Shall I write to the Endocrinologist before my first appointment next month?

[yellow]

I've been referred because I'm not doing well on t4 alone, so shall I explain this in a letter to the Endo before the appointment and should I also send abstracts of evidence based studies supporting the use of t3 and natural dessicated thyroid gland? Thanks

[shaws Administrator]

I, personally, would not as he/ she may take it as a slight to their professionalism.

I would go along and just say that you are feeling awful on T4 and is their anything they can do to help you alleviate your symptoms. You could try what they offer so they see you are open to their suggestion - which may work for you.

I, myself, have had to try several options as they did not all bring relief to my satisfaction. It is trial and error. You may find they only want to use T4 and not alternatives and after a couple of appointments you can then suggest what Dr Toft says in his online article in Pulse Online.

They could be open to the use of T3

I hope you get on o.k..

[yellow in reply to shaws]

That seems like sound advice. I don't want to go over the top so I'll do just that and pray hard. Thanks

[tegz]

Apart from the lack of insight shown generally with thyroid conditions the NHS mkes it worse by having different approaches between Endos, GPs and their clinics/regions.

No wonder patients are left wondering how to go forward- and helpful Docs wary of stepping out of line, just like many of us!

It's so easy to forget our rights in the middle of all this and get swallowed by 'the system'...

I hope it goes well for you.

[yellow in reply to tegz]

I agree. It's a bit of a shambles. Thanks

[Hennerton]

Hi yellow, I am not sure I see the harm in a nicely worded letter, explaining why you are coming to see him and stating that you are hoping he will help you to have your health restored by allowing you to have a month's trial of T3, to be taken with your Levo. The reason I think this is that brain freeze takes effect whenever I am sitting in front of an endo and you may be the same. In any event, your time with him is limited, so if he knows why you are there, that will save you two or three minutes of explanation. I think it also looks as though you mean business but in a non threatening way to his ego. Do not, however, send him copies of studies etc as I think that may annoy him and probably best not to mention NDT as for some obscure reason, the very thought of it sends them into apoplexy. I did eventually get it from my endo but it took two visits. Softly, softly is the game. Stupid but true. Good luck! x

[yellow in reply to Hennerton]

Yes, this makes sense to me. I will sent a polite but cautious letter. No studies or NDT mentioned. Thanks

[Heloise]

Hi yellow, I've been posting this for anyone not doing well on thyroid replacement hormone which you may find interesting. It's a series of 24 but I will just post the first one which runs for five minutes and you will get the idea. But make up your own mind if it suits you.

youtube.com/watch?v=nZ_CP7l...(Not working as expected?)