Do I need to see an endo

[Mumjos31]

I take 100 and 75 consecutively my doctor says my t4 a little low I said would it be best to see endo but he said no because I’m on the range - I’ve been taking levo for 5 years after docs initially said I was border line when I was 48 - I decided to take it cos I was tired all the time - I have hypothyroidism - docs said with meds’ I would loose weight but I put it on

[Marz]

Do you have any results with ranges you could share ? Have you had vitamins and minerals tested ? - B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD ? If low in range then they could be the cause of your symptoms ...

[Mumjos31 in reply to Marz]

Thanks for your help I’ll see what I can find out

[greygoose]

It is absolutely imperative that you ask for a print-out of your results every time you have a blood test. Your results may be in-range, but that is pretty meaningless. You need to know exactly where in the range they fall. You also need to know exactly what your doctor is testing. If he isn't doing the right tests, it's absolutely meaningless. I'm afraid doctors don't know much about thyroid, and only have a vague idea how to interpret blood test results, so we need to keep an eye on them.

When you've got your results, with the ranges, post them on here - with the ranges - and we'll be better able to advise you about what's going on. But, as to the question: should I see an endo? I'm tempted to say no. The majority of endos are diabetes specialists with little training in thyroid and some weird theories. They could mess you up completely. Endos, despite their name, are not specialists in all hormones, as they should be, I'm afraid.

[Mumjos31 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for your hep I’ll find out more

[greygoose in reply to Mumjos31]

You're welcome.

If you live in the UK, it is your legal right to have a print-out. Do not just accept verbal responses, because mistakes can be made. In a print-out, there are no mistakes. Just ring the surgery, and tell the receptionist what you want, and say you will pick them up at her convenience.

[shaws Administrator]

The fact too, that there are so many different ranges depending on the machines the labs use. Why don't they use the 'old fashioned method' i.e. take note of the patients' clinical symptoms (they know none) and be intent on relieving these by whatever suits the patient's body, i.e. make sure FT4 and FT3 are in the upper part of the ranges and TSH 1 or lower.

Dr Lowe only took one blood test for the initial diagnosis and thereafter all emphasis was on the relief of symptoms.

[shaws Administrator]

Hypothyroidism can cause weight gain but it is usually if our dose is on the low side (for us as individuals) and also levothyroxine can cause weight gain if on an insufficient dose.

verywellhealth.com/thyroid-...

[Mumjos31]

Thanks for all the advise t nhs exemption runs out soon

[shaws Administrator]

I agree as the majority seem to only look at a TSH result alone and if it is 'in the range' (i.e. up to 5) they tell the patient they don't need an increase whilst ignoring the fact that clinical symptoms aren't resolving. Neither is the FT4 and FT3 checked when patient is still complaining.

[shaws Administrator]

A while after levo replaced NDT, they had to invent 'new names' for the symptoms which would have been relieved by NDT as small increases in NDT were given until symptoms resolved. Just because the patient was still complaining but TSH didn't rise to 10 (in UK) new names had to be invented.

Now, with blood tests and levo, it is those that have the priority and not disabling symptoms and if TSH is in range we wont have an increase neither do they check FT4 and FT3. Has any doctor asked if we had symptoms, or what were the symptoms? I bet not.

p.s. Dr Lowe - an expert on Fibromyalgia - stated that it could be relieved by T3 alone and with larger doses than normal.

[shaws Administrator]

Yes, I agree wholeheartedly. Instead - if a hypo patient complains, they get another prescription for the problem rather than the doctor realising it could be connected to hypo.

[shaws Administrator]

I am sorry you also have fibro - a painful condition and you need T3 prescribed. Dr Lowe took 150mcg (in middle of night) so that nothing interfered with the uptake. He didn't have fibro but 'thyroid hormone resistance'.

All of these 'extras' which are prescribed for those who are hypo, it would be interesting to find out the total cost to the NHS, i.e. including appointments etc to 'other' 'experts'

[Miffie]

NHS exemption from prescription charges for those with chronic conditions. As long as you need thyroid meds you will have an exemption card. It needs to be renewed every five years I think. Having a card means all prescriptions are free not just those for the relevant condition. Renewal is easy, or used to be. Now retired I get free due to age so no longer require a card. I hope you have yours and remember to renew.

[Miffie]

So you know about the exemption I thought that you did not know what it was.

I see from NHS website it is now a certificate that is issued. I had not kept up t date. I had one from the time they were introduced until I was 60. I know the pharmacy kept a note of the number so I did not need to produce it every time. Now 68 so it was a few years ago, hence my out of date knowledge. Apologies.

[Miffie]

Goodness that is a service isn’t it? I know there are those who need this level of care.

I still have no idea what your original question ” Don’t understand-NHS exemptions??” was querying.

[Miffie]

OK it is on NHS website. Lloyds obviously need a quick update!

[NWA6]

Isn’t it listed as Myxoedema?

[NWA6]

Nope! I’m pretty sure that’s what the NHS list it as. Hypothyroid is Hypothyriod no matter what the root cause. I just renewed my certificate not long ago and I seem to remember that was the box to tick. HTH 🤗

[NWA6]

Phew! I doubted myself there when you said you thought it was something else!! Lol

So I googled 😂

medical-dictionary.thefreed...