Follow up from TSH at 37

[serenfach]

After the GP rang and told me my TSH was 37, and I should go back to just taking Thyroxine, as "your body was well on that", I rang a couple of days later for the rest of the blood results to be told my TSH was 20.6. When I questioned this, the receptionist said it was correct. I just said I would take it further.

A few minutes later the GP phoned and denied she had told me is was 37, but I told her I had written it down at the time. This is the same GP (not my named GP) who told me I had had a stroke, then took my blood pressure and wondered why it was raised, and then gave me a prescription that I found out were statins. I had not had a stroke, and my cholesterol was 5.2.

She said all calls were recorded and she would check, but a symptom of a raised TSH was confusion (so my fault!). She asked if I was determined to go down the NDT route, asked where I was getting them (I was so tempted to say local drug dealer!) and I told her I was fully being monitored by my GP. She then said something that has worried me - she said very proudly "well, I have diagnosed you with hypothyroidism!" I replied that I had had Hashi's for the last 7 years. Why did she think I was taking Thyroxine?

My named GP is lovely and I have given him info on NDT as he can see the change in me for himself. He is even looking into how he can help me with the cost!!!! So I do not want to change surgery or pee them off with a complaint, but I do think something should be done as the female GP is, in my mind, dangerous. Any advice?

[Hidden]

serenfach,

Surely if your GP is on your side it doesn't matter what the female GP thinks.

Just refuse to see her and only deal with the GP you like.

I have had a similar situation where my local CCG have withdrawn my T3 prescription. My Lovely GP is appealing on my behalf but I have since found out that one of the surgery partners is on the CCG board and would have played a part in the decision to withdraw my meds.

I refuse to see or speak with him (although the surgery obviously doesn't know why).

Most of the doctors are nice and one in particular a little open to manipulation in agreeing to extra tests, etc. (always useful). ..lol..

I expect the horrid doctor thinks me dangerous. I think him dispicable !! ..

You could speak to the practice manager about your concerns regarding inappropriately prescribed meds. If founded there might have been others who have made complaints against this doctor too.

Good luck

Flower

[greygoose]

Sounds as if she didn't know what NDT is for! lol A lot of them Don't. Some of them think it's an OTC supplement made from cows - they're not even sure which bit of the cow!

Yes, she does sound very ignorant. If I were you, I would have a word with your named GP when you see him, and express your fears. Maybe he will set her straight on the subject.

But it's very common for doctors to be incapable of admitting they've made any sort of mistake, and trying to blame it on the patient. I think they learn that in med school...

[shaws]

Never make an appointment with her again. She sounds too full of herself and importance.

It's your health she's damaging, not hers. Just wait till she has hypothyroidism or hash's then the shoe will be on another foot. She might ask you for advice

You don't have hypothyroidism you have an Autoimmune Thyroid Disease called Hashimotos. She cannot tell the difference and is just using your TSH without going into your background.

[Treepie in reply to shaws]

Shaws, would you please explain your last paragraph.Is it that one can be hypo without high antibodies ? In which case presumably not likely to suffer other auto immune diseases?

[shaws in reply to Treepie]

Bearing in mind I'm not medically qualified and am not a professional. I am hypothyroid and had no antibodies. If we have one auto-immune disease we can get others. I, for instance, have Pernicious Anaemia diagnosed about 20 years ago, by chance as I had no symptoms (my mother had PA). I also had/have Alopecia Areata (every year for 4 years - last attack 2014). Another autoimmune condition.

This is an explanation of thyroid antibodies:-

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

If you go to the lef-hand column on this link and press About the Thyroid other topics will open up which you will find informative.

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

I began to take Turmeric Capsules this year after I read the following link and, whether co-incidental or not, my hair didn't shed for the first time in 5 years even though it's still thin.

naturalnews.com/040955_turm...

[Treepie in reply to shaws]

Thank you for the links. I had thought Hashimotos was just another name for hypothyroidism and the reason ,often mentioned on this site , why medics rarely use "Hashimotos" .

I have tried turmeric but not noticed any anti inflammatory effects but seems there are other reasons to take it.

[shaws in reply to Treepie]

I believe hashi's is the main cause of hypothyroidism. It's a big learning curve with all these different possibilities and I believe over 300 clinical symptoms.

[greygoose in reply to Treepie]

You can also be hypo because of iodine deficiency, or damage to the thyroid gland, or have secondary hypo, where the problem stems from the pituitary rather than the thyroid.

Hashi's is specific in that it causes hypo by attacking the thyroid gland with antibodies and slowly destroying it so that it can no-longer make sufficient hormone. It is not a disease of the thyroid gland, it is an immune system disease.

[Treepie in reply to greygoose]

Thanks GG.

[greygoose in reply to Treepie]

[shaws]

Re NDT. This is an article which was sent to the RCoP and BTA and despite 3 yearly reminders they never did respond. Obviously they are a 'closed shop' never mind that some are very unwell on levo.

thyroidscience.com/Criticis...

[serenfach]

Thank you for all your replies, I guess I just will refuse to see her and if anyone asks, tell them she had done her best to make me ill, in a big loud voice in reception!

On a positive note, a fairy came in the night and gave me eyebrows and cleaned my eyeballs (the only way I can describe it, the slight cloudy vision has gone!). The fairy then glued my hair in place to stop it falling out, and cured my heartburn! I think the fairy is called Nora Dido Thomas, or NDT for short. I hope she visits you soon and sprinkles the same fairy dust (as long as she does not desert me!).

I would not have even known about NDT if it was not for this site. I am so grateful.

[thyr01d]

If I were you I would not complain, surgeries can overreact badly and you could end up with negative comments on your notes. I do understand what you mean about protecting others but it might be more important to take care of yourself on this occasion, it sounds as if the GP needs her ego massaged. Can you just forget it and be happy that your named GP is supportive?