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Are Endocrinologist the best MDs to treat Thyroid Carcinoma patients
It is frustrating to me that there are not designated thyroid oncologist! In my city, endocrinologist take many months to initially get an appointment with. Most of their practice is made up of patients with diabetes and I wonder how much experience and knowledge they have with thyroid carcinoma. I have lost confidence in my Endocrinologist. Endo said that I didn't need RAI. I ask Endo to please consult with Nuclear Medicine Radiologist who said I did need it. My TSH has yet to be suppressed in 6 months and has actually increased. I've had severe hypothyroid symptoms the entire 6 months and newly diagnosed pre-diabetes with no increase in Synthroid dosage. I asked for Cytomel to be added which took months to happen. I was given 5mg twice a day which unfortunately helped very little. I asked more than once to change from Synthroid to Armour with Endo finally agreeing saying that the dose would be increased due to increase TSH, but after looking at a Synthroid/Amour Conversion table online it says the dosage is equal. I just made an appt with a new Endo, but she's booked until December. From Reddit and this forum, it seems as this frustration with Endocrinologist is not that uncommon. I wish the American Cancer Association would take notice or us falling through the cracks of designated health care.
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They are all in the mid normal range, so good:)
Basically when one sees ferritin like that and other things like %sat terrible it most likely is inflammation of some sort. What happens is as cells die from inflammatory process they release the iron stores. So the problem here is some sort of inflammation - though there may be some other explanation too. It does not appear as liver issues, and we can't tell you where it is from data provided. Another possibility is type 2 diabetes.
Other than diabetes check, one can get homocysteine and CRP labs, but you need a good internist or other doctor working with you.
A general anti-inflammatory supplement is boswellia which can help out on inflammatory responses of the body, but you need some care team coming in and actually caring. That is the trouble today in medicine, believe me doctors care if they are allowed, but insurance and MBA's run medical offices and hospitals.
I’m in Canada and it may be different. Many as you say, have a large number of patients with other diseases. When I received my diagnosis, the cancer clinic set me up with a team of endocrinologists that worked specifically with cancer. It takes months to see anyone here as well. Confidence in any doctor is foremost.
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1 ReactionThank you. This group is so helpful to me! It is comforting to know that people want to help and I'm learning so much instead of feeling helpless and that no one cares.
My liver test were all in normal range. Perhaps, some of my cells are dying from the Radioactive Iodine treatment in June and that is causing the inflammation as it kills my thyroid tissue. I was tested for diabetes 1 and 2. Results came back as Pre-diabetes (insulin resistant) so my Endocrinologist prescribed Wegovy because of Pre diabetes, high cholesterol and high BP with my cholesterol and BP being pretty well controlled with other medication. Basically, if I eat sugar, bread, starches and some fruits then my glucose spikes and I do feel even worse when that happens.
I'm going to make an appointment with my internist to see if she will order homocysteine and CRP labs.
I've never heard of boswellia. I'll try it. Thank you again.
My liver enzymes are normal:)
Is there a cancer center near you? That’s where I went finally. They informed me I didn’t need RAI. They said they wouldn’t even have removed my thyroid. They would have just watched it. The surgeon also told me that I needed RAI. They had moved 2 parathyroid glands..then one week later told to return so they could remove my thyroid as I had cancer. Which I did..then told me I needed RAI. I think surgeons think that’s a normal step but then I went to Moffitt Cancer Center and found out differently. I am still cancer free after 4 years. I think there are well known cancer centers all through the US. It might be an option for you! On another note my husband just had an atypical prostate biopsy and was told No Problem, we again went to the Cancer center and his diagnosis was changed to Cancer so these folks see cancer every day and know how to deal with it. It might give you some relief. Many times you can do telehealth as long as they are sent biopsy slides, surgical reports, dr notes.etc… I wish you well.