997: Carpal Tunnel Release Dr. Ssdst Sevenrivers, WY
Accidents:
1977: MVA Fractured right rib, mild concussion
Medications: Include every vitamin and herbal supplement you take in this list. Over! My! Med! Body! features a place where you can do this on his website for free & he claims it is private. You could use any database program at home like Access.
Print two copies - one for you and one for your doctor. Keep it updated regularly. Many of you have questions about your lab studies. So if you are having lab studies done regularly, chart the results along with any changes in your medications and the changes in your weight as you are describing.
An excellent resource for thyroid disease is American Thyroid Association.
They have Patient Thyroid Brochures in English and Espanol. For those of you who still have questions and feel you are receiving inadequate teaching, please check out their Find A Thyroid Specialist interactive Map.
Best of luck to all of you, and keep writing! We are sorry we can not help you individually with your questions about your particular medical situation, but sure hope this helps!
Labels: Patient doctor communications, thyroid
11 Comments:
At Sun Jul 15, 03:08:00 PM 2007,
Anonymous said…
Thanks JC.
My sister has had thyroid issues during two phases of her life: After her first child was born and with the onset of menopause. Both times she was asked to remove her thyroid and so far she has refused.
It went away on its own the first time. But it was quite confusing for her. She had high thyroid issues, so suddenly her heart was racing and wouldn't calm down.
At Tue Jul 24, 09:42:00 AM 2007,
Anonymous said…
my sister was treated with an a left ovarian cyst it was removed 1 year before now before menses she is sufering with pain in left side 1 doc said we have to test for thyroid test shuld we do test and why
At Tue Jul 24, 10:44:00 AM 2007,
Cindy said…
I just had blood work done and my TSH level is 60.66. I cannot find anything that tells me what the effects are of a TSH that high. I find lots of info about hypothyroidism, but nothing with that level. With no health insurance, what should be my next move? I am almost 58 years old and other wise in good health.
At Sun Jul 29, 11:47:00 AM 2007,
teresa said…
Dr. Broda Barnes wrote a book called "hypothyroidism: The Undiagnosed Illness", which is extremely informative and easy to read and understand. He explains the progression of this disease since before W.W.11, and it's connection to the myriad of symptoms associated with low thyroid. He treated many people with Armour thyroid and discovered the Barnes Basal Metabolism Test. This is a simple method of taking your temperature upon awakening, before arising, under the arm to determine your resting temperature. It should be between 97.8 and 98.2. Dr. Ray Peat, considered the leading expert today on hormones, aging and nutrition, explains these connections to thyroid health. This information is invaluable, especially for women. Check out raypeat.com
At Mon Jul 30, 06:54:00 AM 2007,
JC Jones MA RN said…
Anyone with a high TSH level needs to be closely monitored by a physician. If you do not have health insurance, please contact your county health office. There are public health agencies that you may qualify for, or you may find that a local clinic which serves low income clients can walk you through the paperwork to get the assistance you need. The important thing is to be resourceful. Look in the phone book for a low income health clinic near you. They often have excellent doctors working in them who can help you at a bargain price. Best of luck and keep us posted, but don't delay getting treated.
At Sat Aug 04, 08:42:00 AM 2007,
Anonymous said…
It doesn't seem that you addressed Cindy's comment regarding her high TSH level. I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism in March. My TSH level was 0.01. After an uptake test and thyroid scan which confirmed the diagnosis, I was given the radiation treatment and became quite ill. In six weeks my TSH level was 0.00 and my fT4 was 1.57 My test results in the next 6 weeks were TSH 12.7 and F T4 .33 and I was perscribed 50 mcu levothyroxinto take in the morning. Now, after 6 weeks my TSH level is 47.1 and my Free T4 is .37. My question to you is, Is this Normal or should I be refered to an Endocrinologist? I am a 64 year old woman who works but lives alone. I have good health insurance. Please respond because I don't know where to ask these questions.
Sincerely,
Diana Miller
At Sat Aug 04, 09:37:00 AM 2007,
Diana777 said…
In March of 2007 I was diagnosed with Hyperthyroidism.l My sister has Graves disease and the Dr.(internal medicine) said I probably had it too. My TSH level was 0.01. After confirming the diagnosis with a Thyroid uptake and scan I had the radiation treatment in April. Afterwards I had a severely inflammed thyroid and was put on prednisone. When I went back for a six week check-up my TSH was 0.00 and Free T4 was 1.23. I returned in another six weeks with my TSH level at 12.7 and F T4 was .33 so the Dr. prescribed 50MCG Levothyroxine sodium once a day which I took and have never missed a dose. Yesterday, (6 weeks) when I went to the Dr. my TSH level was 41.67 and My Free T4 was .37. My blood work for RDW was elevated along with triglycerides, as well as my comp. metabolic tests. He increased my Levothyroxin to 100MCG and said to come back for blood work in 4 weeks and see him in two months. I have asked if I need an endocrinologist and he said not now. The type of insurance covers whatever Dr. I choose but he has been my physician for 20 plus years.
I am sorry for going on so, but I am a 64 year old woman who works and lives alone and am just wondering if all of these thyroid issues are the normal path of progression for my disease. Any comments you could give me will be of immense help and truly appreciated.
At Sun Aug 05, 10:31:00 AM 2007,
Anonymous said…
I just had a blood panel done last week and my doctor said my TSH level was high. Could this cause me to have irregular bleeding? Maybe this is why I have had a period for the last 20 days? It's driving me CRAZY and now I am wondering if something else is wrong. Help!
At Sun Aug 12, 07:15:00 PM 2007,
Anonymous said…
Can Thyroid disease cause you to have seizures? I started having them about 7 years ago and have just spoken with several people who say I should have my Thyroid checked. Could there be any link?
At Thu Feb 07, 06:01:00 AM 2008,
Anonymous said…
My daughter was diagnosed with hypothyroidism at the age of 9. She was very active and kept her weight under control. Now as a 29 year old, she has steadily gained weight for the past 5 years. Is this something she can control, or do people with hypothroidism just have to live with being fat? She is now 3 months pregnant, and considerably overweight. I am very concerned.
At Thu May 08, 02:04:00 PM 2008,
Anonymous said…
My thyriod TSH is 23.38 What does that mean
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