Visit to my GP today, told it’s anxiety.

[Peanut31]

Hello Everyone,

So many of you may of already seen my posts, I’ve been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s by my private Endocrinologist via blood tests and a scan.

He has said that as my TSH improved there is no medication to help me, disappointed is an understatement.

However, the more I read on forums this is a common occurrence.

Despite me trying to do all I can by going gluten free, giving up the diet fizzy drinks etc, vitamins etc, it’s not getting better.

I’m also seeing a nutritionist as I had tummy pains which is a result of my leaky gut.

I was put on strong antibiotics due to a stool sample showing I had a bacteria infection.

The antibiotics was given by a very un caring doctor and questioned every test I had done.

I have finished the antibiotics but my neck stiffness came back after them, brain fog and extreme coldness.

Today I managed to get an appointment to see the GP to see if I could be put on some Levothyroxine as I still feel awful.

Now, Don’t get me wrong I didn’t expect they would as my Endocrinologist wouldn’t, but, thought if I explained I felt terrible we may make progress and give the NHS one last shot.

I took my husband as well and this is how it went.

Me:

Hello doctor, I’ve had scans and blood tests and it been confirmed I have antibodies and Hashimoto’s which relates to the thyroid. I gone gluten free and I have got my vitamins levels to an acceptable range but I still feel awful.

Doctor:

(she was reading the letters on the screen)

If your Endocrinologist has prescribed anything I can’t help.

Me:

but I feel terrible,

husband:

she feels the cold all the time, stiff neck, worn out, she has a good day then really bad days.

Doctor:

your TSH level is normal and it always has been.

Me:

it hadn’t been normal it’s been 6, that’s out of range.

Doctors:

that’s in normal range.

Me:

what a TSH of 6!!!, it is not, and just because one of the Thyroid results are in range doesn’t mean others are correct and I don’t feel well.

Doctors:

Are you sure it’s not anxiety, other thyroid tests are irrelevant if TSH is in range. With your levels wecan’t prescribe anything.

Me:

but I have Hashimoto’s and it’s not anxiety, the scan and my Endocrinologist has confirmed this,I don’t feel well.

Doctors:

I don’t know what you’re been told about Hashimoto’s but I think you have been misinformed.

Me:

I’m getting support from Thyroid Uk and other organisations, so are you telling me there is nothing you can do then?

Doctor:

you need to go back to your Endocrinologist and speak with him, or do you want an NHS referral for another Endocrinologist.

Me: No thank you, I’ll source my own Endocrinologist, and pay private.

Goodbye.

When my hubby and I walked out, we both said well we already knew how it would go from all the support/advice I received on here.

I’ve now taken the decision to self medicate with the guidance of this forum and other forums.

I would just let to say a big thank you to everyone helping me through it black cloud.

Best wishes

Peanut31.

[Kell-E]

So typical. Sorry. So, you are going to self-medicate, correct? Just ask and ppl will tell you where and how!

[Peanut31 in reply to Kell-E]

Absolutely, I went to the GP today as one final last attempt.

The only statement that she made that I saw from her point of view was:

“If your Endocrinologist didn’t prescribe you anything why do you expect me to”

I have no idea why my Endocrinologist said he could not help any longer, as he said I was his star patient, organised and willing to make changes myself.

I’ve been given guidance on reputable supplies.

Best wishes

[Kell-E in reply to Peanut31]

Good for you!!!

[EbonyEvans]

👋🏾

I personally would go for the Endocrinologist recommendation - as they can be expensive. You may get one that’s okay or good. Or get recommendations from everyone on here for your area if she can send you there. I would also write a letter of complaint to the practice manager. Someone not as strong or knowledgeable as you might go in there and get fobbed off. Is hypos stock together. And as she’s a Gp, she needs to be given a chance and educating imho. Why should you have to pay for something you are entitled to? Why should hubby have to take his time and support you because your Gp chooses to stay ignorant. (Although it’s lovely that he did, but still).

I know this is a victory and I’m bringing a downer on the thread. But please a letter of complaint at least. Yay 😀 you 🙌🏾🙌🏾💜

[Muffy]

Perhaps you could get some private blood tests (as listed on the Thyroid Uk website). You really need FT4 and FT3. TSH on its own is pretty useless unless very high which 'might ' then trigger your GP to order more tests.

It might be worth a read of Dr Toft's paper, Thyroid Hormone Replacement - a Counterblast to Guidelines.

The late, great Dr Skinner, treated patients on their symptoms and certainly with a TSH that was out of range and also requested FT4 and FT3.

If you don't have the whole picture, how can you make a correct diagnosis?

Dr. Midgley has co-written papers on the TSH. These can be found on the Thyroid UK website.

Go to another NHS Endocrinologist as you really need help.

[Peanut31 in reply to Muffy]

Hi Muffy

I did have private bloods after the private Endocrinologist only did my TSH.

I suggested this and also a scan (antibodies out of range and TSH still out of range) scan confirmed Hashimoto’s, but he still refused to prescribe anything and dropped that bombshell on the 4th appointment, as the last blood test showed a TSH of 1.8 that he did, even though I still had out of range antibodies.

The Endocrinologist is also on the list provided on here, although I understand that it clearly states it’s not recommendations.

I have read Dr Toft report, I’m not wasting anymore time, I’m going to self medicate.

The biggest issue for me is that the Endocrinologist would not prescribe, hence why the GP will not go over him.

I’ve spent too much money already, stuff them all I went my life back.

[Maxxxx]

Hi - sorry you had such a poor experience. A TSH level of 6 is too high when you have symptoms of hypothyroidism AND high antibodies. I guess its too late now but you could have printed out the list of symptoms on this website and taken your temperature each morning (presumably its low). With those results you should have been given levothyroxine. Also you could have printed out the NICE guidelines. I believe that they say if you are symptomatic and your TSH level is not over 10 then you can get treatment.

I had the same TSH level 6.32 when I went to the doctor and she wasn't going to prescribe anything but I told her I was trying to conceive and she had to! (According to NICE guidelines).

Also did you know that you can get free prescriptions when you are diagnosed as hypothyroid. I wonder if that has anything to do with doctors being reluctant to diagnose!

I hope you get it sorted out and feel better soon.

[Angel_of_the_North]

Stupid doctor. No blood test for anxiety so why should that be what you have when s/he insists that a condition the blood tests show you have doesn't exist? Just self-medicate and dump them all!

[marigold22]

I diagnosed myself with Hashimotos in January 2017, by doing a private blood test, having been told for 35 years I had Hypo. I had a lot of mental health symptoms, still felt suicidal up til August 2017. In August I increased my T3 (was on 30mcg a day) to around 45mcg a day. I cut out all grains & as much sugar as possible, and increased my cholesterol intake (Paleo Diet). I have been a totally different person for over 3 months now. I don't think it can be a flook now that it's been 3 months. The diet thing presumably healed my gut, and the higher dose of T3 got rid of my other symptoms. I obviously realise that every one is different, but in total desperation I was willing to try anything. I just felt F..k the doctors, the pharmas etc. I slowly increased my T3 until I felt well. Honestly can't be bothered or afford to keep paying out for private blood tests. My body will tell me, Good luck