I would of course observe and do an evaluation according to my own training, but would counsel the patient to see another doctor, get a second opinion, and go over her history again with her practitioners. I would continue to talk with the patient until we had a plan of action. Ask for a referral to a different endocrinologist...or other doctors, get them to rule out the physiological problems. Don't stay with the doctor who is trying to tell you it's in your head.Kelvin also has some suggestions to get doctors to take patients more seriously:
- If you like to write things down, make a list of questions to ask before you go see the doctor
- If you tend to get confused, bring a friend to act as an advocate
- Quantify your symptoms -- be specific about times, hours, quantities, etc., and even keep a brief daily log.
If I were seeing someone struggling to get properly diagnosed, I would be very compassionate. You don't accept anything at face value, but neither do you deny that the patient isn't talking about something that's real. You never pigeonhole somebody with something like "it's all in your head."Alice J. Kelvin, L.C.S.W. , is a psychotherapist in private practice, and a thyroid patient in New York City. Alice Kelvin can be contacted for appointments at her offices in at 212 -633-8332.
Mary Shomon, About.com's Thyroid Guide since 1997, is a nationally-known patient advocate and best-selling author of 10 books on health, including "The Thyroid Diet: Manage Your Metabolism for Lasting Weight Loss," "Living Well With Hypothyroidism: What Your Doctor Doesn't Tell You...That You Need to Know," "Living Well With Graves' Disease and Hyperthyroidism," "Living Well With Autoimmune Disease," "Living Well With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia," and the "Thyroid Guide to Fertility, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Success." Click here for more information on Mary Shomon.
