Doctor near or in Farnham, that has good record... - Thyroid UK

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Doctor near or in Farnham, that has good records treating and understanding hashimotos Thyroid.

Addi profile image
Addi
9 Replies

Does any of you know, if there are doctors around that are known to be very good at understanding hashimotos disease? I would like a second opinion and I understand that I could be allowed one?

I would really like to know the amount of antibodies and how i can best tackle them. I have now gone gluten free which helped a little but i still have some issues. And my doctor wont get me tested for antibodies to try and treat them.

Do any of you know this or have had the same experience and if so how can i best get a good doctor?

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Addi profile image
Addi
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9 Replies
Clutter profile image
Clutter

Addi,

If your medication hasn't resolved your symptoms you may be under medicated. Post your recent thyroid tests and what dose of thyroxine you're taking and how long you've been taking it and we'll have a look.

Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's are treated in exactly the same way with Levothyroxine and monitored by blood tests. If your GP won't do Thyroid Peroxidase (TPoAb) antibody tests you can order them yourself from Blue Horizon or Genova via thyroiduk.org

Gluten-free is helpful when managing hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's and some people advocate sugar-free and dairy-free too and adopt the Paleo Diet.

Email louise.warvill@thyroiduk.org to see if she can recommend any GPs in Farnham.

Addi profile image
Addi

HI CLutter,

thank you for your reply - so I dont know what my exactl results are as the receptionist only tells me that they are normal and when i ask for details she just says, they are normal..... So i dont know what normal is here....

I am on 100 mmg Levi and i have been diagnosed when i was about 16 (now 24 nearly 25) so nearly 9 years now. My doctor in germany used to do ultrasounds each year as my thyroid got smaller and smaller, but since i live in the UK /5 years) no such thing happened. In fact my doctor never asked why i was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, but only said ok - and gave me the meds. after i showed her which dose i took. when i spoke to her in april and asked if i shouldnt have an ultrasound done and some tests as i feel tired and i have major bowel problems ( which have been diagnosed as IBS) she just said - "oh yeah i never asked you didnt i?" and at least scheduled an ultrasound. SO thats good. But as far as my tiredness and, bowel, weight gain and what not goes. she just says that it may not have anything to do with it and just may be that i am stressed.....

Im not...i have a job which is VERY easy and i have a lovely partner. stress is far from what i have as well as sleeping 9 hours and waking up feeling i could use another night.

AM i just imagining this? I just cannot ask anyone at the surgery because they seem to brush it off and say i just need to sleep more and eat less and for my bowel they give me peppermint pills....Is this normal, am i overreacting?

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to Addi

They're wrong. Most autoimmune disease seems to start in the gut. There is a lot of evidence connecting IBS, Leaky Gut and weight gain to Hashimoto's. Check out gluten-free diet it really will help with your gut issues.

Unrefreshed sleep is a typical hypothyroid symptom and the list of symptoms was over 300 when I last looked.

You are entitled to see the results of your tests under the Data Protection Act. Ask the receptionist for a print out of your results with the lab ref ranges. Contact the practice manager if she refuses. You need to know where, in the broad range loosely described as normal, your results are. They can charge enough to cover the cost of paper and ink which shouldn't be more than a quid or two.

Addi profile image
Addi in reply to Clutter

and another thing I was wondering is - what exactly IS normal - I mean - there is a range but it seems that range is quite....long?

Addi profile image
Addi

so I asked the practice manager and she gave them me.

My TSH is 2.8 and the range they should be in 0.35 -5. So im kind of in the middle - which labwise is of course normal. but why do i still feel that my symptoms dont recede? SO again - I have been diagnosed with Hashis since I am 16.

I also emailed the lady you suggested.

What do those results mean for me if i still feel tired and achy and all? I really appreciate your help.

Clutter profile image
Clutter

Addi, bang in the middle isn't normal especially when you are already on medication. you are under medicated. Most people feel very unwell unless their TSH is just above or just below 1. You need an increase to 125mcg in order to bring your TSH down so your symptoms will resolve. You should have a follow up test 6/8 weeks later and if you still have symptoms and your TSH is above 1 a further increase should be trialled.

Another important thing is to have your ferritin, vitaminD, B12 and folate tested. They need to be high in range for you to feel well. When they're deficient or low you can be fatigued, low mood, short of breath and have muscle aches and pain.

Addi profile image
Addi in reply to Clutter

OK - so i don't understand why there is a range when this range is anything but accurate. ??

So since my doctor doesn't want to do anything else. I suspect asking her for an increase in medication since my tests are normal will result in a simple "no". How would i be able to get this done here?

Also what does this TSH tell me? I see a lot of people posting about TS4 and TS3 as well as. But she only gave me this. Is that also relevant?

And how can i get my VItamins and ferritin tested? Can i do that private too like the Antibodies or can only the GP do that?

I guess the main problems i have are the moodswings, the weight gain ( when i eat VERY healthy) and the fatigue....my partner is understanding but obviously its frustrating for him when i keep wanting to snooze when we have a movie night and what nots...but he understands. ....

How did you get your information on what you need? You seem to know a lot about it? When i was in germany my doctor specialized in Thyroid dysfunction but he retired now and i am no longer insured back home...so there isnt really an option to go back :(

Clutter profile image
Clutter

OK - so i don't understand why there is a range when this range is anything but accurate. ??

It isn't intended to be accurate, Addi. It's an average based on a population sample. According to your ref range a person with TSH 0.35 is normal and so too, is the person with a TSH of 5. That's why it's important to know where in the range you are.

So since my doctor doesn't want to do anything else. I suspect asking her for an increase in medication since my tests are normal will result in a simple "no". How would i be able to get this done here?

Have you heard the saying "Don't ask, doesn't get"? You don't know your GP doesn't want to help you and you don't know a request for medication to be increased will be refused. You may need to make a case for an increase ie your TSH, your physical symptoms and your mood swings. GPs are general practioners and don't usually have much knowledge of thyroid dysfunction. If one doctor is dismissive and uncooperative see another in the practice. See every doctor and change practice if necessary. This is a lifelong condition and you will live with symptoms until you find a GP who will medicate you sufficiently to relieve the symptoms.

Read this link on how to advocate for yourself thyroid.about.com/od/patien...

Also what does this TSH tell me? I see a lot of people posting about TS4 and TS3 as well as. But she only gave me this. Is that also relevant?

TSH is produced by the pituitary gland to nudge your thyroid gland to produce FT4 which is an inactive storehouse hormone which is converted in the liver to produce the active hormone FT3. Unfortunately many labs won't test FT4 unless TSH is below range (suppressed) or significantly above range. Ditto FT3 which is often only tested at the request of a specialist. Testing all three gives a full picture of the patient's thyroid health.

And how can i get my VItamins and ferritin tested? Can i do that private too like the Antibodies or can only the GP do that?

If your GP won't test your vitamins you can pay Blue Horizon or Genova to do it.

I guess the main problems i have are the moodswings, the weight gain ( when i eat VERY healthy) and the fatigue....my partner is understanding but obviously its frustrating for him when i keep wanting to snooze when we have a movie night and what nots...but he understands. ....

All of your symptoms should improve when you are optimally medicated and have your vitamin levels good and high but this isn't a quick fix, you're looking at a minimum of 8 weeks and it could be considerably longer. You need to aim for 10 hours sleep at night and nap during the day and evening until your body responds to medication. You are like a car trying to drive uphill with the handbrake on and an empty petrol tank. Check out the Weight Loss/Gain pinned thread.

How did you get your information on what you need? You seem to know a lot about it? When i was in germany my doctor specialized in Thyroid dysfunction but he retired now and i am no longer insured back home...so there isnt really an option to go back

Two years ago I was over medicated and became very ill. My endo was unsupportive so I had to research, learn from others, experiment, screw up until I found a solution. I'd never have managed without the knowledge and support on this forum. Once I sorted myself out the endo turned into a prince and is now very supportive, oh the irony! Click on my name and you can read my blog.

If you've plenty of money you can see a private GP and buy private tests and better medication than generic Levothyroxine. Make sure to research your private doctor and ask whether anyone has seen and can recommend the doctor otherwise you're throwing money away.

I hope you feel better soon, Addi.

Addi profile image
Addi in reply to Clutter

thank you very much for your answer.

I will definitely ask her about an increase of medication. And see what she says to the vitamine test too.

To be honest I dont mind if it takes 2 months to settle in with meds and all - I have had it for nine years i can wait a few more months :)

I guess different countries different medical style- i just havent quite found out how the UK works in those respects. Shame that there isnt like an IMDB for doctors that patients can look up if they need a special treatment.

anyway thank you for your answer

Have a good day

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