Does Your Doctor Really Understand Your Thyroid Condition?

Doctors like to look at numbers. Some doctors treat you like a number instead of a person who is having symptoms even though the numbers say you should be fine. If your thyroid hormones are low, your doctor will prescribe medication and retest your blood. As long as your hormone levels get within the normal range he/she is happy.

You may still feel miserable. It is rarely as simple as that to treat thyroid disease. What's worse are the people who suffer from thyroid disease for months or years without being properly diagnosed or treated. The unfortunate truth is that you can have a blood test within the normal ranges and yet still suffer with thyroid symptoms.

It can be a real challenge to reverse your thyroid disease. It takes dedication and motivation. You aren't being successfully treated until your symptoms go away and that includes the terrible fatigue, slow weight gain and many other symptoms that come with this condition.

You can help your doctor treat you better by being specific with your symptoms. One of the most common complaints your doctor hears from a patient is that they are always tired. By itself, that symptom doesn't mean very much because so many different things can cause a person to be chronically tired. Keep detailed records of your symptoms so when you visit your doctor he can get a clear picture of your condition.

Although it may seem like your doctor gives you the brush off when you complain of fatigue and depression, it may be a case of your symptoms being so vague and general that he doesn't have a clear lead on where to begin treatment. In fact, hypothyroidism was listed among the Reader's Digest list for the "10 Diseases Doctors Miss". They claim half of the cases of hypothyroidism go undiagnosed because their symptoms are mistaken as the natural effects of aging.

You should know what to expect when you visit your doctor so you know he is testing your thyroid properly. Your doctor should use his hands to feel the lower part of the front of your neck where your thyroid gland is. By doing this he may be able to detect if your thyroid is enlarged or has growths on it. He should also take your vital signs since your thyroid can have an effect on your respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature. He should perform a blood test which reveals your serum TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), T3 and T4 levels. He may also want to consider the following test results: cholesterol level, blood glucose, triglycerides and B-12 level. To confirm a diagnosis, he may also order a radioactive iodine uptake test to see how well your thyroid absorbs iodine.

People with thyroid disease often complain that they have suffered for months or even years and just can't get the right diagnosis or treatment. Don't let this happen to you. If you feel like you are not getting proper care from your doctor, ask him for a referral or find another doctor by yourself. An endocrinologist is the type of doctor who specializes in treating thyroid disorders. Ask your doctor if you would benefit from a consultation with one of these specialists.

Your health is too important, especially when you can feel so much better with proper treatment. If you suspect you have thyroid disease, ask your doctor to perform the blood tests you require for a definitive diagnosis. If you are at a loss on where to start looking for a good doctor to treat your thyroid, check with the Thyroid Association in your area for a referral or ask someone who has the disease and is happy with the treatment from their physician.

Working together with your doctor, you can manage or reverse the symptoms of your thyroid disorder. It isn't as easy as taking a pill though. You must also adopt a healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise, healthy food and pure water to feel your best.