The Clinical Endocrinologist

Pretty imaginative title eh? I didn't feel like thinking up something witty.

So I went to the clinical endocrinologist (CE) yesterday. That's different from the RE in that they treat all sorts of endocrine issues whether or not the person is trying to conceive. It was a nice office with nice people, but considering their multiple and dire warnings about what would happen if I were late, it took quite a long time to see the doctor. They were about an hour late.

Anywho, the doctor was very very nice, and very on top of treatment options and the newest research for pcos and hypothyroid. Despite RE's vague protests to the contrary, she confirmed that I did indeed have Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. This further proves my hypothesis that my doctor has no idea who I am from one visit or question to the next. (He had said something like it wasn't Hashi's because your tsh has to be high for that and mine's low and other ramblings. btw.. mine is high) I'm SO jealous of all you who actually get to e-mail questions to your docs!!

The CE told me that there was nothing I could do to lower my antibodies, but that it only increased my risk of miscarriage by a little. Now, how much pcos raises the risk when added to the mix, I didn't ask. She's going to run another TSH/Free T-4 panel and a baseline ultrasound (though she thinks I don't really need it) in 2 wks. Then she'll reevaluate my treatment and see me again in 2 mos. I have to say, it's very reassuring to have someone who knows something about this problem taking care of me even after my ttc is over. I was very worried about that. And she seems to really treat the problem based on bloodwork AND symptoms. Unique idea, that.

Oh, and as far as the usage of glucophage to treat pcos, she agrees with RE in that they used to use it for every pcos patient, and it was the golden pill. However, she also agrees that the research now is a little murky as to how much it helps, and what the particulars are. I'm always so impressed with RE's interest in staying current, so it was nice to see that she agreed with him.

To learn more about the debate over "normal" TSH ranges, click here: The TSH Normal Range: Why is there Still Controversy?

O.prah also apparently "came out" about her thyroid problems recently. I didn't see the show, so have no idea whether I would have liked what she said or not. If anyone did and wants to weigh in, please leave some comments! I am glad of the increased awareness she brings however. The expert she had on that show has a very interesting website. Some of her mystical, "girls are repressed, so they get sick" stuff leaves a bad taste in my mouth, but her science based information is very interesting.

I'm almost as passionate about this information as I am about the complete infertility piece, so bless you if you had the patience to read this far. ;-)

In other news, I took my first Provera tonight! In about 3 weeks, we'll be on the way to a new IUI cycle! I'm both excited and completely freaked. The failures are really starting to kill me each time. I hope I don't go through the depression/anger phase I went through on the last cycle that didn't work.