Diagnosis Question

steph4567 · 06-13-2008, 02:01 AM

Hi Ladies!!

I had my appointment with the Endocronologist today. I am not so sure about his diagnosis though, I was just wondering if anyone else has had this happen or if anyone has heard of this: My TSH was 2.059 which is suppose to be normal, My Free T3 was 16, which is suppose to be low, because the range is suppose to be 24-39, and my Free T4 was 14.1 and is suppose to be high, with the normal range being 4.5-12. Ok, the Endo. told me that the numbers were off due to my taking BCP's. Has anyone ever heard of this?

The reason I am so leary is because when I explained to him the reason I had the thyroid panel done was due to fatigue, he got out his prescription pad and wrote me a prescription for medicine he said was for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. However, I have never been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue, and then when I got home and looked the medicine up it stated that it was actually for a sleep disorder or narcolepsy. He eventually worked his way around to referring me to his colleague, because "he is just great at working with people to lose weight." He then proceeded to tell me that if I lost weight that I would no longer have high blood pressure, I would no longer have acid reflux, I would no longer be fatigued, and that I would no longer have insulin resistance. Oh and one other thing about the medicine he prescribed...I told him that my husband and I were trying to conceive our first child, and the website states that it is dangerous to a fetus and should not be taken by someone who is pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant!! I was so upset when I read that. Did he just ignore what I said, or was he deliberately being what I consider an arse?

After all of this, and his diagnosis that my thyroid was out of range due to BCP's, he sent me over to the lab to have my blood work done again, and my thryoid checked once again. I am not exactly sure how the lady in the lab got her job. She tried first to take blood from the TOP of my arm, which I have never had done before, and she blew the vein. Then, she decided to move on and try to take it IV style. She put the needle in and then was trying to hit the vein by pushing the needle deeper and deeper. It literally felt like the entire vial and all was going to go into my hand. Finally, she yells for help, and another more experienced lady comes in and finishes the job. I just wish she had shown up sooner. I now have a very bruised arm and a very sore hand.

I would just appreciate anyones input. I do not know much about the thyroid, so I was hoping that someone else might have more experience and could tell me if this diagnosis sounds right or not. Thanks in Advance to everyone!!

Loongirl · 06-13-2008, 07:00 PM

Oh my gosh! You have got to be kidding me! Personally I would find a new endo. Mine told me the only thing that would mess with anything is that the birth control pills would interfere with my results when it was time to retest for my lh and fsh levels. For a lot of people they feel at their optimum at a tsh of around 1.0. It sounds like you may be a little hypo (underactive) which can cause fatigue. Please find a doc that is more personable and is more concerned with you and how you feel rather than their ego. I feel for you. *hugs*

steph4567 · 06-13-2008, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loongirl

Oh my gosh! You have got to be kidding me! Personally I would find a new endo. Mine told me the only thing that would mess with anything is that the birth control pills would interfere with my results when it was time to retest for my lh and fsh levels. For a lot of people they feel at their optimum at a tsh of around 1.0. It sounds like you may be a little hypo (underactive) which can cause fatigue. Please find a doc that is more personable and is more concerned with you and how you feel rather than their ego. I feel for you. *hugs*

Thank You So Much for your input!!

shenacat · 06-15-2008, 01:43 AM

Birth control pills can impact thyroid function. Birth control pills containing estrogenic compounds will cause your thyroid to react to the estrogen. If you have normal thyroid function, this is not a problem because your body will compensate. If you do not have normal thyroid function, your body will be stressed and you may show weird results, like you did, where the numbers don't seem to make sense together.

Typically you should wean off bcps, and then test 6-8 weeks later. If your thyroid is going to malfunction, it will do so after you go off bcps. Mine took a nosedive into the toilet (my TSH went up to 25+) and then rebounded to hyper (TSH of .03+) and then settled into mildly hypo (TSH ~6). This is because of hormone withdrawal, and a damaged thyroid, which reacts wildly to hormone changes.

So, my suggestion is to visit the top docs page at http://www.thyroid-info.com/ and find a doctor at your locality that is well recommended, and get a thorough 2nd opinion.

good luck.

steph4567 · 06-15-2008, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shenacat

Birth control pills can impact thyroid function. Birth control pills containing estrogenic compounds will cause your thyroid to react to the estrogen. If you have normal thyroid function, this is not a problem because your body will compensate. If you do not have normal thyroid function, your body will be stressed and you may show weird results, like you did, where the numbers don't seem to make sense together.

Typically you should wean off bcps, and then test 6-8 weeks later. If your thyroid is going to malfunction, it will do so after you go off bcps. Mine took a nosedive into the toilet (my TSH went up to 25+) and then rebounded to hyper (TSH of .03+) and then settled into mildly hypo (TSH ~6). This is because of hormone withdrawal, and a damaged thyroid, which reacts wildly to hormone changes.

So, my suggestion is to visit the top docs page at http://www.thyroid-info.com/ and find a doctor at your locality that is well recommended, and get a thorough 2nd opinion.

good luck.

Thank You So Much!! I have just recently stopped taking my BCP's, so I guess only time will tell now. However, I do have to say that I am a little worried about what is going to happen now, because I have been on BCP's for the past 11 years now.

cease_and_decyst · 06-18-2008, 03:44 PM

I hate to say it but in defense to the phlebotomy person some veins are better on the top (or anywhere else they can be palpated - I've even drawn on someone’s leg! but wrist, top of hand, top of foot, upper arm work). Also, the veins can 'move' or 'roll' and 'fishing' around may not be fun but you can usually puncture the vein this way. anyways, always drink lots and water and SHOW THEM the best vein for you! its usually ends up better for everyone this way.

cshrwd · 07-01-2008, 11:21 PM

I really don't like the fact that he seems to be giving you a very blanket diagnosis and is NOT listening to you when you say very plain, factual stuff like "I'm TTC" and this med says not to do so when TTC. Personally, I don't know if I'd feel very safe under his care.

Sorry that I can't help more as it directly relates to your thyroid.