@contentandwell I have a Medicare advantage plan which works better for me. At least it gives the PCP something to do. I understand about your thinking about a follow-up. Insurance does vary in states. Not keeping a follow-up could result in Insurance not paying. You are likely aware of such.

@doxyjune Correction...Armour is the name brand.

@parus I find it ironic that many people up here in NH (Manchester area) tend to think of Boston doctors as being cold and impersonal. We have found just the opposite. Today we had to go to MGH for a second opinion on a basal cell carcinoma on my husband's nose. We saw two doctors, between the two of them they spent about 45 minutes with us, and they were very personable. It was a well worth the second opinion, they concurred with what we had been told by a radiation oncologist up here, and they actually knew the doctor here, he apparently has spent some time at MGH. He is one of the few doctors up here who did impress me.

Up here it is more as you describe. I was going to change my PCP because I find him so inadequate but at this point I think I will keep him because I won't be here if there is anything serious or if he fails to diagnose anything, I'll be on the road to Boston so why bother to find someone new.
JK

@parus I have Medicare and supplement F. I am quite certain that I do not need a follow up, at least not with my PCP. I think the Medicare coverage is pretty standard state to state, although I cannot say that for certain but it is a federal program.
JK

Hi @parus I was on armour thyroid for many years and around 2010 they put out a bad batch of pills. People all over the world were getting very sick. They added a new filler and it was preventing the thyroid getting into the cells. Then I went onto the Acella version. Now I am getting it from Canada, their version is called Erfa. My thyroid problems somehow caused a million other problems including pain in my legs, like a neuropathy. I too gained a ton of weight from these meds. And you can't lose weight if you are a problem patient. Like my mom and 2 aunts are on synthroid and no weight problems. I eat less than all of them. In this world there are almost no doctors who will work with patients on natural thyroid. It is a sad problem especially since before synthyroid was invented in the 60's everyone was on natural thyroid. Now they act like it is heroin or some hard core drug. It is from a pig's thyroid. Just hang in there but I'm getting my new supply from Canada. Good luck.

@doxyjune I call it pig-throid. The synthetic thyroid landed me in the ER gasping for air. I only started taking thus in 2015. Something is out of whack. Everything gets blamed on depression. Is what it is.

Hi @parus, Since my Feb. posts - I did see the conventional endo and told her I was off the synthroid and back on the defective Acella natural thryoid. Then I remembered about 6 or 7 years ago there was a bad problem w/Armour (people all over the world got very ill as did I, totally hypo and very bad) and I ended up getting Erfa natural thyroid from Canada. I had some of the old pills still and ordered some new Erfa. So for about 4 weeks I have been on the Canadian version. I had my dr. who gives me my pain meds do this as the conventional one well, she means well, has a ton of patience but is only into synthroid. I am now on only 2 60mg pills which is not enough. I'm tired and continue to gain weight, and I found that unless I become hyper the weight does not come off ever. What dosage are you on now and what dosage were you on when you felt good? I was on cymbalta for 6 weeks and that drug took my appetite away and even on days that I barely ate anything I still retained water and gained weight. None of my pants fit. Well I was supposed to wait 6 weeks for blood work but as I am feeling so lousy I'm getting it checked this week. The conventional endo is only concerned with my suppressed TSH. I have been to other drs. (don't live near them now) who totally disregard the TSH and say it is worthless and only go by Free T3 and Free T4. I tend to agree w/them but the conventional endo says that is 100% wrong. 2 completely opposite opinions. So that is the update. And yes it is awful being hypo - I am going to go to 3 of the erfa pills a day as gaining weight (also being in pain) while eating 500 calories is not a well balanced thyroid no matter what the "experts" say.

@doxyjune I saw an Endo and he was so helpful in explaining things. Once the thyroid was stabilized I stopped seeing him. The TSH regulates the pituitary which you probably already know. I am going for blood work on the TSH when I can get myself together enough to do so. I have the order and just cannot seem to get myself to get to the lab. The cold, gray days are uninspiring when it involves leaving my woman's cave. I have been taking Nature-Throid for nearly 2 years. I had not heard of the problem with Armour. I take 65 mg/day. Weight gain is most discouraging and I have not had this problem-always gain a few extra pounds in the winter. Thank you for the update on how you are doing. Are you able to do any exercising? I have been trying to get back into some gentle stuff..."trying" rather than "doing". Also struggle with depression. Take care.

@parus it may seem counterintuitive but I have read that exercise can really help with depression, as can diet. I dread going to my health club but I am always glad afterwards. It increases your endorphins or something like that. The challenge of course is getting yourself to go. When I started to go regularly my husband resumed going to his gym, I think he felt shamed into it. Now on days when it’s a real effort for me I go because I won’t let him outdo me. It really does help my day when I go.
JK

@contentandwell Exercise is a beneficial thing. A health club or gym is not an option. My diet is healthy as in no sugar, gluten or dairy. No refined foods and only whole foods. Physical issues prevent many types of exercise. I do what I can. No pain, no gain no longer works for me. I appreciate your input and agree we need exercise. Thankful you can do what you do and also have a husband to work with. In the summer I enjoy playing in the dirt and spending time with my grand children-they are a positive inspiration in many ways.