Type of doctor for LBP? - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

alwayshotroddin · 01-02-2007, 05:06 PM

Hi guys,

I want to see a doctor about low blood pressure. I would see my family doctor but I've been going around in circles with him lately to find out what is wrong with me (I also have dizziness, vertigo, nausea, and stomach problems). Do you know what doctor would be appropriate to discuss why my blood pressure might be low and could possibly be causing my other symptoms?

Thanks.

Barbara_Ann · 01-02-2007, 06:07 PM

First thing you need to do is get rid of this doctor if he/she is not trying to identify what the cause of your problems are.

Because you've indicated that you have low blood pressure that combined with all your other symptoms which sound anxiety related, makes me think your Thyroid may be low.

I had most of your symptoms but my blood pressure went high instead of low when my Thyroid stopped producing enough hormones. Very low producing.

Your Thyroid literally balances everything in your body. When it is not functioning right it can get your whole body off balance. Symptoms like vertigo, dizziness, blood pressure up or down and many other things are affected. It is connected to your adrenal gland and can really play havoc with your adrenalin level and throw you into horrific panic attacks out of the blue.

I was about on all fours by the time I got to a doctor - kept putting it off. When she asked me what I was there for - I said - I don't know, I can just tell you something is out of balance in my body - something's not right. She had me fast - then they pulled blood. They did complete blood work up and sure enough my Thryroid was way low. Prescribed tiny little daily hormone and I'm back to my old self again. I didn't know but it runs in the family.

I'd get a NEW doctor and ask that a complete blood work up be done. Then go from there.

Good luck and keep us posted

alwayshotroddin · 01-02-2007, 06:21 PM

Barbara,

Thanks for the quick reply. It's funny you mentioned thyroid. I did have blood work done at the end of November and sure enough, the only abnormality I had was a slightly elevated TSH level - 5.6. My family doctor started me on Synthroid 50 mcg. I took that for 2 days and then I had a very bad vertigo spell that lasted about 12 hours. I quit taking the Synthroid and contacted my family doctor. He told me I probably have an inner ear disorder so I went to an ENT doctor who told me that he didn't think it was my thyroid at all and that I have BPPV (benign paroxymal positional vertigo) and that my vertigo/dizziness spells would go away with time. Well, it's been over a month and I still have them. Not so much with the vertigo, but just a feeling of off-balance and just uneasiness, not to mention my anxiety has gotten horrible because I have no idea what is wrong with me.

My ENT doctor told me that if I have BPPV that my vertigo would be set off by moving my head a certain direction because crystals in my ear are knocked out of place, causing the dizziness. Funny thing is I have the dizziness/vertigo spells for no rhyme or reason. I could be sitting, standing, walking, sleeping, it doesn't matter. I also now have horrible stomach problems. I thought I just had a case of acid reflux but my stomach hurts all the time and I am nauseas, along with lack of appetite of course.

I had more blood drawn last Friday and they are going to recheck my TSH levels. They said they should have the results back either tomorrow or Thursday so I will keep you posted and see if my TSH levels have risen even more and possibly they are the true culprit?

I have read up a lot on hypothyroidism and how it affects your body. I haven't had the weight gain or hair loss usually associated with elevated TSH levels but I suppose it effects everyone differently.

2jen · 01-02-2007, 09:47 PM

It sounds like it might be a good idea for you to see an endocrinologist! They deal with all hormones and glands, and if you are already on medication for your thyroid it would probably be a good idea.

Barbara_Ann · 01-02-2007, 09:59 PM

Yeah, I'm leaning even more toward something with the Thyroid now that I read your last post.

Be interesting to know what your new tsh level will show. More then likely it will show in the normal range but that does not necessarily mean you are balanced yet. I'd got to endoctrinologist and be double checked. It could still be you Thryoid even if you are showing in the normal range but doctors are reluctant to up the dosage (especially GP's) for fear of overdosing you and it can be easily done. You may need to be on .75mg instead .50mg.

My sister was one of those people was running around with all the symptoms but blood work was showing her in the normal range. After year and half she finally went to and endoctrinologist he put her immediately on .75mg and she's still on it (she had a normal tsh). My tsh on the otherhand was 11.93 and I was only put on .50mg. am still on it and doing fine. A lot of people are walking around with blood showing them in normal range and they aren't. It takes an endo. usually to get them diagnosed and treated. What dosage a person needs is not that black and white or my sis would be on .50mg. and I'd have been put on .75mg. A man I work with had an initial tsh lower then mine at 8.3 and he was immediately put on .75mg. Amazing.

As far as the symtoms for hypothyroidism you've read up - so you know there are many of them. I had several but not all and you don't have to have all to be hypo.

I just instinctively feel that some how that curious little butterfly size and shaped but powerful organ the Thryoid is playing in this.
If not the Thyroid then something else in your endoctrinal system which includes your pitutary gland, your adrenal gland and another gland or two. They are all hooked together in what is called the waterfall effect.

Please keep us posted for sure.

P.S. I was also kinda thinking inner ear infection but the stomach thing doesn't fit - so I'm back to the Thyroid cause it can definetly fit in that area.