Help with list of questions for docs

[Weebella]

Hi all I'm end to this site and confused , can anyone help me with a list of questions to ask my doc plz, my thyroid been under active for 30 years and been feeling rubbish for most of this time but doc just always says my levels fine, I need to make him listen to me pl. help me

[Clutter]

Weebella, the most important thing you need to ask is for a printout of your thyroid results with the lab reference ranges (the figures in brackets after your results). Ask your GP receptionist or practice manager for the most recent results and post them in a new question with details of the medication you are taking and members will advise whether you are optimally medicated.

As your GP is dismissing your symptoms because your thyroid levels are "fine" he should be finding out why you continue to feel rubbish. Start with asking for ferritin (stored iron), vitamin D, B12 and folate to be tested. Hypothyroid patients often have low/deficient levels and these can cause musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and low mood. Don't accept results as being 'fine' or 'normal' get a printout of the results and ranges. NHS won't prescribe when levels are within range but it can be beneficial to self supplement to improve levels.

If you have questions you'll get better advice by asking questions on this forum rather than from your GP. There are over 330 hypothyroid symptoms but most GPs and endos think that once your blood results are within range your symptoms can't be thyroid related and must be due to menopause or depression.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Clutter]

All great advice, to which I can only add that the gp may blame menopause or depression and send you away, as though that was the end of the discussion, but Weebella, if this happens you can call their bluff. If you're menopausal they should run a panel of sex hormones and discuss with you the options open to you to treat your symptoms. If you're depressed then surely you should get a psych referral.

The goal is to regain your health, not for the gp to one-up you and bait-and-switch until you go home. If you don't feel well and they say it isn't thyroid then, as Clutter says, surely they should find out why you're ill and help you feel better.

[Weebella in reply to puncturedbicycle]

Thank you all so much for your help I have gp next week and I ain't accepting "normal range" anymore iv had 30 years of hell

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Weebella]

Try not to worry too much about making him listen. As long as you get your results, learn about your thyroid and form some ideas of how you'd like to go forward, you can take it in hand with him or without him.

[Weebella in reply to puncturedbicycle]

I don't have a clue how to take it in hand I wouldn't know where to start it's driving me crazy

[Weebella in reply to Weebella]

Will docs give me a print out of my blood results ok ??? Can they refuse me ?

[Weebella]

Thank you so much I will do these things