Source
r/gravesdisease•
CocoLeChat

My GP wants another bloodwork in 4 weeks to confirm results - is this common?

I went to my GP last week because I thought I needed iron. I had lost weight and felt shaky. Also my muscles had been reduced to pretty much zero.
She tested me for everything and the results that were off were:
TSH: 0.005 ulU/mL
T4f: 2.56 ug/dL
She sent me a message telling me that my thyroid seemed to be over active and that I needed another bloodwork in 4 weeks.
But why wait so long? I'm used to the tremors, but my weight is worrying me. I'm petite at 5'2, but still 97lb seems too low. I'm eating twice as usual but weight keeps going down.

Posted Apr 11, 2023, 8:18 PM UTC

214
Smokey19mom•

When my blood work was showing hyperthyroidism, my doctor just referred me to an Endocrinolgist. Outside of already being on a beta blocker, no meds were prescribed until I saw the Endocrinolgist. I would go ahead and book an appointment with an Endocrinolgist, it could take months to get a new patient appointment.

5
CocoLeChatOP•

Thank you. I went ahead and made an appointment directly with an endocrinologist.

1
Temporary_Big8747•

My endo does bloodwork every 4 weeks because she's still adjusting my meds. You weren't put on any meds yet?

4
CocoLeChatOP•

My GP hasn't discussed treatment or anything. Just a message to tell me to book another bloodwork in 4 weeks to confirm results. Now reading online about overactive thyroid, I seem to have many of the typical symptoms, so not sure why she needs to wait for a month.
In the meantime, I'm going to try to eat as much as I can, even if don't particularly feel hungry.

3
Temporary_Big8747•

It's just odd.. Normally they'll check bloodwork if you're on meds or something to see how you're improving or not then make adjustments. Why make you suffer 4 more weeks? I don't get it. Or did you recently have a child or taking biotin by any chance? If that's the case, could be why they want to wait to see if your system normalizes before putting you on meds. That's the only thing I can think of.

2
Urbaniuk•

Sometimes they take a wait and see approach in case it’s thyroiditis and could resolve itself. Since you are symptomatic though, I would ask them if they could prescribe a beta blocker (and one used for hyperthyroidism in particular) in the meantime to calm down tremors and protect heart. Some GPS feel out of their league with possible Graves’. Mine did. Best of luck, hope you find some relief soon.

4
CocoLeChatOP•

Thank you, appreciate the kind words. My GP is nice, but I think she doesn't know enough about this, so I made an appointment with an endocrinologist.

1
therealbipnuts•

Hmm, it isn't odd to get more blood work to confirm, but it is odd that you haven't started any sort of treatment or been referred to an endocrinologist. I had to have an ultrasound on my thyroid and maybe an x-ray and maybe even intravenous dye. I can't remember the whole process to be honest but I know it started within days of my initial visit. It does sound like Graves based on what you've said.

3
CocoLeChatOP•

Thank you for your feedback. I thought it was strange that she didn't seem too concerned, since my TSL levels seem very low plus my weight is concerning, at least to me. And she didn't mention an endocrinologist, weird.

1
RNeducateddrugdealer•

I was referred to a endocrinologist right away and she put an order in for a neck ultrasound.

3
Sea_Buyer28•

That’s not standard practice. Usually a thyroid panel abnormality is an instant referral to endocrinology who usually start you off on thyroid meds and give you additional meds for any symptoms. Every 4-6 weeks blood work follow up from endocrinology is also expected to monitor and fine tune the dosage.

3
blessitspointedlil•

This is normal in subclinical, when T4 and T3 tested within Normal Range. But if your T4 is Abnormally High then the Dr should immediately refer you to an Endocrinologist or in rare cases where a general Dr treats hyperthyroidism, the Dr should test for Graves antibodies and start anti-thyroid medication if you are positive for Graves antibodies, not wait 4 weeks.

3
Situation_Fluffy•

I would ask for a referral to an endocrinologist asap but also definitely do the bloodwork your GP ordered in 4 weeks. I'm in Canada, it took almost 3 months for me to get an appointment with my endo. Then the endo wanted new blood work so it was another week until meds were prescribed. I had been put on beta blockers almost right away though. I also wasn't formally diagnosed with Graves until my endo had the results from the blood work she ordered because that was first time they checked for antibodies. Up until then my GP was managing some of the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, as well as checking my levels so that info would be available to my endo.

3
CocoLeChatOP•

Thank you so much, I went ahead and made an appointment with an endocrinologist.

2