Spoken to GP...didn’t go too well!

[Fox78]

So I spoke to my gp from my previous post and advice from people thank you for this

However as I suspected they are still refusing to put up even by 25 as I’m in range

My gp basically admitted that she only is following guidelines and as I’m in range can’t do anymore for me as it’s not her speciality even though I begged her to try it she seems to think that’s it’s not the issue of putting me up and making me hyper as her problem but the fact I must have a difficult case of hypothyroidism if I still don’t feel well but my results say I’m fine..I’ve told her I am going to see a private endo on Monday which I feel I have no choice but to do as she did offer to refer me but not sure how long that will take and I’m fed up with messing about ..

She has agreed that if a private endo or any endo for that matter agrees to put this up she will agree to do it..

My question to people is what should I do to ensure I get a positive outcome on this with the private endo I’m concerned he may agree with her?I will take along my results from last few months

I’m going to see an endo over at a clinic in Birmingham not sure if I’m allowed to name people but has anyone been to the thyroid clinic at the priory in Edgebaston?

[shaws]

There was a brilliant doctor in Birmingham and unfortunately he died and his staff and patients were distraught. He was 'one of a kind' i.e. the kind who took patients symptoms seriously and would prescribe whatever made then well. Even if their TSH was somewhere in the range.

I doubt your doctor is aware that once diagnosed with hypothyroidism the aim is a TSH of 1 or lower - not somewhere in the range (i.e. up to 5). Many (very poorly trained) think that the aim is to get the TSH somewhere in the rang and that we're on a sufficient dose. They are also unaware that hypothyroidism is different from hyperthyroidism and assume that a very low TSH means we're now hyper.

We have to read, learn and ask questions on the forum so that we can recover our health - DESPITE guidelines.

I assume you are aware that your blood tests have to be at the earliest possible, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between levothyroxine and the test and take afterwards? Print out a copy of the following and highlight the part that says TSH is NOT a thyroid hormone. It is nothing to do with the thyroid gland as it is produced by the pituitary gland which tries to flag the thyroid gland to produce more hormones and that's why it rises before we're diagnosed. All vitamins/minerals have to be optimal.

hormonerestoration.com/

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

With doctors like yours (poorly trained) untiil they get hypothyridism themselves and cannot work, or think ,will they come to realise that what they've been told doesn't work for the majority.

[Peanut31]

Hi

Forum guidelines state you can’t mention names on here.

Don’t expect too much from the Endocrinologist, private or NHS.

I paid private to see an Endocrinologist and he left me to deteriorate. He diagnosed me with Hashimoto’s and said no thyroid medication would help.

I left it, my health getting worse, back to the GP and they stepped in as my TSH was now within the guidelines of treating me with Levothyroxine.

Levothyroxine hasn’t worked for me and I’m self medicating on T3 only, which at the moment is not going very well unfortunately.

I see you have Hashimoto’s from a previous post? Are you strictly gluten free? Presume your vitamin levels are good as well?

My advice would be take as much information as you can, research as much as you can and don’t be fobbed off, by there so called knowledge.

If they are good, they will listen to your symptoms, not just look at your blood results and be open minded about an increase and or introducing T3 If needed. If they point blank refuse an increase and put the fear of god into you about T3, then I wouldn’t bother wasting anymore money on them.

Good luck & Best Wishes

Peanut31

[Fox78 in reply to Peanut31]

Thanks Peanut

Yes I do have hashis

They think I have pcos too high testosterone so I have a few things going on which is why I think she’s reluctant

I did seem better less symptoms a few months ago but seem to have come back again past few months which coincides with a stressful time as I’ve just started a new job travel all over the country and its pressured so I know that doesn’t help but I shouldn’t have to give up my job surely!

I will see what he says it’s worth a shot I’m also looking into moving to a new surgery

[MissGrace in reply to Fox78]

Not all endos are terrible. Mine is fantastic. There are stories of hope on this forum - it’s unfortunate that there tend to be more bad than good experiences. You may be one of the lucky ones. I hope so. Perhaps someone will private message you who has been to the same clinic. And if he/she turns out to be pants, ask on here for recommendations of sympathetic endos in your area. Don’t give up - they don’t have the right to keep us ill. Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

[Peanut31 in reply to MissGrace]

Hi

It’s good you have found a brilliant Endocrinologist.

My Endocrinologist was on the list provided from here.

However, to be fair to health unlocked, once I informed them about the situation they removed them straight away.

Best Wishes

Peanut31

[MissGrace in reply to Peanut31]

Sorry you had such a bad experience - and had to pay for it. It seems to be more the norm than not unfortunately.

[Aurealis]

Can you increase it yourself before the appointment then the endo will be able to confirm that you are showing no clinical signs of overtreatment at your appointment.

[Fox78]

Yes I’m going to continue taking 150 I’m seeing him on Monday though so it will only be a week on that dose

The gp doesn’t think the additional 25 will put me over that’s not her reason her reason is that she’s following guidelines and as I’m in range she can’t do anymore for me ...not sure when she was going to decide to tell me this as I had to get her to call me after the nurse told me she overruled her and said no to the increase! :/

[holyshedballs]

Hi Fox78

I don't know which Endo in Birmingham you are proposing to see but beware.

There are some in Birmingham who are on the committee that wrote the infamous British Thyroid Association statement on the management of primary hypothyroidism. I have heard that these ones a re not very helpful. you can look then up at this link... british-thyroid-association...

Personally, I would avoid any of the Endos on the BTA Committee, but who you see is up to you.