Hi Moms
back in June I asked about why my hair would still be falling out 4 yrs after my last baby, and got some wonderful responses. thanks again to all who did respond.
shortly after I asked the question we took a mini vacation and then school started on top of that and life has been hectic ever since :( now things have slowed just enough that I can get to a Dr. to have my Thyroid checked like it was suggested by several ladies, I also now have Health Insurance which we didn't have before either, so now it's just a matter of finding a Dr.
My question now is, can any regular Physician do this, or do I need to go to a gyno? also what exactly is the procedure to have this checked? I've heard it's just blood work, drawn and checked but is there more to it?
thanks
L.
thanks for all the responses so far! they are appreciated :) let me clarify abit tho, after my 2nd child was born, I started noticing more of my 'symptoms' of hair loss, which is still happening 4yrs later, mood swings, fatique, etc. I've never really had any problem with weight tho, other than fluctuating occasionally but no more than 5lbs or so up and down. I've also noticed a diminished sex drive as well, but I don't know if thats related. as far as I know it's not in my family anywhere, I'm just thinkng that it got out of line when I had my kids.
ok so I finally got to a dr, and we checked my thyroid. the labs came back normal :( but my dr also said it sounded as if I am "mildly" depressed. everything seems to match up with depression as well, except my hair falling out etc. my dr is starting me on an anti-depressant called Citalopram and then we'll go back for a follow up appt in 6 weeks. I'm going to try it out and see if it helps "cure" me and if it doesn't, well then I guess we'll see what happens next...
thank you to all who gave input, it was appreciated
It is just blood work and your regular family Dr can do it. Thyroid disease runs in my family so I have had mine checked for the last 6 or 7 years and there is nothing to it.
Good luck!
A physician of internal medicine is probably your best bet to get started. They can check the thyroid to see if that is the culprit. If not, they can do other tests.
Complex thyroid issues are best handled by an endocrinologist, but may need a referral from the internist. I wouldn't suggest going to one unless an endocrine problem has first been identified.
Oh, and about the test, I know that the initial test is bloodwork, but also may include a physical. You may have to fast some beforehand.
Hi L.,
Just a bit of advice. If you do have a thyroid problem, and decide to have more babies, make sure to get to your doctor a few weeks after you find out your pregnant. Pregnancy will cause you to need more meds. Thyroid issues can harm the baby. My husband and I lost our first pregnancy due to my not having the dosage increased for the pregnanacy. We didn't realize it was an issue until it was too late.
Good Luck. Oh! If your insurance covers an endocrinologist, I suggest you go to one for a thyroid issue, rather than your primary Dr.
your thyroid is located in your neck, so I wouldn't trust an OBGYN to do it, mostly because what reads as "normal" can be different for many ages and your OB would most likely not keep up with the latest thing in it.
I have a thyriod condition and my regular doctor checks my levels for me, but I also go to a endocrinologist who specializes in this. But just for an initial check, you regular physician will be able to do it for you. All it is is bloodwork. You should probably be fasting when you have it done. You get more accurate results that way. If you have anymore questions, let me know as I have had this for 15 yrs.
You can go to your family doctor. I have been on thyroid medicine for almost eight years now. You just go in and get your blood drawn. If they find a problem you get your blood drawn about every other week until it is regulated. They started me on synthroid and I gained a ton of weight on it. I was then switched to levoxyl and the weight gain stopped. I am still fighting trying to lose the weight. I only have to get my blood checked about twice a year now. Also stress can cause hair loss. Also diabetes so get that checked out also when you get your blood work done. Hope everything works out for you.
Hi L.
I am a Mom to two beautiful girls, after having my last baby girl I was DX with a thyroid issue. Since then I am now on synthorid 200mcg's, I have had a nucular scan done, and a biopsy. I am cancer free so that is a good thing, my thyroid is dead and it is very hard for me to loose my babyfat because of that. You can go see a reg phys, you need to do it now so that your thyroid does not die, if you wait to long you will run into more issues. It is a forever going process with me and the thyroid now.... To get tested all you have to do is have blood drawn. I have to have it rechecked every 6 weeks. Hope this helped, and good luck.
S.
if you are in the Lakeland area I would recomend seeing Dr. Seoane.
Hi there! I'm hypothyroid and I can tell you that you really have to have a doctor who knows what they're doing.
Most doctors will test your thyroid level, which can be misleading. Your body may be producing the right amount of the hormone, but by working way too hard. That's why a TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) test is so important. Even these can be misinterpreted. The "normal" range changed about six or seven years ago and not everyone has caught on. Also, I can be within the normal range and still have symptoms. My doctor and I had to work to find the right value for me.
Yes, it's just a blood draw, but you and the doctor also have to look at the symptoms and your history. If your regular doctor or gynocologist is very familiar with the condition, they can do the tests and even treat you. If things are complicated, you might end up needing to go to an endocrinologist. I see Dr. Lilibet Placheril in Bradenton. It's a a forty-five minute drive each way for me, but she's wonderful.
And being treated is wonderful! If you are hypothyroid, getting help will change your life. Good luck!
Your PCP should be able to check it. It is a blood draw. They will likely have you go for a lab appointment. Also, if it comes back normal,please ask for a referral to a thyroid specialist, my sister's came back normal, and finally when they got her to a specialist, hers was so slow they had to take 3/4 of it out and to top it off she had a goiter the size of a large grapefruit wrapping around her spine!
Your PCP should be able to do the bloodwork (or refer you to a lab) and then read the results her/himself. If your thyroid is the problem, it can usually just be monitored at the PCP's office, or s/he may refer you to a thyroid specialist. Usually it's just managed with medication, but getting the right amount of medication to stabilize your TSH & T4 will take a few blood draws (not all at once, it will be every month or so for awhile, and maybe 2x/year after it gets stabilized. You'll have more energy, sleep better, your weight will stabilize. Thyroid disorder is often hereditary, so (again, if the thyroid is the problem) you can check with family members & you'd be surprised to find out how common it is.
You can go to a family doctor. Just make sure they test the free T4 and the free T3. The TSH by itself is not that informative.
Then, when the results come in, ask for a copy. Don't let them say "the labs came back normal." There is a huge fight in endocrinology right now about what "normal" is. I was "normal" and couldn't lose weight, was losing hair, had skin issues, and more. I found out that not all endocrinologists agree what normal is, and went to one that treated me. I was able to lose 45 pounds (with a lot of hard work, of course!), regrew my hair, and my skin cleared completely up!
The best place for info about your thyroid is about.thyroid.com
