Question:
PLEASE HELP!!! I had my blood work done...

and my thyroid came back elevated at 10.52 which puts me at "subclinical hypothyroid" diagnosis. I have a few questions: I have a few slight symptoms--should I start taking meds before my surgery July 30th to regulate it? Does this normally help or hurt people in getting approval from their insurance company (Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO through Wisconsin)? What if I get denied because of my thyroid, I am not even technically diagnosed with a thyroid problem yet just "subclinical"? I didn't gain a lot of weight in short period of time although I have two aunts who have it. I am so upset, I need this surgery so very bad and I am so worried that I will get denied. Thanks for any help.    — TP (posted on June 24, 2002)

June 24, 2002
I WOULDNT WORRY I HAVE HYPOTHYROIDISM, IVE HAD IT FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS, IM 6 WEEKS POSTOP NOW. I WAS TOLD BY MY PRIMARY PHYSCIAN SOMETIMES IF IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY STRESS WILL BRING IT OUT. I DONT KNOW IF ITS TRUE BUT I KNOW ITS A EASY THING TO FIX. I WAS EVEN TOLD BY MY SURGERN IT WILL DECREASE OR EVENTUALLY GO AWAY AS THE WIEGHT IS LOST. I GUESS I WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE. DONT WORRY ITS NOT A BIG DEAL AS LONG AS YOU TREAT IT. ASK YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU NEED SYNTHROID REPLACEMENT THERAPY. GOOD LUCK
   — ANGIE M.

July 1, 2002
I had my thyroid completely removed 3 yrs ago and am now almost 3 months post op. In some cases this can help you - as long as your not boarderline on your BMI. I think it should actually assist with your getting approval. - Best to check with your dr. though. Also, if your PCP is different than your surgeon you'll need to make sure they are working together to keep your medicine at the correct level for your system. Otherwise, you'll find your hormones will go crazy... :-) It will take the dr. about 6 mths at least to get you at the correct med. level for synthyroid medicine. That's because it takes about 2 weeks for the medicine to get into your system completely. good luck!
   — lindajenkins

April 18, 2005
Your TSH is extremely high and I am not certain what the physician explained to you about hypo but anything above 3.0 will incredibly affect EVERYTHING in your body... However, all you have to do to overcome the insurance issue is get that TSH back down under 5.0. BEWARE!!! SYNTHROID IS NOT THE ONLY ANSWER! Please be aware that family practitioners are NOT trained about the thyroid in medical school. Endocrinologists should always be approached when you are hypothyroid. There is another factor that many women are affected by and that is a lack of the thyroid hormone T3. If you have a T3 problem, no amount of Synthroid will help you because it only provides the hormone T4. I nearly died from this oversight and not knowing better... You know yourself. Don't be shy to demand to feel ok. Good Luck! -160 lbs and counting so far!!! http://www.geocities.com/propesrl/surgery.html
   — Rachel Propes