So I have been down and out, searching for answers. I went to the endocrinologist on December 20th to discuss the blood test results. He first said I need to reduce my thyroid medication liothyronine, because my levels were in the higher level, but not out of range. I told him I did reduced them and since, I have have been achy, depressed and weak. He seemed mad and told me the risks of being on too much thyroid meds and told me he could not prescribe that amount because of his membership to the National Thyroid Association. Now, I think it is crazy that patients have symptoms and don't feel well, but since there in the test results show a "normal" level doctors cant increase the dosage. Also I know that higher dosage of meds can result in osteoporosis. But do I lower my dose and feel like shit and maybe get osteoporosis, or raise my dose, feel better now and maybe get osteoporosis, I vote for feeling better.
Then the doctor told me how sometimes he really hates his job and proceeded to explain how Hashimotos works (which I already know and he discussed this with me last time) and hem hawed around. He then told me that when a person has Hashimotos, the body doesn't stop at just the thyroid, but moves to different parts of the body. People who get Hashimoto’s disease sometimes develop other autoimmune diseases, such as:
Vitiligo (vit-ihl-EYE-goh) — a disease that destroys the cells that give your skin its color
Rheumatoid arthritis — a disease that affects the lining of the joints throughout the body
Addison’s disease — a disease that affects the adrenal glands, which make hormones that help your body respond to stress and regulate your blood pressure and water and salt balance
Type 1 diabetes — a disease that causes blood sugar levels to be too high
Graves’ disease — a disease that causes the thyroid to make too much thyroid hormone
Pernicious (pur-NISH-uhss) anemia — a disease that keeps your body from absorbing vitamin B12 and making enough healthy red blood cells
Lupus — a disease that can damage many parts of the body, such as the joints, skin, blood vessels, and other organs.
The doctor told me my the results for the Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase Antibody (GAD) came back at 211.3 the normal range is 0.0-0.5. He told me I will develop type 1 diabetes, but not sure when. The GAD test shows I have antibodies which are attacking the pancreas (killing off the beta cells which make insulin) will eventually result in type 1 diabetes. I was in shock and I froze, so I didnt get to ask the doctor more about this. The doctor, just unloaded this huge burden and said my door is open if you want to come back and left it at that, just walked out the door. I don't understand why he wouldn't order more test results when he saw these high GAD levels. I guess he is a specialist and just deals with diagnosed diabetes, I don't know.
I was pretty upset and went to my family practitioner, I showed her the results and the problems I have been having. She did not know what GAD levels were, she did help me with my joint problems. As for the ovarian cysts, I guess I will just have to deal with those, since I do not want to be on birth control.
I called later and asked her if I could have my A1C checked. They took my blood Friday for that and I have not gotten the test results back yet. I am starting to think I should get a second opinion on this. I am finding lots of information on the internet, but I don't know what to believe. I do have symptoms like hungry all the time, thirsty, peeing all the time, tiredness. I have been checking my blood glucose levels, but not sure what to make of them. I feel lost.
The days following the doctors visit, I have been confused and overwhelmed by the information. I have cried, researched and talked to others on diabetes forums. I want to learn about it, I want to prevent it, I want to be armed and ready. People I have talked to tell me not to worry about it, since I don't have it. The way I feel about it is if this is my sentence I want to know about it, so one day I don't just wake up and don't know what to do. I think I need a second opinion because I have the symptoms.
On the upside, we picked up Cody's cousin and mom on friday and we went to the road home in SLC and picked up Cody's cousins daughters and took them out to dinner. I feel so awful for these kids. They are such beautiful and wonderful kids and to think what they go through at school, or just walking out of the road home, kills me. I am so glad we were able to take them out for a while and spend time with them. They are in my heart and thoughts, I hope the best for them.
Saturday we went to my moms and had dinner, then went to Cody's Grandpa's, his whole family was there. It was very nice to see everyone, we don't see that often. Pinky, Marty, and Daren, played music and we danced. I was so happy for Cody's mom who hasn't spent christmas eve with her family for ages. Sunday we went to my sisters house, nieces, nephews, Grandma, and brother were all there. It was fun, but hectic to see all the kids open there gifts. We then went to my Grandma Griego's, my poor aunt was running late because she had to work. Cody had to leave to take his mom back to Logan :(. It was nice to be able to sit down and talk to my Grandma, I told her what the doctor said and she showed me her insulin she takes, it was a dial type, the needle was small and wasn't so bad. I know she is worried about me, I am worried about her and so many other people in my family. I wish I could stop worrying, it keeps me up at night and makes me more tired. I am glad I had enough energy to make it through the last couple of days. Yesterday and today I am thoroughly exhausted, and confused.
Through all of this recently I have realized how delicate life is. I was so glad to have spent time with family. Sometimes I feel I have to take it all in because it may be the last time I have with them. I miss my Dad so much around this time, I know I have two Dads watching over me.
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