Well, I did it! I may have made the doctor mad, but when I went in today for my thyroid test, I asked the nurse what test he has ordered, she said TSH, T4 uptake. I said, well, I was really hoping he would run TSH, free T4, free t3, and antibodies. She said, "Which test is that?" I said I don't know what it is called, but it includes those. She couldn't find it in the book, so went to ask the doctor. She came back and said, he said OK, but you insurance may not pay for it. She made me sign an insurance release form and said they would do it. I did explain why I wanted it done. She said the doctor suggested perhaps I should see an endocrinologist. I don't know if that is his way of getting rid of me or telling me he is now over his head. But never the less, I will now finally know whether or not my suffering for the last four years is thyroid related or not. Thanks to all of you, I kept searching until I got someone who would run the test and had the courage to keep pushing. I should get the results in a few days and will actually get a copy this time and post the results. Thanks again!
Don't you feel totally empowered? I had to request the extra tests too with my old doctor. My insurance covered it except my portion, and the doctor's office said they probably wouldn't. I now go to another doctor who tests everything.
Good luck with everything.
You doctor mentioned that maybe you should see an endoc, because he doesn't know how to read the Free T3, FreeT4 and antibodies test results. My GP only orders a TSH and readily admits she's not a specialist in that area. I'm still going to request a full panel be done when I go in to be rechecked in a week....isn't that what it's called?
Marilyn
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Sleep well - there are people out there willing to die tonight so we can wake up safe tomorrow.
Still not sure what it is called. I am really beginning to realize what a mess all this thyroid stuff is within the medical community. My psychiatrist says the endos. are always yelling at her for the TSH levels she has some of her patients at. She argues that they feel better that way and she informs them of the risks and then lets them decide for themselves.
I noticed on all the national endo. sites I could find, none of them mentioned Hashi's or antibody testing. Does that mean an endo. would not treat someone for that?
On a lighter note. The doctor's office called today to let me know the hospital lost my stool samples and they need me to repeat the test. We laughed at work so hard I thought we would die! Where do you think it went? Is it under someone's desk? Will they find it later? Did someone take it? If so, why? Did they get it mixed up with someone else's. The possibilities are endless. The worst part is when I turned in the test I was having diarreah so it was simple, but now I am the opposite, so now, they may have to wait awhile.
Hope you enjoyed this story as much as we did today. It was almost worth the hastle.
Pushed for test! Thanks you guys! 
