[13ecca]

I'm 19 years old, 20 in November, and have recently been having hot flushes and excessive sweating.
I googled it and found quite a few site said it could be thyroid problems, I also noticed I have a few other signs too.
I've always had irregular periods but never thought anything of it. Depression which I just put down to having a hard time recently. Hair loss, which I put down to depression. Being over weight and now these hot flushes.
I was just wondering first of all how do I go about changing doctor. I have a male doctor and really don't feel comfortable talking to him and then how would they go about testing me for thyroid problems?
Does it even sound like thyroid problems or am I just over reacting and it's just crazy teenage hormones?
Thanks in advance for any advice.

[southamerica]

Call your doctor's office and ask if they have a female physician. Or you can look at other network providers and see if they have a female physician.

Hair loss especially is something a doctor should look at, as is unexplained changes in weight. The doctor will be able to tell what's up with your thyroid (if anything) by doing some blood work. That'll be the only way to find out.

You could also just be flipping out - happens to me all the time!

[lee12]

Could be thyroid but could easily be something else as well. The first thing a doctor will do if they suspect thyroid malfunction is to determine your TSH level (thyroid stimulating hormone), which is done with simple blood-work. If you can't talk the doctor into it but still want to know, or if you don't have insurance or prefer to avoid needles or can't get to a doctor, etc. there are home tests that use a finger-prick. This one is $30

http://www.testcountry.com/products.html?product=1033

If you go this route, make sure you buy a test that will detect hyperactive (overactive) AND hypoactive (underactive) thyroid activity - both are common but I believe some of the home tests are only good for one or the other. Also, keep in mind that low TSH means over-active thyroid and high TSH means under-active thyroid (so it's a little backwards).

All in all though, definitely find a doctor that you are comfortable with and talk to him/her. Overlooking or ignoring symptoms, as well as relying solely on self-diagnosis, can be dangerous. Most problems caught early are easily treated. Good luck

[lee12]

Also - if it does turn out you have a thyroid issue don't be concerned, they are pretty common and usually nothing to be too worried about.