New user. Dr has referred me to hospital.

[Singoutloud]

I have blood tests every 3 months on average. Dr doesn't seem to understand the results or my symptoms. Last test in Feb 15 showed TSH at 3.05. Lab didn't bother doing the t3 test the Dr had requested so no idea about the current levels of anything else.

Currently taking 50mcg levothyroxine. It did go up to 100mcg at one point bit Dr kept bleating on about thyroid being suppressed and that could stop it from working. Hasn't really done enough research at that point to dispute what he was saying. Actually suspect Hashimoto and suggested this to Dr but he hopes to might clear up on its own.

Anyway, he couldn't understand why I was so adamant that I was feeling so bad when I should be feeling okay according to my TSH. He said 'I'll write a letter of referral to the hospital.'

I thought great, finally this may get sorted with a referral to endo. SURPRISE. Referred to GERIATRIC MEDICINE. Due to go next week. Not sure how to handle this one but to be honest I'm seriously insulted by the bloke.

Any tips on how to handle appointment would be gratefully received.

Here are the results I've had so far but not all have the ranges.

12 DEC 11

TSH 5.81

1 NOV 13

TSH 5.5

3 FEB 14

PERIDOXASE ANTIBODIES 121

8 AUG 14

T4 25.2

6 Nov 14

TSH 0.04

T4 17.7

FEB 15

TSH 3.05

lab was asked to test t3 & t4 but didn't.

[lisabax]

Did you feel better when you were on 100mcg of throxine? If so, you may need an increase. Your TSH at 3 is too high for someone on medication. It should be down about 1. Your T4 was high around last August, although you don't give the ranges (figures in brackets after your result). 25 is over most T4 ranges. It may be that you are not converting T4 to T3, but unless you get TSH, freeT4 and freeT3 measured you and your doc won't know what's going on. Labs often refuse to test T3. It doesn't sound as though he/she knows what he's talking about, and as for referring you to a geriatrician - do you know why? Sorry you are getting such shabbly treatment. LB

[Singoutloud in reply to lisabax]

Thanks for your reply. I didn't feel brilliant on 100mcg but had a bit more energy and thyroid brain wasn't quite so bad.

I did question why geriatrics and he said that he wasn't sure why I feel like I do and that should be able to do more extensive tests!!! reading between the lines I thinks he probably suspects dementia as the memory loss and inability to concentrate along with the extreme fatigue are my most worrying symptoms. I'm 49yrs old.

I only have the print of the latest test and the TSH is 3.05 mu/L (0.35-4.5)

I also have a print of a more general test taken about the same time but not sure what most of it is but doc did say that liver and kidney are both borderline but nothing to worry about.

He is reluctant to increase my meds because of the increased risk to the heart but when I pointed out that the extra weight that I keep piling on will increase risk to the heart as well he was quite indifferent. Bit of a lose lose situation really.

Basically I think I need to convince geriatrics that I'm not senile and all i I need is full thyroid blood tests to see where I'm at and then convince them that either needs need increasing or changing to something to help t3 convert. Let's hope on the day in feeling quite lucid and can get my point across without blubbing like a baby.

[lisabax in reply to Singoutloud]

You poor soul! Sounds like he's fobbing you off, but there's no reason why a good geriatrician shouldn't be able to do thyroid tests, and to refer you on to an endocrinologist which is the specialty you need. Not that all endos are good! Someone else has suggested private blood tests if the geriatrician doesn't do them, and if you can afford it, TUK has an arrangement for discount with Blue Horizon fingerprick test. LB

[Singoutloud in reply to lisabax]

You've hit the nail Lisabax I am being fobbed off but I think it's due to the ignorance and lack of knowledge in the medical community that surrounds thyroid problems. No-one can truly know what is like unless they are actually suffering from it themselves.

I will look into private blood tests but financially that will have to wait until I have found a new job as just being made redundant from my part time job. Getting bloods & meds sorted should be a priority of course but as a single mum of two and no family support network close by it's always a case of damage control. I have been offered a full time job which will probably kill me off but with a mortgage to pay I have to take what I can get.

Oh god I'm rambling.

So glad that I have found somewhere that people actually listen and understand. I will try and process all all this info (might take a while 😉) and repost when I have more to go on.

Thanks to you all for your help and advice, really appreciated.

[lisabax in reply to Singoutloud]

You are so right, no one can understand unless they are also experiencing it. The worst scenario is when you have a doctor who also has thyroid disease and is perfectly OK on thyroxine and can't understand what all the fuss is about!

I feel for you in your situation, and hope that you manage to get some sense out of the consultant at the hospital.

Let us know how you get on. LB

[Singoutloud]

Thanks reallyfedup

I'm not sure what will happen or if the hospital will order blood tests next week but I shall certainly ask for the tests you mentioned above and a full thyroid blood work up.

I expect I'll get the don't tell us how to do our jobs attitude but have to remain positive that something good may come out of it. ☺

[rayjay]

It may be worth getting the tests done privately and presenting the results to your gp with a request for a referral to an endo. This is what I've just done after my gp wanted to refer me to a cfs clinic!

[Aurealis in reply to rayjay]

They can refer to an endocrinologist without testing T3 first

[Aurealis]

As GPs have a target for dementia diagnoses perhaps it would help if you offered your GP £50 to forget about the referral to a geriatrician and refer you to an endocrinologist, as he should.

I am only joking of course, but what incompetence.

I am worried about the drive to diagnose dementia alongside such medical ignorance about thyroid treatment as I know that I could have been diagnosed with dementia in my 30s with the symptoms of undertreatment I have recurrently had.

Perhaps you could delay the geriatric appointment until after an endocrinology referral if you can be assertive enough with GP? Good luck

[Marz]

Just for you to consider when talking to those so called experts ....there are more receptors for T3 in the brain than anywhere else in the body. So if your FT3 is low then it is quite possible there is not enough to go around. Try driving from London to Brighton on half a gallon of petrol The gut makes the second highest demands on T3 - wherein lies the immune system. Auto-immune issues are the fastest growing health problems.....I wonder why !

It really is time Docs did dot-to-dot and connected everything within the body instead of treating the different entities.

Bet your B12 is low if you are having memory problems....

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

vitamindcouncil.org

On the link above there is a heading - Health Conditions - click onto it to learn how many conditions are affected by low VitD - and yet Docs so often refuse to test saying it is a fad !

We really do have to take control of our OWN health. Wishing you well soon....

[greygoose]

Change your doctor, that's the best advice I can give you. This one is an idiot - and ignorant with it! He will keep you ill because of his ignorance and indifference. Doctors like him should be shot!

[foxglove in reply to greygoose]

Love your direct approach!

[greygoose in reply to foxglove]

lol