16 April 2012

Thyroid doctor

| Msl
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Breif history is that I had my thyroid removed 10 years ago and have been on medication ever since. First couple of years on thyroxine thyroid medication were up and down, next 6 perfect. Last 2 have been up and down again with various symptoms, doctors appointments, blood tests every 6 weeks, adjustment of medication then go home and wait 6 more weeks – only to still have the symptoms. 6 weeks is a really long time when your food isnt digesting, have rapid pulse, anxious, freezing cold, not sleeping and generally a complete b* to live with (the symptoms go on and on and on).

So I am just after a good doctor who can explain the thyroid medication to me as I still don’t know much about it. I would love it if the dr was a gp so could look after my other health needs and see that things might be related. But I see I might be dreaming, and am happy to see a specialist. My oncologist is in Syd and is getting on in years so would be good to have someone local. But just want someone that takes the symptoms seriously and realises that it interferes with your whole life.

Hopefully someone on RiotAct has been there and can tell me who is good. Live Northside but happy to travel.

Any help would be gratefully received. Hope everyone’s enjoying their Sunday 🙂

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well i really appreciate the doctors suggested by all above.
one thing i need you to understand is that every patient has its own internal life going on. all you must is that whenever you go to a thyroid doctor, do get a proper diet plan because there are several items that you must not eat. and mostly the thyroid patient faces depression, if you are facing such thing then do consult a psychiatrist. it will help you out too.

MWF said :

Just saying…

Renata Kruger is not at all in her 50s.

I stand corrected. My apologies Dr Kruger.

Just saying…

Renata Kruger is not at all in her 50s.

Thanks everybody, this is really helpful and had given me somewhere to start with some recomendations for good GP’s and a specialist. There is hope! I will also ask for a vitamn D check – to my knowledge I have never been tested.

CanMum I had no idea until recently that it mattered how soon you ate after taking the medication, and that what you eat makes a difference – apparently dairy foods change the way it absorbs and iron, so taking a supplement with it. I am learning a lot here.

Thanks again.

+3 For Dr Fred Lomas. Lovely doctor who really knows all there is to know about thyroid issues.

+2 for Fred Lomas, one each for myself and my 16 year old son.

A relief doctor at the medical centre at Westfield Belconnen first noted my enlarged thyroid when I went in for a completely unrelated minor matter (normally I’d go see my regular gp, Tim Watson at Gungahlin, but couldn’t get in the same day). I just happened to turn my head the right way and he spotted something and referred me straight to Fred, who dianosed hashimoto’s thyroiditis. I took those results to Tim and he also referred my son for tests as he had been suffering some symptoms that it would explain. Turned out his thyroid levels were all over the shop and he was straight onto the thyroxine. Fred was thorough and patient with both of us. We just see Tim for our regular checkups now but I would have no problems going back to Fred should the need arise.

+1 for Dr Lomas – been treating my wife for several years now after she had her thyroid removed and she thinks he’s great

I feel for you because I have been through very similar. Moved from Sydney not long after being diagnosed and treated for thyroid cancer. Sydney had a GP around every corner and I had a great one! Also saw a great endo – Dr Cheung. Then came to this GP forsaken city and struggled for a couple of years.
Did find a great endo here – Sonia Stanton who I don’t think is practising anymore. She was in the same rooms as Dr Wilson referred to in the response from AAMC.
It was Dr Stanton that referred me to Fred Lomas and I have never looked back. What an amazing, gifted and kind man he is.
http://www.nationalcapitaldiagnosticimaging.com.au/our-radiologists/
All who know and work with Fred say that there isn’t anything about thyroids he doesn’t know. He regularly attends overseas conferences to keep up to date on thyroid issues and treatment, and has written many articles and papers on the matter. He has looked after me for 5 years now and frankly I dread the day he retires. Yes – that is the only down side – he is close to retiring.

You will need a referral to see Fred Lomas and that brings me to the GPs. I currently see Dorothy Russell in Erindale (Wanniassa). Dr Russell is very very thorough. She gets out textbooks and will even draw you diagrams to help you understand your issue. She can come across as a bit rushed but I think that is her manner.
Another great doctor is Dr Renata Kruger in Tuggeranong. Dr Kruger is cool, calm and extremely good at what she does. Both these ladies are in their 50s and have a great understanding of women’s health issues.

Thyroxine is wonderful if you can get the dose right. I struggle with needing to take it on an empty stomach as when I wake I want breakfast. Then there is the whole storage issue – in the fridge or out. Anyway I’m sure there is still much more to be learnt about the whole thyroid issue but I am very thankful that I have Dr Lomas on my watch. Wishing you luck and blessings for your journey.

Dr. Peter Barry chopped mine out last year. He is fantastic. Based at Calvary.

I’ve been in a very same situation to you and had treatment in Canberra. To be honest if you’re after information about the condition its best to rely on a good GP as I find specialists just dont have the time to sit and go through it all with you.. something I found highly annoying was that on occasion my blood tests were very unbalanced and when I called to see or speak to the specialist about what to do, the receptionist would try to advise me to see my GP even though I was still under the specialist’s care. Once, one even looked over my notes and said “just keep taking you meds till you see the GP” while a second receptionist called me later in the day to say “doctor says stop taking meds till you see the GP” hence complete and utter confusion and no confidence in them on my end. My advice is to ask around and find a good GP in your area. Request tests frequently ( I get mine done every three weeks when I have an imbalance, you should not have to wait 6 weeks with those horrible symptoms). As far as specialists, there are a few in Deakin but I wouldnt rely on them for holistic management Dont take medical advice from wellmeaning and busy receptionists, get your GP to discuss your tests with you asap dont wait. Get your tests done at the same pathology company, that way all your records show up when the GP looks them up. Talk to your GP about getting your vitamin D tested.. so many times it’s very low and not picked up.

Dr Dennis Wilson Consultant Endochronologist. in Deakin. contact details: http://wilson.physicians.net.au/

Best thyroid man in town.

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