endocrinologiest reco

[Sweetum]

I've been on thyroid medication since 2 years - my family practitioner said that I was borderline (clinical?) for hypo, and put me on meds since I was planning on conceiving. My DS is now almost a year old, and about 2 months ago, I stopped my meds on my own - I just didn't have the time to go pick them up! (no, really) And then I didn't want to "re-start" without checking with the doc, and that took some more time, and finally today I gave my blood on Wednesday, and today I got a call from the doc who said that I was still borderline and that it's not really necessary to go on the meds unless I have a reason to - TTC, all the symptoms (including fatigue), pregnant, BF. But I sometimes feel dizzy (not big time, but a bit) and have been feeling a little more fatigued than usual lately. I was thinking I should maybe go to a specialist to get this checked out. Anyone have any suggestions for my situ? And I need recos for endocrinologists in my area - I live in the San Francisco Bay Area (South Bay). Would greatly appreciate your advice and help.

TIA
-SunshineAndMe

[fortato]

One of the biggest things I notice when my doseage is off, is my mood. Are you more moody? I get either depressed or pissy, and I am not usually like that when my Levoxyl is right...

It can't hurt to ask for a blood profile. Especially if YOU feel "off".

[niccig]

One of the biggest things I notice when my doseage is off, is my mood. Are you more moody? I get either depressed or pissy, and I am not usually like that when my Levoxyl is right....


This is me too. When my levels aren't right, I am Miss Cranky Pants. I wake up and I'm in a bad mood and I stay that way. I also have insomnia.

I used this when looking for thyroid specialists a few years back http://www.thyroid.org/patients/specialists.php I couldn't get into the Dr. that is listed for USC Medical Center, but I called and saw another endocrinologist in the same office, so that's an option - find someone listed and see antoher DR. in the same office if you have to.

It's worth seeing a specialist. My friend was dealing with her family Dr. and she finally went to my Dr, after some nagging from me. She has Hashimotos, and her family Dr. never did that bloodwork. It means she has to have more regular blood work as she can cycle from hypo to hyper, and it's an autoimmune disease. There's a lot more about the levels and how they interact that a thyroid specialists understands better in my experience when dealing with thyroid issues and Dr.s.

[fortato]

Ooh- I forgot about the insomnia.... put the insomnia together with the pissiness, and a snoring husband... and you've got a disgruntled mommy.

[elizabethkott]

I would def. go see an endo.
The thyroid is such a tricky little bugger. You could be feeling ok and have your levels totally out of whack, and vice versa. It's about finding the right balance and finding a doctor that actually listens to how you are feeling, not just reading blood work levels.
Look up Mary Shomon's site on about.com. She's an awesome source for everything thyroid and a huge patient advocate. I'd also highly recommend her book "Living Well With Hypothyroidism". It's a very eye-opening, empowering book.
GL!

[niccig]

Ooh- I forgot about the insomnia.... put the insomnia together with the pissiness, and a snoring husband... and you've got a disgruntled mommy.

Yep, this is me. And it was my friend too. She was talking about divorce. I told her that if you have thyroid issues and using the word "divorce" you have to go get your thyroid levels tested first. She went to my endocrinologist, find out had Hashimotos and wasn't on the right amount of medicine. Dr. increased medicine, she could stop taking her lexapro, started to lose weight, and was much happier. She's still married.

OP, I hope you don't mind some unsolicited advice...if you do need to have thyroid medicine, you have to take it religiously. It's a pain to take it on an empty stomach and not eat/drink coffee for 1 hour, it's a pain to have to always get the refill, to go in and have the blood work and Dr.'s appointment. I totally get it. I did not want to have to take a pill every day. One week I had forgotten to take my pills for a few days, and I was a raging b$tch, and it's not fair that DS, DH have to deal with that because I won't take my pills. I'm a much better mother and wife and person when I'm on top off my thyroid issues.

Oh, and on the the TTC/pregnancy issue. My endo tells me every visit that if I'm pregnant, the first call is to HIM and then to the OB. He's made it very clear that it's extremely important to adjust my thyroid meds. throughout pregnancy and the OB is to not do that. I don't think he's had great experiences with other non-endocrinologists dealing with thyroid issues.

But you're levels could be fine, and you don't need any of this advice...

[Sweetum]

Thanks everyone. I finally went a saw an endocrinologist today. She was visibly shocked that my OBGYN had not referred me to an endocrinologist during my pregnancy (not becausemy levels are really off, but because my levels were bordreline and that it would have been the prudent thing to do...accordig to her), and much more so when she realized that my dosage was never adjusted during my pregnancy. Anyways, her advice was to continue the medication and do some bloodwork 5 weeks from now. And since we're planning on a 2nd child in the next few years, it's all the more important now. When I questioned her a bit more, she chided me saying "what's your problem?" ;) well, I didn't mind her saying that...finally I found a doctor who cares enough to chide and not just say "well, it is upto you" - that's my personal opinion. Anyways, this was my first visit and I'm glad I did it. thank you all.

-SunshineAndMe