Quick update on my TSH troubles. So I had not heard back from my RE this morning so I called my PCP. I told her nurse about my miscarriage riddled past few months and about my slightly elevated TSH. She agreed to talk to the doctor right away and get back to me.
In the time that it took me to wait for her call back, I got a call back from my RE's nurse. She mentioned that my RE was out for the rest of the week, but that she emailed back that there was no harm in treating me if it would make me feel better. They called in a prescription for 25 mg of some type of thyroid regulating medication that I am to pick up today after work and take every day. She mentioned that I should come back in 3-4 weeks to get retested. I thanked her for her call back and hung up the phone. I was feeling relieved already.
Almost immediately after getting off the phone with her, my PCP's nurse called me back. Apparently my PCP thinks that I should see an endocrinologist ASAP (under the circumstances). She gave me 2 endocrinologist references and asked if I had any more questions. I really couldn't think of any other than my shock that 2 doctors could have such differing opinions on one TSH level.
Once again the medical profession has left me feeling confused and alone. If I had not asked to have my thyroid checked on Tuesday I would not have even known about this. If I didn't have Dr. G.oogle and good friends who have had similar issues, I would not have followed up after getting the test results back to ask for treatment. If I had not called my PCP, I might not have even contemplated seeing an endocrinologist. Does anyone else have issues like this or is it just me? Am I just too anal when it comes to my health?
On a side note, I emailed the psychologist from my support group this morning to tell her that I am pregnant and that I don't feel comfortable telling anyone but her. I told her I was on the fence about coming to the session tonight because I feel awkward and untruthful. I asked if she could call me to discuss. I have not heard back from her yet. If I don't hear back from her, I don't think I am going to go tonight. I hope she calls me back.
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So glad you will be seeing the an endo! You are doing the right thing to push through here.
ReplyDeleteI too had (have) the same feelings of anger and confusion at the medical world. I had a miscarriage with a TSH of 8.3 - 8.3!!! - and my gyno didn't even care enough to advise me about it. I had to become my own doctor and my own very vocal advocate to get a referral to an endocrinologist from my PCP, who I turned to after the gyno brushed me off. Shocking, really.
Keep up the good advocacy on your own behalf - it's so important!
Wow that is crazy that they didn't advise you with a level like that. WTF?! I mean I always wonder where the line of medical malpractice can be drawn. I hate that people seem to sue for everything these days, but I mean why not be more proactive, right? I am glad my PCP was much more attentive to my question. Are you taking thyroid medication now or does yours only seem to go out of whack when you are pregnant? Do you have any hypo symptoms? Thanks so much for sharing your experience!!
DeleteI have had (diagnosed) hypothyroidism and have been on levothyroxine for almost two decades now, but no doctor ever explained the fertility link to me. After the pregnancy loss, I did a lot of research on it and started really pushing for answers.
DeleteThe endocrinologist incread my dose - it's 225 mcg now, a lot! - to get my TSH down very low (in the 0.something range) to prepare to fall pregnant. So no, I don't currently have hypo symptoms.
I am so glad that you pursued this further and that you are getting some answers. More proof that we know more about our bodies than the medical world. They are so amazing with diagnosis but really fall flat with treatment. Keep us posted.
ReplyDeleteI have lost lots of pregnancies BUT I did after four losses get and stay pregnant (DD will be 5) after her I think I had one or two more losses and then thyroid issues presented. My endo did not want to treat it ( I think I was in the 2.5 or 3.5) range but my RE said that we absolutely should treat it. With really tight TSH (hovering around 1.0 ish) I was able to get pregnant with twins and deliver them healthy last winter.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right to be an advocate for yourself and get it treated. Just my two cents.
I think you should make an appointment to see an endocrinologist AND start taking that med (synthroid? or generic) as soon as you can. 3.3-ish TSH isn't the end of the world, but you want to ideally be between 1-2 while TTC and pregnant. The levels used to go up to 5 before needing to take meds, but they lowered it to 3 (and lower if you are pregnant). I've been on Synthroid for years and whenever I got pregnant (RPLer here) they would have me increase by an extra pill every week.
ReplyDelete