to anyone who has hormonal problems and what is being done about them. I can't get my doctors to take me seriously. orion or JB if you read this please respond, your last responses to CJ were very interesting and your symptoms are just like mine.

If you have a doc (or docs) who don't listen or don't take you seriously, start looking for one who will. I wasted many years with a doc that said all my problems were "nerves". Finally found one who takes time to listen and is usually willing to try some of my suggestions. He diagnosed my FM and CFS. He always takes my problems seriously, and if he ever stops...I'm going somewhere else. Your patient's rights say you have the right to be listened to and participate in your care and treatment. Hope you can find someone to help with your problems. Take care! Linda D.

About the best thing I can recommend is to get yourself educated in all these tests and hormones. One of the best starter books I found is called From Fatigued to Fantastic by Jacob Teitelbaum. It has a list of recommended Lab Tests. The first one is for thyroid deficiencies and the list goes on.
The book also gives symptoms, plus test interpretations, and some recommended treatment. The thyroid board here is good, also Mary Shomans thyroid site on About.com has lots of great information and a list of Dr.s who will listen to you. Keep trying. There's some people on the thyroid board who have been misdiagnosed for 20 years. Luckily with the internet we have access to their experience and their knowledge gained and can maybe find our cures a whold lot faster.
Good luck.

P.S. Actually the first thing is to check what you are eating. If you don't have enough selenium in your diet, the T4 won't change to T3, not enough Vit B and things happen, etc.etc. I felt much better after three months of taking a multi-vitamin and extra B vitamins.

[This message has been edited by JB* (edited 12-04-2000).]

Dberry, what are your symptoms and what tests have you had? Have you had any hormone tests?

You know what's not right? Doctors will charge around $60 for an office visit, but if you are willing to spend any amount of money on a test to see what the hell you have wrong with you, they don't want to test you ( and make you happy ) even though they would make a mint.

Lil'flowerchild