Posted by susan C on November 28, 2001, at 17:22:33
In reply to Re: thyroid, depression, doctors, and HMOs » akc, posted by mist on November 28, 2001, at 16:55:18
Dont know much about HMOs, dont know much about geography...sorry simon and garfunkle...if that is who sang that song...
I agree with akc, as if I am not careful it can take me a month to get in for an annual exam...and i am not in an HMO. i asked about it recently, and the explanation was, because usual appt is for ten minutes, but an annual exam can be 40 min or longer. So, I could see going to a specialist for the first time could take even longer. My pdoc spent 90 minutes the first visit...
I have also had several opinions from docs that 'trying' thyroid, slowly, is an option. My pdoc and eventually I did not choose it because there weren't clear enough indicators that it could really be a problem.
I think you should get a gold star for effort. And one more suggestion, request to be put on the waiting list for a cancellation. Maybe, between now and your appointment, something will open up.
mouse on the sidelines with pom poms
susan C> > It is funny -- I had a cat with a thyroid problem that was never tested. The test was expensive, but she had all these other signs that she had a thyroid problem. So the vet suggested we try the thyroid medicine and see what would happened. I was assured that for a short term test, it wouldn't hurt her, and depending on her response, it could very much help her. Sometimes I wonder why we just don't take that approach with us humans. I wonder what the risk would be.
> >
> > akc
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> akc, actually I was kind of hoping my doctor would do that and in fact I think I read somewhere that some do (although don't remember for sure). But one risk is that if you don't need the hormone you could become hyperthyroid and overwork your heart, increase the risk of osteoporosis, etc. but for a short time I can't imagine it would do lasting harm if any. i would be willing to try a tiny bit if I had some and increase based on symptom change but i also like the idea of seeing a specialist. i guess i'll just drag myself through the next few weeks until i do.
>
> thanks for the info on docs.
>
> -mist
poster:susan C
thread:85423
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011123/msgs/85443.html