I’m 52yrs with hashi’s, currently going through a really bad spell with awful palpitations, fuzzy head, painful joints etc. On levo 50mcg. Under endo who is obsessed with my weight and every visit ends with him telling me to eat less carbs! Never listens to my symptoms and keeps telling me I need antidepressants! I just need to be listened to! Does anyone know any good private endo’s? I am willing to travel. This is all having a major impact on my home , personal and working life. Getting desperate now. X
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Dollydaydream
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First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies
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 and can not charge at all after May 2018 due to new EU ruling)
Can you add most recent results and ranges for TSH, FT3 and FT4, plus presumably have you also had thyroid antibodies tested
Also helpful if had vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested. Add results and ranges if you have them
Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. Many take on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime
Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable. Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription.
Watch out for brand change when dose is increased too
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies. Plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.
For Graves' disease you need TRab or TSI antibodies tested
Essential to test thyroid antibodies, FT3 and FT4, plus vitamins
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies
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.
If on Levothyroxine, don't take 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)
If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances too, especially gluten.
Sounds as if you're under-medicated. 50 mcg is only a starter dose. How long have you been on that?
Endos tend to know nothing about thyroid - especially not symptoms. They tend to be diabetes specialists. And they probably don't listen in case you ask a question they can't answer and display their ignorance! It's very difficult for them to get away with winging it, these days, as patients are getting more and more knowledgeable. Best to ask your questions here.
I think you are right. If he can make me feel bad about my weight then deflects from all my other questions. Do you know if any good private consultants that are helpful?
Sorry, no. I don't live in the UK. But if you email
dionne.fulcher@thyroidUK.org
She will send you a list of recommended endos. Then, you can chose a couple and ask on here for people to PM you if they've seen them, and give their appreciation of them.
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