Hypothyroid self-assessment ? I think that's new.

[nellie237]

I just logged on to e-consult, and searched blood test results. There is an option to tick box for a Hypothyroid self assessment. Three questions as follows:

Weight gain/loss/stable?

Pulse? with proviso that if this is under 60/over 80 discuss with Dr.

Have you had bloods tested within last 9 months?

Submit.

I don't think this bodes well.

[Alanna012]

What?

Is it some sort of preliminary thing where the doctor calls you back? It sounds bizzare.

That said on thinking about it, I guess there are many people who have had to self diagnose through a in-the-post blood test and seek help in places other than their GP, so maybe it's not that far removed from actual reality as it sounds. I can say in my case This Forum and Google have been a better doctor in terms of management and I do my own testing now.

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Alanna012]

For the many of us who are not familiar with e-consult, perhaps because our own surgery is not offering this facility:

What is eConsult?

eConsult is a clever bit of software that allows you to quickly and safely get help and advice from your own doctors

and GP practice online, for free, from anywhere.

eConsult is a form-based online consultation platform the collects your medical or administrative request and sends it through to your GP practice to triage and decide on the right care for you and everyone else.

Stay home, stay safe, but don’t ignore your healthcare. Submit an eConsultation so

your doctors can help you.

More info here econsult.net/nhs-patients

[helvella Administrator in reply to RedApple]

Very helpful, thank you.

[nellie237 in reply to RedApple]

In reality it is not fit for purpose; it's a 'bolt on' so....not directly linked to the surgery existing software. I've had to enter incorrect information to avoid being directed to 111 on several screens to book 1 appointment. It asks me to list all my health conditions/meds. It took me about 35 mins to complete last time; it is laborious and clunky, and I hope it falls over. The old 'Patient Access'/ emis (which is still being used for repeat prescriptions) system was much, much better.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Better to get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done yourself via private testing and bring results to this forum

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

If/when also on T3, or NDT make sure to take last third or quarter of daily dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test

thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test

Thriva also offer just vitamin testing

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

Also vitamin D available as separate test via MMH

Or alternative Vitamin D NHS postal kit

vitamindtest.org.uk

[Wildbird]

When my surgery had a revamp of it’s website, the Hypothyroid self assessment appeared on there too, and I note that it’s city wide on all the GP websites where I live. I suspect that it’s been included with the rest of the software that some companies convinced GP’s would save them time/modernise their practice. I have no intention of ever completing it, as it trivialises hypothyroidism and encourages lazy practice.

[Alanna012 in reply to Wildbird]

Tongue in cheek but...

It can't possibly be lazier than it already is surely?

[Wildbird in reply to Alanna012]

😂 perhaps I should have said encourages even lazier practice to be sure 👍

[nellie237 in reply to Wildbird]

I think that the only way you'll get past it is to enter an incorrect reason for booking the appointment. If I hadn't been tested in the last 9 months, I would have completed it to see what happened.

[Alanna012]

😂😂😂