My GP does not know who Thyroid UK are, asked if they were ''Doctors or something?'' and told me my blood test was 'normal'.

[Tabi-Lion5]

I have just got off phone after speaking to a GP from my local surgery. I need my latest blood test results, I was told they are 'normal'. I asked to speak to a GP by phone as I needed a referral for pain in my arm (ECG). When I said that I feel I am under-medicated and Thyroid UK also felt I was going by my last results. She said ''Who?'' ''Who are they?'' I explained and she said ''Are they Doctors or something?'' She also said ''There are so many things online, how can I know them all?'' I said that I would leave a monthly Newsletter in Reception for her to read. i said I felt it was important that as a GP she should be aware of who Thyroid UK are. She repeated that my results were 'normal' and basically just put the phone down on me. I actually wanted a print out of my results but I cannot get an appointment for three weeks. It's probably not a good idea to name this GP here but her tone of voice was rude, intolerant and full of scorn. The surgery is Bermondsey & Lansdown Medical Mission in London, SE1. I think I need to change my Doctors. Is this one for Admin? Do Admin need to send information to this surgery?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Can you add your most recent results and ranges for TSH, FT4 and FT3.

Presumably you have Hashimoto's (high thyroid antibodies) as you are gluten free

Also if you have had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested add these results and ranges too

Is there another, more sympathetic GP you can see in the practice

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies. Plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

Essential to test thyroid antibodies, FT3 plus vitamins

Private tests are available. NHS often refuses to test FT3

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

[Tabi-Lion5 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you Slow Dragon! I am currently still trying to get a print out of my latest blood test results. Being told they are 'normal' (as usual). I will be contacting surgery again next week. Until I have the results I am not able to move forward and feel a bit 'stuck' right now. I did buy a Medichecks Kit to test for T3 so will be doing that soon. Thank you for info. I am not able to afford more tests right now. I will let you know what my results are as soon as I have them to hand. Hopefully very soon!!!!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Tabi-Lion5]

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need enhanced access to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up. They can make nominal charge for printing but many will do so for free (£10 max). Or £50 for all non electronic historical records. EU have said they can not charge for these services after May this year.

[Clutter]

Tabi-Lion5,

Ask your GP receptionist for a printout of your results and ranges and members will advise whether they are optimal. 'Normal' simply means results are within range.

I think GPs have too much to do to be aware of all the charities and patient advocate fora available for all the health conditions they have to deal with.

If you feel your GP was rude to you you should make a complaint to the practice manager. I don't think Thyroid UK send information to GP practices.

[Tabi-Lion5 in reply to Clutter]

Thank you Clutter! I am not sure if it was rudeness or condescending (perhaps a bit of both!). I understand they are busy but it wasn't what was said so much as the 'tone' it was said in and the 'context'. When I was told my blood test was 'normal' by the Receptionist I did understand what she meant. I wasn't satisfied with that reply though Clutter, that was the point I was making. The Receptionist said she would get the Doctor to ring me. When the Dr. did ring me she confirmed 'normal' so in order to have a sense of someone somewhere working in my 'corner' I then said that Thyroid UK thought that perhaps I was under-medicated according to my 'last' blood test results, it was then that the Dr. said ''Who?'' ''Who are they?'' ''Are they Doctors or something?'' I think a name like Thyroid UK does 'sound' more like a Charity than a group of Doctors and an intelligent person such as a Doctor would have 'got it'. Before I got to know about 'Thyroid UK' ... even I would have thought (CHARITY) rather than a group of (DOCTORS). I think it was meant to be similar to saying ''I AM the Doctor so why are you not believing me when I say your blood test was 'normal' rather than Thyroid UK saying you are under-medicated ... i.e. Who are these people to undermine ME as a Doctor are they Doctors or 'SOMETHING'?'' I could be wrong but that is how it came across on the phone. The 'Something' on the end of the sentence is what gave it away really. Not the terminology one would expect from a Professional is it? This Doctor has also ignored my request to be referred to an Endocrinologist. So not very helpful at-all is it? If this same Dr. is rude to me again I will make a complaint. Yes, I agree, Thyroid UK may not send information to GP practices. Do you think they should, or not Clutter? Again, thanks for your comments.

[Furface]

I understand where you are coming from as I have had for years the same experience with all the GPs at my surgery. They know very little about thyroid conditions and seem to guard your test results possessively, (they just tell you 'normal' when the tests are within the enormously wide ranges they use). In my case, they told me 'all normal' even when outside of these ranges!

It is your absolute right to have a copy of your bloods and though they made it awkward in as many ways possible for me, I persevered and just kept on at them. (the last blood test took 5 weeks before they finally gave in (made all sorts of excuses) before giving it to me. Usually, when you ask, they tell you 'thats highly unusual, we'll have to ask a Dr for permission to give it to you' . . . . this isn't done instantly but takes a few days. then you collect the copy from the receptionist when they say its ready. Sometimes they charge a small amount but should be only enough for photocopy. Start keeping copies of your own tests and do your own research. Eventually, thyroid people learn more than the Drs because the motive to learn is 'the desire to live, not just exist, slowly deteriorating' . . . . a few patients are lucky and get a good Dr, but sadly a lot don't. The last dr I saw had never heard of Thyroiduk either and also didnt know which tests to request. Was quite content to go by just the TSH! Don't let them fob you off with anti depressants though, many like doing that.

There are some great books too which are easy to follow . . . .my first one was

'Your thyroid and how to keep it healthy' by Dr Barry Durrant-Peatfield

[spongecat in reply to Furface]

Excellent response and I like your "the desire to live, not just exist, slowly deteriorating" .

Should be our motto!

[Tabi-Lion5 in reply to spongecat]

Hi Spongecat! I have to say I agree. Yes, that was an excellent response and I also liked what you said.

Definitely should be our motto.

[AnnT49 in reply to Furface]

My GPs receptionist won't print off the results until I actually go to the surgery to ask for them, because she doesn't like them "hanging around", which is reasonable.

I once asked if I could have a cortisol test in addition to my annual MOT blood tests, because I'd had a saliva test from Blue Horizon, which said mine was very high. When my GP phoned to try to get me to take Statins because my cholesterol was also high, I asked her what was the result of the cortisol test. She told me it was "fine". It wasn't until I collected the print out that I discovered it hadn't been done,

[Tabi-Lion5 in reply to AnnT49]

Well that was very 'telling' wasn't it AnnT49?!!! The fact that it hadn't even been done?!!

The last print out I got it said that I had a 'Suspected Fatty Liver' well, that was news to me because I hadn't been told and it's MY liver after all ....

I just don't trust people these days. Awful isn't it?

[Tabi-Lion5 in reply to Furface]

Hi Furface! Thank you so much for completely understanding where I was coming from. This has been my experience too! I will ask for a print out, thanks for explaining how it works. I did get one last time Iwhen asked but it was a different Dr. He was so much more helpful (best Dr. I've seen so far) but I was unable to get to see him this time and it's been difficult to make an appointment what with other Hospital visits I have had to make what with discovering a lump in my breast and having to go to Breast Surgery Clinic at Guy's before finding it was Benign but thank goodness it was Benign but it was such a stressful few days I just couldn't be bothered with people being 'awkward' or people that did understand but pretending they didn't understand, or talking to me like they were just paying lip service for the sake of it. It does seem that perhaps Thyroid UK should become known to Dr's Surgeries as there are a lot of other Charities and leaflets/booklets available in the Reception area and on the tables in waiting rooms but that's not for me to say. It is an 'idea' though. No, I wouldn't take anti-depressants. Thank you for recommending the book and for being so helpful and friendly. I'll look into buying it. Have a lovely day/evening Furface!

[Treepie1]

I find this puzzling as I see all my tests online before I visit the GP. Often do not have to visit when the results are clear cut.

[bantam12 in reply to Treepie1]

Not everyone has access to results online, we don't.

[Tabi-Lion5 in reply to Treepie1]

I would love to have that service available Treepie1.