Isn't Hypothyroidism considered a long term condition?

[UrsaP]

I've just checked my GP practice online, and note that they list 'Long Term Conditions'

Hypothyroidism is not one of them. There is no mention of anything Thyroid. Doesn't bode well!!!

Anyone else able to comment on their GP's on this matter?

[Clutter]

UrsaP,

Hypothyroidism is a chronic condition because it is lifelong. Perhaps because Levothyroxine will usually stabilise thyroid levels your GP practice doesn't consider it among 'Long Term Conditions' which may fluctuate and require careful monitoring and treatment. Are pernicious anaemia and B12 deficiency listed as 'Long Term Conditions'?

[UrsaP in reply to Clutter]

Hi Clutter Aren't Chronic and Long term the same? The problem is Levo might stabilise the blood test results does not stabilise the patient! But as long as the piece of paper is well!!!

The list consisted of

Asthma, Cancer, Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), COPD, Diabetes, Mental Health, Osteoarthritis, Pain, Stroke

Maybe that is why they were always so keen to label me 'Depressed' could have categorised me, with hypoT, can't!

I don't suppose it would be worth talking to them to add HypoT!

[Clutter in reply to UrsaP]

UrsaP,

Yes they are the same. I can only surmise that patients on Levothyroxine replacement and patients having B12 injections are unlikely to die of hypothyroidism or pernicious anaemia or develop life changing or life threatening illnesses whereas diabetes patients for instance may develop blindness or require toe, foot or leg amputations when their conditions aren't carefully monitored.

[UrsaP in reply to Clutter]

Clutter Madness isn't it...and worryingly getting worse!! We are being marginalised at every step.

I'm going for the Patient Group! Bet I will be veto'd before I get within a mile!

[Clutter in reply to UrsaP]

UrsaP,

I don't understand your annoyance. Why does it matter?

[UrsaP in reply to Clutter]

Because thyroid illness has always been treated with such 'disregard' and 'denial' hence Dr's don't see it as a long term condition just a nuisance. If GP's took it more seriously we wouldn't be on this site trying to find help.

[Clutter in reply to UrsaP]

UrsaP,

Hypothyroidism is a long term condition which is manageable when optimally medicated and dosed for the majority of hypothyroid patients.

GPs are generalists and are advised by specialists and the guidelines specialists draw up for all chronic conditions. The fault in management of thyroid tests and insistance on Levothyroxine monotherapy is that of the 'experts'. As those dinosaurs die off and are replaced it is hoped that the younger specialists will be better informed and educated. Unfortunately it is estimated to take 17 years from acceptance of new medical evidence to implementation of it.

[UrsaP in reply to Clutter]

I wonder how the younger generation can be better informed when learning from the dinosaurs...are they not likely to be brain washed?

[Clutter in reply to UrsaP]

UrsaP,

One can only hope they keep abreast of new research.

[UrsaP in reply to Clutter]

We live in hope!

[UrsaP]

Hi Hidden I don't know about Asthma, being prescription free, I don't think so, my son was considered 'seasonal asthmatic' at one point, but maybe that didn't count. But as Hypo T is on that list you would think it would be listed as a long term condition...it is for life after all? Just odd.

[jimh111]

Hypothyrodism is classified under the older term 'myxoedema'. This is recognised as a long term condition and consequently hypothyroids qualify for exemption from paying prescription charges.

[UrsaP in reply to jimh111]

Thanks jimh111 my point exactly. But my GP surgery have not listed it as a Long term condition. (another sign of this conditions being ignored!)

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

It looks to me to be more or less the same set of long term conditons so often cited as a list of examples.

For example, the King's Fund page here:

kingsfund.org.uk/time-to-th...

In turn, that page references a Department of Health paper which is here:

gov.uk/government/uploads/s...

On page 5, that document does quite clearly identify Hypothyroidism.

So I think it is a lack of thought, and simply quoting what is readily available to quote. Perhaps a more rational approach would be to select the most common long term conditions? But there are considerable numbers of long term conditions which add up to a large number of sufferers, but each condition only has small numbers. I guess those people would feel ignored...

[Angel_of_the_North]

It might be listed as myxoedema

[UrsaP in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Angel_of_the_North No, it isn't I checked for that.

I wondered if other Gp's listed it? There is another post - in related posts, from a while back.

[Stourie in reply to UrsaP]

It's not in my surgery either, but hey ho, we all know differently.

Jo xx

[UrsaP in reply to Stourie]

Maybe we need to ask why?

[Stourie in reply to UrsaP]

I did think of that but just decided not to bother.

Jo xx

[UrsaP in reply to Stourie]

Me too, for now...may decide to but more pressing things to be doing just now....