Newbie asking advice - don’t know where to go next?

[Maxine77]

Hello everybody, to cut a long story short I suspect I have issues with either thyroid/hormonal imbalance. I’m 41, very active, drink minimally and don’t smoke. In the past I have been healthy overall. Just have not been ‘right’ for 4 years now. I have a lot of the symptoms for hyperthyroidism - shaky, palpitations, gritty eyes, exhaustion, muscle aches, night sweats. Symptoms comes in waves of severity really. I cannot say that I am bed bound or anything as serious but it affects my day to day life (especially the tiredness). I have been to see the GP twice over this time (last time a year ago) and have been fobbed off to be honest (sorry, don’t want to GP bash). Finally built up the courage to go again today and was fobbed off again with “you have a very stressful job”, “do you think you’re doing too much”. I’ve had bloods taken on each visit and they’ve all been normal (this time potassium was ‘lowish’ in his words at 3 - but apparently not an issue.i asked him about my thyroid and he said results were normal. I left feeling so frustrated and sad. I just don’t feel that the doctor believed me or was concerned. My mum was diagnosed with neuro endocrine cancer 4 years ago which I told him (not that I was suggesting it is that of course). Sorry to sound so disheartened but I don’t know where to go next. I used to be so bubbly and energetic and now I feel like the life is sucked out of me sometimes. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Maxine77

Are you in the UK? If so then you are legally entitled to your test results under the Data Protection Act, so pop along to the surgery and ask for a print out. Don't accept hand written or verbal results as mistakes can be made, get a print out and make sure the reference ranges are also there - usually in brackets or at the side of the result. Post these on the forum for members to comment.

You don't need to ask the doctor, the receptionist can print them for you and they are not allowed to make a charge.

[Maxine77 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi There - thankyou so much for your reply. Yes, I am in the UK. I will do that.

[Hidden in reply to Maxine77]

They might ask for a small charge for paper and printer ink, but the receptionist at my surgery just print out the results on the spot - it takes seconds.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Not allowed under most circumstances - the GDPR almost bans any charging.

[Hidden in reply to helvella]

Someone said on here they could charge a few pence. I've never been charged anything though

[helvella Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Until the Data Protection Act 2018 came into force, it was arguable. Now the argument has been more or less outlawed.

[Hidden in reply to helvella]

Thank you

[HashiFedUp]

Did they check your FSH and testosterone levels? Could you be peri-menopausal? X

[slopbog]

I am in Dorset and I can get my results printed off by the receptionist too, This forum has been so helpful in understanding the results. It maybe early menopausal symptoms but they can be relieved by lots of different ways. Good luck

[Hidden]

I'm in the U.S. and we recently or me recently just got access to my health record online.....Does the Uk have access to look and printout your health record online?

I feel for you Maxine77 I have the same issue with my doctors your issues miminck other things and automatically your stressed or tired...I find that the stress or aniexty comment is given out mostly to women here all while are health deteriorates to the point of no return. I'm a victim of the oh your just stressed and workout too much.

Hope you get better soon!

[McPammy]

Hi. Your story sounds familiar to me. I went 5 times over 5 months to see if my thyroid was ok. I kept getting told I was depressed or suffering from stress as I had a busy job. Eventually they gave me a blood test for thyroid and my TSH was 46. Which is rather high. I was put on Levothyroxine straight away.

I have learnt that low potassium can cause weakness and paralysis.

This can be triggered by exercise and or thyroid levels being too high. However, it’s difficult to capture as you need to get your bloods done during an episode. As if potassium does drop it can quickly pick up again. Maybe get a blood form for T4, T3 and TSH and also potassium and cortisol. If you feel you have dipped considerably then quickly get yourself to your local hospital. Take your blood form and try and capture while you are in the dip.

It’s just a thought that may help

And avoid months or years of not knowing. You can at least rule it out.

Thanks

Pam