[Ski]

#1071087

That can be a really personal decision ~ first thing you should know is that everything takes a while when you’re treating Graves’ Disease. Don’t think your personal doctor is doing a bad job because things are moving slowly.

Many people are successfully treated by their personal physicians, but others feel better having an endocrinologist treating them. You may want to see an endocrinologist just so you’ve established a relationship with one, in case your treatment begins to have any complications, or if you have questions your personal doctor cannot answer.

Here’s the real issue. Some personal physicians have a lot of experience with patients who have Graves’ or other thyroid disorders, and they understand the peculiar nature of what we’re going through. Some do not. Some endocrinologists have a lot of experience with Graves’, and some do not. So asking a blanket question, "which is better," doesn’t give you a conclusive answer. It sounds as if your doctor is on track so far, but again, it’s probably a good idea just to MEET an endocrinologist, as this is exclusively in their realm. Do some research and find one that has experience with Graves’ patients, and who is willing to work WITH their patients, not "rule over" their patients, if you get my meaning. You can find these things out by asking the office staff over the phone, most of the time. Get a few minutes with a receptionist and also speak with one of the nurses, and you can tell a lot before you ever visit.

Once you’ve met and begun the relationship with an endo, you can decide for yourself which doctor you’d prefer to have as the main physician for your treatment. You can also ask them to confer in situations when you feel it’s necessary.

[swtink]

#1019353

I was just diagnosis with graves a month ago. My primary doctor put on Tapazol. I just had my blood work done again and saw my doctor today. I was .004 and now I’m .015 she said I was still low and she is doubling my tapazol. At what point do I atart to see Endocrinologist? or Do I stay with my regular doctor?

[Kimberly]

#1071088

Hello – I see an Endo, but only because my GP referred me to one when my labs showed that I was hyperthyroid.

I assume that the levels that you mentioned were for TSH…is your doctor also testing Free T3 and Free T4? Since these tests measure the actual level of available thyroid hormone in your body, they are actually better benchmarks for making dosing changes. Many doctors (including endos) determine dosing solely off of TSH…but TSH can remain supressed long after FT3 and FT4 have fallen into a "normal" range.

Best of luck!

[swtink]

#1071089

Thank you Ski after reading what you wrote it all make sense to me. My regular is doing the best she can and has tested me for TSH 3 Free TSH 4 Free and I forgot something else. She told me she knows here limits. Thank you I know I have to be patient with this. I just want to be myself again.

Liza

[ely2009]

#1071090

Liza,

PATIENCE is hard when dealing with Graves. I TOTALLY understand wanting to be yourself again. i was diagnosed in March and am just finally feeling "somewhat normal" SOME of the time. It’s definitely improving amd I am grateful. Hang in there. It’s hard to struggle to get through the days but it will get better.

Emily

[Ski]

#1071091

Hi Liza,

We all understand, believe me. ” title=”Very Happy” /> Two things we hate most: not feeling like ourselves, and other people not believing we’re really sick.

Do yourself a favor and look for TINY improvements in each day, then celebrate those. In addition to that, since our energy is limited, spend that energy on things you LOVE, things that sustain you, things that give you something back. We need things that send our spirits soaring, and we need to drop things that suck the energy out of us with no return.

One tiny comment ~ there are three levels we typically have tested, they are T4, T3 and TSH. Just a little primer ~ T4 and T3 are thyroid hormone in our bloodstream, and TSH is the thyroid stimulating hormone that comes out of our pituitary gland in response to T3/T4 levels the pituitary "reads" in our bloodstream. For that reason, these levels will have an inverse relationship. High TSH should indicate low T3/T4, and vice versa. I’ve had doctors get confused between those (for instance, asking me to take MORE thyroid hormone replacement when my TSH was low), so it’s helpful to have a basic understanding of that for ourselves.

Please let us know how things are progressing for you, and ask ANYTHING that comes up. We’re happy to help.

[mamabear]

#1071092

I agree! I hate feeling "not well" and also hate it when you look "ok" therefore people think you are fine. Well I don’t look ok so most people see the unhealthy look in me and say "hmmmm we better not muck with her" LOL
DH knows me and knows even though labs don’t show something bad that there is something going on.

Trusting your general dr. is the greatest feeling in the world!! Very proud that she knows her limits, she isn’t trying to be a hero which is great for a Graves’ patient.
One year all of my levels were all screwed up and I couldn’t think straight and was even to a point of stuttering and falling down and the endo wouldn’t see me. My general dr called him and demanded that I be seen and I guess due to her cranky nature he saw me without giving me crap about it lol.

I do hope you feel better soon. Today I’m in a great mood and I’d say for anyone feeling like they sky was going to fall and they wanted to crawl back into bed and not get up again….. that if you’re feeling like you’re going crazy..just go with it!!! Laugh about it and ride the feeling. If we can’t laugh at ourselves and the things that happen around us that we can’t figure yet then life must be boring.

It is so hard to keep a smile on your face when BLUE is the only feeling you have…. Throw some green and purple in that mix…get some red in there too!!! Throw a fuzzy hat on your head and laugh at yourself, listen to old music and laugh at yourself thinking of what you use to rock to as a kid. Call a friend but don’t complain…just chat with them and if they ask how you are doing tell them I’m working on getting better. Always positive things… never negative. The more talking of positive things the better your heart will be.

The up’s and down’s of things is hard, especially like me, if we don’t know what is really going on. But like it was said in another post..be happy with the little things.

[kar809]

#1071093

i have had graves disease since 1981. i also take the generic tapizole. i have lived a normal life. i am now 60. i see an endocrynologyst who is very caring and knowledgeble. something that helped me was a book called the thyroid solution. it was an eye opener for me. it explained everything i was feeling and also listed all the symptoms including bipolar. now my daughter seems to have developed nodules so i am glad that i have gone through this so that i can be there for her. that is how i located this site . at any rate a normal life can be in store for you. you will feel tired at times. sometimes the disease goes into remission as it did for me. i did not need meds for 19 years. but since 2000 i have had to take a low dose. it is important to always see your doctor at least yearly if not more. i see mine 2x unless i don’t feel well. and make sure you have the blood work. i hope this has helped you a little bit

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