I just found this article, maybe you find it interesting:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
[EDITED:] Interestingly enough, I once had a hepatitis E infection. I had no clue until a full blood test 2 years ago found antibodies - along with the Hashimoto's diagnosis.
Interesting . Thankyou .
Mind you,(call me cynical ..) I'd love to be able to ask the actual patient whether she agreed with the following assessment that she was 'without complaints' ....
"Outcome and follow-up
The patient’s symptoms subsided within 2 weeks. Since hyperthyroidism did not subside within a year the patient was treated with radioiodine and after a follow-up of now over 2 years is without complaints on substitution with 125 µg of levothyroxine." ...
Since she had no TRab it seems a shame they did RIA after only year.. i think i'd have wanted to give my thyroid a longer chance to recover before condemning it.
Right, that's probably the sad part of the story. Doctors, who assume we have no complaint, look familiar to many of us, eh?
They don't listen when you do complain, anyway, so I suspect a lot of people don't even bother!
It's just too sad.
I don't know how that works in the UK. Here in Germany, I can go to another GP if I'm not satisfied. That's what I did more than once. And if you need a referral for an endocrinologist, you can even get it from your dentist or ophthalmologist. But the problem of lack of knowledge about Hashimoto's syndrome remains. Many endocrinologists specialize in diabetes, and if they are knowledgeable about thyroid disease, you either can't get an appointment (because they aren't accepting new patients) or have to wait for months.
One of my primary care physicians even complained about this recently. She is sympathetic to Hashimoto's patients because she takes thyroxine herself. And she doesn't worry about a TSH level that has dropped a little below the reference level. So she's the best person for me to go to when it comes to my thyroid, but it took me a while to figure that out.
I don't know how it works in the UK, either. I'm in France. And here, we don't even need a referral, you just ring the specialist of your choice and make an appointment. But, GPs and endos are just as ignorant about thyroid here as they are in the UK - and most other places - I do know that. 
It's interesting to hear how it works in different countries. Good for you that you don't even need a referral. But, well, it’s the same sad story almost everywhere on this planet. So, there is a reason why forums like this are full of complaints about insufficient therapy. Same in Germany.
There are countries where thyroxine doesn't even require a prescription. And apparently, people there don't die or fall apart when they get their drugs over the counter. I boldly assume that many of us would be much better off if we could do blood tests ourselves (no problem with that part) and then just go to the pharmacy and get everything we need without a prescription, and no hassle with ignorant doctors. Aren’t we responsible-minded and mature enough to do so?
EDITED - PS: I have to add that if you are privately insured you don't need a referral either. And many doctors who are knowledgeable are private only. Bad for everyone who has just a statutory health insurance, unless you can or will afford to go the private route.
There are countries where you don't even need a prescription for T3! And, you're right, people aren't over-dosing for the main part.
And, those of us that have taken the trouble to learn about our disease and how to read our bodies, would be much better off self-treating - many of us are. But, there will always be those that trust their doctors implicitly and want to be told what to do, even if it means they never quite get well - we even get people like that on here!
Besides, the majority of doctors enjoy the power, and are not willing to let that go - which they would have to do if blood tests and thyroid hormones were freely available. I had one doctor who hated that people could get anything without a prescription. He said that if he had his way, you would need a prescription just to get an aspirin or a packet of vit C! They like to be in cotrol.
I know what you mean. I too have had some questionable experiences with doctors. I'm just glad I can get my injectable B12 over the counter here in Germany (many Brits buy it from German online pharmacies, I hope for their sake that stupid Brexit won't cause them any more trouble). Treating my pernicious anemia on my own was the best decision I ever made. And I am grateful for the help of the people here on healthunlocked, I don't know how miserable my life would have been without the help of you guys.
Greygoose, it was nice to share thoughts with you. Unfortunately, there is still some work for me to do.
See you here in the forum. Best wishes
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How many of these disrespectful behaviours have you experienced from your doctors?
Thyroid patients suffering
