Is Hypothyroidism considered a chronic illness?

[fairyeyes]

Thank you.

[shaws Administrator]

I don't know really but I will assume that NO it isn't and that's due to the Medical Profession believing that the TSH is the most informative result. If we are, finally, diagnosed one tablet a day and we will be back on our feet as we used to be, rushing here and there etc. etc.

At the American Thyroid Conference I think, last year, the Emminent Endocrinologist stated that if the patient had dissatisfaction with levothyroxine but her TSH was in range - she was actually suffering from a Somatization Disorder (a mental disorder) - what chance do sick people have with comments like that from those that should know better.

What do you make of that statement.

[Clutter in reply to shaws]

Shaws, hypothyroidism is a chronic condition. See my reply to Fairyeyes.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Clutter]

I shouldn't have replied as I did to fairyeyes but it does make me wonder when the doctors don't know best how to diagnose or treat patients.

[Clutter in reply to shaws]

I wasn't criticising, Shaws

[shaws Administrator in reply to Clutter]

No I know you weren't that's sometimes the problem with the reading word rather than the spoken

[fairyeyes in reply to shaws]

Well all i know is ,is that its affecting me in a big way although i am also battling a very low iron level,been on Levo 25mg for 1 month and had an iron infusion today(no2)so i am not sure what's causing what.To say it a mental disorder is very disrespectful and if it has or is proven to be that i would say the disorder has been caused somehow by the thyroid not doing its job as there are many who have would seem have both.Also i know from personal experience we are all different and our body's are different in how they cope and accept things,if it was all text book why do some of us have allergies and others one? Ou yes because we are different and numbers don't always match how the body is or is feeling.If Its not a chronic illness why do we get free prescriptions?

[shaws Administrator in reply to fairyeyes]

Hi fairyeyes,

I'm sorry if I upset you in anyway. You are on a very low dose of levothyroxine and I do hope your doctor increases it to 50mcg very soon and thereafter by 25mcg increments until you feel well. I was put on 25mcg too but it didn't have much affect on me until I reached higher doses.

As Clutter says it is a chronic illness and I wonder if doctors are really aware of that as it sometimes seems to me that they dont.

You will feel quite bad at present as 25mcg doesn't really do much. Doctors who make unnecessary comments rile me, I must say.

When you get your next blood test fast (you can drink water) and have it as early as possible. Leave approx 24 hours between your last dose of levo and the blood test. That's so the TSH will be at its highest as many doctors only pay attention to the TSH.

I would bring your appointment forward and tell the GP you don't feel well yet on the 25mcg. 25mcg is usually for people who are very frail and it is also used for incremental doses until we reach an optimum level (when we feel well).

I hope you feel much better quite soon.

[greygoose in reply to fairyeyes]

Fairyeyes, you are right, he is a very disrespectful man, to his patients, and to thyroid sufferers everywhere.

I once wrote to him and said (among other things) : if you consider that all patients who are not satisfied with their hypo treatment are suffering from a Somatization Disorder (because he's been saying this for years!), then perhaps you should consider that Somatization Disorders may be symptoms of hypothyroidism, and treat with thyroid hormone replacement until that symptom disappears.

He replied : thank you for your opinion.

In other words, I Don't give damn what you think!

He's not a very nice man.

[Clutter]

Fairyeyes, yes it is. Chronic illness is defined as:

A chronic condition is a human health condition or disease that is persistent or otherwise long-lasting in its effects or a disease that comes with time. The term chronic is usually applied when the course of the disease lasts for more than three months.

Chronic condition - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chron...

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

The NHS has its own way of looking at these things. It says:

A Long Term Physical Health Condition (also known as a Chronic Condition) is a health problem that requires ongoing management over a period of years or decades.

A Long Term Physical Health Condition is one that cannot currently be cured but can be controlled with the use of medication and/or other therapies.

This includes a wide range of health conditions including:

Non-communicable diseases (e.g. cancer and cardiovascular disease);

Communicable diseases (e.g. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) / Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS));

Certain mental disorders (e.g. schizophrenia, depression) and

Ongoing impairments in structure (e.g. blindness, joint disorders).

Examples of Long Term Physical Health Conditions include:

Diabetes

Cardiovascular (e.g. Hypertension, Angina)

Chronic Respiratory (e.g. Asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD))

Chronic Neurological (e.g. Multiple Sclerosis)

Chronic Pain (e.g. Arthritis)

Other Long Term Conditions (e.g. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Cancer) etc.

datadictionary.nhs.uk/data_...

By that definition, hypothyroidism would usually be a Long Term Physical Health Condition is one that cannot currently be cured but can be controlled with the use of medication and/or other therapies.

[fairyeyes]

Thank you ,glad to hear it is,sorry our posts crossed.

[fairyeyes]

Shaws you did not upset me in anyway at all, i am not frail but have been suffering from a few things,like shortness of breath chest pains etc before i went on the Levo so i assume my gp is just being extra careful,my gp has always been great and i hope it continues with this hypo stuff.I think my next blood test will be in the next 2 weeks at the latest,might ring next week to see whats happening.

[Padster7]

I work in the nhs and yesterday had appt with occupational health which is standard as ive been off sick for several weeks due to hypo symptoms. I asked her what the position was if I needed time off inthe future with hypo ssymptoms. She said most Trusts see hypothyroid as disability as you have it for rest of your life andalways need meds. She Said there are more allowances made for this in sick leave incidence. Just tthought I'd share this.

[claudiasmum]

Yes and that's why we get free prescriptions from the NHS.

[faith63]

We with Hashimotos, have autoimmune disease..our thyroids were fine, before our immune systems broke down and attack them, causing inflammation all over our bodies. I never, ever look at this as a disease of the thyroid..