I have visited my GP this week and he has told me that my thyroid reading is fine, Serum TSH level (XaELV)
3.7mU/L (0.35-4.94), I have to take his word as I don`t understand anything about thyroid readings, but I ask him what can be causing the symptoms I am having (hair loss, weight gain, losing me eyebrows, constant tiredness, sleeplessness and constant pain in my lower tummy, he said he couldn`t think what could be the cause, and didn`t seem at all concerned, just dismissed it.
It would put my mind at rest if someone could confirm that my thyroid level is normal.
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ruthalem
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I am no expert,but then your GP doesn't sound like one either!! TSH is on the higher side but without the T4 and ideally T3. Tests it's hard to know the full picture. Your gp sounds like so many of the others ie. Your TSH is in range- so therefore my job done- shoulder shrug- and off you go. Personally I would peruse it if you feel unwell,either with him,but probably with another gp.Wish you luck and hope all goes well.
Thanks for that Cupi, Will my gp know what I am talking about if I ask for a T4 and a T3 test.
Hi, That reading does not sound normal to me and your GP should not dismiss your symptoms as not being thyroid related without giving you a full range of tests. Ask him for TSH, FT3, FT4, thyroid antibodies, vitamins B12 and D, and folates, ferritin and intracellular magnesium. See further info on the main Thyroid UK website and check also the list of symptoms of which your GP should be well aware.
Thank you Janeb, I intend to visit my gp as soon as I can get an appointment and ask for these test to be done, although I am not confident that he will go along with this, but I will try.
Can you make a list of all your symptoms and how long you've had them? Take this and also someone else with you to back you up if you can. He is supposed to help you and should give you a reason for these symptoms. These tests will give us all more of a clue as to what's going on. Perhaps try a different GP if he refuses as cupi says, but remember that YOU are paying his salary and he's there to serve you. Good luck. Jane x x
Is there another GP in the practise that you could see, if so dont just ask for your thyroid to be tested again ask for your B12 and especially you iron to be checked along with your VitD.
While you are booking your appt ask the receptionist for a print out of your thyroid results so that you can start keeping your own records of any bloods tests you have done.
You must not let any doctor just dismiss you like this one has, you want answers as to why feel so ill and you want him/her to run tests to find out why. I know it will be hard, as you feel so unwell at the moment, but you could only get worse if you let your GP's attitude dictate your treatment (or lack of it as far as this GP goes). Go back to the GP's and try and find one that will listen to you (it took me four doctors in my surgery to find the right one, so it is not uncommon) and keep insisting that there must be something wrong for you to be feeling the way that you are. I'm afraid that unless you start fighting for better treatment it is likely that it will not be forthcoming.
You might want to read as much as you can regarding thyroid illness from the main thryoiduk website, on this site and on the internet to educate yourself, that way you will be able to point things out to your GP that you wouldn't have before. I found that my GP's attitude totally changed towards me when she realised that I knew enough about my illness for her no to be unable to fob me off with excuses.
Thank you Moggie, I have already got a print out of my thyroid results and i will ask for a copy of all blood results in the future, I will definitely read as much as I can on the workings of the thyroid. once again thanks for your advise.
I have been gradually gaining weight for more than a year now but every time I tried to discuss it with my GP, he told me it was my age and that I wasn`t active enough, even when I was cycling two and three miles every day.
Well, since all those symptoms are due to low thyroid, I can't understand why your doctor couldn't answer that question. He should have told you to try to raise your dose by 25 mcg and see if that helps you. I am always amazed at how negligent these GP's are when they are looking straight at you. stopthethyroidmadness.com/l...
Hi, I was on my knees with a TSH reading of 4.65 and FT4 & 3 readings in the low 'normal' range. ALL the GP's I saw in my practice refused to connect my long list of debilitating symptoms with my thyroid.
I stumbled upon this website, found about Dr Skinner and made an appointment to see him. Yes I had to see him a few times, yes it was quite a distance from me, yes it wasn't cheap yes initially I had to pay for my medication (cheap as chips). Was it worth it? Yes yes yes! Two years later and nearly four stone lighter, able to move and stay awake I have my life back.
Interestingly my son is a medical student and when I was feeling at my worst he and all his medical student friends with whom he (with my permission) discussed my symptoms unanimously agreed that they 'screamed' thyroid problem! This and the advice on this site gave me the confidence to ignore my GPs.
I now make a point of seeing the 'registrar' GP at our practice (last year of GP training), oddly they always seem much more focused on helping me to feel well, which I very much appreciate! They are also much more amenable to ordering tests.
Don't give up, you deserve to feel well; good luck.
Thank you every one of you for your support, it has given me the courage to ring my GP and ask for another blood test to test for a T4, FT3,Thyroid antibodies, vitamins B12,and D, also Folates, Ferritin and intacellular magnesium, there was silence on the end of the phone for what seemed like ages, he then told me that the hospital probably wouldn`t do this as my reading was in range, that stumped me for a second or two but then I recalled all the support I had read on here and boldly told him that surely if he requested these tests, then they would have to do them. He tried very hard to dissuade me by telling me that it would not make any difference but I insisted that that was what I wanted. He eventually gave in and made me an appointment for the 20th of this month for another blood test. Once again thanks to you all for your support and information.
Remind me, what exactly is he getting paid for? Well done in fighting for tests to be done and do stay assertive. If he's not interested in his patients then clearly he's in the wrong job!
Good advice above too and definitely put something in writing if he becomes awkward.
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