Dr Kendrick's Blog -Treating Thyroid patients like children

[shaws]

For new members and an update for others:-

drmalcolmkendrick.org/2015/...

The latest:Louise B commented on Treating Thyroid patients like children.

in response to Dr. Malcolm Kendrick:

Here is an imagined, but not far off the truth, conversation between a doctor and a patient. ‘Why can’t I have T3 doctor? I feel so much better when I do?’ ‘Because I say so, now go away.’ Nowadays doctors, at least when they are in training, are repeatedly told that they must NEVER be […]

I am a British citizen and live in the United States. I plan to move back to the UK in the next few years, so have been researching NDT in the UK, and not liking what I’ve read so far. I’ve been on Armour Thyroid for about 18 months, but with the company being bought out and the pills reformulated, people have been having problems with symptoms, myself included. I am switching to WP Thyroid. I don’t want to have to fight to get the meds I need. Why can’t the doctors just make patients sign a release/ hold harmless form, if they insist on NDT? Upon research, I found an article that stated that the American Thyroid Association states that it is unethical for doctors to offer patients anything other than levothyroxine!

The ATA, which has taken substantial money from companies that make levothyroxine, convened a Task Force which then conveniently found that levothyroxine is the “standard of care.” This may potentially make it more difficult for patients to find doctors who will prescribe anything besides levothyroxine, and insurers and HMOs that will cover drug treatment options besides levothyroxine. 

It is shocking and despicable that this can happen. More information – holtorfmed.com/five-ways-ne... 

I just can’t believe with the advances in medicine, that these doctors, both in the US and the UK, can be so blind to what actually helps. I do think that many have God complexes, so who are we to question them? They know everything, we know nothing. Through our research, we probably know a lot more than what they have learned! We need more Osteopath doctors (licensed and a bit different in the US than in UK), doctors that treat a person as a whole being, finding the problems, rather than just prescribing drugs to mask symptoms. For some reason it seems that most modern doctors just want to mask symptoms and, without question, use chemicals that drug reps pedal to them.

My doctor listens to me, my symptoms, and asks how I would like to proceed with treatment. That is a rare doctor indeed. I really don’t want to lose that moving back to the UK!

*****

Wendie Webb commented on Treating Thyroid patients like children.

in response to Dr. Malcolm Kendrick:

Here is an imagined, but not far off the truth, conversation between a doctor and a patient. ‘Why can’t I have T3 doctor? I feel so much better when I do?’ ‘Because I say so, now go away.’ Nowadays doctors, at least when they are in training, are repeatedly told that they must NEVER be […]

Came back from my Doctors again yesterday. She was very honest and told me that I did indeed know more about my thyroid than she did. This is only because I have spent ten years living with it. In that time I have fought for a second opinion, whereas I was under the hospital for 5 years because I went from overactive to underactive over and over again. The solution, lets give her the radioactive drink – that should sort her out. Problem is I then became underactive for life. Oh and let’s not forget the breast cancer that came after that. I am now 49 and after major operations to rebuild me. Chemo oh and radiotherapy. I decided that I would come off the prescribed antidepressants and see if I could get by. No these just made me not care about the weigh gain and all the other symptoms that came along with my thyroid being out of kilter. Back and forward to the doctors – where I got laughed at by one GP who told me I was nice and slim and healthy then escorted me to the door. I have now upped my Levoroxine, against the doctors advice as they refuse to help me. I crawl around everyday and somehow manage to hold down a full-time job. Sometimes I practically starve myself and then I have to laugh when I gain another 5 pounds. Recently I have lost the will to live and with one last burst of energy which included a lot of Pro plus so I didnt fall asleep on the doctor again. I went along and begged her to listen to me. Told her all my symptoms again and stated that I know she will recommend that I go back on antidepressants as yes I am depressed- who wouldn’t be. Yet I have a great life, family, husband etc. I am not unhappy just sick of being sick. I told her I had read about self medicating myself but I’m too scared. So I am having some private counselling to get my brain rewired, hopefully this will get me strong enough to research more into what will help me physically. If not I know I will have a shortened lifespan, I cannot allow this to beat me. As for my GP -there is nothing more she can do. She admitted that there is no further testing, she apologised. Wished me well and asked to let her know how I get on.

Lady Eve commented on Treating Thyroid patients like children.

in response to Isfet: 

What is your basal temperature Sula Maye? The release of cortisol from its binding globulins is exquisitely sensitive to temperature (you heard it here first). Isfet

Isfet, I have just seen this. Thank you.

For anyone else who is interested, the report is at press.endocrine.org/doi/ful....

Since cortisol is released from its binding globulin as a response to increasing body temperature, isn’t that a fundamental flaw in the Insulin Tolerance Test, a side effect of which is increased body temperature. It would certainly explain the all-too-common disparity between ITT results and results of salivary cortisol tests, which measure bioavailability but are routinely disregarded by UK mainstream doctors (NHS and private).

[stiltzski]

When Dr Skinner sadly died and I was left without a 'thyroid' doctor or supplies, I asked my GP if I could give him a signed letter saying that I was happy to be prescribed thyroid medication (at the time Levothyroxine) whatever the consequences and that I would not hold him or the NHs responsible for any side effects.  He refused.   He is appalled by my almost zero TSH now that I am on Nature Throid (prescribed by another private doctor) but I try and just ignore him.  He refuses to read any literature on the subject and remains in ignorance. 

[shaws Administrator in reply to stiltzski]

We have to be our own physician at times. Particularly when doctors refuse or even are uninterested when the patient appears much better with an alternative product.

He is probably afraid of his job thus trying to dissuade you. There's been quite a few articles on the 'Tyranny of the TSH' meaning the TSH is thought to be the 'be all and end all' of thyroid hormone replacements and we know, through our own bitter experiences that it isn't for some of us.

Wonderful doctors like Dr S persecuted for putting patients first and foremost yet pursued by other medical professionals. It is so sad.

[humanbean]

When I read Dr Kendrick's article about the thyroid and how patients are treated I remember I was almost in tears I was so happy to see our problems being taken seriously by a doctor in the NHS.

I could have given Dr K a big sloppy kiss as well.

[shaws Administrator in reply to humanbean]

He was at our last Conference, maybe at the next one? You could always give him a kiss then. He's not afraid of the 'authorities' stating the truth - the whole truth and nothing but - let's hope he doesn't end up like other doctors who've protested.

[linlow]

Although time has taken its toll upon supportive practitioners there are still some who, operating privately, are prepared to listen drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/About_m... - a doctor who specialises in the area of autoimmunity.

[shaws Administrator in reply to linlow]

She's also had her share of troubles with the 'authorities' but they leave her alone at present.