Yet another GP obsessed with TSH

[Gr8Nica]

So this morning I went to see my GP and request an annual blood test for vitamins/minerals and to my surprise I was seen by a temporary replacement doctor. My usual GP had to take an early maternity leave and she won't be coming back till next year. I was gutted hearing this.

The rest of the appointment just made my angry and extremely frustrated with a temp GP as she was claiming I'm over-medicated now since my last TSH was 0.01 so I will need to reduce my dosage otherwise I will get osteoporosis and have problems with my heart. Obviously she didn't want to listen to what I had to say pointing out that neither my last fT4 nor fT3 were over range and low TSH is a response to adequate hormone treatment and TSH is not even a thyroid hormone, it only stimulates the production of thyroid hormones and is produced by the pituitary gland. I also made a reference that none of the other GPs in this practice ever send me an email/message to make an appointment due to my "borderline TSH"- term used and written by GPs lab technician (I only get those when my bloods are abnormal/outside of range). On the other hand my lovely GP knows I'm on a T4+T3 but she has never put that on the record as other GPs aren't as supportive as her and she always requests all tests that are needed or I ask for.

I was ready to walk out thinking I might need to do my bloods privately as I wasn't going anywhere with her but then I simply asked her why is she talking about my TSH while in fact it's not what I came for to see a GP today and do I need to request another appointment with a different GP or will she request the tests which I believe were put on my medical records to be repeated annually. She finally agreed but also said she needs to repeat my TFT to see if my TSH is still low (obviously fT3 hasn't been requested). I'm just furious with her ignorance and hoping other GPs won't read her notes thoroughly or chase me for that.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Yep! I feel your pain. I get this with the GPs at my practice, one in particular. It's like banging your head against a brick wall.

GP: Your TSH is suppressed, we need to reduce your dose of Levo.

Me: But my FT4 and FT3 are nicely within range.

GP: Your TSH is suppressed.

Me: But TSH is not a thyroid hormone, it's pituitary hormone and it's detecting that my thyroid doesn't need to produce any thyroxine as I'm on adequate Levo, so it's not sending the signal.

GP: Your TSH is suppressed.

Me: But my FT4 and FT3 are in range. I wont be reducing my Levo and allow myself to be turned into a zombie again, I had enough of that a few years ago.

GP: I can send you to see Dr XXX at YYY hospital.

Me: silence..........

I now avoid the GP and discussing thyroid with her. The Advanced Nurse Practioner actually listens to what I have to say and agrees with me!!

I don't have the problem of having to ask for annual vitamin/mineral tests, they've never been offered so I just do them myself and supplement accordingly where necessary.

[Gr8Nica in reply to SeasideSusie]

I was lucky I managed to convince the hematologist who wrote a letter to my GP to check my levels. Will see if they will honour it every year. I can always do it myself however if it's being tested by GP it saves me some money.

[MissGrace]

I feel your frustration. Why don’t they perform some simple physical tests to check if you are over-medicated rather than assuming you are? Treat the patient not the blood test! Grrrr!!!🤸🏿‍♀️

[Lovecake]

This happened to me. I’m on T4 and T3 too. I went in for one thing, it was quickly looked at and dismissed and the suppressed TSH was then thrown at me. I won’t be going back to see that particular GP in a hurry.........

[Gr8Nica]

I take T4+T3 and my TSH has been below range for the past year. After last dose reduction it got even more suppressed. Don't think that approach would help me at all