Suppressed TSH and my tool of a GP

[Rapunzel]

Fellow thyroidies: what a SNAFU. NHS blood tests

Serum TSH level < 0.02 mIU/L 0.30 - 4.80

Serum free T3 level 5.2 pmol/L 4.2 - 6.9

Serum free T4 level 10.3 pmol/L 7.7 - 20.6

Dr Buffoon wants to see me. Although he hasn't turned a hair at the fact I haven't had a Levo script filled for years. He's already ticked me off by proclaiming I had kidney disease when I don't (confirmed privately and Dr Buffoon written to by nephrologist)

I feel OK. What to say to him?

Thanks for your thoughts/insight. I take 2 Thyroid S and 25mcg T3, all self-funded and sourced.

[GlowCoach Administrator]

This might help.

The first paragraph in the NICE (NHS) Thyroid Disease, Assessment and Management guidelines says :

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145

"Your responsibility”

The recommendations in this guideline represent the view of NICE, arrived at after careful consideration of the evidence available. When exercising their judgement, professionals and practitioners are expected to take this guideline fully into account, alongside the individual needs, preferences and values of their patients or the people using their service. It is not mandatory to apply the recommendations, and the guideline does not override the responsibility to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual, in consultation with them and their families and carers or guardian. "

[Rapunzel in reply to GlowCoach]

Thanks GlowCoach Hopefully I'll have more to add to talk him down from our fellow thyroid experts. I can't tell you what a thrill it is to know that he can't do jack to me, anymore. When on Levo I gained 4 stones, only stopping weight gain and still feeling b awful when I took matters into my own hands, coming up on ten years ago. Dr Buffoon would have preferred that I take to my bed and stay there, no doubt. The biggest laugh is, there's a new doctor at the practice and she looked at the same test results and pronounced them 'very good. '

Give me strength🙄

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Rapunzel]

Maybe there is scope for this new Dr, if she like your results she ought to be happy to prescribe what you need to maintain them 😏

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to GlowCoach]

Nice one Jaydee! Looks like you might need to enlighten Dr B and show him the light 🤗

[GlowCoach Administrator in reply to TiggerMe]

I'm probably going to have this same battle myself sometime this year, although the NHS do supply my Levo. I can at least refer them back to my private Endo and keep everything crossed!

[rebeckeryfox in reply to GlowCoach]

This is really great Jaydee! 👍🏼

[Jazzw]

This is a radical thought—but why go to see Dr Buffoon at all?

Or are you on other meds that are prescribed (and actually collected 🙂)?

[Rapunzel in reply to Jazzw]

but why go to see Dr Buffoon at all?

Aw Jazz, I wish. I have high blood pressure and I need ADs to behave myself or I'm such a shouty perma ticked off old mare. Whilst I have my suspicions that Dr B thinks of all women in exactly that way and sees nothing wrong (!) he was only content to continue doling out the happy smarties when I was diagnosed hypothyroid. Previously, I had to see a shrink privately and had him write to this medical t*ss*r so that he was off the hook for misprescibing (or making me feel better)

I suppose I can see the new doctor now, who seems incredibly decent. I'm minded to think that she will quickly become oversubscribed and besides, I like the NHS once a year test as it gives me the opportunity to slip the phlebotomist another vial to fill for Blue Horizon, free of charge. I really want to say leave me and my meds the f*ck alone. Can I give him a signature on a document which means he is absolved of responsibility so far as my thyroid is concerned? (The very idea of him thinking he's in any way responsible for my thyroid health fills me with dread...)

[Jazzw in reply to Rapunzel]

Makes sense—I had a hunch there was no way you’d voluntarily see this “delightful gentleman” if you didn’t have to.

Thing is, he’s kind of forced to leave you and thyroid meds the f*ck alone so hold on fast to that.

You’re gonna be right about the new doctor. Poor thing is going to burn out in no time if she actually cares, because Medicine is no career for a half decent person. My Dad’s recently found himself a lovely new GP at his surgery, actually takes an interest in him. But the last time he tried to get an appointment with her he was going to have to wait 8 weeks (or two days to see the other guy). Unbelievably, she came to see him while he was having one of his three a week leg ulcer dressings and she gave him her private secretary’s number so that he can jump the queue the next time he has to play Receptionist Roulette.

I love that she did that but there’s no way she’ll be able to keep that level of service up.

[Greybeard]

I was in this situation 2 years ago, I didn't respond to their summons and I've heard no more since. Listening to an ill-informed ticking off wastes your time and theirs. Are you likely to see the error of your ways and return to Ill health like a good little patient?

[SarahJane1471]

just don’t go 🤷‍♀️

[CarnelianT]

You have managed to make me laugh out loud during a very depressing time, thank you and really hope all goes well for youxx

[Rapunzel in reply to CarnelianT]

I'm sorry for your depressing time, CarnelianT I've long found the only way to deal with the rubbish way we're treated is to ramp up the laughs...best to you xx

[tattybogle]

i was watching Fargo the other day .. there was a line that i was saving for my own use . but i'll let you have it in case it comes in handy .

" if i want the opinion of an asshole ... i'll ask my own "

[Rapunzel in reply to tattybogle]

Love love love Fargo! You're late to the party, tatty. How I envy anyone who hasn't seen these masterpieces. I'm writing of the 4 TV series, here although the Coen Bros original is of course equally hilarious... I can just see Doctor B's face and his perma curled lip. I have been summoned however to a 'non urgent telephone consultation'

[Litatamon]

Rapunzel, this is totally off-topic but can you tell me your weight or PM it to me. I just got a prescription for 25mcg T3 & although weight obviously is not precise for dosing, I am curious nonetheless.

[Rapunzel in reply to Litatamon]

No it's not off topic hun and I have no issue proclaiming my weight here: 90Kgs or 14st 7lbs hard to see myself as freaking gorgeous when I'm 64...the saving grace for me is that I was >50 when this sh*t was diagnosed. Previous to menopause I was lean as a whip. 2st put on then, all the rest is marvellous Levo weight.

[Litatamon in reply to Rapunzel]

Thank you. That is extremely helpful for my dosing. Appreciate it.

[serenfach]

Thank you for your concern Dr B, but as you can see I am quite well, in fact I am fighting fit - shall I prove it?

I have in the past when they come out with some bs, said "oh, you have not read the latest research by Prof Madeup name and Dr Sidekick - what a shame, shall I forward it to you". Stops them dead in their tracks because it implies not only are you up to date when they have not read anything for years, have done your own research, but they are behind the times.

Incidentally I dont think they ever look to see if a prescription if filled.

[Rapunzel]

Well ain't that the truth serenfach. Trouble is, Dr B imagines that I have a somatoform disorder, doubtless being up to date with the regular outpourings of one A Weetman...

I have no doubt that he also subscribes to the discredited comic, 'Misogynist's Weekly' and the periodical 'Hysterical Woman'. He'll surely be on the secret WhatsApp group, 'Overachieving Women and how to dismiss them'. My own reading is rather less esoteric but includes the wisdom of over 129K other people who actually suffer the issue. if indicative of thyroid issues, ten times more women are subscribed than men. I will never be disabused of the opinion that this issue is ultimately driven by women-hating INCELs.

I didn't really make myself clear. After opining years ago to a pharmacists that I didn't take my levo, eventually I stopped asking for it, saving the NHS 30pence a month. That they won't spend as much on my thyroid help because I refuse to take a medicine which is beyond poison to me, that's their problem. I regularly thank the universe that I have the means to sail above his nonsense and contribute a tenner a month to TUK to hopefully help others in my situation.

[Jazzw in reply to Rapunzel]

I have no doubt that he also subscribes to the discredited comic, 'Misogynist's Weekly' and the periodical 'Hysterical Woman'. He'll surely be on the secret WhatsApp group, 'Overachieving Women and how to dismiss them'. 

I originally read that as the “hysterical “Periodical Woman”. 😂 Which as far as Doctor Buffoon is concerned is probably the same publication… 😂😂

[Rapunzel]

See? What a treat you all are...thank you for being here for me and the other 129K

[Jazzw in reply to Rapunzel]

Please come back soon xx