There are some enlightened GPs re T3!

[Darty3]

I recently had my annual thyroid blood tests done by the surgery. They rang back to say that I needed to see a GP. I asked to see the lady doctor who had held my hand whilst transferring from online buying of T3 to getting it through the NHS. She had left. So a telephone appointment was made with a doctor I had never met. I was concerned as I had wasted 3 years of my life being told by another GP that my thyroid levels were fine (thyroidectomy 10 years previously) and that I was depressed. Found my results on Patients Portal and it said TSH Abnormal see doctor. So I feared that they would try to reduce my T3.

Telephone appointment duly arrived so I said straight out that I had not asked for this consultation but had been summoned. The GP replied that it was because of the abnormally low TSH, but that he had looked back over my blood tests and this had been so since taking T3.

So I decided to give him a brief resume of my history and ended by saying "As far as I am concerned, TSH readings are irrelevant in people with no thyroid gland. The important readings are those of T4 & T3, and they need to be in the top of the range, which some people might feel were hyperthyroid; but to feel well and normal this was the case."

The GP replied "I would agree with you, we are on the same page."!! I thanked him profusely.

So I am delighted that he is an enlightened GP; but think that the blood testing units also need education. They state that below the range TSH is abnormal and that there is no need to test for T3.

Thanks for all the support from you all over the years, and to those starting out, good luck and perseverance....

[SarahJane1471]

that’s great news about the GP. Hang on to that one!

Is it only with no thyroid at all that TSH readings should be irrelevant?

[serenfach]

The blood test place does not know your history and they go by their own guidelines. This could be dangerous and as the T3 test costs pennies, I am not sure why they dropped the test.

My GP practice is not allowed to even ask for T3 to be tested - the T3 tick box has been removed! To get the T3 tested, you have to see an Endo. I have waited 6 months for an appointment, it has come through for a diabetic specialist, they have not asked for bloods.

The TSH is measuring the feedback from the pituitary gland to the thyroid gland. I cannot see how the TSH is relevant if there is no thyroid gland!

I am glad you have found a GP who has some knowledge of thyroid problems and wish you good health from now on.

[arTistapple]

What a relief for you. Maybe ThyroidUK should know who this enlightened GP is, the GP might be able to help others.

[Darty3]

Thanks

[Darty3]

Thanks shot off before saying I. Can contact Thyroid UK