'Borderline'insists another GP....

[hippochick]

I had my 1st results back about month or so ago. I posted them on here and the feedback was astonishing. You all suggested that I should be getting treated or words to that effect! Here they are again... TSH level is 12.8 mu/L 0.35 - 5.00 mu/L. T4 level is 11.8 pmol/L 9.00 -24.00pmol/L Borderline indication. Consider T4 therapy. I went back yesterday to see a different GP and ended up having an argument. I've to wait for another blood test in June. If the results are the same or better, no thyroxin treatment. Is this right or fair? Can anyone clarify it. She said t4 is ok and that's why it's Borderline? If only she knew how ill it's making me!!

[jimh111]

I'd be inclined to complain to the surgery. Unless there are reasons why they would be hesitant to treat (e.g. you suffer from artial fibrillation) they should be treating you.

It would help us all if you wrote a complaint to the The Royal College of Physicians, 11 St Andrews Pl, Regent's Park, London NW1 4LE, you can leave out your doctors name so there will be no comeback for you. The RCP have endorsed stupid 'guidelines' which make life hell for many patients. Indeed under their 'guidelines' you would qualify for treatment.

You could also copy your complaint to British Thyroid Association

3 Devonshire Place

Harrogate

HG1 4AA

These lot are primarily responsible for this situation.

[hippochick]

I have tapered off Sertraline(Anti Depressant) since the tests came back. Because one of the GP's informed me that it can affect thyroid function. It also states it in Dr Toft's Thyroid Disorders book. So without this, maybe the results will have changed? Hence a 2nd test next month. I really need to get it sorted out. I will definitely write to both organizations, if after the 2nd result, it is still borderline and it is still the same scenario with my GP. Thankyou so much

[jimh111]

I think sertraline only affects those taking levothyroxine rather than affecting the blood test results of people who are not receiving thyroid mediaction. However, June is not far away so I'd be inclined to hold off and see what happens. If you are then prescribed levothyroxine you may find you no longer need sertraline or any similar drug. Maybe take someone along with you to the next appointment so you can carry more weight and be politely assertive.

[humanbean]

Read the NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries on the subject of hypothyroidism :

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

Click on the grey tabs on the left hand side and then click on the blue tabs that come up. Take a look at the advice for managing subclinical hypothyroidism which gives specific levels of TSH which should trigger automatic treatment.

Be careful about printing the info out - it prints out the entire subject if you aren't careful!

[hippochick]

Thanks. Most helpful. I don't know for sure but I've got swollen glands. Frog in my throat and a constant feeling of having a temperature. I'm thinking it is symptoms for hypothyroidism? It's such a killer. I'm so sick of feeling so poorly. Yes taking someone with me is a good idea. Thank you for the link!