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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Thyroid Dysfunction Be Managed?

I m now 61 and have been on levothyroxine for 20 years. My thyroid problems (lethargy, hair loss, fatigue, weight gain, brain fog, etc) went undiagnosed for three years due to normal TSH results. Further tests demonstrated that it was secondary and caused by my pituitary. I was put on a natural thyroid medication (i.e. Armour) and within a month I had stopped falling asleep in the afternoon and felt like myself again. One year later I was switched to Synthroid; one year after that the generic. Within a few months I was back to where I started. I consistently told the doctor that the medication was not working. He said that my tests results were fine (here we go again). I did some research and found that the contents of levothyroxine were found to lack consistency. I was put on the name brand once again (no substitutions). Unfortunately, this did not correct the problem. So for approximately 15 years now No one has listened. I m now 80 lbs heavier, have no eyebrows, thin hair, haven t had to shave my legs in over a decade, still suffer with brain fog, and nap frequency, just to name the obvious. I ve stayed on top of the research and know that with proper treatment my symptoms should have resolved. Instead my physician(s) constantly see me as whining, depressed, you name it; it s said. I ve been reduced to a test without any say in my health. So here it is: I have no other diagnosed problem that could explain my symptoms. My quality of life has been diminished greatly over the past several years. Am I depressed? Yes. Who wouldn t be? So how do I help my doctor understand?
Mon, 23 Jul 2018
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

You may need to change physicians but if that is not an option, ask for a trial of other medication.

Like in a medical study, doctors are familiar with medical studies and use them to determine whether a medication works or if there are associated side effects that are intolerable.

If possible, they can give a trial of another med (try to word it as though, they would be doing a study), to see if the medication would have a different effect.

I hope this helps.
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How Can Thyroid Dysfunction Be Managed?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. You may need to change physicians but if that is not an option, ask for a trial of other medication. Like in a medical study, doctors are familiar with medical studies and use them to determine whether a medication works or if there are associated side effects that are intolerable. If possible, they can give a trial of another med (try to word it as though, they would be doing a study), to see if the medication would have a different effect. I hope this helps.