I’ve just been to my GP and almost been laughed at. I said about maybe checking for Hashimoto’s as all my symptoms pin point that way. And he googled some info and it said most cases have enlarged thyroid gland. He looked at me and asked if i did and he said no I don’t think so so doubtful that you have it. I did managed to get him to order antibody test and will check folate, ferritin B12, vit D. Test is in a week so i will upload all my results. Ii had thyroid function test a month ago shall i order one online or will those be ok too look in a couple of weeks time. I also had iron level checked same time.
I think as much as they’re not helpful or don’t really care it is going the right direction in terms of tests. Or is there anything else I should do?
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I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s by a private Endocrinologist, despite this, no medication given and said couldn’t help further.
Anyway I went to my GP and she didn’t like the fact that I knew more about Hashimoto’s than she did plus as my Endocrinologist wouldn’t prescribe me anything she refused.
In fact she told me I have been misinformed about Hashimoto’s, and when I told her I was receiving support from Thyroid UK she didn’t know what to say.
She then proceeded to inform me it was anxiety. As I was prepared for the conversation and based on hundreds of postings on here about their GP experiences it came as no surprise to me.
I took my hubby with me as I was feeling so ill, he got up and said “come on we are going we will sort ourselves out thank you”.
She didn’t know what to say or do.
I knew however, there was an alternative, self medicating, some don’t or unfortunately, some can’t afford it or don’t know where to start.
It maybe a case of having to take matters into your own hands not uncommon.
Listen to the people on here and their advice and experiences, we are all the same boat.
I went gluten free in September 2017 (per advice on here) and it has helped me no end. No more fizzy drinks either.
I take selenium daily, vitamin D,C,B12, iron and calcium. If those are low it will not help your Hashimoto’s.
I’m working with a nutritionist to help improve my symptoms further and she has given me far more support than the GP or private Endocrinologist.
It maybe when you have your bloods, you may struggle for the results, which your are entitled to, make sure you get the lab results with the ranges, don’t accept verbal results or just be told you are ok or in range.
Once you get them, post them on here, or pay for private bloods. I had to do this and majority of people do on here, plus the results come direct to you so you bypass the GP.
If you have a husband or partner or a man in your life who will support you, understands how you feel, believes you, and won't allow you to be dismissed then take them with you to doctor appointments in future. You are treated more politely if there is a witness, and if you have a man in tow the doctor is less likely to assume you are making it up and attention-seeking.
[Can I just point out that I hate writing that stuff I've just written. The idea that a woman isn't believed purely because she's a woman infuriates me. I consider myself to be a feminist, but when I'm feeling like crap I can't summon the energy or the arguments that get me anywhere with doctors. My husband can help me to fight my corner when I'm unable to do it alone because of ill health.]
Before spending money on buying tests online, I would suggest you get hold of all the results for all the blood tests you've had done in the last couple of years - not just thyroid, but everything.
You have to make sure you get the numbers and the reference ranges.
Before asking for them on paper you should phone up the surgery and ask the receptionists if the surgery offers online access to medical records and blood test results. If they do, that's great. If they say they would have to ask the doctor first, then say brightly and cheerfully "That's great, I'll phone you again tomorrow, to find out what he/she said".
You would need to take ID with you to the surgery, and you would then be given some codes you have to use to register with the online system.
If an online system isn't available, then you will have to ask for paper copies. There should only be a small charge to cover the cost of paper and ink. Some surgeries try to screw patients for lots of money. Just bear in mind that for £10 you can ask (in writing) for a copy of your entire electronic GP record, not just a few blood tests.
Once you have your blood test results you can then decide whether or not you need to pay privately to get more info. You can copy the results you have into a new post and ask for feedback from the members.
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Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
And well done for not accepting that "diagnosis of convenience" that your doctor trotted out.
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