Table 3.

Situational factor categories and sub-categories with representative quotations.

Situational factors	Representative quotation
Healthcare - Pre-consultation
Waiting	“… Can’t get doctors appointment for 2 months. Any of your doctors have an ideas?????????”
Preparing for appointment	“… We r going to the Endo on Monday - what do I ask?”
Determining if need medical follow-up	“… She not nor am I a beliver in follow up visits unless something is wrong.”
Healthcare - Post-consultation
Second opinion	“I have been talking to another doctor. Can you tell me what you think?”
Clarification/explanation	“… My MD stopped the Armour Thyroid. He also said the elevated T3 can have the same sxs as hypothyroidism. I’ve read alot, but I still don’t understand how?…”
Doctor does not know	“… Although my numbers look OK I am still very tired… Doctors unsure of why or what to do.”
Options	“…I have a choice whether I want to go back on PegIntron. or Pegasys.”
Diagnosis status
Diagnosed: Not questioned	“new labs, Im still so frustrated. This is 2.5 grains of erfa and 6.25 mg of levo. A little better but still not good. I met with the pharmacist and my doctor last week.”
Diagnosed: Questioned	“The drs office said my results were great, but I dont think thats right. Does this not suggest I am borderline in hyper or hypo?… My doctor is insisting I am depressed.”
Not diagnosed	“My husband has an abnormal bloodn test. could you let me know what could be his diagnosis?” “For quite some time, I have had a number of “issues” and have not gotten to the bottom of it.”