Yet another clueless gp: Visited the GP yesterday... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

141,245 members166,488 posts

Yet another clueless gp

misswinky34 profile image
7 Replies

Visited the GP yesterday to confirm pregnancy as I had been fretting over the weekend about how much to increase Levo dose. The link I was provided with from here said increase by 25-50 upon confirmation of pregnancy. 

I swapped my GP after Banging my head against a brick wall with my previous doctor mainly due to his lack of knowledge of anything thyroid.

So when I asked about the increase he just looked at me and said I'm not aware that anyone needs an increase during pregnancy!! Then I pretty much had to plead my case😡 He essentially google searches himself then went to confer and came back red faced and said indeed I need to increase by 50mcg.

I also asked if perhaps it would be an idea for him to refer me to endo so this could be managed properly. He said my tsh was .9 which from what I have read is good, I just don't relish this fight all the way through. He also said come back at 16 weeks for repeat bloods but the guidelines say every four weeks! Grrrr. Anyway I was essentially correctly self medicating from Friday to Monday so thank you everyone for your advice. It was as usual, correct 😀 Xx

Written by
misswinky34 profile image
misswinky34
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
7 Replies
Pastille profile image
Pastille

Typical ! may be an idea to just print out any info each time you go. I know they don't normally warm to 'I read it online' but once they read who has put together the article and where the research comes from etc. you might get a different response. Saves you waiting for him to go and google and you can save him the embarrassment at the same time. Bad enough that YOUR life is in his hands but your unborn child ! Scary! And 16 weeks?!

misswinky34 profile image
misswinky34 in reply toPastille

Exactly!  I really hope I get referred to endo or anyone who knows what they are on about. Worries me how many pregnant women have had losses due to under medication / Micky mouse gps!! 

Pastille profile image
Pastille in reply tomisswinky34

Horrendous!

Marz profile image
Marz

Could you contact Louise Warvill for a list of Thyroid friendly Docs to support you through this special time ..... ?

MidnightBlue profile image
MidnightBlue

It is easier to deal with gps if you are simply asking them to follow NICE guidelines, as that is non controversial (unlike studies, which they may not recognise).  They could be in trouble if they don't follow NICE guidelines. I have just looked at the guidelines again to check and it says...

Immediately increase levo while waiting for referral to a specialist (so you should insist on a referral)

Also you are correct about a repeat blood test in 4 weeks.

I would book another GP appointment for just under 4 weeks, and when you go say you want your thyroid levels checked as per the nice guidence.  link to the guidence - cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid... 

misswinky34 profile image
misswinky34

I did book that blood test before I left, just felt like I was Being sneaky doing but I'm gonna do whatever is nessesary! And I think I'm gonna push the midwife for the endo referral too. We've waited too long for this not to have a happy ending due to poor management . 

Thanks ladies xxxx

Iphoenix profile image
Iphoenix

When I had my appointment today with an endocrinologist and told him my daughter also has hypothyroidism he told me to warn her that as soon as she knows she is pregnant to increase her levothyroxine by 25mcg per day. I hope that is some help to you.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Clueless!

My daughter has been struggling for around 20 years, since her teens in fact! Finally, she saw her...
lesleyjehan profile image

GP says am overmedicated

hi just back on a year later never got round to asking for my blood results with different things...
nationwid profile image

Yet another blood test.

I visited my doctor on Friday after having a blood test that showed high cholesterol 7.4, I had to...
dianef2303 profile image

Yet another GP obsessed with TSH

So this morning I went to see my GP and request an annual blood test for vitamins/minerals and to...
Gr8Nica profile image

Confirming GP knows nothing

Hi everybody, I haven't been on here for a while and if anyone has read my posts in the past they...
lesleywagg profile image

Moderation team

See all
Buddy195 profile image
Buddy195Administrator
RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.