posted 10-28-2001 11:43 AM         

There wasn't much on Iowa in the cached version I found:

From Thyroid.About.com:
IOWA(last updated April 2001)

Des Moines
Dr. Brad Smith, surgeon.

Iowa City
Dr. Thomas O'dorisio, endocrinologist.
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, IA.

A reader tells us, “He not only listens but knows why you feel the way you do. Dr. O’Do is the greatest.”

Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Iowa
A reader writes: "In the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area of Iowa there are no endocrinologists, to my knowledge, unless someone has just set up practice. Dr. Annie Kontos is a very good general practitioner and it is reported that Cherie Bennet, an internal specialist, is very good and actually listens to her patients."

The American Assn of Clinical Endocrinologists (http://www.aace.com/memsearch.php?action=doSrch) lists the following Endos specializing in Thyroid Disfunction, although none specifically in your area. And it's just listings, NOT patient recommendations. Go to the link for directions, etc. (I only typed in the state, as there were no entries when I included a city.)

Jaroslaw P. Aniszewski, M.D.
Sioux City, IA 51104

John H. Brinkman, M.D., F.A.C.E.
Mason City, IA 50401-2926

Richard Paul Carano, M.D.
Ames, IA 50014-9351

Nicholas E. Clarke, MD
University of Iowa Health Care
Iowa City, IA 52240

Ngozi E. Erondu, M.B.B.S., PhD
Coralville, IA 52241

Ronald A. Iverson, M.D.
Dubuque, IA 52001

Udaya Manohar Kabadi, M.D., F.A.C.E.
Iowa City, IA 52246

Nancy Jean Kane-Johnson, M.D., F.A.C.E.
Des Moines, IA 50325

Christina L. Orr, M.D.
Iowa City, IA 52242

Most of the other sites with referrals don't seem to have info for Iowa, but maybe these will be some new names for you to interview if they're not too far away.

Hope this helps, Spirit. Hang in there. Your persistence will eventually pay off.

Please delete business address/phone info before posting ONLY the names, cities and states.
Thank you.

posted 10-30-2001 11:34 AM         

Have you cconsidered that the doc may be right that you need your thyroid removed to solve your problem?
I am not saying one way or the other...Please refresh my memory as to your thyroid problem.

posted 10-30-2001 02:36 PM         

I tried looking for docs in Indiana, Illinois, and various cities in your area. The closest I could find was for Wisconsin.
http://thyroid.about.com/library/navigate/bldoc-wi.htm?terms=Wisconsin

I'm afraid that is too far away for you.

I just started a How To thread called "Top Docs." Perhaps that can help you.

posted 10-30-2001 05:41 PM         

One often has to go thru uncomfortable adjustment periods to get to a proper dose.
One can feel more ill in the process, but that goes away when you egt to the right dose level.

I think your thyroid is not functioning properly. Sometimes the only solution is to remove it and go on hormones. This may be your case.

I hated the plain estrogens, myself, having been on them due to being menopausal due to surgery. I now use Tri-Est, which is the human female balance of female hormones. It has virtually no side-effect once one is adjusted to it.
There are a lot of options.
What you do is up to you.

I think you need to be tested to find out what the nodules are doing...those are not normal. Then discuss all options with the doc until you come to a conclusion what you need.

Keep us updated! TF

posted 10-30-2001 08:19 PM         

Please go to the information Archive topic here, and look at the symptoms of hypo and also hyper, and check off which symptoms you have. One may have any, either or all or no symptoms and still be off.

For instance I am menopausal and also need my TSH suppressed below one. What is your usual body temperature? Please tell us what symptoms you have besides goiter and nodules.

posted 10-30-2001 11:16 PM         

In addition to the tests TF suggested, you may want to consider a thyroid antibody blood test. Sometimes if your antibodies are high and are attacking the healthy thyroid tissue, you can have hypo symptoms (and nodules) before your blood levels reveal a decrease in T4, T3, etc.

Also, Maca is an herb that is supposed to be very useful for people in early menopause. Since you aren't tolerating most HRTs, perhaps Maca with a natural progesterone cream would work for you. You can find both in a health food store.

posted 10-31-2001 01:45 AM         

Those are common hypo symptoms and if you are menopausal, that can exacerbate the symptoms.
Sensitivity to cold, constipation, etc, are not menopausal symptoms, they are hypo ones.

posted 10-31-2001 08:31 PM         

F.A.C.E stands for "Fellow of the American College of Endocrinology"