A while ago I had a bit of a rant on here about an appointment with a GP. We disagreed that I needed a hysterectomy, but the hospital phoned this morning to "book me in". I declined.
I was told I could not get T3 results without an Endo appointment, so I agreed. Months later, this came through. Turns out he is a specialist in diabetes. I phoned his secretary asking if they needed bloods before the appointment.
"We have the bloods from 6 months ago"
Yes, but T3 was not done, and things change in 6 months.
"Oh, we dont need that, and things dont really change.. If we do need bloods, we will make an appointment, and then call you back to discuss them."
I cancelled the appointment.
I live 40 miles away from the hospital, so that would be 200 miles to get a T3 result. My brain kicked in and worked out with the price of fuel, it would be cheaper and easier to get a blood test on line.
What are those things on the sides of GPs heads?
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serenfach
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I have (bill not yet arrived) to pay an arm and a leg for a 'specialist' - although not for thyroid - I saw yesterday.
It wasn't particularly great when talking about being previously under treated during my health history to hear : 'TSH was in range, and therefore suitable' and '100mcg levo is a fairly standard dose'
Oh absolutely. I was kicking myself. He was meant to be an expert in mast cell activation syndrome.
He was decidedly unimpressed to hear how T3 had previously helped me get out of bed. Said 'I assume you're not taking that now?!'
I asked why I had had such a big escalation in allergy symptoms and urticaria recently and that I felt I had been suffering from immune system mediated symptoms ontop of my thyroid problems for a long time.
He said it wasn't necessary for me to understand why I was experiencing urticaria, any more than it was useful to understand why I have thyroid disease, although thyroid involvement is often associated. I just have it and the cause is inconsequential. The focus needs to be the medicine to block H2 receptors. It might be autoimmune, and as I already have one autoimmune illness, I should already be aware that they can just appear. Such is the immune system.
I persisted in asking whether diet could be a trigger or if there was anything I could do to help myself.
Not worth consideration. 'Why change your lifestyle' was the actual response. Suggested more over the counter antihistamine (I'm already taking a ton). Dismissed supplements as being of any use. 'Eat as normal' despite me having severe histamine intolerance. 'The answer is to block the reaction, not waste time trying to prevent it'. Nothing to suggest regarding diet.
Then went on to say that fatigue is not associated with the condition, neither pain, headaches or feeling sick.
It was my fault. Not enough research on specialists beforehand. Turns out there are a ton. The specialist I originally wanted, wasn't taking any more patients and this doctor was within the same directory so I assumed this one was of the same philosophy, but no.
It was agreed to test me for dao insufficiency but I could have saved myself a ton doing that myself.
It's difficult enough dealing with doctors hopelessly wedded to orthodoxy without paying for the privilege. I waited months too for this privilege.
My only consolation was passing a very talented street busker on the way home.
What an arrogant ignorant specialist. Poor you. Your questions were completely appropriate.....the fact he didn't know the answers so dismissed you, belittling you instead......is a real red flag & a disgrace. So sorry you wasted your time & money on this pretender. Maybe ask if you can go on a list of the one you really wanted for when he does reopen his/,her list again? Lol..... Feel for you. Met a few of them myself.....sigh.
Thanks, Yes, it's so disappointing isn't it? You get your hopes up then realise you're not going to be helped. I'm going to try and see if I can get on the doctor I wanted standby list (assuming it's possible) or find someone else, after doing considerably better research. It's going to take some time before I have more funds. Cest la vie!
The majority of private Consultants are actually NHS consultants too and work on exactly the same basis except generally give you more time, willing to do appropriate tests without waiting and waiting and waiting, efficient administration and I’ve always found somewhat more willing to listen (but I guess that’s partly what your paying for, more time).
They probably have the necessary auditory👂organs as well as the ocular👀ones to see the patient with… however, that’s where it stops. In order to interpret the signals from both those organs, they also need a functioning brain🧠and it seems that most of them leave that organ well and truly switched off 🔕once they get to work in the morning!
The majority of Endocrinologists are diabetics specialising and I was told by one that they only get about 8 weeks training for thyroid and hormone knowledge - out of many years of training !
Diabetes is probably the easy option as hormonal endocrinology is very complex and involves quite a lot of body structures.
This is where women are being failed, lack of knowledge and training and virtually no highly specialising Dr’s .
My Endocrinologist NHS thought my symptoms were amusing . I went in armed with what bloods minimum I wanted done, they did them but tbh I’m sure he even understood results, just relying on lab note ie normal etc.
The NHS / Government haven’t picked up on this situation, though have highlighted womens lower care and not being taken seriously …yet they haven’t sorted this out.
I think every hospital in the U.K. should have a highly trained hormone and relating Endocrinologist specialist. They would be very busy!,
Endocrinology is by its very definition the study of hormones and their associated organs. In your ideal world, unfortunately, each endocrinology department would therefore be divided into about 10 specialisms, each with their own endos. Pretty impossible, and something that does not occur with other specialisms, where each consultant may have their own specific interests, but are considered to cover their department in a general concept. Neither thyroid nor diabetic issues are the only hormonal concerns of endocrinologists, after all, there are many others. Be careful what you wish for, too, as one endo we have seen locally who describes herself as a thyroid specialist thinks TSH, FT4 and FT3 are perfect when all three are in the middle of the range! No consideration for individual situations at all. Not only that, but she had absolutely no understanding or desire to understand anything other than thyroid issues, which were in fact not the reason for the consultation! One to be avoided at all costs!
I have direct experience with Endocrinologists (in my area). They are only specialising in diabetis and happily say they have very limited knowledge when it comes to thyroids and hormones, other than the basics and then they will only go on blood test ranges, as you said not considering clear symptoms beyond.
What I am saying is there needs to be a specialising champion Endocrinologist in every main hospital, not someone who generalises without skilled training specifically in that area.
It has been publicly stated, after considerable investigation that particularly women’s health care , though men need too, is severely lacking, leaving patients suffering with no other options open to go to.
It’s just not acceptable.
Obviously there are many areas of endocrinology, however I refer specifically to that relevant to this thread. Diabetes is a very common stated specialist interest of Endocrinologists but that shouldn’t mean that’s acceptable not to encourage and enable specialist training in the other areas.
NHS blood sample ranges are far too wide and many results in other countries have more medically acceptable ranges that in-turn enables patients to be successfully treated.
It’s not a case of be careful what you wish for but a lack of needs correcting. Staying as it is would be inappropriate when other areas of medicine are progressing.
Lol…ears, possibly with clothes over .😆 Listening skills are so important but not just listening but to take onboard, accept, acknowledge and consider.
I get the medical professionals say they are under pressure but like anything, surely it should be as much about doing a job well. All comes down to money as ever.
I have Osteoporosis amongst several other things. They kept sending me to see endocrinologist re my thyroid problem who ended up thinking I was seeing them for Osteoporosis and actually they were all diabetes specialists who weren't even interested in my thyroid situation! Sends you dotty! I've requested a rheumatologist referral but will wait with baited breath. I think the GP system will implode before long to be honest
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