The problem with doctors (GPs) is that - with quite a large number - their knowledge of anything to do with a dysfunctional thyroid gland is poor. They seem to only take notice of the TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) if they take a blood test but I, personally, know the struggle we have to go through in order to get diagnosed.
If you click on my name you can read a bit of my history to be - finally - diagnosed.
I am now well and that's due to finding Thyroiduk.org.uk before this forum began and it is helpful as many members respond of what helped them to restore their health.
Ask GP to refer you to an Endocrinologist (even if GP is reluctant) .
You can tell GP (it may not make a difference but worth a try) that you have had advice from Thyroiduk.org.uk.
Do you follow this method when getting a blood test for thyroid hormones:-
Always make the earliest possible appointment (even if you have to make it weeks ahead). It is a fasting test (you can drink water) and don't take thyroid hormones until after the test.
Ask also for B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate.
Yes, thank you for the information. I do always have a blood test before 8.30. or as close as possible. I do also have Pernicious anaemia, but I am always having a battle with him. He only focuses on that, and the fact that my levels are high. I point out that they will be because I'm having injections. I have many other illnesses, but he has never asked, not even once about them. He knows it winds me up. I don't see the reason he keeps doing it. I was literally on my knees before my last injection I could hardly walk. But he won't listen. I've asked to change GP. Anyway, thanks again.
With Pernicious Anaemia you can request more frequent injections
Instead of once every 3 months, request every 2 months or every month
As you have B12 injections it’s recommended also to supplement a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in (not folic acid) may be beneficial.
This can help keep all B vitamins in balance and may help improve B12 levels between injections
Thorne Basic B or Jarrow B Right are recommended options that contains folate, but both are large capsules. (You can tip powder out if can’t swallow capsule)
IMPORTANT......If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before ALL BLOOD TESTS , as biotin can falsely affect test results
My GP wants to cut my B12 to every 6 months. I'm not veggie and am well ant truly post menapausal.I've tried gluten free, but did not notice anything. I've never had coeliac test.
Thank you for that info, that's great news. I am a member of PAS. So I will ask them for their help. This GP I have is hell bent on stopping my B12. Surely that must be illegal. I could not survive without them. In 2019 he did stop them. And I complained to the surgery. Then they were reinstated (supposedly) I've told this episode on here before. The nurses pretended to give me the injections. I eventually got them reinstated , and a letter from the doctor to give to the nurses telling them to give me the B12, and he apologized. But he is still trying to stop them. He doesn't believe in taking vitamins.
Thank you. I've recently had bloods done for Vit D, and ferritin. They were both 16, half way through the lowest range. And he said that they are ok. He would not budge on the Vit D, he said it would be cheaper for the NHS to buy my own. Well of course it would. But I reminded him that I was on ferrous fumerate when I joined that surgery. So he reluctantly gave me a prescription, but for only one a day. He wanted me to buy my own. I pointed out that I am allergic to the fillers in a lot of things, and I wanted proper medical grade, because you don't know what is in over the counter medicine. I have sent a letter to the practice manager to change my GP, a week ago, but have not received a response.
In all people, a serum ferritin level of less than 30 micrograms/L confirms the diagnosis of iron deficiency
Look at increasing iron rich foods in diet
Eating iron rich foods like liver or liver pate once a week plus other red meat, pumpkin seeds and dark chocolate, plus daily orange juice or other vitamin C rich drink can help improve iron absorption
This is interesting because I have noticed that many patients with Hashimoto’s disease and hypothyroidism, start to feel worse when their ferritin drops below 80 and usually there is hair loss when it drops below 50.
Thyroid disease is as much about optimising vitamins as thyroid hormones
Never supplement iron without doing full iron panel test for anaemia first and retest 3-4 times a year if self supplementing. It’s possible to have low ferritin but high iron
Thank you. I have 10ml equivalent to 200mg. My thyroid results for last year were 5.4. my ferritin 16 and Vit D 16. Both on a scale of 30-150. My doctor thinks that's okay. I have only felt well when my thyroid is below 1. But I can't talk to him, he is on the defensive all the time and will not listen. He bamboozles me, blows air out of his lips , or says that's ok. That's not relevant, you don't need that or , I have the same. He has never prescribed anything for me. Everything I am on has been from other doctors.If I don't hear from the practice about changing my GP. Where do I stand.
It gets too much.
I would be totally lost without this Forum. Thanks to everyone here who has given such good advice.
Painful glands should not be dismissed. Difficulty in swallowing should not be dismissed.
Somehow, you need to get things checked out properly. A minimum of an ultrasound but should be more comprehensive than that.
I suggest you spend some time writing down your issues. Don't lie, but make sure you emphasis not just difficulty swallowing, but how that impacts you.
Review and revise. Keep it short but not at the expense of ignoring important issues.
Then go for another appointment and deliver what you have written (or hand a copy over). Just having gone through the process will likely have focussed on what matters to you. And ensured you don't miss things.
Thank you for your advice.I am at the moment complaining to the Ombudsman about this doctor who is obsessed with my B12. And has been for the last 5 years. I have not had a reply from the practice manager, and it's been over a week. I can never get an appointment for at least a month. Whereas my neighbours can get any appointment. I'm getting very fed up. This doctor seems no accountable for anything.
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