Low levels and can't get a GP appointment.

[Kf228]

In need of some advice, I have hypothyroidism which was diagnosed over a year ago now and so far I have never been put the correct balence. My GP has never shown me any blood work (most of the interactions have been over the phone due to not being able to get an appointment), nothing has ever really been explained to me and in the latest series of events, I've been informed that no pharmacy in the local area can get hold of the 25mg Teva brand so have put me on a mix which has really messed up my stomach. I was then advised to stop taking the 25mg non teva as "it wouldn't effect my levels" which I've done for the past 4 weeks, but today I feel like I have been hit by a bus. I can't think straight, my anxiety is through the roof, I'm not sure if I've got heart palpitations or if it's just the anxiety or both, I can't keep anything down and it's just horrible. Last time I felt this bad was before I was diagnosed. I've rang my GP and as normal there are no appointments and they have told me ring 111 at 6:30 like they always do. Would it be unreasonable for me to go to the hospital? I've tried seeing the out of hours doctors before but they just tell me I need to see my gp as there isn't a lot they can do which is fair. I just don't want to be using up hospital staff time when they are stretched as it is but at the same time I can't keep on with how I'm feeling physically and mentally. Any advice I would be greatful for as like I said, I have no idea about my condition as no one has actually ever informed me. Thank you x

[MaisieGray]

You've not provided any detail in your profile so I am guessing a little bit: Firstly, you are entitled under the Data Protection Act 2018 and EU Data Protection Regulation, to have copies of any testing that is carried out. You may be able to set up online access to your records using one of the many systems in use at Drs' surgeries, such as Patient Access - but there are many others. You will need to provide identification of who you are so take a couple of documents such as passport, driving license etc, and ask at reception if you can set this up - although it should have been available since 2015, even now not every practice facilitates it. Whilst there, ask the receptionist to print off a copy of the last set of blood test results carried out - they must not charge you for this - and post them here for members to comment. Part of the way to improve things health-wise, is to recognise that we have to take responsibility for directing and managing our own health, and one way to do that is to not to wait to be told what is going on, but to ask questions and insist on being given the data ie not accept being told we are "okay" but insisting on seeing the written evidence of that. Meanwhile, in terms of what to do, I'd suggest reinstating your daily dose at its previous level by splitting your other Teva tablets to make up your total daily amount - I'm assuming here that you were on a larger daily dose, of which your 25 mcg tablets were part. Pill cutters can be bought in pharmacies and supermarkets very cheaply. Are you taking Teva because you are lactose-intolerant, or are you simply intolerant to taking mixed brands together (some people are, others can happily mix brands in single doses)? If you need Teva because of the former, you are very unfortunate that your local pharmacies seem to be the only ones in the country that can't source it, because there certainly hasn't been any shortage of Teva in general, quite the opposite; and you may have to go further afield or check out smaller independents who can sometimes be more willing to source what you need. If you are able to take other brands but just not a mixture of them, you need to request that your preferred pharmacy does not mix them to make up your daily dose. I don't think a trip to A&E will help you as it seems you simply need your full dose of Levo reinstated, and as suggested, you can immediately cut up some of your other tablets to make up the dose. If you currently have an electronic prescription lodged with your nominated pharmacy, but unfulfilled, when you find another pharmacy that can dispense you Teva, they can arrange for the prescription to be 'unlinked' from that pharmacy on what is called the NHS Spine, and that then allows the prescription to be dispensed by them. There's no need to have a new prescription or have it printed off. But if you don't currently have a prescription pending, ask your GP to write you a new one and give it to you as a hard copy in order to take it to another local pharmacy that you find does have stocks of Teva or can readily access it for you. You could phone around those in your area to which you can travel, to see if they can help. Teva Levo has generally been as common as chips of late, so it's hard to believe it can't be sourced - who told you that?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Hi Kf222 and welcome to the forum.

My GP has never shown me any blood work (most of the interactions have been over the phone due to not being able to get an appointment),

They wont show you, they rarely tell you the results. We have to ask. Most doctors don't like us understanding things. What you need to do is ask at the reception desk for a print out of your results. In the UK we are legally entitled to them once a doctor has seen them. So just ask at reception, never ask a doctor. A print out should have the test name, the result and the reference range (reference ranges are essential to interpret the results as ranges vary from lab to lab). So that's the first thing you can do - get as many results as you can, and always remember to ask for them in future, a few days after having your blood test.

Once you have your results, you can always post them on the forum and members can interpret them for you.

nothing has ever really been explained to me

Many doctors are guilty of this so it's a case of finding out for ourselves and helping ourselves.

I've been informed that no pharmacy in the local area can get hold of the 25mg Teva brand

Have you rung round the pharmacies yourself to verify this? Teva is not a brand that's normally difficult to get hold of.

Do you particularly want Teva because it's lactose free and you are lactose intolerant? If so then it's important that the pharmacy gets this for you so if you are lactose intolerant ask for Teva brand to be named on your prescription by your GP for this reason.

I was then advised to stop taking the 25mg non teva as "it wouldn't effect my levels" which I've done for the past 4 weeks, but today I feel like I have been hit by a bus.

What do they mean by affecting your levels? If you are prescribed a certain dose it will have been based on your test results. Are they now saying you should stop the 25mcg because they want to reduce your dose due to new test results? If so then get those results as mentioned and post them here. Reducing your dose by 25mcg will have an effect on how you feel, you may now be undermedicated so seeing your results before this reduction is important.

Please visit ThyroidUK's main website (this is their forum) and have a look around, you will find a lot of information about thyroid disease there. Come back and ask questions and members will help.

thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...