Frightened of going to the doctors.

[Kit-Kat-Lil]

Hi all, I have pretty much ALL the symptoms of hypothyroidism and I've even done a home finger prick test that came up positive, I've booked an appointment with my doctors but I'm worried that they are just going to ignore me and not do the tests, they have a habit of basically not listening and sending me away and leaving me extremely frustrated and I'm just wondering if I can do anything to ensure I get the correct testing. I don't want to be another undiagnosed statistic.😥

[Hidden]

Start reading here as knowledge is your friend. Most of us have found that GPs know little about the thyroid and think it's simply a question of numbers.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/index....

Write down a list of what you want to discuss with the GP and take it with you. Don't be fobbed off.

Good luck!

[Kit-Kat-Lil in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for your advice. xx

[shaws Administrator]

cinnamon girl has given good advice.

There's no need to be afraid of the doctor as cinnamon is right. Few know much about the thyroid gland except to look at your TSH level and pronounce a diagnosis.

Make an appointment tell him you are hypothyroid as you've had private blood tests and I'll give you a link and tick off symptom you have. Doctors know few symptoms. He will want to do his own so follow the procedure, i.e. the earliest appointment and don't eat before it although you can drink water.

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

If he checks your antibodies and also Vit B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate and get a print-out with the ranges and post for comments.

[Kit-Kat-Lil in reply to shaws]

Thank you for the advice, I am determined to get the correct testing and if the NHS won't help I shall go private, I've seen the link for blue horizon blood testing.

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Kit-Kat-Lil.

What are the results of your home test? Please include the ranges (figures in brackets after results).

[Kit-Kat-Lil in reply to Clutter]

Hi Clutter, it was a finger prick test that resembled a pregnancy test with a test and control line and it came back positive. I've got a doctors appointment tomorrow so I'll let you all know what's said

[TupennyRush]

There are some good GPS out there. I moved practices because my last set of GPS were both unpleasant and unable to diagnose their way out of a paper bag.

So, if you get no joy with your current GP think about moving practices. It's also worth going armed with the NICE guidelines on hypo just in case.

Good luck

[Rennixon]

Hi Kit-Kat-Lil & welcome. I'm Linda & I'm also from Nottingham.

The advise you get on here will be from experienced sufferers & not from doctors who are not too well informed.

Until you talk to you doc, you don't know how receptive they'll be. I took my private test results to the doctor (although I was already under his care for hypothyroidism ) & he was fine with it.

Just like the other replies I'd advise you write down how you feel & list your symptoms. Don't be frightened of them, I'm sure they'll want to discuss the next steps & maybe do their own tests.

Good luck 👍