NEW BROOM and all that!!!

[Maggiesmum]

I read a post recently from somebody who had a new GP and what a difference that had made.

WELL, from my previous posts you will note my not so helpful GP and Nurse Practitioner and that I'm waiting "until after Covid" (according to them) for a further blood test. On Monday I had an unfortunate 'episode' - dizzy, shaking, blurred vision, numbness in lips & tongue, pounding in ears, shivering, my BP was lower than normal. As it happens hubby stayed in bed Sunday and most of Monday due to dizziness, retching, sweating - he thought sunstroke and that I had the same! This morning I felt really rough and convinced I'd had a mini-stroke so rang the surgery and a GP rang me back 10mins later. Anyway, she thinks "as you've both been ill together" - err to me the symptoms are different, but never mind - "it could be COVID but I can't send you for a test because you haven't lost sense of smell or taste".

BUT, I did mention my thyroid issues and then almost fell off my seat (and not due to dizziness!!) - "you're very under-medicated, I will increase your Levo to 100 straight away and test in 3mths, I want you to ring Reception after this call and arrange for bloods to be taken, we're doing Drive Through Testing, I'll ring you again in a week's time". I was truthful with her regarding my self prescribing with Metavive and my Medichecks results - she thought the TSH reading of 0.212 "brilliant that's what we want". Although she wasn't interested in the Antibodies "that just means you have Hashi's", I've been tested for Calcium, Vit D, TSH, T4.

She's a new GP to the practice so I welcomed her. How long will she remain, especially with such differing views to the others! BUT, she has overactive thyroid and so "I know all about the issues regarding untreated thyroid problems, I think its mainly due to the fact it affects mostly women, like the menopause, and contraception, we get shoved under the carpet". WOW how long will this lady last, hopefully whilst I'm still here.

Sorry this was so long!!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

So what dose levothyroxine are you currently taking?

Is it 75mcg?

How much Metavive are you currently taking...or had you stopped taking it?

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription.

Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Teva contains mannitol as a filler, which seems to be possible cause of problems. Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet. So if avoiding Teva for 75mcg dose ask for 25mcg to add to 50mcg or just extra 50mcg tablets to cut in half

Teva and Aristo are the only lactose free tablets

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

New GP sounds brilliant....book up your next appointment to be with her

[Maggiesmum in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank's for your response, I think this new GP should set up a Thyroid clinic, I'll definitely make sure she's my Doc of choice.

Yes I'm currently on 75mcg but from tonight I'll take an extra 25. Don't know if she put the new script through this morning or will wait until test results are received. I will keep to the same brand Levo, it's a small chemist we use and the guy is very helpful.

I stopped the Metavive about 6 May after the Medichecks results.

Onwards & Upwards!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Maggiesmum]

So the “weird turn“ likely due to drop in levels after stopping Metavive

Great news on a good GP (at last)

[Maggiesmum in reply to SlowDragon]

She didn't say that but explained the usual about Levo having an exact amount of whatever whereas the likes of Metavive may not be as exact. The only comment she made re my 'thyroid regime' was that she thought I might be overdosing on Vit D, I'm taking 4,000/day, she suggested the normal 1,000.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Maggiesmum]

Suggest you retest vitamin D after 2-3 months

Some people only need 1000-2000iu ...others need more

That’s why it’s important to test fairly regularly initially until you work out what dose vitamin D you personally need

[Maggiesmum in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes thanks I'll be keeping a regular check on things I know what to look for now.

People on here are so helpful and knowledgeable and I certainly won't just be going down the GP route totally, I aim to take control to improve my thyroid issue with input from all sources.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Maggiesmum]

If not doing full Medichecks...test here

vitamindtest.org.uk

[tattybogle]

I Have just picked myself up after falling of my chair too Maggiesmum. Hang on to her!!

Tat. x

[tattybogle in reply to tattybogle]

And now i've got over the shock , i'm fantasizing about how good it would feel to have an intelligent conversation about my thyroid meds with a GP

[Maggiesmum in reply to tattybogle]

Yes, I thought I was hallucinating! Let's hope she stays here and maintains her own views instead of joining the rest of the pack. It's a bit pathetic but it's good when you realize a GP knows and understands your situation.

[Harle]

It’s so wonderful when you find the good ones!

[Maggiesmum in reply to Harle]

Yes, let's hope she remains with us, I can't wait to meet her in the flesh!

[Maggiesmum]

That's my worry, she apparently joined the practice 4 weeks ago and is permanent not locum. However, she has effectively disagreed with the remaining other 4 GPs and the chief Nurse Practitioner who over the last 2 years have all refused an increase in my meds. She even rang me at 9.30am today advising my TSH result was back and at 2.44 (0.35-5.5) had risen from the Medichecks result of 0.212 on 5/5 but this was probably due to me stopping Metavive. The other staff wouldn't even consider private test results, I was told "we'll put them in the bin"!! I now have a script for 100 Levo to be checked in 3 months "when we'll look at upping it to 125 because there's still room for improvement". For once I think I've fallen into a rose bush instead of the alternative!