How many Drs does it take to request a blood test??

[overunbykids]

The answer for me today is apparently more than 2. (Apologies for the following rant in advance).

My appointment today with my normally lovely doctor was sat in by an American exchange doctor as well. My doctor has known for quite a while that my thyroid is giving me no end of pain and troubles, but said last visit to wait till todays appointment to get bloods done so i could recover from chest and sinus infections and laryngitis. I haven't had bloods done since May, so am overdue anyway.

The visiting doctor was only meant to sit in the corner and observe, but when I explained to my doctor that I wanted my vitamins levels checked as well as thyroid bloods, the American doctor started to go on and on about how she read that my area of Australia is low in iodine and how people are using Himalayan salt now instead of iodized salt. She said it causes goiter and "generous" sized thyroids (her words, not mine) in the people, and how even though i take supplements already, I need to be urine tested for iodine and supplemented it as it would fix all my issues. My doctor lapped all that hogwash up and sent me out the door with only a urine pathology request for iodine, instead of any thyroid blood tests. I am spitting mad.

I know some health professionals give their Hashi's patients iodine, but I have read too many articles on how it negatively impacts a person once they develope Hashimotos.

Makes me wonder if ignorance between the medical profession is contagious? 🙄

[greygoose]

I would say, it probably is! I don't think I would have allowed them to get away with that, had it been me. Utterly appalling!

[overunbykids in reply to greygoose]

Agreed. I tried several times to bring the conversation back on track without success. I decided to just leave and wait till after Christmas, when the visiting doctor will hopefully have moved on.

[greygoose in reply to overunbykids]

Sounds like a good idea. I have noticed, over the years, that a doctor who has someone with him, be it a student or another doctor 'observing', changes their attitude completely. Both to the patient and the disease. I'd like to think that in future, should I be unfortunately enough to find I need a doctor, I would walk straight out again if I found they had someone with them. I know students need to learn, and all that. But, the difference their presence makes on the 'teaching' doctor means that they're learning the wrong things.

[overunbykids in reply to greygoose]

Indeed!!

[overunbykids]

I am so sorry to hear how much the NHS and doctors in general have put you through. The Australian system is better in some ways, but just as ignorant and repressed in others.

I am not sure if Medichecks can be done in Australia, but I am on a very limited income atm.

[overunbykids]

Exactly!

[greygoose]

[overunbykids]

Sometimes the health system lets everyone down.