Why have our GP's not been fully educated in thyroid conditions? There are so many people suffering without help to manage their conditions
Thyroid Conditions : Why have our GP's... - NHS England: A Ca...
NHS England: A Call to Action
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Thyroid Conditions
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Jax13
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I think it could possibly be because it is a very complicated subject where the whole endocrine system could be involved including adrenals as well as organs of the body.
It needs whole body knowledge and treatment - synthetic thyroxine just doesn't work for so many and why would it, it is not a natural replacement and the body probably doesn't recognise it.
The cause needs to be discovered before the problem solved and our health system just doesn't work that way - not GP's fault - a lack in training, unfortunately, and we are all different - the system is vast becoming outdated for treating many health issues and diseases.
I totally agree with you. I just wish that my voice could be heard after I have taken the time to research my condition, instead of being patronised or just point blank being told that I am wrong. It is really tough and I am lucky that I am resilient. I pity the ones who are not.
I learnt the hard way and always go armed with notes and previous records and letters. I meditate before going and ask for help and I feel much more confident generally now that they listen and realise how sensitive I am.
They suggest treatment that could be right for me.
Being assertive, but respectful, remembering they do not know everything, but involve them and get them on side.
I'd say turn it on its head and learn to manage your GP more than he/she tries to manage you. The health system we have sees us with family doctors with only a little knowledge of many things and, as you pointed out it's a system that does tend to patronise, whilst we're good at allowing it to happen by sitting back and allowing too much fobbing off. Brits are far too good at just accepting anything an 'authority' figure tells us. The 'mustn't make a fuss syndrome' that can rarely even kill us off because we don't stand our ground when we know we are getting less than adequate treatment.
Your best plan is to challenge. Not rudely but definitely firmly. Simply say that you are not happy with the treatment you are receiving and that you would like a second opinion. You have the right to this. Ask to see a consultant in endocrine medicine.
And attend that appointment armed with as much knowledge as you can read from reliable internet sources. And, explain clearly and exactly what it is that's not working for you. Ask all the questions you want about your condition and how to manage it. Again, don't allow any fobbing off and get a letter placed in your notes stating dissatisfaction with your treatment if nothing's resolved. That will focus your doctors' attention on the evidence that will be available to you, if you ever have need to make any kind of official complaint in future.
Consultants can prescribe management plans which your GP must implement. Or can reassure that actually you and your doctor are managing your condition OK.
in reply to
Don't bank on an NHS Endo being any more helpful than a GP. My former NHS Endo told me that he wasn't concerned by my symptoms so I removed myself from his list. What he really meant was that he wasn't interested, dismissed the evidence I provided to back up what I'd been saying for 2 years and it was obvious that he lacked an enquiring mind and cba'd.
I've discovered the hard way that NHS doctors have no accountability, the complaints process protects them and really nothing has changed since Harold Shipman's time.
Jax13 in reply to
I already see an Endocrinologist and she doesn't listen, whenever I try to have a conversation about anything specific she fobs me off. Just joined a different GP surgery so going to see a GP there and see if they will help.
in reply to Jax13
Many of them are diabetes specialists and have limited knowledge of the thyroid. I hope your new surgery will be helpful.
Have you read Dr Peatfield's book? It's invaluable for learning about the thyroid and highly recommended.
Hi Jax, I agree with replies you've already received and would add, that having Hashimotos I've been doing a lot of my own research Into my Thyroid and other mainly related conditions.
Things the GP's have tried to treat based on individual symptoms only. doesn't work, as one reply said the whole Endocrine system is extremely complex, so GP's, treating many different patients and health disorders, don't have the knowledge or expertise that the Specialists and medical researchers have. Even they are always learning.
I've got to a point where I now "listen" to my own body and respond accordingly based on my own learning and information gathered. I'm currently looking into cows milk protein and/or Lactose itolerance, so I have just changed to Lactose free milk.
Bearing in mind that milk is often one constant Ingredient used in cakes, read, biscuits etc., to bi d the others together before baking.
Other than an occasional Anadin for joint pain, and now a good quality Multivitamin and Iron Food supplement, Levothyroxine is the only prescribed medication I take. I have almost gone vegetarian in my diet and have a banana daily for potassium, utiling the sun as and when weather allows for my Vitamin D. So yes, I manage my Thyroid symptoms myself and it works as well as if not better than most meds do. I'm bringing down my high TSH blood test reading and improving my blood cell counts.
It's even possible I was Thyroxine deficient since childhood, due to ongoing joint and tendon deformity since childhood that needed 3 ops on one foot to correct. I've just seen an Orthopaedic Surgeon last week, who, knowing of my health history has decided he won't operate on my left one, instead is contacting my GPbecause he wants me to see a podiatrist to have shoes made to measure to accommodate it. So again there is no way our GP's can understand all the complexities of Thyroid and other related conditions.
As said I do have several health conditions, which come together under the name of Thrombocytopenia, as diagnosed by a doctor when I lived abroad till 4 months ago. One of the main things about taking Levothyroxine though, is it MUST be taken strictly according to Pharma manufacturer instructions. Even different manufactures tabs can change. Now back in UK I find the Sodium free one made by Activis suits me a little better. After a couple of days, if bone pain is worse, I don't Levo at all for a day, which helps on that day!
It's the hair thinning that annoys me, i can't alter that-yet! The itchy dry skin and flakiness has stopped since I changed away from E45 and use a herbal or plain Dry skin product, with less chemical ingredients in it. E45 made my joint pain in toes, knee and fingers worse, it seemed to increase the joint swelling. It also made my finger and toe nails grow longer faster. One less problem to deal with now.
The skin is the largest organ in the body and absorbs what we put on it, just as the digestive system and circulatory absorbs what we put in it!
So a long drawn out answer to your post! You could always start researching your own health history from birth, as I did, which has led me this far in taking matters into my own hands.
I'm not medically or scientifically qualified - just an interested personal researcher into the why's and wherefores of my own health. I wish you good luck in managing your own Thyroid health.
They have not improved over the last 30 years. With their scale "normal"is a vast range.j The best to be hoped for is a referral to an endocrinologist and to stick with him/her so that any associated tests can be done there
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