Feeling a bit dismissed - Thyroid

[Mummasloth]

Finally I took my daughter to see an endocrinologist privately and I have to say after listing all the symptoms and body temps and such he was so dismissive! said he doesn't think it is thyroid issue and is only doing bloods to satisfy me. AND he is only doing a basic test not all the additional tests as he is convinced there is nothing wrong with my daughter. I am so disappointed. How do I get people to listen and look at more than just a basic test.... £200 lighter and no further advanced.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Mummasloth

Was the endo on the ThyroidUK list? Was he recommended by anyone here? Did you do your own research before committing to see if this endo might be suitable? All things we suggest before choosing an endo.

Do you have any test results that you can post so that we can see if there are some clues? If so please post along with their reference ranges (ranges vary from lab to lab), maybe we can help more than the endo did

[Mummasloth in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks so much I shall report the results back once I have them x

[Hidden]

Was it one of the endos from the Thyroid UK list?

Many endos are diabetes specialists and don't know much more about thyroid than your GP!

I can imagine how disappointed you are. 😔

[SlowDragon Administrator]

We ALWAYS recommend getting FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done BEFORE any consultation

A) it’s important to go with results otherwise consultation often waste of time and money

B) private blood tests are more comprehensive and usually cheaper

As per previous post….it’s very important to do thyroid testing early morning

And essential to test BOTH thyroid antibodies and all four vitamins

If test via endocrinologist is only minimal testing and not done early morning you will probably need to organise further testing yourself

See what results show first

What thyroid and vitamin tests did you take to consultation?

[Mummasloth in reply to SlowDragon]

I tried to get some done but endo wouldn't do them till he saw her. GP refused and due to postal strikes I couldn't do my own for her privately. I have now organised some and will post results on once I have them

[DippyDame]

We can discuss this until the cows come home but the only way to start this battle is to have a full thyroid test.

This includes...

TSH, FT4, FT3, vit D, vit B12, folate, ferritin, and thyroid antiodies TPO and Tg

Little hope a GP will do this so many of us test privately at a cost less than that useless endo charges.

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

Those results enable accurate evaluation of the thyroid function.

If you can post these we can hopefully then help build a case that might/ should convince medics of your daughter's need for treatment

They don't seem to understand that a large part of diagnosis is clinical evaluation/ signs and symptoms.

We are individuals and need to find the exact spot within the ref ranges where we feel well, not just to sit somewhere within the range which they consider "normal"...which means very little!

Thyroid treatment is currently a mess!

[csj113]

What everyone has said - the only way forward is full blood testing inc thyroid, iron panel and ferritin.

I had a look through your previous post and just wanted to add - how are you taking temp? Home thermometers are notoriously inaccurate and you’re testing peripheral temperature not core temperature (am assuming you’re not doing it via oesophagus or rectum?!). If it’s an ear thermometer- it could be not working properly/your daughter could have ear wax. If her core temp was low she would be hypothermic and shaking uncontrollably. If her peripheral temp IS a bit low because she is struggling to keep warm (the body maintains core temp to best of its ability), and you don’t have a cold house (as many do at the moment), it points back to thyroid/anaemia. So I wouldn’t get hung up on rare/questionable syndromes and I would get full bloods done!

[Mummasloth in reply to csj113]

She does shake uncontrollably when her temp is around the 35 mark. However, most of the time she just feels cold and temp is low. I have two thermometers one she does orally and other under arm. x

[Mummasloth]

Ok so...I took along what I had (which even though I was told by GP they had done Thyroid function turned out they hadn't). The Endo was recommended by a friend and he seemed to specialise in thyroid and such when I enquired etc. However...was very dismissive and seemed less than interested when I saw him with my daughter. He said "He doubts its anything to do with thyroid" (His exact words). Said he would do bloods but when I asked if they would be comprehensive including the ft3/4 etc he wryly smiled and said " Oh dear...you seem to be wanting an awful lot...do you have money to waste!". So...I have told him not to bother with the test and I will source my own and see someone else. My GP wouldn't do full testing for her, he wouldn't prior to appointment and with strikes/christmas on I couldn't do my own for her in time. So, the new year I will get private test done and then find a new endo from list on here. Thankfully no uncontrollable shakes (hypothermic type shakes) this past week and temp seems on even keel even if a bit low.

As soon as I have managed to get a test done I will post on for your help. I really appreciate you all listening and helping as I am at a loss. Thanks so much everyone x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Mummasloth]

Do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning ideally just before 9am

Watch out for more strike dates

Probably want to post at Post office and to pay extra for guaranteed 24 hours delivery