GP appointment

[Ally29]

Hi so I saw the GP tonight as an emergency appointment. He was appalled to see how low my vitamins and minerals are and that my endo could reduce my levo from 150mcg and 2 quarters of T3 to just 25mcg levo. I have got a blood test booked for Friday morning for thyroid at 8:30am since I have passed the 6-8 week stage for repeat thyroid testing due to below range TSH which my endo did not like and reduced my meds on that basis, not on hyperthyroid symptoms and I still felt the same as I did back when I had hypothyroid levels.

I was put in at short notice for loading B12 injections but had blood taken for intrinsic factor antibodies. I am to start folic acid 5mg after results of intrinsic factor antibodies. Also been recommended to be tested for coeliac disease. Given loading dose 300,000iu of vitamin D and prescribed iron tablets to take 3 times a day.

Symptoms - aches in joints, dry skin/dry eyes/dry mouth/dry nose, constipation, periods absent, pins and needles, dark circles under eyes, low concentration, tiredness, weight gain becoming uncontrollable, goitre, bruising, depression, feeling cold and having cold feeling to skin.

Ferritin *4 (15 - 150)

Folate *2.3 (2.5 - 19.5)

Vitamin B12 *162 (190 - 900)

Vitamin D total 20.5 (<25 severe)

MCV *80.2 (83 - 98)

MCHC *387 (310 - 360)

Haemoglobin 110 (115 - 150)

Iron *5.1 (6.0 - 26.0)

Transferrin saturation 12 (12 - 45)

TSH *0.03 (0.27 - 4.20)

FT4 20.5 (12 - 22)

FT3 4.0 (3.1 - 6.8)

TPO antibodies *557 (<34)

TG antibodies *258.3 (<115)

Feedback welcome, thank you

[Spareribs]

Just reading your previous post.... thank goodness you have a human GP!

Please email Louise Roberts the name of the endoknob so we can all avoid him!

[e-mail]

Looks like you may be feeling better soon - I hope so!

Best wishes

Jane

[Saya85]

Thank goodness!

Stick with this GP and get every test you can possibly think of while they’re complying !

My blood pressure is through the roof reading this forum tonight... I think I need a good magnesium soak for the shock!

[Nanaedake]

Thank goodness you're getting the help you need and what did your GP say about the Endo's silly idea to refer you to mental health services???

Have you got access to online blood test results as it's very useful to view all the results and keep track of things?

If being tested for coeliac, check the coeliac forum advice as I believe you need to keep eating gluten for test to be accurate.

[Ally29 in reply to Nanaedake]

The GP couldn't believe how incompetent this endo is and is referring me to another one. I have access to online records

[Nanaedake in reply to Ally29]

Well, I'm glad the GP has actually agreed about the Endo's incompetence!! That should give you confidence to make a complaint. I hope you're feeling a lot better before too long although it can take time to recover.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Nanaedake]

Nanaedake,

I'd very much hope that the GP would report the endo for incompetence. Seems the only way to help stop it happening again - and again.

[Spareribs in reply to Ally29]

Are you still on 25mcg 'til you see your GP after the new blood tests?

(or have you got some spare - don't forget to leave at least 24 hours before the draw & T3 will cause your TSH to be low anyway).

[Ally29 in reply to Spareribs]

Yes still on 25mcg thanks

[Spareribs in reply to Ally29]

It's worrying that only endos are able to prescribe T3 at the mo 'tho

[Spareribs in reply to Nanaedake]

Yes a lad (19) at work was told eat loads of bread, pastry, biscuits every day for a solid 6 weeks! - he couldn't do it, he was so ill, he left work and is avoiding gluten/wheat himself

[Nanaedake in reply to Spareribs]

Oh dear Spareribs, what are people supposed to do then? Maybe just stop eating gluten and don't bother getting tested?

[Spareribs in reply to Nanaedake]

I know it's just wrong, I did self-treat (thyroid) then managed to stop awhile, then I was diagnosed, guess it's the same with coeliac.

(PS my coeliac test was "normal" but from on-line access it was out of range) best ask the coeliac forum for up to date info - is it still gluten free guerrillas?

[SickLeo17 in reply to Nanaedake]

Yes that is correct. For blood tests and Endoscopy and Biopsy to have accurate results you need to maintain a regular diet. Once you have a diffitive diagnosis of Coeliac Disease you then must follow the diet as it is the only treatment. In the meantime, after the positive blood results, inform yourself fully regarding the gf diet and plan how to institute it. Eg. After positive diagnosis use separate toaster to the rest of the family, learn how to read labels. Familiarise yourself with ingredient substitutes etc.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Good to know that sense has prevailed with this particular doctor.

Give some thought to what would have happened if you hadn't have asked for help on here, how ill you would have become with those dire results being ignored, how that doctor is very likely doing the exact same thing to other patients, then consider making that formal complaint. Doctors like that need their ignorance addressing, and the only way is to ensure that these kinds of mistakes are brought to light. The next patient may not have the benefit of having the seriousness of levels like these explained to them.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Thyroid UK are collecting evidence of malpractice due to removing clinically needed T3

Please email brief outline of this. How T3 improved you and the subsequent disaster since it was stopped. I would include the dire vitamin levels

[e-mail]

Email Thyroid UK also for list of recommended thyroid specialists

[silverfox7]

Hang onto that GP! Wish we could clone him.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Ally29,

I urge you also post on this forum:

healthunlocked.com/pasoc

As your GP has accepted the need for B12 injections, you have at least got somewhere. But the good folk over there are the B12 and folate experts with masses of experience.