Been busy - GP vs. FM GP

[Yammie1973]

Well, to cut a long story short - I think that I need a new, 'switched on' GP. I took everything that I have learned from all the lovely angels on here and armed with my meds, my vitamins etc and went and saw a functional medicine specialist 17/09/19 - WOW, for the first time in my life I was talking to someone who was not only a thyroid patient themselves, but a GP as well as a Functional Medicine Specialist, someone who understood EXACTLY how I felt past and present. She was SO excited that somebody had taken the initiative and done a DIO2 gene test. I now have a path forwards in my life and it has been a revelation!!!

I also now have her blessing to source T3 privately and she will monitor my progress.

On the other hand - my own GP who 'consulted' with the NHS Endocrinologist I asked a referral for. This is what the response that came back... absolutely cod's wallop: "sorry for the confusion. The endocrinologist I asked advice from was not convinced about the genetic testing issue ('there is no genetic variant which affects the conversion of T4 to T3'), and although he agrees that some lab tests for thyroxine are affected by biotin the (Local hospital) assay is apparently not. As a consequence they wanted to update the tests so they could advise on thyroid doses in pregnancy. I can understand your frustration at getting different information from different places. Let me know if you want me to do anything further for you.

Conclusions: my GP is being fed bullshit by the Endocrinologists who should know better having specialised in the endocrine system.

As far as relying on the GP/midwife etc. for controlling my thyroid meds when I get pregnant...no bloody ways...from now I'll take and keep the advice of my functional medicine Doctor.

Footnote: ditch the current GP and keep going till I find a 'switched on and educated GP' - a tall order but I accept the challenge!!!

Wow...so frustrated and ever so annoyed

[greygoose]

the Endocrinologists who should know better having specialised in the endocrine system.

Doubtful he looked at the whole endocrine system in detail. And probably only glanced over the thyroid having been told 'easy to diagnose, easy to treat'. I expect he specialised in diabetes, didn't he? Most of them do. They don't know much about any of the other hormones.

[Angel_of_the_North]

There are only a handful of functional medicine GPs in the entire country, so I wouldn't my breath. But you might find a better one or endo on the TUK list

[Yammie1973 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Hi

I found the excellent Functional medicine specialist in Stockport. I was referring to my useless GP and Endo and finding replacements for them!!

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Yammie1973]

You're lucky to live in the right area - there really are very few in the UK

[Yammie1973 in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Well....my husband and I traveled four hours by car to the appointment that was booked 4 months previously. This FM specialist was recommended by someone else

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Yammie1973]

Wow. But shows there aren't many to choose from.

[Hidden in reply to Yammie1973]

This is really promising. We're planning on moving back to the Greater Manchester area in the next year or two after a few years in the Hebrides. Another reason to head back home - the healthcare I've experienced here has been dire! Thanks for sharing.

[Yammie1973 in reply to Hidden]

Hi, the FM Specialist is private though, BUT like most things in life you get what you pay for. My GP and Endo really do need to go back to school

[Hidden in reply to Yammie1973]

I've found that. I've resorted to private consultations a lot in recent years and daren't figure out how much it's cost. Makes me very angry.

[Yammie1973 in reply to Hidden]

Yep, me too - what makes me angrier though is the fact that my GP is relying on info from Endo who is totally useless in their job of dealing with the thyroid and Hashimoto's. We all know that the NHS is in dire financial crisis but come on, at least say to patients, we would love to help you out but no money in the pot to afford to give you the drugs that you need. You are correct in all that you have learned, researched yourself but we can't help..... yeah, pipe dream!!

[Hidden in reply to Yammie1973]

It's country wide. I've had gastro issues since childhood and the same happens with that. Fortunately I discovered this site and online community!