When is it going to stop?
For months I have been coaching an individual to research the signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism. Now almost 30, his doctor has had him on two blood pressure medications since high school. At a checkup a month ago, the doctor ordered still yet a third medication for the uncontrolled hypertension.
This patient has a long list of symptoms – and has had for his entire life. Every time I would suggest the symptoms could possible point to a thyroid issue, he would comment, “My current and my previous doctor have both tested me for that. They both say I am within normal limits.”
“Within normal limits” – whenever I hear those words, it is the identical feeling that comes over me when I hear a fingernail scratching along a chalkboard. If you study the literature, you will find that it is estimated that 30% of the population has an undiagnosed thyroid problem. These same people helped set the lab ranges for what is considered “normal.”
This patient has struggled with his weight his entire life. Exercise programs and diet control do not remove the weight. He has been using a c-pap machine for sleep apnea for several years. Depression has been a lingering problem for him, particularly in the winter months. His hair is thinning. He has funny skin rashes. The list of symptoms go on and on. In addition, he has a strong family history of thyroid disorders.
Finally one day, I gave him the book Hypothyroidism Type 2 by Dr. Mark Starr, M.D. I begged him to read it prior to his next visit. The week before his appointment, the text messages started flying. In complete and total shock, he read all about his symptoms, one by one.
The day came for his appointment. Totally prepared, educated, and armed with notes, he courageously approached his physician. The physician would hear none of it. “You do not have a thyroid problem,” she exclaimed. “Your lab was normal.”
He quickly and politely reviewed his entire medical history and family history. The doctor would hear none of it. He finally insisted that she order a TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and TPO. In exasperation, she wrote the order just to appease him.
The lab report came back, and the physician phoned the patient the results – sarcastically stating that all were “within normal limits.” Sad, depressed, and in total despair, he relented, “It must just all be in my head.”
Oh, but wait, I commented, “Do you have a copy of your report?”
The patient called the office and requested a copy of the lab report. The office personnel told him they could not fax him the lab report. The patient called me and asked what to do.
“What? Why can’t they fax the report? It is your lab. You are giving them permission to fax the report to you.” I assured him he did have the right to a copy of his lab report, and he should simply call back and insist upon the report.
Guess what the lab values are? You guessed it. Clearly he has a problem with his thyroid. With lab report in hand, he is now in the process of scheduling an appointment with a different physician – one who understands the necessity of correlating symptoms with those numbers that appear at the very low point on that “normal” scale.
What is the message for today? Please be your own health care advocate. No one knows your body like you do. It is your body. It is your life. It is your lab. Do not cave it. Be courageous. Keep after it when you suspect there is something wrong.
If you know it, if you feel it, then your intuition is not lying to you. There is something going on. Pursue it till you do find someone who is willing to help you. Your happiness and health depend upon it.
Hi Rosie, you would be amazed (well, actually you wouldn’t be) by the number of women who have written to me and tell me their doctor’s office doesn’t want to give them a copy of their lab results. Makes me furious! This is a really good blog entry, I am going to link to it on my HH blog and my new Facebook fan page —- take care, thank you for all your efforts, happy spring (almost).