[ewmb]

#1069241

Joy,
I don’t know the answer to your direct question but I would write that doctor a personal letter or e-mail and ask for an explanation. That is not very professional to tell you you can wait six months for a question about a test result. I hope that your physician would answer that question if he were made aware that you had it. Sounds like the front desk was wrong on this one to me.

ewmb

[Sue_Conard]

#1069242

I’d call and DEMAND your Endo call me back immediately or make another appt. I agree, the front desk has THIS ONE WRONG!! I’d like to hear the follow-up answer as I’m very interested. Please let us know!

[JoyC]

#1019105

Hi. I am in remission with Graves, but having other autoimmune issues. However, it was time for my 6month recheck with my endocrinologist. He examined me, then did bloodwork, sending me results by mail. All my thyroid levels (free T3,T4, TSH, and anti-thyroid antibodies) were still in normal range, except my TSI (Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulins) were 149% – this lab the neg is less than 130. I tried calling endo’s office for explanation, but was told I could ask him at my next check up- 6 months from now . So, I am hoping someone here- you have all been so helpful before- could help me understand. From what I have been able to learn, the TSI’s are the little devils that bind to the TSH receptors and start the ball rolling by causing the thyroid to pump out more thyroxine and triiodothyronine. So, if my TSI is high- am I on my way to a relapse? Or, since I have other autoimmune issues could that make other immunoglobulins act out? Or, is this level always high on a Graves patient even in remission?
Please help. I am confused and frustrated. I like my endocrinologist, but am very disappointed that I have to seek answers to my questions elsewhere! I am due to see a rheumatologist soon for my other autoimmune issues, but I have found that doctors don’t like to answer questions in someone else’s area of expertise!
Thank you.
Joy

[npatterson]

#1069243

They are right, you need to contact the doctor, not the front office. They are doing their job, which is to manage the doctor’s time. It will do you no good to be demanding, but do figure out a way to contact him. When you see him in person, that is the time to let him know about your experience with his office staff.

Does he have a nurse? She might be able to help you get a message to him. In the meantime, I will copy and paste your post to a couple of our doctors, and see what they have to say. I seem to stay confused about antibodies. They seem so individual. Some people seem to have them go away after a couple of years, some longer than that, and some still have them after twenty-plus years.

Your questions are good. Your research has been good as well. Hang in there, and give me a few days.

[JoyC]

#1069244

Thank you for passing my questions along, Nancy. Any more information I can gather will be helpful. We are short of endocrinologists in our area- so I want to be on good terms with the office staff, and I really do like my doctor. But, I know I will have to let them know that I feel like they should be able to get an answer (if there is one!) to my questions. In addition, I get the impression that even the endocrinologist has been a bit confused by the paths my Graves has chosen. (Leave it to me to get an unusual disease, and then have an unusual presentation to boot!)
In the meantime, I will continue to learn as much as I can. Hopefully I can put all the pieces together sometime.
Thanks again for any information that can be sent my way!
Joy

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