Getting nowhere fast! Can somebody recommend a specialist in Birmingham I can contact to get some answers.

[jaydubblya]

Hi everyone, I've been tested for hypothyroidism for the last 20 years, the results always come back normal. Yet still I gain weight when I barely eat. I'm always cold, well except when I was in 40 degrees in Greece, even then I didn't sweat! I'm tired constantly. I can actually count the number of times I have woken up feeling refreshed. My nails break when they reach the top of my finger. My hair is very fine, my skin is dry, on and on it goes. I've called Dr Skinners number but get no reply and my doctor won't offer me a second opinion, any ideas.

[Hennerton]

What exactly are the so called "normal" results? Could you obtain copies with reference ranges and post here for people to see and comment? You are entitled to these so do not be fobbed off by difficult receptionists. We shall then have a good idea what is wrong.

[siannie]

I see dr s in Birmingham . They have had problems with the phones quite recently. Send a letter although he won't see you without a gp referral . If ur gp will refer you get him to send the referral to him ASAP .

My gp was not happy at first but I said I was prepared to pay for an opinion and went armed with as much info as poss . Good luck x

[jaydubblya]

Hi thanks for your replies. I'm going to my doctor hopefully today or maybe next week, depending on when they answer the phones! My TSH is always between the recommended levels i.e. 03 - 3.0, I think it's around 2.6, mind you it was always between the normal levels when it was 05-5.0 so how does that work cos it hasn't changed?! My doctor won't refer me and Dr Skinner will not see me without a referral.

[Hidden in reply to jaydubblya]

TSH of 2.6.... there's your problem! Many need it much lower than that to feel well, even when they are converting T4 to T3 well.

TSH alone is HOPELESS as a means of managing hypothyroidism treatment, and the reason so many struggle. Getting someone on board to do better is another thing though!

T4 and T3 levels may well show much more,if your GP won't agree to testing then you may need to have them privately tested, then confront GP or Endo with those results (just for starters).

My GP will not refer me either, hence I self-manage - but that's certainly not for everyone.

Other things to look at for helping conversion of T4 to T3 are optimal Iron/ferritin levels; vitamin B12; Folate; Vitamin D3 and Magnesium, supplementing as necessary... but even then you want the RIGHT type of supplements.

My tip: Research, research, then research some more.

[tegz in reply to jaydubblya]

Quote:' How does that work cos it hasn't changed?'

I hope it's because the ptb are being slowly guided [shamed] in the right directiion for diagnosis set limits.

The US and most of Europe are at 3.0 upper limit & we still lag that some.

It's very little to do with test variables between labs which is a separate issue or your personal readings.

Just a view!

[jaydubblya]

Hi Picton, I must admit that I have tried to research stuff but failed miserably. My iron reserves are so low I had to have an emergency hysterectomy five years ago, but nobody mentioned hypo. My iron reserves are still low and yet no alarm bells are ringing. I think I shall ask for a complete read out of T3 and T4 and post them on here with a list of my symptoms, I think the people on here are more knowledgable than the doctors. Mine even admits that she and hundreds of other GP's don't know what the thyroid does!