Thyroid-Venting

I have tried for the past 4 years to get my doctors (and yes I did change doctors- 3 times) to test my thyroid, more than simple blood tests. All they saw was a fat girl looking for an excuse. Now here I am 5 months RNY and 110 pound lighter and I can see an obvious mass. I have an appointment today to begin this process , but when will doctors ever realize that just because people are overwieht does not mean that we don't KNOW our bodies. Thanks for listening.

True but sad...HMO  doctors seem like they are more focused on  getting you in an out in 15 mins or less 

I feel you I went thru the same thing every year having my thyroid test thru blood and was normal................skip ahead 140lbs loss a large mass on my neck so 1 year after RNY I had a  Thyroidectomy

Can someone elaborate on what the mass looks like on your neck and what are the symptoms?

Kim,
Depending on the size of the mass that is kind of hard to say.  Since both sides of my thyroid was affected, my mass made my neck look fat/heavy/an extra roll.  It's like no matter how much weight you lose you still have a fat neck....lol.  Mine was soft although it was a large size.  Since I was overweight it didn't seem to out of place to me.  I did realize the I didn't/couldn't stand for anything to touch my neck because I felt like I was choking all of the time and even worse when a collar or necklace was there...There may also be signs in the shape of your body to indicate thyroid issues.  The syptoms that I experienced were rapid heart rate, intolerance to extreme heat or cold, and extreme weight loss (depending on if your thyroid is hyper or hypo active), and fatigue.

Thanks for the clarification.  I don't experience any of that but just wanted to make sure!

You thyroid is located in the front of your neck and it's shaped like a butterfly, only 1 side of mines was effected  it looked like a half a orange had been placed under my skin........and I was refereed to an Endocrinologist for treatment.

Well the best doctor is to go to a endricology spelling it wrong but they can see more in your blood work than your primary care doctor.

You need to seek out an Endocrinologist.  I had a multi-nodule goiter that was never detected by my PCP.  It wasn't even addressed until I begin to have an unusually rapid heart rate.  I had to have a complete thyroidectomy.  Ask them to do a full panel profile for you.  There are certain ranges that your TSH levels should be and that will determine your thyroid funtion.  When you get your lab request, it is clearly spelled out on most forms.  If your doctor doesn't use a form that clearly states the test resquested tell them to write out your lab orders in layman terms so that you understand them.


Best wishes to you and keep on them until you are satisfied.

I have been to my PCP and I had lab complete thyroid lab panel drawn and I i will have a thyroid ultrasound tomorrow. I work in radiology and i have already discussed my situation with the Radiologist. I too have had the intolerance to extreme temperatures, and my weight loss for the past three weeks have come to a HALT, I also have developed brittle nails. I beleive in being proactive also. I spoke with my Surgeon to find out since he is a general surgeon would he remove my thryoid if that becomes necessary.  I want a Surgeon that I can trust. Another symptom is increased  anxiety and I think that my family would agree that I have been a LITTLE b*tchy lately.