As an NP for over 18 years, we were trained to do annuals, annual physicals, do lab work and of course take people’s blood pressure, pulse etc. The point is; suddenly and unexpectedly, we were told not to do that any longer and it was just before COVID. Funny how things aligned?!?!
As an NP for over 18 years, we were trained to do annuals, annual physicals, do lab work and of course take people’s blood pressure, pulse etc. The point is; suddenly and unexpectedly, we were told not to do that any longer and it was just before COVID. Funny how things aligned?!?!
Oh wow! They used lockdowns to erase all expectations about 'normal' even with visits to the doctor. Nefarious.
I can't believe people aren't complaining about not getting what they're paying for, especially Medicare retirees who have large monthly payments taken out of their social security checks and dish out hefty co-pays with every visit.
I was referred to the only endocrinologist in my area by my GP, had to wait six months, paid my $60 co-pay, only to have her tell me she doesn't deal with sex hormones -- but could prescribe levothyroxine to me, which I had already tried and had problems with, which was why I was there. She hustled to find other options when I said I just paid $60 for this -- but it was a big waste of my money.
EZ-You need a good naturopath. They know hormones. Yes you pay out of pocket, but at least you get actual care. I use my insurance for specialists and major medical.
My daughter got referred to an endocrinologist last month at major medical center about 3 hours from home for a perplexing situation. We really liked the doc and he seemed very interested in her case, ordered a boatload of tests. Then, when we checked out, we were told the next available appt with him is...... Christmas Eve. And you are not allowed to go with another provider there. 🤦♀️ A big waste of time, money and hope.
As someone recommended above, go to a naturopath. Send the test results in advance -- you were lucky your endocrinologist did the tests as I had problems with that. It's an avenue worth trying if you can afford out of pocket.
Yes! Definitely the silver lining!! Now with labs in hand, doing our own research is much easier and we have pinpointed a holistic practitioner who can help.
The issue was that I wanted more than the TSH test and had gone to the doctor to get testing of sex hormones and other aspects of thyroid (T4 to T3 conversion). I'd read the literature and had doctors in the past who'd been willing to do that and established that the conversion was the problem. But no, you have to go to an alternative doc and pay out of pocket to get those tests and treatments.
We'll have to agree to disagree on this one R1ghtTh1nk! :) Endocrine and cardiology friends all agree that we use too high numbers for 'normal' TSH and HgbA1C. I agree; cardiologist started family member on Synthroid over the advice of his PMD and the improvement in his previously 'fine' mental acuity was noticeable to F&F who were not aware of the med change. Endocrine friend's advice: "try it at low dose and titrate up as needed and see what improves." You can always stop it... :)
I’ve been on Synthroid for 25 years. Recently lost my taste and smell (no covid) and in my research I see that long-term Synthroid use can be a cause. Don’t know the mechanism though, or what if anything I can do. Or if I can get off of it. Working with a homeopathic doctor at the moment, but homeopathy is slow and “try this, try that.”
I use Armour Thyroid and have for 25 years. It is a natural product made from animal thyroid glands (usually a pig's). Only had to have it adjusted once. It also has to be prescribed. For some reasons most doctors run to Synthroid since its synthetic. My parents were on it for years, and my mom still is. Dad passed away in 8/2021.
I did use Armour for a time but often had trouble getting it because of their production issues. My doctor also said that Synthroid was more precise in measurement of the hormone. But I’ll look into Armour again.
Armour has T3 and T4, so I've stayed on it. I've read about other natural ones, so possibly check those out. Armour has been around for years. My doctor at the time was not familiar with it so he called the compounding pharmacy and reviewed it with them for over a half hour. The pharmacist told me he never had a doctor do that before. Unfortunately, he retired right before covid hit! He was the best!
My medical plan doesn't cover it. They only cover the synthetic because that's where the money is. I had a good experience on Armour and paid out of pocket for it until I moved to England, where coverage varied from one place to another.
I basically pay for it. They barely cover it under the plan I have now. When I worked they covered more of it, but the Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S. are similar to what you are experiencing.
Often, losing your sense of taste and smell is associated with a magnesium deficiency. (and with being low on other trace minerals like manganese).
Although being on Synthroid for that long can be very bad for your health in other ways and even cause cancer, there may also be other contributing causes. (Synthroid is a "BandAid, not a cure." It doesn't actually correct the imbalance, and can leave other major organs without adequate hormonal support, causing a failure cascade further down the road.)
Filtered water can also be a culprit in depleting magnesium and trace minerals, as all of the good minerals are filtered out along with all of the toxins. Drinking electrolytes can really help. Deep Roots at Home has an article about how to make "salt sole," which can also help with mineral replenishment.
If that is the cause, does one simply wait for the return of taste and smell? I tried nicotine patches, seeing online that it worked for some, but not for me.
Touching and proximity changed with Covid big time. My doc always checked but I know how special he was. He died of an aortic aneurysm 2 year ago. Yes, he was jabbed. My new pulmonologist is younger and not as touchy feely. My PCP is great. She checks everything she can get to with my clothes on and asks about the rest!
Psoriasis is usually a childhood vaccine injury— at least 85% of the
time. It’s listed on most vaccine manufacturers inserts, it’s just rarely read by doc nor patient.
If you got vaccines as a kid, you can research good heavy metal detoxes like 8 HOT baths with epsom salts and bentonite clay. Really cheap and frequently cures it helps a good bit.
Time for new doctor! I seem to have outgrown my psoriasis! I never had it badly, like my daughter does and she only has 10%. I had just a couple of small spots left and after a heavy course of prednisone after a bad bout of flu, it went away. That was 7 years ago. Good luck.
Our family lost our exceptional, old school, caring, Christian Lyme doc to a pulmonary embolism 2 years ago. He was full of life, vigor and joy at age 70 with no plans to retire. We heard he took the J&J jab so he could travel. Truly irreplaceable and a great loss to so many 😞
My doctor was 69 and planning heart valve surgery when he turned 70, just like my dad had done. I told him at one point that my biggest fear with my terminal condition was that he would retire. He said he was never going to. Prophetic! He got the mRNA vaccines. I think he said Pfizer. I couldn't go to the memorial service at a local high school auditorium but my grandson worked security that day and said there were over 400 people there. He was well loved.
Damn, really? Hope y’all ignored that piece of advice. Funny also how after eons of “aspirate,” nurses were instructed not to aspirate. Still not quite sure why the strong push, as actually aspirating blood is really rare.
As an NP for over 18 years, we were trained to do annuals, annual physicals, do lab work and of course take people’s blood pressure, pulse etc. The point is; suddenly and unexpectedly, we were told not to do that any longer and it was just before COVID. Funny how things aligned?!?!
Oh wow! They used lockdowns to erase all expectations about 'normal' even with visits to the doctor. Nefarious.
I can't believe people aren't complaining about not getting what they're paying for, especially Medicare retirees who have large monthly payments taken out of their social security checks and dish out hefty co-pays with every visit.
I was referred to the only endocrinologist in my area by my GP, had to wait six months, paid my $60 co-pay, only to have her tell me she doesn't deal with sex hormones -- but could prescribe levothyroxine to me, which I had already tried and had problems with, which was why I was there. She hustled to find other options when I said I just paid $60 for this -- but it was a big waste of my money.
The whole system is an incredible scam now.
EZ-You need a good naturopath. They know hormones. Yes you pay out of pocket, but at least you get actual care. I use my insurance for specialists and major medical.
Good suggestion. Will pursue that.
My daughter got referred to an endocrinologist last month at major medical center about 3 hours from home for a perplexing situation. We really liked the doc and he seemed very interested in her case, ordered a boatload of tests. Then, when we checked out, we were told the next available appt with him is...... Christmas Eve. And you are not allowed to go with another provider there. 🤦♀️ A big waste of time, money and hope.
As someone recommended above, go to a naturopath. Send the test results in advance -- you were lucky your endocrinologist did the tests as I had problems with that. It's an avenue worth trying if you can afford out of pocket.
Yes! Definitely the silver lining!! Now with labs in hand, doing our own research is much easier and we have pinpointed a holistic practitioner who can help.
Some biologists aren’t equivalent. Tried Synthroid?
The issue was that I wanted more than the TSH test and had gone to the doctor to get testing of sex hormones and other aspects of thyroid (T4 to T3 conversion). I'd read the literature and had doctors in the past who'd been willing to do that and established that the conversion was the problem. But no, you have to go to an alternative doc and pay out of pocket to get those tests and treatments.
But thanks for the suggestion!
You can order your own labs without a doctor’s order at www.ownyourlabs.com and they have a great thyroid panel which includes antibodies for $151
Thank you for sharing this information!
The TSH is sorta the bottom line. If your pituitary senses enough active hormone and your TSH is mid-low normal, that’s reassuring.
"Normal" varies by age and sex. Look up "optimal" TSH levels - by age and sex - to see whether your test result is in range for YOU.
We'll have to agree to disagree on this one R1ghtTh1nk! :) Endocrine and cardiology friends all agree that we use too high numbers for 'normal' TSH and HgbA1C. I agree; cardiologist started family member on Synthroid over the advice of his PMD and the improvement in his previously 'fine' mental acuity was noticeable to F&F who were not aware of the med change. Endocrine friend's advice: "try it at low dose and titrate up as needed and see what improves." You can always stop it... :)
I’ve been on Synthroid for 25 years. Recently lost my taste and smell (no covid) and in my research I see that long-term Synthroid use can be a cause. Don’t know the mechanism though, or what if anything I can do. Or if I can get off of it. Working with a homeopathic doctor at the moment, but homeopathy is slow and “try this, try that.”
Homeopathy is slow because the homeopath is trying to detox your body from what allopathic drugs did to get you to this point. Be patient.
And be very aware of cognitive changes. Friend missed some early signs when HMO switched her to generic.
I use Armour Thyroid and have for 25 years. It is a natural product made from animal thyroid glands (usually a pig's). Only had to have it adjusted once. It also has to be prescribed. For some reasons most doctors run to Synthroid since its synthetic. My parents were on it for years, and my mom still is. Dad passed away in 8/2021.
I did use Armour for a time but often had trouble getting it because of their production issues. My doctor also said that Synthroid was more precise in measurement of the hormone. But I’ll look into Armour again.
Armour has T3 and T4, so I've stayed on it. I've read about other natural ones, so possibly check those out. Armour has been around for years. My doctor at the time was not familiar with it so he called the compounding pharmacy and reviewed it with them for over a half hour. The pharmacist told me he never had a doctor do that before. Unfortunately, he retired right before covid hit! He was the best!
My medical plan doesn't cover it. They only cover the synthetic because that's where the money is. I had a good experience on Armour and paid out of pocket for it until I moved to England, where coverage varied from one place to another.
I basically pay for it. They barely cover it under the plan I have now. When I worked they covered more of it, but the Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S. are similar to what you are experiencing.
Often, losing your sense of taste and smell is associated with a magnesium deficiency. (and with being low on other trace minerals like manganese).
Although being on Synthroid for that long can be very bad for your health in other ways and even cause cancer, there may also be other contributing causes. (Synthroid is a "BandAid, not a cure." It doesn't actually correct the imbalance, and can leave other major organs without adequate hormonal support, causing a failure cascade further down the road.)
Filtered water can also be a culprit in depleting magnesium and trace minerals, as all of the good minerals are filtered out along with all of the toxins. Drinking electrolytes can really help. Deep Roots at Home has an article about how to make "salt sole," which can also help with mineral replenishment.
Thank you. It’s definitely past time for me to find an alternative to Synthroid.
Just fyi, C can also cause that with zero other symptoms. Weird, huh?
If that is the cause, does one simply wait for the return of taste and smell? I tried nicotine patches, seeing online that it worked for some, but not for me.
Go to https://covid19criticalcare.com/ and look for treatment
Not much choice, I guess. 😢 I will add that the folks I know for whom it worked used the gum. Local effect??? Have no idea.
Sorry, biologics!
I take n p thyroid hormone. Mine was chemically ablated years ago.
Monitoring your TSH would seem a good idea. Good luck!
Every 3 months!
Pay out of pocket.
Not "doing sex hormones" may be the out to avoid transing people.
Touching and proximity changed with Covid big time. My doc always checked but I know how special he was. He died of an aortic aneurysm 2 year ago. Yes, he was jabbed. My new pulmonologist is younger and not as touchy feely. My PCP is great. She checks everything she can get to with my clothes on and asks about the rest!
Like my dermatologist who inspected me from across the room.
But he had a light treatment to sell me for my psoriasis!
Psoriasis is usually a childhood vaccine injury— at least 85% of the
time. It’s listed on most vaccine manufacturers inserts, it’s just rarely read by doc nor patient.
If you got vaccines as a kid, you can research good heavy metal detoxes like 8 HOT baths with epsom salts and bentonite clay. Really cheap and frequently cures it helps a good bit.
Thanks. Those baths help morgellons syndrome ( cross domain bacteria) too.
Money in the pocket, just not your pocket.
I tried the light treatment. My mom offered to pay the 45$ copays. Burned my skin, very painful, very little results for the money and pain.
I think if I heal my leaky gut, that may affect the psoriasis more than any external treatment or pharmaceutical biologic drug
Sounds crazy but go follow Dr Paul Saladino and his animal based diet. The carnivore diet has cured so many of the incurable
https://youtu.be/zsyhfEskuUo?si=sazBuyvFJp6UVsJi
Time for new doctor! I seem to have outgrown my psoriasis! I never had it badly, like my daughter does and she only has 10%. I had just a couple of small spots left and after a heavy course of prednisone after a bad bout of flu, it went away. That was 7 years ago. Good luck.
Thank you. Psoriasis is the least of my worries! Laundry list of autoimmune issues. Blessed with an integrative medicine doctor recently.
This is gold for a comedy skit. Dana Carvey and David Spade would be great as doc and patient.
But sorry for that ludicrous experience.
😮 That doesn't rise to any standard of care, especially since masks and gloves will save them!! 😜
Our family lost our exceptional, old school, caring, Christian Lyme doc to a pulmonary embolism 2 years ago. He was full of life, vigor and joy at age 70 with no plans to retire. We heard he took the J&J jab so he could travel. Truly irreplaceable and a great loss to so many 😞
My doctor was 69 and planning heart valve surgery when he turned 70, just like my dad had done. I told him at one point that my biggest fear with my terminal condition was that he would retire. He said he was never going to. Prophetic! He got the mRNA vaccines. I think he said Pfizer. I couldn't go to the memorial service at a local high school auditorium but my grandson worked security that day and said there were over 400 people there. He was well loved.
Absolutely tragic 😟
My dermatologist NP says take off as much of your clothes as you are comfortable with, and put on the robe. She is very thorough!
Damn, really? Hope y’all ignored that piece of advice. Funny also how after eons of “aspirate,” nurses were instructed not to aspirate. Still not quite sure why the strong push, as actually aspirating blood is really rare.