Been to see the gp today, well I’ve seen three as the first two knew nothing about thyroids, been diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and prescribed Carbizamol, I’m unsure whether to take these before my bloods are done in the morning and I’ve seen the specialist they’ve referred me to as seasidesusie (sorry don’t know how to tag) warned me yesterday that the gp would do this and to question the diagnosis. Unfortunately the gp dismissed my concerns (very politely) and I’m not a very assertive person when it comes to these sorts of things. Any ideas anyone? Much appreciated!
It's understandable that your GP has said you have overactive thyroid, as I predicted.
However, with
TPO antibodies of >600 (<34)
Tg antibodies of 450 (<115)
he cannot say for certain that it's not a hyper phase of Hashi's and that it's definitely hyperthyroidism. I personally would want TSI and TRAbs antibodies tested before doing anything.
How long is the wait to see the specialist? Is it being done as an urgent referral?
He’s said it can take up to two weeks and if I’ve not heard from the hospital by then to book another appointment with him, I’m having bloods done once a week starting tomorrow but I’m unsure as to what exactly they’re testing other than a full blood count. Thank you 😊
I was diagnosed way back in 2003 and knew nothing.
I went to the doctor with exhaustion, insomnia and dry gritty eyes, and he ran blood tests phoning me at work the following day to come back in to see him, same day.
He started me off on carbimazole suggesting should I start to feel unwell and have a sore throat to go straight to the hospital.
This never happened, but believe I was then picked up be the hospital for on going monitoring of my Graves Disease.
I do not know to this day, if I had the correct blood tests for a diagnosis of Graves Disease.
It is very important that you are checked for either TSI or TRAb antibodies as the medication and outcome are very different.
It reads that you have now seen a specialist, through referral by your doctor, was this an endocrinologist and has he agreed the diagnosis or undertaken further blood tests ?
Oh, OK just read your answer above in that you are waiting for hospital appointment.
Until you have a positive for TSI or TRAb antibodies you do not have Graves Disease.
I’m just really struggling to decide about the medication, my partner and family are adamant the I take it and listen to the doctor but after talking to you guys I’m thinking wait till I’ve seen the specialist, hopefully they’ll test for TSI and TRAb in the morning and I’ll have some answers.
I doubt you can get TSI and TRAb tested at primary level, but you can ask.
I can understand your family saying you should listen to the doctor, but honestly if you had been a member here longer you would be used to the regular horror stories of misdiagnosis, mistreament, sheer ignorance of thyroid disease and how to treat it at both GP and specialist level. This forum has a wealth of information from many experienced members that far outweighs what most doctors know - what a dire situation where that needs to be said.
Out of the 4 or 5 years at medical school, we are told that one afternoon is spent on the endocrine system of which thyroid is only part. It's no wonder that doctors aren't up to speed. All they understand is that low TSH and high hormone levels means hyperthyroid and that high TSH and low hormone levels means hypothyroid. They don't seem to have much understanding of autoimmune thyroid disease and that Hashi's starts with a hyper phase so it often gets misdiagnosed as hyperthyroidism.
Hi BorderCollieDex, am sorry to hear and see the dilemma you are in , it can be very overwhelming when you get a first diagnosis , we've all been there , I've been suffering with thyroid probs for around 30yrs, it's only in the last year of being on this site , talking to people here , listening to their advice , that I have finally been able to partially understand what has been going on with my thyroid , i say partially as you are constantly learning here .
Sorry i cant help you more , but i find this forum so helpful , try to remember , the people here have been where you are today , they've seen the film , wrote the book and worn the T-shirt as so to speak , so their advice can be quite valuable . I hope you find the answers you are seeking here and hope you start to feel better soon , take care ☺
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