Yeh! GP agreed to test son for FT3 levels and Antibodies!! At last!

[UrsaP]

Well, went with my 22 yr old son to GP again today, skin flared up rotten again, heat not helping.

We had a 'good' discussion. She was suggesting a referral to a dermatologist.I explained we had been here before, got the cream, did not get to the bottom of the problem.

I explained the 'family' Thyroid and my adrenal issues and that so far my son had been sent for X-ray/scans/endoscopy, and various bloods...nothing showing the problem. The one thing being avoided was the obvious 'family' ailments of Thryoid and Adrenals. She pointed out that he had had thyroid test before, I pointed out TSH and T4 only...which tell us nothing. He needs full thyroid function.

Her response - there would be no point in her getting the T3 level as she cannot interpret it? ??? I told her I could probably interpret it! Despite how this sounds I did try to do this in the nicest possible way. I do understand the GP's do have their hands tied more often than not.

Anyway - she agreed to ask for the THS/T4 FT3 and antibodies. He is booked in for tomorrow - being the cynic I have become, I would not be surprised if the lab refuse to do them. But hopefully they will.

I actually do hope that all these come back 'optimal'. I do not want him to have to deal with this rotten condition and the poor treatment of it.

If so I will be more than happy for them to refer him back to a dermatologist for his skin condition. But will be fighting to find out the underlying cause of it. (And insisting on adrenal deficiency or such being being checked) Fed up of symptom based medication..

I found it interesting that she is reluctant to do extended thyroid testing as she cannot interpret it, but cannot refer to an Endo without reason - i.e. some anomaly in the T4/TSH? This is what we are up against. And we all know how useless the TSH?T4 only testing is.

Do Endo's realise that at this rate they will become surplus to requirements? The people who need them cannot get through to them. Mind you, it is probably because 'diabetes' is the current focus. (Notices some very nicely (Expensive) printed booklets about diabetes sitting on the table in the waiting room)

We have to change this process!

[Justiina]

Psoriasis can cause hypo type symptoms. My dad falls into that small % who has severe psoriasis, from head to toe and his skin can get very inflamed having that many open wounds that heal poorly.

However , before my dad got proper treatment during first bad flare up he was weak, his temperature got really low down to 35 and just felt very ill. He has even had very hoarse voice for years because of psoriasis.

I am not saying your son has psoriasis, but just wanted to say that existing skin condition can worsen other symptoms or even be similar with other diseases so going to dermatologist wouldn't be bad idea at all.

[shaws]

You're right - in a 'modern' country with all of the hospitals and professionals, it is the professionals in the Endocrinology who seem to have little idea of how the thyroid gland works and its purpose.

If we hadn't this forum many would still be unwell and many undiagnosed. We also know doctors are willing to give extra prescrips for the symptom rather than adding T3 or prescribing NDT.

I don't know if you've seen this report by Dr Lowe sent to both faculties and despite three annual requests for a response, they never did before his death. They do not want NDT to be prescribed and it was freely at one time, especially before levo was introduced as the 'perfect' replacement. Now they have had their guns out for T3, despite the fact that non-licenced ones could be prescribed as they are cheaper than MP T3.

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

[UrsaP in reply to shaws]

shaws I did a lot of reading some years ago - in fact have been looking for anything I could read on the subject for nearly 35 years now. Not that I can remember it all! I am aware of Dr Lowe's efforts and thinking. I always find it frustrating that we often see reports of ' no evidence of NDT being any more effective than T4' When they wouldn't when there was never any testing to compare done. I think I even wrote to someone asking them for their 'evidence' some years ago - can't remember who now, but got a short noncommittal reply.

Justiina Interesting comments and thank you for them. My hubby has had psoriasis since his early 20's - he was treated for gout for 8 years until a locum realised he had psoriasis and checked him for psoriatic arthritis, which of course became back positive. He has struggled for years with medications piled on for one symptom or another. Just last week had a knee replacement at 55. (Other knee needs doing too) So you may well have a point. My son has eczema. (which I had but grew out of) Poor love is getting all our worst bits!!

I will keep your thoughts to mind, though his flare ups do not initially look like psoriasis, that I can tell. If his thyroid bloods are ok they will probably send him to a dermatologist. But from experience they tend to treat symptoms too.

[Justiina in reply to UrsaP]

I just wanted to remind that as skin being our biggest organ whatever is causing those flare ups should be properly investigated despite possible thyroid issues.

My dad's flare ups wasn't very psoriasis like I knew. My girlfriend had just a bit flaky skin where my dad had proper bleeding , large red bumps and patches, pretty much shedding skin so bad my mom had to change sheets every day and vacuum clean. You could see where my dad had been walking or sitting down. It was pretty gross.

I am just saying that it could be more than one condition and popping into dermatologist isn't bad idea despite thyroid issues.

I sort of fear I have inherited my dad's psoriasis as I occasionally get blisters that are itchy and pop leaving open cuts. Tho mine is small scale and I hope them rather being allergy/thyroid related. Even just dry skin irritates me as I keep waking up itchy some nights >

[UrsaP in reply to Justiina]

I appreciate the input Justiina . HIs does look like hives and then pin pricks...different to the eczema. Though he has had dreadful 'peeling' in the past. Would not wish it on anyone. Your poor Dad.

[Justiina in reply to UrsaP]

Yeah my dad was very ill until they actually started to treat him properly. Now on biological meds and pufff psoriasis disappeared!

Hives can pain in the *ss as when you scratch bacteria entering the damaged area inflammation gets worse. I am so lazy to treat it properly even though moisturiser mixed with baking soda does the trick for me. Can be months without itching. Baking soda neutralises the bacteria on your skin. It's messy but so worth it.

Food intolerance could be one potential cause as well for hives type of reactions. Or any type of histamine intolerance which is connected to thyroid issues, but I guess you are already aware of that.

[UrsaP in reply to Justiina]

May I ask Justiina , what biological meds is your dad on? The baking soda might be worth considering too...will tell both hubby and son that one.

[Justiina in reply to UrsaP]

Baking soda is worth to try. Works for mild psoriasis as well. My friend who has mild psoriasis told me about it.

Can't recall the name of injection my dad is on, but it's commonly used for psoriasis.

My dad had to go through the whole rumba to get it. Over here in Finland it starts with moisturiser made in pharmacy, then UV light therapy ( they burnt his skin with poor equipment so he has purple patches) then methotrexate that ruined his kidneys and then he got biological meds.

He has latent tuberculosis so he is treated for that and only had one injection of biological meds so far as his white cells floored and they feared his tuberculosis will activate.

Fortunately my dad responded to that one injection so well he might not need it twice a month. Been six weeks now and his skin is still pretty good. White cells normalised but they figure he might only need injection during flare up.

Money wise it's a relief as over here two injections costs 1400 euros , you have to pay some of it by yourself.

Has your hubby trialed biological meds for his psoriatic arthritis?

[UrsaP in reply to Justiina]

My hubby has been on Embrol for a few years, injecting once a week. They recently changed it to a generic version. Not sure it is as good, time will tell.

[UrsaP]

Can you elaborate on this please Hidden , as my hubby has also had psoriasis for 30+ years and that has never been mentioned to him (No real surprise!)

[UrsaP]

Thanks Hidden I did not know of the link between psoriasis and Coeliac/gluten intolerance. It does make sense and certainly worth considering. Auto Immune is a real b***h...isn't it! Like domino effect....