Sorry,again still chewing over endo. visit. I would appreciate your comments on my bloods,to which HE said I was over medicated.

[beaton]

TSH 0.078

T4 13 range 11-24

T3 5.1 range 4-6.8

HE said my T4 is low but my T3 too high.

[Moggie]

Yes but HE is only looking at one result - your TSH - and how the hell can he say that your FT3 is to high.

Sack your endo beaton and get a decent one, preferable one that actually knows something about thyroid illness because this idiot obviously doesn't.

I feel gutted for you, I really do, as we gear ourselves up for these appts and hope against hope that "this could be the one" only to fall flat on our faces again because we are put in front on a doctor like this one.

Reading what you and others have gone through with endo's makes me realise that my endo does actually know what he is doing, and I'm thankful for that.

Moggie x

[beaton in reply to Moggie]

Can I come and live with you Moggie. I have sent an email to the head endo as it was the only one available,wonder when I will get a reply. Thanks for all your help.xx

[Moggie in reply to beaton]

Better to send a letter as emails can be ignored, or have you tried contacting PALS for advice? I found them very good.

You really would not want to come and live with me as, apart from my volatile temper (the less said the better), I am due an op on Monday and may need a bit of serious baby sitting after.lol.

Do you live anywhere near the East of England so that you could maybe see my endo or have you done any research into good endo's in your own area.

Moggie x

[beaton in reply to Moggie]

Thanks Moggie,I'll give them a day or two to respond,then get back on my high horse. I live in Cornwall,so only one hospital for the whole county. Good luck with your op. on Mondayxx

[Moggie in reply to beaton]

you really have only one hosp - that's awful. I would definitely give PALS a go to see if they can suggest anything.

Thanks for the good luck wishes - I think I am going to need them as I am more than a tad nervous.

Moggie x

[beaton in reply to Moggie]

Yes Moggie,a few cottage hospitals but same teams. Please don't worry about your op. wishing you well.xx

[mickstability in reply to beaton]

Derriford's only just over the border here in England - they know how to read a blood test...

[beaton in reply to mickstability]

Hi, Mickstability, Do you have experience of the endo's there over the border?

[mickstability in reply to beaton]

They got me back up and running!

[beaton in reply to mickstability]

I know when my husband was in there they were as good as gold.x

[Hidden in reply to Moggie]

I have has issues with the hospital I attend and my GP told me write a private and confidential letter to the Consultant. Nobody ever writes to them and they should be told.

I wrote to the Professor, Head of the Endocrinology although I was not his patient. I began by saying I shall inform you of the standard of care patients receive when visiting your department and you consider whether this is to an acceptable standard. It was all constructive criticism. I made sure I did not character assassinate any consultants.

When I thought about it afterwards it must have looked like something a 5 year old wrote, it was in huge print because I had misplaced my glasses and I could not work the spell checker so it was not checked for mistakes.

3 weeks for a response The Head of PA for the hospital phoned me full of apologies and said I had highlighted shortfalls in that department . I was invited in to express my concerns with the top consultant as the professor had been called away and then we discussed how they could improve that department. I have since seen several positions advertised for clerical positions within. I thought at the time this is such a waste but it wasnt. I recommend it.

[Moggie in reply to Hidden]

Well done you - anything that will improve our lot has got to be a good thing and great that you had the nerve to stand up for yourself and others.

Moggie x

[beaton in reply to Hidden]

Gosh Chickens12 you are brave and I might just do that. I've had three appointments with this teem,two registrars and the endo himself (after complaining about the registrars.) They are so patronising. Thanks for that.x

[merissa in reply to beaton]

Beaton I think we should team together, that's right two heads are better than one. X

[beaton in reply to merissa]

We've got to do something.x

[Marz]

...have you thought about a referral to Derriford Hospital ? I think I read on here once that someone found a good Endo there - not sure. Was in Cornwall over Christmas and New Year and got very WET ! Keep on battling....

[beaton in reply to Marz]

Thanks Marz,I think I might see my GP about going to Derriford. I did do that re rhumy from Treliske was wouldn't keep me on his books because I couldn't tolerate the meds. The Derriford man examined me and said he would see me in 12 months....2 years ago.. By the way,it's still raining.

[Marz in reply to beaton]

..there you are - job done ! Could you go privately - ring the Endo Dept and ask how much it would be and how you go about it. It's ridiculous having to have a letter from the GP - we are more than capable of telling the story for ourselves.

[beaton in reply to Marz]

Yes Marz you'r right.x

[yenool]

Are you taking T3?

T3 is in range, not even towards the top of the range. T4 is nearly at the bottom of the range......

I assume he is only looking at your TSH and deciding you must be over medicated based on that being under normal range? Even though the actual active hormones are low-normal.

[beaton in reply to yenool]

Hi Yenool, yes that's about it. I have been taking 2x10 mg. T3 and he wants me to drop it to one dose. "To bring it in line with my T4 reading. ????

[mickstability in reply to beaton]

Maybe Cameron's offered them a bonus if they reduce expensive medication like T3?

[Hidden]

These consultants are on huge salaries. They forget that they are providing a service for you, the patient. Often it seems that it's the other way round. They think they are doing you a favour by deciding to treat you. Remember that

Stick to the facts, don't character assassinate.

My view of Endocrinologists is they have found a niche in health care. There are so many variables that contribute to endocrine conditions it's very difficult to quantify what they do.

Good luck

[beaton in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Chickens12. Is it me, These are the same people who are getting loads of money for their diabetic clinics. Thyroid is the Cinderella of endocrinology.x

[Jaie in reply to beaton]

T3 is expensive in England but in France it is only 3.01€ for 30 x 0.25 mcg

[beaton in reply to Jaie]

Think I might look into this.x

[Hidden]

I suggest stick to two or three points. What are your concerns? What do you really want to happen? I would finish by saying that you are trying to find out as much as you can about condition and that involves joining Health Unlocked etc they are scared stiff of Health Unlocked. My lot are. One of them said to me "They hate us" and I replied "I can't think why" and we laughed.

The Cinderella of the endocrine system I loved that quote in a previous post. You can quote like that you can sort these guys out. Brief and concise. Dont forget the notepad and paper was another suggestion. I wrote everyhing out last consultation and forgot glasses could not read a thing. I was squinting, holding pad at a distance gave up in the end.

[beaton in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Chickens12, Good ideas.xx

[Clutter in reply to beaton]

Get a spy recorder from Amazon.

[beaton in reply to Clutter]

Thanks,never thought of that.x