So, I went private...

[un_piacere]

After being dismissed constantly by my GP due to a fluctuating TSH which never ventured beyond the magical number of 10, I decided to go and see a private doctor despite being skint. My heart sank initially when he told me I 'looked fine' and when he checked my reflexes, which are also ok. But then he listened to me discuss my symptoms and he decided to feel my thyroid gland, something no doctor has bothered their arse to do so far.

He believed it felt grainy and requested that my GP send me for an ultrasound. I called for the results and kept getting told there was nothing of concern, so I requested a copy. Apparently I have 'several' tiny heterogeneous nodules within the isthmus (largest 0.5cm) and an isoechoic solid nodule on the left lobe measuring 0.4cm.

My question is - does this not merit further investigation? If not then what does it mean for me, is it a sign I'm just going to keep getting worse? To give you a rough idea of where my blood tests are at, I tested positive for TPO antibodies (130), my TSH has been everything from 2 to 8 depending on when tested, my T4 tends to sit low-middle of the range and so does my T3. All my doc has ever said is 'you're maybe subclinical hypo'.

My symptoms come in waves. I have the occasional day or two where I feel almost normal but generally I'm heavily fatigued with extremely dry skin/hair/mouth, brain fog, wrinkled finger tips, edema above eyes and knees, hair loss. I certainly don't feel 'sub' anything. I feel unwell full stop.

[crimple]

I would say you are definitely hypo and the raised antibodies will lead to you being up and down as the attacks on your thyroid lead to a flood of hormone into your body. Your doctor is seriously negligent in not giving you levo as the damage to your thyroid will continue. Didn't the private doc recommend any levo? I think I would be changing doctors. Do contact Louise Warvill, the admin for TUK so that she can give you names and contact details for doctors or endos who will help you.

I went gluten and lacto free and got rid of the antibodies, but I am still on 100mcg of levo, diagnosed hypo 7 years ago with TSH of 6 (I think). I am still not fully well and I had a private scan which showed my thyroid was very badly shrunken. Hope you get the correct treatment soon

[Jackie]

Hi I would see a good Endo,privately. Do plenty of research first before asking for a referral. All nodules should always be biopsied for safety.

Jackie

[Marz]

Could be Hashimotos.... What did your private Doc say ?

[rosetrees]

What's with these doctors? You go to see them because you have symptoms. Thyroid (and adrenals) must be one of the very few illnesses where the doctor is totally disinterested in your symptoms, choosing instead to treat a piece of paper. Doctors and endos are running scared, with many now even saying they are scared of losing their jobs if they treat you. Your symptoms are irrelevant to them

Yet, if you go to the doctor and say "I'm depressed" - yipped, they LOVE you. No tests required, no proof required and best of all LOTS of funding points.

There is now a huge divide between the reason a patient visits a doctor and the reason a doctor sees a patient. Patients see doctors because they are feeling unwell/are in pain and are hoping the doctor will find out what is wrong and help them improve, if possible. Doctors see patients because they want to fill in that all important funding form.

You have to understand that they get virtually no funding for diagnosing and treating thyroid disorders. They get maximum funding for diagnosing and treating depression, but noen at all for discovering the underlying cause, such as thyroid disorders, and removing your depression.

The Society of Endocrinologist and other endo bodies are the only group of people that I know of who choose to deny the existence of a large number of their own patients. Instinct tells me that is daft - most specialities within and without medicine are keen to embrace their clients as it means more funding, more jobs and more kudos. But. You have to remember who funds all this. Who funds doctor's training. Who funds seminars. Who funds conferences and CPD. Is it the NHS? No, it's the drug companies. How many drugs does a properly diagnosed and treated endo patient take? How many drugs does a patient who is left depressed, in pain, with stomach problems, join problems, etc take?

Sorry. I'm off on one again.

You're hypo and you have nodules. Go back to your doctor and ask for a trial of levo. What did your private doctor suggest you do?

[shaws]

Email [e-mail] and ask for a list of Endos, one may be near you. Also ask for a copy of Dr Toft's Online Pulse Article in which he answers one question by saying that a person with antibodies should be treated to 'nip it in the bud'. Show to GP.