The docs have less knowledge about Thyroid problems than us, in general.

[langdocienne]

Got bloods done 2 days ago, what a mess she's made of my arm!! My doc phoned me with the results yesterday, they only did TSH T4 and T3, I asked for a lot more than that, including RT3, because if RT3 is dominant, no matter what the result is for T3, it could be totally useless. At least my T3 was up from 3.7 to 7.9, the upper end of the scale.

The T3 takes the energy intracellular, but the RT3 blocks it, if it is dominant, I think that the ratio is 10:1, but with websites if differs.

I know that I have high cortisol, and very low iron, this also interferes with it.

Guess what my doc said, I don't know anything about RT3, it is one of the 6 main blood tests that they should do, so I told her that I am going for private blood testing. Honestly, she should know the basics of thyroid problems, why do we have to find this all out for ourselves. Things really have to change in their attitude and prescribing.

Another member and I are meeting up next week, together with about 8 others, hopefully, and we will be able to exchange some useful information, about our illness.

Good luck to all in your quest to get the proper medication, a total uphill struggle, and usually a waste of time, especially here in Newcastle upon tyne.

[SAMBS]

you have my sympathy, L, my old stamping ground was the Herault! However, although not the 1st to defend doctors over here, I will say I have never expected a GP in which ever country I'm in to be as knowledgable as the specialists about all or many conditions, especially the Thyroid now.

I've done battle with my own doctor over here as well as the Thyroid specialist 2 months ago. They simply don't seem to have much of a clue, especially if Autoimmunity is involved and both will STILL only test for TSH!

I got lucky with seeing a locum earlier this year when my own doc was on holiday, so got the T3 and T4 tested also, at my own request!

[langdocienne in reply to SAMBS]

Hi Sambs, I live in the Herault with my 7 children years ago, they are half French, and I am a quarter French, one of my boys had Nephrotic syndrome, and I got nothing but great care from the hospital in Beziers. We would be seen once a month, and not every 3 months like here. It used to be very good care there, but I am talking about 20 years ago now, so don't know about now.

[SAMBS in reply to langdocienne]

L, yes I was taken to Beziers by the sap-pomps,2013, when I had my aneurysm and despite being being transferred to Guy de Chaulliac in Montpellier (almost immediately I think! don't know) where I had my brain op but was under same o p specialist there and at Beziers after, while I was still down there. Wish I'd stayed there as well! Now in the Sarthe! Nothing like as good or knowledgeable care up here.

[langdocienne]

I normally take the girls back to Beziers each year, but the weather has become so much worse, and it is just so expensive,, that we went to Crete, where a friend lives. My ex was French, so I know just how excessive they can be, even over the slightest cut, but maybe that's a good thing.

Shame you can't move back to Beziers, such a lovely town.