What should I tell my doctor?

[Hattie87]

Hi guys,

I have booked an appointment with my doctor to talk about my medication, as I don't think I'm on the correct mcg. I've have been on 75/100mcg for 10 years and still have so many symptoms. I've done my research and need a full blood test and would like to be referred (as my doctor doesn't seem to know much about this) I've heard that it's hard to be accepted for a full blood test, so was wondering if anyone has any advice on what to say when he says no (which I'm expecting)

Many thanks!

[Judithdalston]

A full blood test will not include many thyroid relevant ones i.e. Possibly TSH, but perhaps not T4, no T3 , nor thyroid antibodies, and some but not all of the range of B12, Vit D, folate and ferritin frequently refered to on this site. You'll get blood cell counts etc...do you want to exclude other causes for symptoms or are you sure it's Thyroid or related problems? You can but ask...you might get some done, and if need remedies like for eg B12 you might get medication too. But sadly many of us have found ours GP s are rather reluctant to prescribe if our results are within the 'normal' range even if those are at the lower end ( or top of TSH) and are no way adequate for good thyroid health.

[Hattie87 in reply to Judithdalston]

Hi, sorry I meant to say a full blood test for thyroid, I was going to ask for TSH, T3, T4, TPO, TgAB, Reverse T3, Vit B/D, Iron, Ferritin, B12 and folate. I know, I'm doubt my doctor would say yes, I was wondering if there was anything that I could say to pursuade him. Thanks!

[Judithdalston in reply to Hattie87]

From experience...pigs might fly! But it does vary from doctor to doctor. You might get some ... perhaps it's worth looking at what labs like Medichecks charge ( many go for Thyroid Ultra Vit , 11 tests that cover all but RT3 and general B vits, which is usually on special offer on Thursday at c. £79) and see what you get for less , or more (- I think RT3 is in a more expensive test). RT3 is not used much on this site, as TSH/total T4/FT4/FT3 results are usually enough. Then judge whether it is worth persuading you doctor to do more than what is offered immediately. Personally if I thought I would have Medichecks test too I 'd arrange the GP surgery tests at the same time and ask the nurse to fill the phials Medichecks provide too, instead of trying self-pricking to get blood to test.

[Hattie87 in reply to Judithdalston]

Thank you and that's a really good idea as I think I'd have trouble doing it myself!

[greygoose]

It doesn't just depend on the doctor. You might be able to persuade him to order the tests, but the lab can over-rule him - and usually dose! The will not do FT4 is the TSH is in range, usually, and only do FT3 if the TSH is suppressed. The NHS never, ever tests rT3 (not worth the cost, anyway) and only to Tg antibodies in cancer cases. Vit d is hard to get, too.

[Hattie87 in reply to greygoose]

Ahh I see. It's so strange that a lab can over rule the doctor as they don't know the paitent or situation. Is the rT3 important?

[greygoose in reply to Hattie87]

I know! It's the world turned upside down! Not only do they not know the patient, but they're not doctors. They're chemists. I don't think that situation exists anywhere in the world except the UK. If labs tried that in France, where I live, the doctors would be out on the streets with their placards, demanding justice. lol

rT3 is one of those tests that tells you if there's a problem, but doesn't tell you where it is. So many things can cause high rT3. Most important to you, at the moment, is how well you convert (I should imagine). And you can tell that by comparing your FT4 and FT3.

[Hattie87 in reply to greygoose]

Yeah it just sounds crazy! Thank you, I still have so much to learn but really appreciate your input

[greygoose in reply to Hattie87]

You're welcome.