Can we not get doctors to learn more about the thyroid somehow

[75458854]

Everywhere I look I see people complaining about their doctor not doing what’s best, is there anything we can do like start a petition or talk to the nhs or the council, anything ?

[shaws Administrator]

If you contact Thyroiduk.org.uk and Lyn Mynott in particular, you will realise that she and others have been trying to change the attitudes of the medical professionals for years. This is a difficult task as the professionals have to stick to the 'guidelines' they are given and fall foul of those above them for treating patients with other than levothyroxine. Some doctors have lost their licences and thus their livelihoods.

p.s. you could also become a member of TUK and I'll give a link:-

thyroiduk.org.uk/

[75458854 in reply to shaws]

Yes it’s a tough one ain’t it trying to convince the doctors that you know something that they don’t, I have spoke to Louise of thyroid uk before but I haven’t been on the website for a while I’ll have a look on it now

[shaws Administrator in reply to 75458854]

That's the reason many on the forum source their own thyroid hormones and get a private blood test - if necessary. I only get one yearly blood test now.

[Me2U in reply to shaws]

My GP only offers a yearly blood test & only fir Tsh level ?

[shaws Administrator in reply to Me2U]

TSH stands for 'thyroid stimulating hormone' and it is from the pituitary gland - not the Thyroid Gland.

When your next test is due, tell him you understand from Healthunlocked Thyroiduk that a Full Thyroid Function Test is preferable (he may disagree). You can say that if he is unable to do it you may have to get your own blood test as you are aware that both FT4 and FT3 need to be near top of range for hypo patients to feel well and TSH 1 or lower. You need:

TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 (and thyroid antibodies if not tested previously).

If GP hasn't tested B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. Tell him these have to be optimum in order for thyroid hormones to work properly.

Remember to make the earliest possible appointment, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of levo and test and take afterwards.

[Angel_of_the_North]

Why should they? GPs get paid to be generalists and follow the rules/guidelines. Those who are interested learn more, but know they will lose their jobs if they don't follow the guidelines. There have been petitions to the NHS, but there are too many vested interests to make it anything but slow. We need a lot of hypo male MPs and celebs (except they can all afford to go private). The NHS and all local authorities are self-perpetuating bureaucracies who do not need to bother about the feelings of any individual.