| First appointment with Endo
I just returned from my first appointment with my Endo and I'm somewhat relieved. Two GPs informed me that I was absolutely normal (TSH of 4.3 FT4 of 12) and no specialist would treat me - my symptoms were psycho somatic and not at all related to thyroid function.
This doctor had me fill out a detailed family history and list all of my symptoms along with a chronology of when they first appeared. She listened to me and told me at the end that the descision on whether to treat should be taken in conjuction with symptoms and results with the understanding that the goal should be preventative medicine - if you can treat now, before full blow hypothyroidism develops w/o harm to the patient then you should do so. She even said that she had had this discussion (i.e. arguement) with her colleauges at a recent endocrinology convention.
She gave me a lab requisition for a full panel of tests, one of which I am not sure of, others I know are the right ones. She also asked me to keep a journal of my weight in the am and in the pm (she's looking for water retention / bloat) and to write down what I eat - this is no problem I've been doing it for years. She wants to see me in about 10 days once all the tests come back and she will commence treatement at that time. I really was expecting the worst; this was a welcome relief.
She has asked for TSH, FT4, FT3 and antibodies. She also asked for fasting glucose, creatinine, potassium, cholesterol and triglycerides, serum insulin and serum cortisol. I am to give them a fasting (no water) urine sample - something about S. Osmolality (sp) - I cannot read her writting here.
It looks to me like she is covering all the bases - does anyone have any input on what the she's looking for with the last one? (osmolality).
While I was hoping to be taking something by now I am relieved that I found someone to listen to me.
Thanks for all your support and help the past few months.
Nat
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A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.
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