The Endo is Not My Friend-o
I know that diabetes and thyroid problems tend to go together, and I have certainly had my share of the latter. I've been on levoxyl since about 1996, and have been pretty much in range all the time. My GP sent me for the usual A1C (in the 5s, yay) and some other tests, and I came back with a TSH of 8--which I know is outside the acceptable range for thyroid. And no, I'm not super tired or cold, but I have lost a bit of hair in the past year, and it does take me a few extra beats to remember words sometimes.
So I go to see my endo, and he acts all aggrieved.
Endo: I don't know why general practitioners INSIST on running thyroid tests. It's like they are trying to catch endocrinologists OUT or something. You don't have any symptoms, and in this office we go by symptoms.
Me: Well, since I know 8 is well outside the normal range for thyroid, and I'm supposed to be down at the low end of the range, ideally less than 1, can we re-run the test?
Endo: If you really want to . . . or we could just wait until June when you are scheduled for your regular appointment. You wouldn't even be here now if she hadn't insisted on running the test.
Long story short, I have a lab order to re-run the thyroid test, but why is my endo such a jackass?
So I go to see my endo, and he acts all aggrieved.
Endo: I don't know why general practitioners INSIST on running thyroid tests. It's like they are trying to catch endocrinologists OUT or something. You don't have any symptoms, and in this office we go by symptoms.
Me: Well, since I know 8 is well outside the normal range for thyroid, and I'm supposed to be down at the low end of the range, ideally less than 1, can we re-run the test?
Endo: If you really want to . . . or we could just wait until June when you are scheduled for your regular appointment. You wouldn't even be here now if she hadn't insisted on running the test.
Long story short, I have a lab order to re-run the thyroid test, but why is my endo such a jackass?
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Comment by latvianchick on March 15, 2011 at 12:10am -
I do not know. These endos seem to think they are gods and are beyond reproach sometimes! They do tend to have a holier than thou attitude and tend to set impossible targets.
Perhaps he had had a row with someone, a colleague or his wife???
If his attitude does not change, I would seriously consider changing doctors. Ask around other diabetics you know and get the feel of how their doctors are. That kind of attitude is unacceptable and unprofessional and you are struggling with two major health issues and do not need a ratty doctor to add to your woes.
I wish you well.
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Comment by Gerri on March 15, 2011 at 1:52am -
Gee, a bit territorial & gate-keeping, isn't he? So much for the team approach, which I never believed existed in the real world anyway. I've been through three endos in almost three years. One more arrogant & dismissive than the next. Hoping one day to have a good one who listens. I've never had a rapport with specialists.
Did you also have free T3 & free T4 in addition to TSH?
At least he agreed to do the tests again. That's success.
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Comment by Brian (bsc) on March 15, 2011 at 5:30am -
I think jackass class is mandatory for endos.
Look at it this way, at least he got a whole week of jackass class in medschool. Most doctors only get a day of diabetes education.
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Comment by Frances on March 15, 2011 at 10:27am -
No, no T3 and T4 . . . I realize that without those the TSH is, while not completely meaningless, pretty flawed. He did say though that if I get a number that I don't like back on the second test he'll raise my levoxyl dose. I'm going to let this play out a while since there's not a lot of choice of endos around here, but I am NOT impressed.
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