THE DOCTORS IN USA ARE SOOO OUT OF DATE W NEW THYROID TESTING !!! THEY WON'T DO IT !!! WHAT HAPPENED ON BEING THERE FOR THE PATIENTS ???

[SLUFOOT26]

I HAVE HASHIMOTTOS THYROIDITIS & NON OF MY DOCTORS WILL DO THE CORRECT TESTING FOR IT !!!

[Judithdalston]

The correct being what is recommended here: TSH, Total T4, FT4, FT3, thyroid autoimmune antibodies, Vit D, B12, folate and ferritin...or what?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

You may not realise, but posting in all capitals is often referred to as "shouting". It is usually unnecessary and we very much prefer people to avoid doing so - unless there is a particular reason such as eyesight issues.

[Ellie-Louise in reply to helvella]

Exactly

[Kell-E in reply to helvella]

Maybe they meant to be shouting. It is pretty frustrating, lol...

[greygoose]

If you already know you have Hashi's, there is no right testing for it. Or do you mean they won't do the FT3?

[Jazzw]

What sort of testing would you like? Once you’ve had a positive antibodies result, then there’s no point in testing again - you have Hashimoto’s, which may go into remission or may not. But it’ll always be there.

[elaine2447]

Never thought I'd read that about the US. It's just as bad if not worse in the UK.

I was at Addenbrookes endo dept this week, won't do antibodies (0-60 range) mine was 1300> 18 months ago and I've gone GF, reason they will probably be worse. Wouldn't consider RT3 test, only agreed to usual thyroid test, TSH done at 4.30 pm so won't be accurate but no use arguing with them. They just leave you with Hashimotos until it destroys the thyroid and then will consider thyroxine. I did get lucky though and being referred for neck ultrasound to check on my primary hyperparathyroidism which has been ignored for the last three years. Can't have everything lol.

[Hidden]

Most U.s. doctors (endos) are pompus and could careless about the patient at least in my short 17 month thyroidless experience, as long as your lab numbers fall in the lab ranges your good to them no other testing required. I have no love for endos and I would never trust my primary physician to adjust or change my thyroid meds she's as dumb as a box of rocks often wonder how she got a job. Yup little bitter about my current health.

[Espisnowwoman in reply to Hidden]

I agree with u! I have always said its a money thing. Good doctors are few and far between. I live in the usa.

[Dannyboi243op]

I have this too, the NHS test the auto immune response that's enough, they claim that can't be controlled but it can in certain..but U will find that U may have an issue with throyyxine, with me it swelled up more and gave me issues of hypo and hyper and I'm T3 only..if any t4 is in my body I have issues..I think peeps with throitistis shouldn't be on t4,but that's perosnal experience..

[Bpatty19]

I live in the US and have hashimoto's like many. Regular doctors will not help you, and you are correct, they will not run the appropriate tests. I see a naturopath, which has saved my life. When I originally came to her, my blood pressure was off the charts on 3 meds, I had shortness of breath, my hair was falling out... you name it, I had it! You may pay out of pocket, but for the $275.00 it cost me, plus lab costs of $45.00 she is wonderful. My tsh is now at .03, both t3 and t4 at mid range and my antibodies went from greater than 1300 to 45. I feel normal again. My regular doctor ran my tsh and flipped out, that it was so low and would have reduced my meds if given the chance. My naturopath asked, how do you feel? I said "great"... she said "good" that's all I need to hear!

[Bpatty19 in reply to Bpatty19]

Oh and my blood pressure is 118/76 without meds.

[Bpatty19]

I just would like to add that to heal yourself you need many things, and all of us are different. For me in order to reduce my antibodies with the help of my naturopath doctor was a combination of diet changes and supplements along with the right dosing of medications, and being willing to change the meds when needed. I take Armour (was on WP until shortage) and supplement it with synthroid because my t4 tends to run real low without the additional dose. At the naturopath I can get B12 shots when needed, they test for food allergies, which we tend to have when we have hashi's, vitamin levels, etc. Hope my post helps you find someone to help you!

[beach45]

I had this discussion with my Integrative doctor here in the USA; the doctors in medical school are trained for all thyroid patients whether autoimmune, low thyroid (hypo) or medically or surgically induced hypothyroid (like for Graves, nodules, cancer, etc.) the same; test TSH only and prescribe T4 only; she said that it would have to be changed in medical school and it wouldn't be until a whole generation of doctors graduating and practicing and most likely this won't happen in her lifetime; she is in her 50s. Her opinion yet also someone in my family worked in the FDA with a lot of MDs and knows that there is minimal trained in thyroid in Medical school; so we educate ourselves; we may have to seek an out of pocket doctor as I do seeing an Integrative doctor since January 2014, no thyroid, had Graves, had TED; best thing I ever did; you know how many doctors I said adios to including endocrinologists! This happens worldwide too not just USA; there are lists out there of thyroid friendly doctors; antibodies, Vitamin D, full iron panel, FT3, FT4, RT3, checking for the MTHFR gene defect, and mag, calcium, potassium and other things have to be checked. No a regular traditional medicine doctor won't do this; you may find one as some are willing; yet they cannot go outside the guidelines much; plus too if they dose with T3 or NDTs they really do not know how to do that properly; some maybe; yet not in my experiences; I'm on very high amounts of T3 I'm fine; friends I know that have Hashis suffering needlessly; so sad. they cannot afford special doctors. Some can help selves; I do not promote self medication or supplementing; yet...everyone has to be there own health care advocate; this is a big problem; and not just here in USA: I help on a thyroidless site on FB. I hear similar issues on support groups and in my town. Sad. Best of luck as a lot of good sharing here!

[LAHs]

Hi SluFoot, Beach45 is dead right. We have to study up on the subject of thyroids because we are pretty much on our own. There are some OK Endos out there but they are few and far between. You have made the right first move by joining this forum, now ask all the questions you need answered and read up as much as you can to educate yourself because your health and well being will depend upon it. I am in the US too and even though I have finally found two good docs (as they go) I still have to get my own blood tests to make sure I am on the right track thyroid wise. My good docs are 200 miles away but at this point and with the help of the internet I only have to see them about once a year. I monitor my blood tests through True Health Labs who operate out of Georgia - the other side of the continent! You really have to start operating "outside of the box" as they say. You have to do things that other people may think you are crazy for doing (like traveling 200 miles one way to the doc). But believe me, I feel great, I still ride my bike and I am far from being a spring chicken so it is absolutely worth it.

[guysgrams]

I'm in USA and have found over the years that PCPs are of no use and Endos aren't far behind! I have had to go out on my own and do private testing in order to prove my case as neither would do the testing I asked for. As a result of those private tests, however, I was able to finally convince my Endo to go T3 only. I am much better now.