Feeling blessed, saw my own gp yesterday and she listened!

[Caterer]

So saw my own gp yesterday for the first time since having my thyroid tested. Have had to wait 2 months for an appointment as she gets booked up so quickly. After being made to feel like I was wasting one drs time I was nervous about going back. I was prescribed thyroxine around 6 weeks ago. Had a brief spell of feeling slightly better, then boom feeling rubbish again. So I booked my own blood test at surgery saying I wasn’t waiting the 3 months they wanted me to. My results came back within range however right on the cusp of being out of range. I saw my gp who listened to what I was saying examined me. Gave sound advice regarding vitamins especially vit D. She is going to test me for b12 and folates. She wants to see me again following my next blood test. She increased my thyroxine. Was so refreshing to actually be listened to. Worth waiting to see her. Have faith there are drs out there that still care and listen. This has restored my faith in them.

[MissGrace]

Hurray!!! Reasons to be cheerful!!! I’m really pleased for you. Her knowledge about the importance of the vitamins suggests she knows her stuff more than the average GP . Maybe she is hypo or has family who are? - but I’m speculating. Sounds like better treatment than most on here get. 🤸🏿‍♀️🥛

[Caterer in reply to MissGrace]

Definitely restores your faith. The last one I saw tried to make out I was either menopausal or depressed. I think the fact her waiting lists to see her are so long speaks volumes for the care you receive when you do see her. My next appointment is understandably already booked as I do not want to see anyone else.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Good that your GP is listening

Always get actual results and ranges on all your blood tests then you can track your progress

Further increase in Levothyroxine will be likely

You also need Thyroid antibodies tested to see if cause of hypothyroidism is due to autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw). This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Vitamins all need to be optimal

Come back with new post once you get results at next test

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients

[Caterer in reply to SlowDragon]

I am an ex carer so am lucky enough to have a little knowledge so I always get either my results emailed or a print out. Have had anti bodies and full thyroid function tested. Last gp just dismissed any link to vitamin levels. However my own gp recognised there may be a link. I have been reading posts on this forum and have found much of the info incredibly helpful so thank you all.

[shaws Administrator]

Good news for you and a lift of your spirits I'd think