An interesting read (Thyroid issues)

[MaryF]

I have a keen interest in Thyroid issues, and so many of us on here have one, some do not even know they have one! A lot of work needs to be done, testing is scanty and too narrow, unless you pay for it, and the lack of choice regarding treatment options is shocking.

Thyroid UK just published this on their social media, and they make the following statement:

The BMJ Open have just published a paper entitled, "Attitudes and perceptions of health professionals towards management of hypothyroidism in general practice: a qualitative interview study".

Although it's a very small study - only 19 interviewees - it does show that health professionals do worry about whether to treat some patients or not. The worrying thing is that it also shows that they only treat using blood test results and not symptoms - something we have known for a very long time.

More worrying is that this paper is suggesting that more pharmacists and practice nurses should be involved more in the management of hypothyroidism.

My concern is that if GPs are not sure about how to treat us, how are pharmacists and practice nurses going to fare?

I would love to see the questions asked at these interviews. I doubt they asked, "Would you consider prescribing T3 to hypothyroid patients who have symptoms that are not resolved on levothyroxine?" or "Are you happy that you are being forced to de-prescribe T3 for your patients who are perfectly well on it?

bmjopen.bmj.com/content/bmj...

MaryF

[MaryF Administrator]

Too right! Lots of articles floating about healthcentral.com/article/o...

MaryF

[irieislandgirl]

OK. If going on just a blood test, and hypo thyroid is not being treated properly, with the right medicine, what medication is needed to treat all the symptoms including stress, weight gain?

[MaryF Administrator in reply to irieislandgirl]

I am afraid the culture is awful, no choice, (or virtually no choice), and poor testing. I fund my own natural desiccated thyroid medication with private testing and monitoring. It should not be this way, which is why I sign and support every petition across the UK and beyond and also support the work of Thyroid UK. MaryF

[MaryF Administrator in reply to irieislandgirl]

Also I notice you are in the USA, so Functional Medicine Doctors will often prescribe it, my response normally when I am told nobody takes that, I point them to this article that shows Hilary Clinton takes it, actually she probably has Hughes Syndrome/APS with that clotting issue. medscape.com/viewarticle/87...

MaryF

[KellyInTexas Administrator]

I’ve printed off for my GP. Thank you.