Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: IBS or something else?

Since IBS is a diagnosis of exclusion, your doctor needs to rule out other possible conditions before deciding you have IBS. You can take a look at this information to see what else your doctor needs to check for. There's a lot more there than just thyroid. And remember you could have IBS and something else (oh, joy).

If you call the hospital you should be able to get your stool sample results. If they won't send them right to you, have them sent to your doctor. In general, I would advise you to get copies of all test results. Doctors don't always read them right and it never hurts to double-check. And I'd definitely ask for a copy of the thyroid tests. If it's within normal range, but at the low end, your doctor might want to rethink dismissing thyroid problems. Here's an old post of mine on thyroid problems - and be sure to read the other posts in the same thread, too.

If you decide to see a GI, your GP should be able to refer you to one. If she can't or won't or you don't like the one she sends you to, here's a thread that might help you find a good one. If you don't find one there, you can post where you live and see if anyone has a recommendation - it's best to start a new post for that.

If you do have IBS, I would definitely recommend you try Heather's approach. It is detailed in this Website, outside the Message Boards. If you have to wait a while to see your GI and/or to get the tests done, you can try Heather's approach before you get a diagnosis. It shouldn't hurt and if you do have IBS, it should help with a lot of your symptoms.

HTH. Take care.

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[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]

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