This morning I met with my doctor for my 6-week follow-up appointment to review my ongoing hypothyroid symptoms, current T4 & T3 medication dosages, and to discuss additional blood work to see how my body is responding to medication, as well as nutrient supplementation. I continue to be in awe of how cooperative my doctor is being! I am very well aware how many people with hypothyroidism do NOT get this kind of support from their doctors! I am very thankful.
My doctor agreed to my request for a thyroid panel [TSH, free T4, and free T3] even though I may have to pay for FT3 because of the provincial guidelines.
In British Columbia, free T3 testing is only available for those with suspected hyperthyroidism, not to assess levels of T3 as a result of thyroid hormone replacement medication. I am more than willing to pay for a $9.35 test [1] to have all the data.
I will also be having a full iron panel to see how my body is responding to nutrient supplementation , as iron status tends to be low in those with hypothyroidism. I have already had blood tests for other nutrients of concern in hypothyroidism, as well as for those I have been supplementing.
My doctor even ordered a thyroglobulin antibody (TG-ab) test, even though TPO antibodies for Hashimoto’s were negative. Interestingly, he thinks as do I that it is prudent to assume a Hashimoto’s diagnosis even in the absence of antibodies and act accordingly when it comes to diet and increased risk of other auto-immune disorders.
This coming Monday, I am going for my blood tests and should have the results back in 24-48 hours and am meeting with my doctor again next Thursday to go over the results, and consider medication dosage adjustment.
I am very grateful to be able to work with my doctor to advocate for my health, to be involved in the decision regarding blood tests, as well as discussing together medication adjustment.
I hope that out of my experience navigating my own care related to hypothyroidism, to better be able to help others advocate for themselves in this area.
To your good health,
Joy
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Articles about Hypothyroidism
-
- 10/14 – Hypothyroidism Signs and Symptoms – a downloadable checklist
- 10/06 – Hair Loss (Part 2) – Nutrients of Importance for the Thyroid
- 09/04 – Hair Loss – root causes (Part 1)
- 08/26 – More Than Skin Deep – skin symptoms associated with hypothyroidism
- 08/12 – Beyond Diet – the role of hormones in metabolic health
- 08/07 Symptoms of Hypothyroidism Mistakenly Blamed on Aging
- 07/14 – Thyroid Function Assumed to be Normal When Only TSH is Tested
References
- BC Guidelines & Protocols Advisory Committee, Thyroid Function Testing in the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Thyroid Function Disorder, October 24, 2018
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