Lab results

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Thu May 09, 2013 11:13 am

Are the natural supplements as effective as those given by a doctor? The kind I'm taking can only be dispensed by a licensed professional. I'm having a difficult time finding a doctor who will even consider treating me for it.

Post by **tex** » Thu May 09, 2013 12:50 pm

Most of the natural supplements are likely to be what I would call thyroid stimulants. IOW, they attempt to entice the thyroid to be more productive. Prescription thyroid supplements for treating hypothyroidism consist of the actual hormones (thyroxine, etc.,) that are produced by the thyroid when is is functioning normally. IOW, they replace or add to the hormones that the thyroid would be producing if it were functioning normally.

Tex

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Fri May 10, 2013 4:34 am

Makes sense- thanks! I currently do not have a family doctor. How does one go about "interviewing" a replacement? I have suggestions from friends of who they like but I don't know their philosophy on treatment. I don't want to waste my time or energy or money for that matter jumping from doctor to doctor. Although its not a waste if I'd actually find one. Wishing for one to magically drop in my lap is a bit unrealistic I suppose.

Post by **tex** » Sat May 11, 2013 8:48 pm

DebE,

I've been trying to think of some sage advice to offer ever since I read your post yesterday, but so far I haven't come up with anything worthwhile. It strikes me as a bit like fishing, in that you cast out your bait, and hope for the best, but with fishing, at least you can improve your odds by knowing when to fish, where to cast, and which bait to use. And experience definitely helps.

Unfortunately I don't have enough experience fishing for doctors to have the foggiest idea how to go about it with any degree of reliability. There's only one thing that I'm sure of — with this disease, the odds are stacked against us.

Tex

jgivens · Post by **jgivens** » Sun May 12, 2013 7:31 am

Indeed it is much like fishing, but friends are able to direct you to the best spots to fish in from their experience. I think that the qualities you need in a good doctor are a) a collaborative spirit--someone who understands that you are in a partnership and you do not have a preconceived notion that the doctor is all knowing and you hope he or she doesn't think so also. b) flexibility and common sense. If it doesn't make sense, don't prescribe it for me unless you and I have reasoned it out together. Just because it is something that you did not learn in school, does not mean that it is wrong. c) honesty--if you don't know, don't pretend that you do! d)willingness to learn together with me and help me think things out.

Last, but not least, if the new doctor can read the what Polly wrote on the back of Tex's book and is not defensive upon reading it, you may have a winner. I used to think that nurses had a good track on who was a good doctor in town, but that is pretty subjective too. If friends ask me about who I would recommend, I now take into consideration their personality and the personality of the doc, as the two may not necessarily work well together even if the doctor is really good and my friend is a fine person.

Good luck, DebE--

Post by **tex** » Sun May 12, 2013 9:12 am

Jane,

Excellent, excellent post.

Tex

DebE13 · Post by **DebE13** » Mon May 13, 2013 6:29 pm

Thanks Tex and Jane- I'm not giving up but I'm just stuck right now. I'm tired of chasing after the next thing that might work but really don't have a choice. I plan to call the office of a doctor a coworker recommended and simply ask if she would consider treating on symptoms and see what she says. If she's open to the idea then I'll make an appointment. Most likely I will get a response that they can't comment unless I come in first. Won't know until I try. Maybe this will be the one.... Haha.

Post by **tex** » Mon May 13, 2013 11:11 pm

Good luck DebE.

Tex

jgivens · Post by **jgivens** » Tue May 14, 2013 9:41 am

You are right--all you can do is try! The way insurance and the health care system works any more is that for a doctor to see you s/he has to have a diagnosis to bill for and that is why they always say they have to see you first. It is pretty darned irritating the way patients are continuously bounced around at the whim of insurance, pharmaceuticals and hospitals. I am so sorry that you are having so much trouble getting help. It is exhausting when you are already exhausted by the illness.

Good luck and let us know how it works out!