Perhaps, just perhaps, the message is starting to get through to Gps!

[SunsetLady]

Today I went to see my Gp to inform her I'd increased my levothyroxine after seeing my latest blood results, and I was expecting the usual carry on where she panics about increasing a dose once 'in range' and TSH etc etc.

However I was taken aback (in a good way for once) when she said 'oh yes thats fine, in fact we're starting to get letters through from consultants saying some patients need a suppressed TSH to feel well'.

To which I said, 'yes and getting T4 and T3 high in range is whats really important if you still have symptoms isn't it'.

She then agreed to me having T3 tested as well next time without any carry on.

I'm still in shock!

Is it too early to hope this will start getting through to all Gps, and then all the other important info that this site gives us, I do hope it does for everyones sake but I'm not going to hold my breath

[Paula101]

Gosh, is all I can say to that. Fingers crossed you'll be getting better treatment and start being listened to!

[Hennerton]

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if one day soon they accept that TSH is a useless waste of time and money and concentrate the money on what really tells us how we are doing? Great news for you.

[AiryFairie]

Maybe my GP will start offering appropriate thyroid treatment and advice, to help me feel well and healthy. But I won't hold my breath waiting! Lol!

[LAHs]

Yes I think they are beginning to get the message. When I first transferred to my current good Endo (because he prescribed NDT) he asked me why so many patients were transferring to him. I was so happy to be getting NDT that I did not want to upset the apple cart with the truth. I just blushed, remained silent for a short while then said, " I'm sorry I can't tell you but I am sure somebody will, we are all looking for more enlightened doctors".

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to LAHs]

Something tells me that if he’s enlightened enough to be prescribing NDT then he must have a pretty good idea why people are flocking to him. 😉

[LAHs in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Yes, good point, I thought that too. I wanted to be as diplomatic as possible since I didn't want to come across as a "drug seeker". There is a lot of that going on around here (usually for opiate based medications), I just didn't want to get tarred with that brush. He might have thought if I was desperately seeking NDT maybe I was desperately seeking other stuff. I just thought flattery would be the best solution.

[victoria99 in reply to LAHs]

This is totally amazing! This gentleman must be a small miracle! How can someone find a gem like your "current good Endo"!

Much appreciated.

[LAHs in reply to victoria99]

Well he is young (i.e. recently graduated), comes from a small Asian country and seems really fascinated and passionate about his subject. Don't know if that helps.

[victoria99 in reply to LAHs]

Is it OK to ask if this "gem" practices in an accessible place in the UK? Stupid question again but "brain fog" does not help good communication! Glad you have found this good guy! Thanks - much appreciated!

[LAHs in reply to victoria99]

Sorry Victoria, I am in the US. I am sure you have young Asians in your medical schools though, my experience with such doctors has been excellent, they do seem to be tenacious when presented with difficult problems.

And I apologize preemptively, I am not meaning to be racist - even in a good way.

[victoria99 in reply to LAHs]

Thanks so much for your kind reply. It is great to see someone from the USA on this forum. I am really glad that you have found such an excellent endocrinologist, Racism is irrelevant as you say especially here. Take care and thanks again.

[shaws Administrator]

It is a welcome shock though

Maybe the furore regarding T3 will have some of the 'professionals' shaking in their shoes. They must be aware (?) that the Lords are looking into the instant withdrawal of T3 without notice and leaving patients very, very unwell and desperate.

The 'suppressed' TSH is a start I do sincerely hope.

Also to get the BTA and RCoP to withdraw their article regarding NDTs would be another step forward...........

They never did respond to Dr Lowe's Rebuttal - despite three yearly reminders before his death. NDT has been in use in various forms since 1892. Does Big Pharma compensate doctors/associations who prescribe their products? I wonder,

thyroidscience.com/Criticis...

[megarub]

SunsetLady - whereabouts do you live? England? Roughly which area?

GPs vary in their understanding and approach within practices, let alone countries!

[SunsetLady in reply to megarub]

Hi megarub, yes l’m in England- North Yorkshire

[TSH110 in reply to SunsetLady]

Gods own country 😍

[shaws Administrator]

I think you are probably right.

There used to be a 'code' of practice for businesses but profits now seem to take first place. Not that we don't want them to make profits but not by keeping us unwell or developing other illnesses so that we need even more prescriptions or unable to work or lose our homes.

[suebob59]

How lucky are you😊

Last week when my GP ordered annual bloods I asked for T3 to be included. She stated the NHS do not allow this.

So like so many I'm having to go down the private test route.

[SunsetLady in reply to suebob59]

It just goes to show what a lottery it is doesn’t it and it’s not fair. Keep on at your Gp though as mine used to say l didn’t need T3 testing (so l paid via medicheck) and yet yesterday she agreed when l asked again x

[whispers in reply to SunsetLady]

Don't expect too much as your doc may order the t3 test, the labs often refuse to do it but it's good she has offered fingers crossed

[thyr01d in reply to whispers]

As long as the GP writes on the request form the reason for testing T3, the lab will almost certainly test.

[whispers in reply to thyr01d]

Mine didn't and he has requested it

[thyr01d in reply to whispers]

According to my GP, as long as she explains why, and that's the important part, gives a reason, then the lab will comply - I presume this is because if the lab refuse and later it was shown that a health issue arose that would have been detected by the test result, the lab, not the GP, would be responsible.

Please, could we all be careful about saying "the lab (or the GP or whoever) will not ..."? I believe that if we go to our GPs with that low or even negative expectation, it influences our unconscious body language and makes us more vulnerable to being left unhelped.

I always go with an attitude of gratitude to my Professor and/or Endocrinologist, whichever sees me, and they are very helpful, even emailing me between appointments.

I used to work in a teaching hospital and in my experience most doctors genuinely want to do their best, they tend to be really good people, it is not their fault if the teaching they receive is misguided.

[Mistydeb01 in reply to SunsetLady]

Mine won’t even ask for it, he said there is no point as the lab won’t do it anyway. How crazy is it that a doctor is being dictated to about what they can test for by a lab technician

[SunsetLady in reply to Mistydeb01]

It’s rediculous isn’t it, there is so much wrong with how we are treated (or not).

The fact that l've only improved my health due to people here that l've never met, rather than my Gp says it all.

[Tugun]

Absolutely fantastic!

[Mistydeb01]

This is great news for you, I do hope that all GPS get the same memo as yours and take it seriously enough to change their current opinion. My GP hasn’t seen anything like this yet as I saw him last week and tried to convince him that I need my dose upping. He is more concerned about possible side effects of too much vs me feeling alive again.

[SunsetLady in reply to Mistydeb01]

It’s so frustrating isn’t it but keep asking. Perhaps see another Gp if possible but don’t give up. I’m feeling an improvement since my increase so l do hope you get the right treatment you need.