A busy day around here today. It sure seems like a lot of work to get away. I didn’t sleep well again last night so was up early this morning. Got most of the laundry done before I had to leave for Topeka at 9:45.
Had an interesting visit with my Endocrinologist today. She thinks my TSH levels are well controlled – even with them bouncing between 0.5 and 7.2. She said she has seen TSH levels higher than 100 before. She told me I was very aware of my body and very sensitive to the level changes. Most people wouldn’t recognize the differences like I do.
She did tell me that a person that has even part of a thyroid wouldn’t have as much trouble keeping their levels more stable as the thyroid is constantly reading your body and adjusting the levels it produces. Medication provides a steady stream of TSH and your bodies needs flex minute by minute. Stress, heat, food, etc. can all cause your demand for TSH to change. That is why she doesn’t respond aggressively to my levels being high one time and low the next. She said if I were to have them checked three times a day, all three would be different and bounce all over. She is happy if I can keep them where they have been.
When I told her the MD from MD Anderson said to keep them in a target of 1.5 -2 she said that was impossible and way too tight of a range for someone with no thyroid. She helped me understand better how the TSH levels work and I need to let go of trying to keep them within that tight range.
She still wants me to get my levels checked every 6 – 8 weeks to make sure they aren’t getting too low as that can become a life threatening situation. Too high can cause longer term problems but are less threatening urgently.
Next time I have my levels checked she might change me to a lower dose of the liquid thyroid medication Tirosint instead of me alternating it with tablets of Synthroid. She thinks we might maintain better control that way. I will have to get insurance approval to change the dosage. She said I am her only patient that takes a combination of the two drugs. That is why they have trouble communicating with me after my blood draws. Not sure I buy that excuse as I would think they have to look at my chart before they make their recommendations but what do I know?
She is willing to refer me to a specialist if I want that but feels my levels are “medically well controlled”. I asked about adding Armour but since I had A-Fib when I had the thyroid storm that started this whole thing she didn’t recommend it.
She happened to notice my birthday was Sunday. She thought I was 59 instead of 69. It took her a moment when she realized I was 69. She thought I looked younger than 59. That made me smile!
Later in the conversation though, she said if I was her mother this is what she would recommend. Not sure I feel old enough to be her mother but I am betting she is in her 40’s and two of my three kids are in their 40’s so guess I am.
The Nurse Practitioner that I used to see left the practice and moved to Florida. The first NP that I had seen left the practice too. She has a new NP that has started and another one coming later this year. They are running one person short right now. I will meet the new NP in February, 2023. My next “annual” visit with the Doctor won’t be until November, 2023. That is her first available appointment.
Went to Chipotle for lunch and then came home. Had to make a few stops in Emporia. I delivered Chex Mix to both sets of kids in Emporia, mailed a letter at the Post Office and made a quick Walmart stop. It was good to get home.
When we got home Jim helped me take the recycling in to Cottonwood Falls to dump and we made a couple other stops in Cottonwood Falls. When we got home I got the rest of the mowing done.
My to-do list had 12 things on it this morning and I am down to two things – packing and finishing cleaning the main level of the house. I think I can. I think I can. I think I can be ready to leave in the morning.
Grateful for a doctor that listens and explains things, grateful for a safe trip to and from Topeka, and grateful my to-do list is almost done.