Feel like doctors won't help me: Hi This site has... - Thyroid UK

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Feel like doctors won't help me

saffy1ruby profile image
21 Replies

Hi This site has helped me so much over the last few weeks. I went back to see another gp who unfortunately consulted with my original gp who said it would be "illegal" to prescribe levo! She did agree to send me for ultrasound and i now have an appt for this. I requested my latest blood results which are:

TSH 2.2. (0.35-5.5)

Free t4-11. (9-23)

TPO-455. (00-59)

Free t3-4.2. (3.5-6.5)

Ferritin-14.6. (30-400)

Folate-8.1. (3.3-99,999)

B12-338. (190-910)

Vit D-88.8. (>50)

There was a note also informing me to make gp appt as low ferritin and high antibodies? hashimotos? and prescribe iron.

I am so angry as none of this was discussed at my appt she just repeated what other gp said. In a huge panic i have ordered t3,t4 and NDT and have decided to take NDT with possible addition of t3 in future if further tests show it is needed.I am so disappointed in gp have had thinning hair, loss of eyebrows, fatigue joint and muscle pain weight gain that is now 1 stone 5 pounds in less than a year, sore throat and goitre, sporadic hoarse voice and other symptoms, she said she "may" discuss it herself with an endo but wont refer me to one. Hope this medication helps. Thanksx

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saffy1ruby
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21 Replies
shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

You should only need NDT as it contains all of the hormones a healthy gland would have produced. Your FT3 and FT4 should be towards the top.

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

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

Oh, if we could only turn the clock back but that would be impossible now as the blood tests alone must bring in millions of $$$ ££££ plus with levo and most times not to optimal (due to TSH alone) with extras for remaining symptoms.

Your B12 has to be increased to around 1000 to prevent neurological damage. Changes can occur if level is below 500. Supplement with B12 sublingual methylcobalamin.

Others will respond re your other results.

saffy1ruby profile image
saffy1ruby in reply toshaws

Thank you for your helpx

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply toshaws

This is a conversion chart which may be helpful. i.e. NDT is measured in 'grains' and levo in mcg.

getrealthyroid.com/conversi...

Clutter profile image
Clutter

Saffy1ruby,

You need to decide which of the thyroid replacements you have ordered you are going to take. Let us know and we can suggest a starting dose.

TSH is low-normal, FT4 low in range and FT3 fairly typical for someone unmedicated.

Thyroid peroxidase antibodies are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). Technically you have euthyroid (normal thyroid levels) Hashimoto's. There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Treatment is for the low thyroid levels it eventually causes. Many people have found that 100% gluten-free diet is helpful in reducing Hashi flares, symptoms and eventually antibodies. If you are self medicating you will be able to suppress your TSH <0.1 which can help also help reduce Hashi flares.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

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

Ferritin is deficient and this can indicate iron deficiency anaemia. Your GP should do a full iron panel and a full blood count to check.

B12 and folate are low in range but unless you have symptoms of B12 deficiency are probably fine. If you have the symptoms in b12deficiency.info/signs-an... go to healthunlocked.com/pasoc for advice.

VitD 88.8 is in the replete range 75-200. Sun on your face and arms during the summer will build vitD naturally but should supplement 2,500iu daily Oct-Apr.

saffy1ruby profile image
saffy1ruby in reply toClutter

Thank you for your reply i am going to start NDT at a quarter grain is this correct, also i hadnt realised i had an earlier message from you and my first post blood tests were from medi check and i didnt include the ranges sorry they were:

TSH - 2.2. (0.27-4.20)

Free thyroxine-10.84 (12-22)

Total thyroxine(t4) 85.1 (59-154)

Free t3-4.46. (3.10-6.80)

Thryo anti 18.640. (0.00-115)

TPO 35.72. (0.00-34)

What starting dose and for how long would you recommend. I will just hold on to the other medication then if NDT is sufficient, also went gluten free 3 weeks ago. Thanksx

JS33 profile image
JS33 in reply tosaffy1ruby

Just take it easy and do private blood tests , but be cautious with blood results as they can be misleading. Go by how you feel as well. Best of luck.

JS33 profile image
JS33 in reply tosaffy1ruby

You should only need ndt. I use thyroids-s which can be found on the internet with a bit of searching.

saffy1ruby profile image
saffy1ruby in reply toJS33

Thanks for your advice, I really appreciate all of the advice and information on this sitex

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply tosaffy1ruby

Saffy1ruby,

Your low-normal TSH rules out primary hypothyroidism but low-normal TSH with FT4 below range indicates central hypothyroidism due to insufficient TSH which your GP probably hasn't considered. Central hypothyroidism is usually managed in endocrinology because the pituitary or hypothalmic dysfunction causing it may also cause sex and growth hormone deficiencies.

Show your GP the NICE CKS below and ask for referral to endocrinology.

Secondary or central hypothyroidism is the result of insufficient production of bioactive TSH due to a pituitary or hypothalamic disorder.

Urgent referral to an endocrinologist should be arranged if:

Secondary hypothyroidism is suspected.

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

If you aren't willing to wait longer for thyroid treatment you could start with 50mcg Levothyroxine or 3/4 of a grain of NDT (48.75mg). Hold at that dose for 6-8 weeks and have a thyroid test before increasing further.

TPO 35.72 is mildly positive for autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's) so gluten-free diet may be helpful. There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Treatment is for the low thyroid levels it eventually causes.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

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

saffy1ruby profile image
saffy1ruby

Wow thank you will make an appt for next weekx

saffy1ruby profile image
saffy1ruby

Thank you for your advice, i actually love liver so will enjoy this part of it. Would it be ok to print all of this advice to show my gp or should i print only clinical research off. Honestly this a a godsend to me apart from almost falling down with exhaustion and looking wierd with thinning hair and about 3 eyebrow hairs, i seem to be gradually blowing up whilst barely eating! Not a good look haha many thanksx

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

As you have Hashimoto's then you need to consider trying gluten free diet. Many of us find it really helps reduce symptoms.

Read why at The Thyroid Pharmacist Website or also on Chris Kresser or Amy Myers.

saffy1ruby profile image
saffy1ruby

Have been gluten free for 3 weeks now and its definitely helped with stomach problems and bloating will look at this info thank youx

saffy1ruby profile image
saffy1ruby

Yes you are so right about gps, i handed her some info printed out from thyroid uk she tefused to look at, told me to keep it and refused to refer me to endo, said she would ring one herself to discuss my case. Thank you for your help and advicex

saffy1ruby profile image
saffy1ruby

Ok i will tell her this thank you for your helpx

ukgospeldiva profile image
ukgospeldiva

Angry? Nuclear fission! What c//p.

You can make a complaint to the 'practice manager' Tuesday first thing or if you have on-line access to the practice to book appointments/repeat meds then send "her" an email, that despite presenting with classic symptoms to both GPS and clip on or show from your phone in person THE GOOGLED ONES FOR THYROID DISEASE off NHS CHOICES website (GOTCHYA), as its the practice managers responsibility to 'lease' with these 2 Jokers and sort this mess out - come on people, this is basic gp training,- diagnostics!

They have a computer screen infront of them and could use a GP 'symptom checker', but CLEARLY they can't be bothered. Well,time to wake up and get 'hot and​ bothered' Batman!

Don't let them use you as a door mat. You can always WALK after you have got an apology for your appalling treatment by the Chuckel brothers.

Hx

saffy1ruby profile image
saffy1ruby in reply toukgospeldiva

Haha you have totally cheered me up thank you. I don't know why i find it so hard to fight with them, if it were one of my children or grandchildren i would fight all the way, but i find myself backing down each time, pathetic isn't it. I was a midwife for fifteen years but i just dont seem to have any strength left!! But you are right i need to get this sorted, it is my health after all. Thank you so muchxxx

ukgospeldiva profile image
ukgospeldiva in reply tosaffy1ruby

Ah professional defferance is a huge stumbling block. But just remember,whilst you and your colleagues SLAVE AWAY and are struggling on 20 odd grand, these two are each being played more than the PRIME MINISTER of the UK who ever that will be next week AND STILL CANT DO THE BASICS?

saffy1ruby profile image
saffy1ruby in reply tosaffy1ruby

So true, thank you for all the supportx

Quasarlis profile image
Quasarlis

Tell your Dr where to go VERY loudly in front of everyone and if I was your partner I'd knock them out!! Illegal to prescribe Levo!!?? .. Won't refer you!! Go in the and DEMAND IT!!

saffy1ruby profile image
saffy1ruby in reply toQuasarlis

Thank you so much i will try my bestx

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