For many years, Carrie suffered from debilitating gastrointestinal issues, fatigue, weight fluctuation and depression before she was finally diagnosed with hypothyroidism.
And she has had more than her fair share of conversations with doctors.
How did the experience improve once Carrie felt heard? How did effective communication impact her health? And what does effective doctor-patient communication look like?
On this episode of Tell Me More, Carrie joins me to describe the mental and physical symptoms of hypothyroidism and discuss how long it took to get an accurate diagnosis.
Carrie explains the power in building trust with your healthcare team and shares her maddening experience with a doctor who discounted how she felt because her numbers were “normal.”
Listen in for Carrie’s advice to listeners who think they might have hypothyroidism and learn why doctors can’t rely on data alone to treat human beings.
Key TakeawaysHow long Carrie suffered from GI issues before she was diagnosed with hypothyroidism
Carrie’s experience with a doctor who discounted how she felt because her numbers were “normal”
How Carrie’s fatigue, GI issues, weight gain and depression were symptoms of hypothyroidism
How often Carrie checks her TSH, T3 and T4 to make sure they’re in the range she feels best
The power in finding a doctor who makes you feel heard
Why asking open-ended questions facilitates more effective communication with patients
The frustration of retelling your story over and over to new doctors (especially with a chronic condition)
How hypothyroidism impacts your mental health
Carrie’s advice for listeners who think they might have hypothyroidism
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christine@christinemeyermd.com