Friendly doc's

[clubby29]

Hi

Is there a list of thyroid friendly gp's or endo's. I'm only a year into treatment but losing faith fast in my gp, I asked about Hashimoto because I have high antibodies and joint pain in my knee and hand that he can't cure but he told me I definately don't have Hashimoto and shouldn't rely on the Internet for info !!!!

[shaws Administrator]

If you email [e-mail] who has a list.

You say you are a year into treatment. What are you prescribed and the dose?

If you can get a print-out of your latest blood test results with the antibodies level (all with ranges) post on a new question and you will get responses.

If we want to get well we have sometimes to go outwith the GPs and some Endos.

If you haven't had a recent blood test for thyroid hormones, request a Full Thyroid Function Test, i.e. TSH, T4, T3, Free T4 and Free T3 plus antibodies. (You may not get them all but ask anyway. Just say you want to get to the root of the problems you are having). Also ask for Vitamin B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate as we can be deficient which will cause problems too.

[shaws Administrator]

These are a couple of hints when having blood tests:

Blood Test: Have the earliest possible appointment . Leave 24 hours since last dose of levo and test as it may skew results and fast (you can drink water). Take levo after test.

Take thyroid hormones on wakening and wait approx 1 hour before eating. Some foods interfere with medication. Leave 4 hours between hormones and supplements. Some prefer bedtime dosing, in that case you must leave 2 hours after eating before taking hormones. If you've had a fatty meal it should be longer. Food can interfere with the uptake.

Ask for Vitamin B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate to be tested. They should be towards the upper range.

Always get a print-out of your blood test results with the ranges, for your own records and so you can post them if you have a query. We are entitled to them.