I live in Southern Cali.
Q: WHAT is a CBC? STands for what?
So let's say i finish the 24 adrenal test. Then what? My docs have already chosen not to help me anyways. Even for my thryroid, my ndt comes 100% out of pocket, which is the only thing that gets me even somewhat better.
I don't have standard health insurance, the free one only. Btw, insurance is $400 MIN at my age, and UP. Higher since I need all kinds of ****. I hardly have any money in my bank, not just can't afford, but literally nearly broke.
So after I get the adrenal test, if I find its high or low, then what? Then docs have decided not to treat my thyroid either. Once I talk money, they somehow change their mind and have different results
So yea, I want the test results on that, but then I can't really do anything about it anyways so I might need that money to live, eat.
Sorry - CBC = Complete Blood Count. It is the test that shows how many red blood cells you have (RBC) and their size, shape, composition, etc. It seems like a simple test, but can give a lot of insight as too which paths you should go down next.
You can get a CBC for around $15 online, or if your doctor has already done bloodwork you can call them and ask for your blood work and they should give it to you.
I know everyone thinks their doctors are idiots. I have been in enough rooms with patients and doctors (with family and friends) to see how easy it is to have no understanding of all the things they are looking at and what they've already investigated without you knowing. And this is how it should be - if you came to me and I just said, "This could be a dozen things...how about this....nope, not that...how about this....nope, not that....maybe this? No, not that either." ....you would lose faith in me very quickly - Doctors have to have a strategic process to figure these things out and they don't want to talk about all the things they are merely eliminating to be safe, in order to not make you feel like they are shooting in the dark and also not to scare some patients who freak out over everything. Not saying you are freaking out over everything - but some people do, so it's a better strategy to play it cool.
I feel your pain on the money part. Don't look at this like you are solving a single problem. Look at it as you are building evidence for a case. If you can go to a doctor and show a solid test showing that you are out of range, they will be more likely to conduct their own test.
Plus, if it is high or low, at least you have a piece of evidence for what the next steps you should take are - you aren't just guessing.
But what if it comes back normal? What then? Other than a guess so far, based on some random symptoms, we have no real evidence to point to low cortisol.
Symptoms are not a great diagnostic tool - a dozen different diseases and issues could all have the same overlapping symptoms.
Low thyroid may have you feeling tired, achy, cold, etc.
Anemia, also may have you feeling tired, achy, cold, etc.
Addison's Disease may have you feeling tired, achy, cold, etc.
And so on and so forth with 3-4 more issues I could think of, and probably a dozen more I'm not even aware of.
As far as your thyroid - you said your TSH is low. This indicates an OVER-active, not an under-active thyroid. Since you are supplementing thyroid hormone, it would be a normal response to have low TSH. There is nothing to treat there, so I'm not sure what the doctors can treat? Plus, are we talking low but within range, or low and out of range?
If you have low TSH output, it could be from the NDT or from an underlying issue, but how can you tell if that's a meaningful number when you have been taking NDT?
Finally, low body temperature - my body temps are similar to yours with no thyroid issues, etc. Not everyone is 98.6 degrees and a lot of people are lower. Taking thyroid meds just to bring up body temps is not a proper approach - but you do sound like the cold is bothering you so it may be something that needs to be dealt with, we just need to figure out exactly what it could be.
The reason I asked about your region is because what you are describing can be symptoms of Lyme disease also. It may be good to get a test done, but it seems to be low probability in your region from what I just Google'd.
To anyone,
If I sound frustrated don't take it personally. It's been a long ass battle lol
I thank you both for your assistance!
Would it be better to save, and make sure I have a bundle of money first before doing any tests? I really could use that $140 for the adrenal test, for like food. I only eat/drink the basics and don't go out. But I've been out of work because my condition keeps me from holding a job.
I want to go see a naturopath! How do I choose one? I know from people's YT channels they say they have to go through a few at least before they find a good one. THEN I know it costs $200 PER visit around h ere. I did call and ask.
I mean i could do the test and sit on it..but nothing would get resolved, and no food to eat.
Call your doctor and ask if you can get a copy of all of your blood work. That should be free. Yes, there are good doctors and bad doctors. It's hard to find a really good doctor.
If you can't work because you are too achy and cold to go to work - then you have every right to be frustrated. And of course, I get that it can be even more frustrating to have a bunch of people throwing out random ideas that you get hopeful are the answer and then find out it didn't help....