Blood test waiting room.

[bobbyb]

While I was waiting for my blood test. there were quite a lot of people having thyroid blood tests, when the nurse asked if they were taking any thyroid medication not one of them was, some of them looked really ill and some were propping themselves up with sticks. what a disgrace. When they asked me if I was on medication I told them I was taking ndt they didn't know what it was and I heard them phoning my gp to ask what it stood for. I went up to them and explained because I'm pretty sure my gp didn't know either. No doubt all of these people will be fobbed off and told their blood tests are "normal". This situation is so tragic.

[Inaquandary]

Thats appalling and probably a snapshot of what is happening nationally. Its a shame each hospital can't employ a thyroid clinician who just deals with thyroids and nothing else. I'm sure it would be a full time postion! All comes down to money. But then a few years ago my local hospital had a quit smoking nurse. No sign of her anymore..

[Clutter]

Bobbyb,

Some drugs affect thyroid and liver function so patients may be having thyroid function tests to check they aren't developing thyroid dysfunction.

UK doctors and nurses are taught in medical school that Levothyroxine is the treatment for hypothyroidism. There is no reason why they should understand what the acronyn NDT means. If you had said you were taking Armour they probably would understand that you are taking thyroid replacement.