[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by Nursebarb1

I am a retired RN and my son-in-law is a practicing anesthesiologist at a teaching hospital, so I like to think I have some insight into the problem. Physicians that are emplyed by a corporation are required to see a certain amount of patients in a specified period of time according to their contract. That does not allow time to chit chat about the grandkids. We are all advised to watch our diet, exercise, not smoke and cut the alcohol, get our required immunizations, mammograms, bone density, colonoscopies and prostate screenings. Beyond that, we are on our own until an abnormality appears in our routine lab work or a problem arises, at which point he/she will order additional testing. I don't expect much more from a physician. Marcus Welby when by the way of the HMO.

According to a recent Daily Sun article, 55% of Americans don't think they are overweight and have no plans to try to lose any weight. However, two thirds of Americans are overweight. Therefore, telling patients to "watch their diet" is not very helpful.

Arnold Schwarzenegger once said: "I watch what I eat. I watch it, and then I eat it."

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by OBXNana

Then physician groups had to join hospitals to remain competitive with malpractice insurance costs, accepting of patient insurance, and simple logistics for the fast moving world.

In case anyone doubts it: There's a new book that just came out, "Where Does It Hurt" by Jonathan Bush. It tells about what's going on in the health care industry. Bush says that physician groups and individual practices are being bought up by hospitals by the hundreds.

So if you go to a doctor you might not be sure if the doctor is looking out for your best interests or the financial interests of the hospital. I don't think the doctor is going to tell you that his/her practice is owned by a hospital. So if you're told that you need an operation, you might want to give it some thought and get a second opinion.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by pbkmaine

My husband worked for European companies for more than 40 years. What he and I have observed: Europeans move more than Americans. They ride bikes and they walk everywhere. Their cities grew up before the age of the auto, so are more accessible than ours. Europeans also linger over meals, eating a wide range of foods over a long period of time. I think both customs help.

The America I grew up in we did all of the above. But we wanted more for our kids and they for their kids, etc . The problem is, too many of us, made lousy choices Our parents discipline worked for us but we leaned toward Dr. Spock and today we have helicopter parents and all of the truism rom our childhood days have been erased.

We moved from the family doctor to the corporate form of medicine which main goal is to profit first. Government and insurance demands exacerbate this situation. So if a medical student starts out with the belief of healing the sick he/she quickly learns that such an attitude is the trailing concern.

If you are among the lucky ones to have a caring physician thank your God

I found three in eight years none who were primary care doctors. One cardiologist , one gastro, one ER

[tippyclubb]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

Good question. This is really strange; when my TSH was over 8 I felt perfectly fine. In one of my thyroid books I read a long list of symptoms pertaining to hyperthyroid. I had none of the symptoms. For example, not only was I not overweight, I was at my ideal weight with a BMI of 18. I wasn't cold all the time and I didn't lack energy etc.

Yes, over 4 is considered high but I found some information online that recommends we should go by how we feel. I don't have that information handy at this time.

From memory it goes something like this: If you restrict calories by not eating high-calorie processed foods, your metabolism will slow down considerably. And when your metabolism slows down your thyroid function does the same. It may have some implications for longevity: When they tested a large group of centenarians, they all had slow thyroids.

Admittedly, it's a bit complicated so I'm not completely settled on what my TSH should be. Should I try for a lower TSH? The accepted TSH number is based on averages taken from a large population of people. Should I try to be like everyone else? Is there a downside to not getting it lower?

In the mean time I feel well so I'm not going to worry about it.

Your right if your feeling okay I would not worry about it either. Your body will let you know when it's time to take thyroid medication. I know when my medicine needs to be adjusted by the way I feel. For me tsh level is best kept at .1 - .3.

Years ago the suggested guidelines were 2.5 - .5 . I never felt good at .5. When the new guidelines came out and tsh was kept closer to .1 I feel much better.

Here's a interesting link to tsh guidelines. According to this article you are well within acceptable tsh limits.

http://www.thyroidskeptic.com/normal-tsh-range/

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by tippyclubb

Your right if your feeling okay I would not worry about it either. Your body will let you know when it's time to take thyroid medication. I know when my medicine needs to be adjusted by the way I feel. For me tsh level is best kept at .1 - .3.

Years ago the suggested guidelines were 2.5 - .5 . I never felt good at .5. When the new guidelines came out and tsh was kept closer to .1 I feel much better.

Here's a interesting link to tsh guidelines. According to this article you are well within acceptable tsh limits.

http://www.thyroidskeptic.com/normal-tsh-range/

I enjoyed reading your link, especially were it says TSH between 4.5 and 10 need not be treated. A thyroid book that I bought says the same thing but I wasn't sure if I should believe it. I think I will now. Thanks.

[PennBF]

I have been through a lot of medical problems with my immediate family. One who needed it the most was a Head Nurse in a very well known hospital. In her first and second cancer we went to Lahey Clinic in Arlington, Mass.,Also went to Westchester medical center for their surgical dept. . In a couple of other incidents have gone to MD Anderson, the most well known and respected cancer hospital and in Houston, Texas. Have also been to Mayo Clinic/Hosipital in Jacksonville, If we have a moderate problem we will go to the Urgent Care in Lake Sumter but anything that has the chance of being serious we go to a major Hospital/Clinic. The reason is that it is not always the Dr. but the diagnosis that is critical. Years ago a Dr who was head of a Dept in Lahey Clinic told me that a key to medical treatment is the diagnosis. Once that is established almost any Dr can treat the problem. Also the policies and practices are critical. In major clinics there are practices where at the end of the week the Dr's in the Dept will bring up their more difficult problems and discuss them among the group of specialists. It is also a mystery as to when someone has a more than normal medical issue they rely on a local Dr. who may or may not have studied the condition in any detail.
We are only 3 hours from Mayo Clinic who can call on some pretty good specialists to assist in diagnosis. Why stay local? I can say I am a big fan of Lahey Clinic in Mass and like the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. Some will spend hours/days deciding on a car but take no time to understand where the best medical facility is for their particular problem. The critical point is to understand and have the right diagnosis !!

[perrjojo]

My son is a physician and if you ask him, he will tell you the problem with medicine is the patients. They don't take prescribed meds...they don't lose weight, they don't stop smoking, they don't stop drinking, they don't exercise, they don't eat a healthy diet. I guess it just depends on who you ask what answer you will get.

[lightworker888]

FYI the leading expert on Iodine and Salt is Dr Brownstein who has written and lectured extensively on both. I take Lugol's solution for iodine and 1/2 tsp of Himalayan sea salt daily in warm water first thing in the morning. There is a protocol for the iodine which includes complementary supplements and all the info is in his book which you can google. I am not one for testing but I do pay attention to how I am feeling. I do not use any other salt and use only pink or grey sea salt. I used to use Real Salt but I found it to be more white so I switched and I can get the pink Himalayan salt at my local bulk store.

I think that everyone has to choose the process of maintaining their health according to their own level of comfort. There are many choices and if you learn to listen to your inner voice and keep your eyes and ears open, you will be surprised at what you can discover. Notice what "resonates" with you and check it After all, you are the only one who is living your life and you are the only one who knows how it feels.

There is an Iodine group on yahoo that has lots of good info available.. It is moderated by a naturopath and people, both under doctor's care and on their own contribute to the conversation.

LW 888

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by perrjojo

My son is a physician and if you ask him, he will tell you the problem with medicine is the patients. They don't take prescribed meds...they don't lose weight, they don't stop smoking, they don't stop drinking, they don't exercise, they don't eat a healthy diet. I guess it just depends on who you ask what answer you will get.

I believe it. Perhaps some research is needed to find out the best way to go about informing patients of the harm they are doing to themselves. I know it's a long shot but it might help someone.

Perhaps a system of incentives or penalties. Some smokers have to pay more for their health insurance. Why don't overweight people pay more? Why don't normal weight people get a rebate on their monthly premium?

For those who are overweight, why aren't dietitians covered by insurance? An overweight person might be allowed to go a limited number of times to get them on the right path.

[KayakerNC]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

Perhaps a system of incentives or penalties. Some smokers have to pay more for their health insurance. Why don't overweight people pay more? Why don't normal weight people get a rebate on their monthly premium.

Be careful what you wish for.
Substitute overage for overweight for adjusting monthly premiums. Not nice.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by KayakerNC

Be careful what you wish for.
Substitute overage for overweight for adjusting monthly premiums. Not nice.

We can stop smoking, drinking and overeating because they are behaviors. Chronological age is unavoidable.

[Cedwards38]

They just don't have time.

And why is that? Over scheduling to maximize earning potential possibly?