I’m awe of this site.

[Jaycee40]

I’m amazed with the knowledge shown by those posting on here. I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism 21 years ago & have never been given any in depth report on my condition. When I asked about this pre Covid I was told your results are normal. I would love to have a breakdown of my exact results but unfortunately they’re never available. I’ve also never had a Thyroid test but I presume it is done when I have an annual Blood test for T2 Diabetes.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Here’s your previous post from 3 months ago

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

You’re legally entitled to copies of your blood test results done by GP

First step is see what GP has tested

Assuming you take your levothyroxine when you wake …..Always test as early as possible in morning and don’t take your levothyroxine until after blood test

Request they test anything missing, eg vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin may not have been tested

Always take levothyroxine on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. No other medications or vitamin supplements within 2 hours of levothyroxine

Are you currently taking any other medications or supplements?

[Jaycee40 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon I currently take D3 & B12 vitamins.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Jaycee40]

Vitamin D tablets should be minimum 4 hours away from levothyroxine

Vitamin D mouth spray can be only an hour away

Important to test vitamin D, ideally twice year when taking vitamin D supplement. How much vitamin D are you currently taking.

[shaws Administrator]

Your GP may not check your thyroid hormones properly as - taking account of many of the statements we read - few seem to know much at all about how best to diagnose/treat patients who have hypothyroidism.

If you don't feel like asking your GP for a 'Full Blood Test For Thyroid Hormones' which has to be a fasting test (you can drink water) and it should be at the very earliest (make appointment weeks ahead) and don't take thyroid hormones before blood tests - take dose of thyroid hormones after the blood draw.

You can have a home blood test and I'll give you a link and make sure you are well-hydrated a couple of days before.

thyroiduk.org/

[Anthea55]

Hi Jaycee,

Have you tried asking your GP's practice for online access? Ask reception, not the GP. When I set mine up they sent me emails with a link to the website and a Username, Account ID and how to set yourself up. Once that's set up you should be able to see your previous results.

Here's the NHS page about it

nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-...

This is what the NHS website says about the things you can see with online access

"Health services you can access online

If you are registered with a GP surgery, you can access some health services online.

You may be able to:

contact your GP for advice and support

order repeat prescriptions

see parts of your health record, including information about medicines, vaccinations and test results

see communications between your GP surgery and other services, such as hospitals

book, check or cancel appointments with a GP, nurse or other healthcare professional"

You should then be able to see all your results including your diabetes and thyroid ones. Then you'll be able to see what they mean when they say results are 'normal'. They usually mean 'in range' which is not the same as 'optimal'. Sometimes they try to say that they won't give you the details because you won't understand them....... So what! Even if you don't understand them just post them on here and you'll get plenty of help.

Good luck and see what you can find. If you know about setting up spreadsheets you may find it useful to keep your own spreadsheet with your results.

Just noticed that you've never had a thyroid test. I thought that they had to do one every year.

[Charlie-Farley in reply to Anthea55]

Hi Anthea55

My patient access was altered to hide results from me when I alerted them to the fact I knew I’d been mismanaged for the first six months. Luckily, I had already taken screenshots of the entries. I have before and after shots. I would not rely entirely on patient access it gives no detail and can be altered if they want to - my records have been more doctored than I have! 😂

Get printouts every time.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Charlie-Farley]

Talk about 'detecting' and never would I have thought it would be necessary for us to become detectives in how we are diagnosed/treated when we cannot recover our health.

I now definitely know that few GPs are knowledgeable about dysfunctional thyroid glands as mine (when I was very unwell) couldn't diagnose me. A few days before I told him I would have to get (privately) a 'Full Body Examination' as there was something seriously wrong with me.

He phoned to reassure me that I had nothing wrong as he had just received my blood test results.

I cried as I felt very unwell. If you want to read my history click on my name and it will take you to my page.

I think the majority of members on this forum are on it due to doctors not being knowledgeable enough and assisting their patients to restore their health. After all, it is essential hormones that are missing but the doctors are completely ignorant and I doubt they know that it is hormones that run our whole body from head to toe..

[Charlie-Farley in reply to shaws]

100% 😊👍

[Anthea55 in reply to Charlie-Farley]

Hi Charlie-Farley, Can you complain to the office manager to get your access back? Or the next step is to take it further. This NHS page tells you how to complain.

nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-...

[Charlie-Farley in reply to Anthea55]

Hi Anthea55

Thank you for the link. I’m saving that (perhaps later 😉). But for now the evidence sits copied on my computer and backup. It may prove a powerful lever at some point. I’m done playing ’clean’. Now it is whatever gets results. I’m inclined to keep it as a bargaining chip. It may seem unscrupulous, but I know what I’m dealing with. 😊👍

I’ve still got all my results on hard copy as well and every time a result was “removed “ I got the girls on reception a printed copy if results to scan in to the documents section- my records are a mess but it does demonstrate the pathetic attempt to track cover! 😂😂

[Jaycee40]

I’ve had online access for several years now but unfortunately the information is very basic but the interesting stuff is coded.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Jaycee40]

It is your right to have any coding explained to you. If necessary, they should offer a session with someone who can interpret any coding used.

Many codes are used across the NHS - see SNOMED!

digital.nhs.uk/services/ter...

If it is that sort of code, they can be looked up. Ask if you need help.

[Charlie-Farley in reply to Jaycee40]

Hi Jaycee40

See my reply to Anthea55 above do not rely on patient access 😱

[lidoplace in reply to Charlie-Farley]

Have you looked at your results on the NHS app ?

[SarahJane1471]

Your right ! I too am in awe of the people in this site. Please take note of everything they say. It really has given me the strength to advocate for myself and start to get better ❤️‍🩹

[JAmanda]

First step is to get a nice full range of thyroid tests - tsh t4 and T3 - and if you want to push the boat out get a good set of tests from eg Medichecks which includes vitamins and minerals as lots of things can affect how well your thyroid works. It’s easy enough. Get the test kit and book a slot for blood tests locally and go first thing and take bloods before taking meds (and fasting if adding In cholesterol I think). Post it off! Then post results here for comment. Stop taking b vits with biotin in a week before doing bloods.

[serenfach]

I had just seen the GP and he told me to register so I could order repeat prescriptions on line (the only thing we can do here in west Wales). The receptionist wanted a photo ID. My driving licence is too old to have a photo. I was standing in front of her but she insisted. I got out my phone and took a selfie and showed her, which was apparently fine!

I agree whole heartedly that this site is brilliant - it probably saved my life as I was clueless when I was first diagnosed.

Thank you to everyone who contributes for your knowledge and support.

[Ziggy17 in reply to serenfach]

LOL! This made me laugh so much - taking a selfie in front of her, how ridiculous! My old GP surgery used to demand that appointments could only be made by phone, so patients had to stand outside in all weathers, on their phone, looking at the receptionist through the window. Crazy!