Probably a silly question, but...: I know this... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

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Probably a silly question, but...

24 Replies

I know this has probably been covered before but can anyone tell us why there is so much information on the internet from specialists with regard to Thyroid/Hashi's/Graves etc etc and in England it seems like no Endocrinologists know about it?!

Beware Dr Google yes yes, but seriously there are also publications too that PROVE this things.

Is it me, or is it just another "funding medicine" issue?

Sorry for the rant :D

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24 Replies
Marz profile image
Marz

I think it is the difference between the NHS and other forms of Medicine - as in the States where it is Insurance based.

The NHS was initially created to get the working man patched up and back to work after the war. Nothing really existed around preventative Medicine.

The IFM - Institute of Functional Medicine is American - I do not think there is anything like it in the UK - where people can study the WHOLE :-) Take a look at their website - there used to be a course for laymen.

in reply toMarz

That's a good point - I always maintained that if I saw my Endocrinologist privately (as he did private as well as NHS) he would treat me completely different!

BadHare profile image
BadHare in reply toMarz

There is a UK based functional medicine organisation, but I’m having an airhead day. I’ll post the information when I’m home.

in reply toBadHare

Don't worry I get those too even more so these days :D thanks for your reply though - lm having an excruciating pain in the arse day, magnesium oil is being used rather frequently!!!

BadHare profile image
BadHare in reply to

British Society of Lifestyle Medicine, BSLM. 😬

Wish I could go to the conference in Edinburgh as it looks interesting. I’ll have to make do with the follow ups.

ShinyB profile image
ShinyB

I don't think it's even in just England. Seems widespread. I sat next to a retired GP at a xmas meal recently, and he said he was so relieved to have retired and told me that he was permanently being told, "Do NOT prescribe this, do NOT prescribe that. Do NOT make referrals. Do NOT investigate. Never mind the health of the poor patient."

Another GP who I consulted some years back told me they are incentivised to prescribe certain drugs (on that occasion he was referring to statins) and that it made him want to leave medicine.

Big pharmaceutical companies wielding their power. Cuts. Disorganisation. Plus a big dose of white coat egotism. It's no wonder there is such a big rise in the popularity of functional medicine.

in reply toShinyB

Wow. Truth from a GP must be a rare thing! It's sad to think that a GP can only say that once retired...it's scandalous to think of all the patients left to suffer :(

ShinyB profile image
ShinyB in reply to

Awful, isn't it?

I was also seeing a counsellor for a while and she told me, without breaking any confidences, that she had an inordinate number of GPs that she was seeing because of the sheer stress they are under. It's too easy to criticise GPs but I wouldn't want to be in their shoes for the world. The change needs to happen at a much bigger scale so that different approaches are adopted throughout the medical establishment.

in reply toShinyB

Jesus! That bad?! I have I'm afraid experienced the Drs with an attitude though about my condition which is their opinion rather than my diagnoses - I was told that I didn't need any assistance and why couldn't I work when I physically couldn't move due to my Thyroid crashing?!

ShinyB profile image
ShinyB in reply to

I'd have been tempted to thump them!!

in reply toShinyB

I too share that sentiment!!!

ShinyB profile image
ShinyB in reply to

I can't WAIT to go back to my GP, Endo, and Lipids consultant and shriek, "Nyahh, nyahh, yaboo sucks!" at them! :D

in reply toShinyB

Well I've got a spreadsheet of my blood results that I'm going to give him what for about on 1st March...seems like I'm spoiling for one doesn't it? Perhaps I am...*snigger* :D

ShinyB profile image
ShinyB in reply to

hahaha, would love to be a fly on the wall!

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

NHS are not going to look at vitamin deficiencies unless they are severe. Even then they are often not treated

For example if were to prescribe vitamin D for low, but not severely deficient Vitamin D, would need to treat virtually 100% UK population

Currently don't generally recognise non coeliac gluten sensitivity as there's no simple easy yes/no blood test

An endocrinologist only looks at Thyroid and a gastroenterologist only looks at gut. Why we can't be seen by both seems madness.

Coeliac testing and assessment for NCGS should happen for all Hashimoto's patients

But current GP guidelines on treatment are woefully inadequate. There seems to be no clear guidelines to say to GP's that when on Levothyroxine, TSH likely needs to be LOW in range.

Referral to endocrinologist not done often enough and of course if you do get there, often low vitamin levels and possible food intolerances ignored.

Hopefully we can get some of this improved with new NICE guidelines currently in the pipeline.

in reply toSlowDragon

God I do hope so SlowDragon truly I am beginning to despair these days :(

Clutter profile image
Clutter

WoodElf,

Most UK doctors call it "autoimmune thyroiditis", "chronic thyroiditis" or "thyroiditis" instead of Hashimoto's.

in reply toClutter

Yes they do but they still have no idea about it do they?!!!!

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to

WoodElf,

I don't think doctors can do anything about autoimmunity other than manage the conditions and symptoms the autoimmunity causes.

Of course, from a patient perspective, it would be nice if doctors didn't seem to trivialise the cause of the patient's illness/condition because they don't understand it and can't cure it.

janRoll profile image
janRoll

I'm fed up of coming away from the endo baffled, learn more on google

in reply tojanRoll

Me too! I swear they think I've swallowed a medical dictionary when I go back!!!

Hellonwheels profile image
Hellonwheels

Even in the States, I got the runaround. Went through 3 doctors before I found one who would treat me appropriately rather than trying to treat me with antidepressants. For some reason, it just HAD to be something other than thyroid, even though my TSH was above range and T3 was below range... It's like they can't read test results. It was obvious that I am a non-converter, but all they could hear was lethargy, weight gain, and depression---nevermind the huge list of other OBVIOUS hypo symptoms.

in reply toHellonwheels

I feel and share your pain both physically and mentally x

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Just don't think GP's make enough money on prescribing Levothyroxine

No financial incentives to prescribe, unlike anti- depressants or statins

Liothyronine's current extortionate cost comes out of GP practice budget, so definitely are not keen on that option

Endocrinology is not an eye catching department, unlike open heart surgery or similar

Invisible, complex multifaceted chemical issues are not prime interest to many Medics

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