New doctor update

So, I met with my new doctor, and I have to say I really like her.

I've been having trouble with my hashimoto's thyroiditis. Some of you may not know what that is, and to save you the google search....

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an autoimmune disease in which your body makes antibodies that attack and gradually kill/destroy your thyroid by killing the follicles. The disease generally results in the person becoming hypothyroid (deficient in thyroid hormones). The thyroid hormones are important because one of their functions is the regulation of metabolism, controlling how quickly the body uses energy, makes proteins, and how sensitive the body is to other hormones. The pituitary gland controls the thyroid by sending out thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) when it determines that there's not enough thyroid hormones in the body. In my case my thyroid isn't dead yet, so sometimes it makes hormones and sometimes not. My pituitary gland keeps sending out TSH telling my thyroid to make more T3 and T4 (the thyroid hormones).

Some of the lovely symptoms of the hypothyroidism caused by the Hashimoto's are:

•Goiter

•Difficulty losing weight

•Low thyroid hormone level

•Mental slowness

•Physical slowness

•Esophageal compression

•Cold sensitivity

•Weight gain

•Coarse skin

•Dry skin

•Fatigue

•Depression

•Muscle weakness

•Brittle hair

•Constipation

•Muscle cramps

•Neck discomfort

•Periodic paralysis

•Thyroid enlargement

•Myxedema

•Musculoskeletal symptoms

•Rheumatoid arthritis

•Reduced thyroid hormone level

•Hoarse voice

•Pale skin

•Facial swelling

•Muscle tenderness

•Muscle stiffness

•Joint pain

•Joint stiffness

•Excessive menstrual bleeding

•Mania

•Sensitivity to cold

•Panic attacks

•Bradycardia

•High cholesterol

•Reactive hypoglycemia

•Migraines

•Cramps

•Memory loss

•Infertility

•Hair loss


Luckily I don't have all of those. Phew, right? could be waaay worse. =0)

The biggest issues for me when my levels are off are: dry skin, menstrual issues, infertility, hair loss, esophageal compression (food/pills get stuck in my throat constantly), being TIRED all the time (literally I can sleep 14 hours and still take a 3 hour nap), headaches, bradycardia (slow pulse). At one of the visits that I went to, when I was trying to get a diagnosis, my resting pulse was 43 bpm, and the doctor said it's because I was in the Marines and running alot. Even today with my relative inactivity my heart rate is usually about 60.


Sorry if that was confusing, I barely understand how it works myself. At any rate, went to my new doctor because I have been having ear issues. It sounds like I'm under water, and cracks and pops, very annoying. She was great, checked out my ears, explained the diagnosis (eustachian tube dysfunction) and the treatments. She's very western medicine, BUTwas very open to hearing my concerns, and did suggest a neti pot when I said I'd rather not use OTC medicines or nasal steroids. It was great to be listened to, and to have a doctor that explained things so in depth.

I mentioned to her that I had Hashimoto's and subclinical hypothyroidism (meaning my TSH is high but bound T4 is within normal range, and I'm symptomatic) and that I needed a refill on my script. She understood exactly what I meant and said it's only a matter of time before your thyroid stops working so we should keep an eye on it, ordered tests, and a few days later I got the results at my house ( my old doc I had to call and request the actual levels) along with a letter from her saying she'd upped my dosage because of the results, called in a new script to my pharmacy, and we should retest in 2 months. It's nice to be listened to and I'm hoping we get the right levels soon.

=0) She's a keeper.