High antibodies, normal FSH/T3/T4 - have most of the symptoms of Hashimoto and Hypo, but doctor will not treat me until my thyroid dies.

hi

I'm new here and I won't bore you all with the details, but my quality of life is now severely affected and I need to find a better doctor urgently.

Can anyone recommend an Endocrinologist in London who would give someone like me a chance to live a better life? I've heard that most doctors refuse to treat patients unles their TSH/T3/T4 are abnormal.

[Jazzw]

Oh go on, bore us with the details. We love details. That way we'll be able to tell you whether you'd be better off self medicating or seeing an expensive doctor. Or indeed, whether the solution is making sure your Vit B12, Vit D and ferritin are optimal.

I don't know any London based doctors I'm afraid but if you email Louise Warvill at Thyroid UK she keeps a list of thyroid-friendly doctors - [e-mail]

[Treepie]

They should treat you if you have had symptoms for some time with high antibodies.

[Hidden in reply to Treepie]

Yes, it's been going on for years and i'm feeling worse and worse.

[Hidden]

I will post more details soon, but I'm now in a rush to find a doctor whilst working and feeling completely drained.

Jazzw - I have the list which came with the Info Pack, but only one of those doctors is covered by my health insurance. Hence my appeal here for recommendations.

[Jazzw in reply to Hidden]

OK. Glad you've got the list - sorry there's only one person on it you could see (although that's better than none, I suppose!)

And - although my reply was jokey - in all seriousness, if you'd like to share your "journey" so far, lots of people would try to help, I'm sure. Might be best to start a new post if you did want to share - older posts slip down the list and get missed. Happy to help if we can.

[Hidden]

Update:

I saw Dr. Simon Aylwin in London and although he doesn't yet agree that my symptoms are to do with Hashimotto's, he heard me and has accepted that I need help and put me on a trial of 50mgs of Levothyroxine a day. I took my first pill today and am very helpful.

Worth noting here that I was tested for various syndromes and all were negative, the only other potential cause for my symptoms is a borderline result of my Synacthen test, but I can't see how so many people with Hashimotto and normal TSH/T3/T4 could be mistaken. I will repeat the Synacthen test and see if Levo helps me.

I'm full of hope and glad that I found a doctor who's at least willing to help me have a better quality of life.

My blood tests fluctuate, but are now at:

Anti-TPO Antiodies: 692 (0.00-150)

Anti- Thyroglobulin: 216 (0.00-150)

Serum TSH: 2.35 (0.27-4.20)

The last time I tested for T3/4 they were:

FT4: 13.7 (9.0-22)

FT3: 5.15 (2.36-5.70)

I wish you all luck with your treatments and with your doctors. I wish they know how much their attitude can impact our lives.