I'm posting this in response to a friend (my hairdresser ❤️) I saw her about 6 weeks ago and she was complaining of feeling very unwell, not like her as she is a very active person, with a full time job, she told me her symptoms the worst being her utter fatigue she says she as been falling asleep when getting home (not like her) she can't walk her dogs, and she is constantly cold, as bad headaches, everything she told me pointed to hypo.
I was amazed as she herself pointed this out also, as both her mother, grandmother and sister suffer with thyroid problems, her mother and sister both having hypothyroidism, I urged her to get her bloods checked.
I saw her yesterday at my appointment and asked how she came on with her blood test, it took her precisely 6 week's to obtain the bloods, which she had done yesterday 😮 anyway being the thyroid detective I've become over these last year's with help from our fantastic members ❤️.
I asked at what time was the test... (the look of confusion on her face.. WHY!) she went on to tell me herself and her husband popped in to witherspoons for a meal and a drink! Then went straight to the doctors for her appointment at 4.15..🤯 She had full thyroid bloods done and other tests, diabetes full blood pannle ect.
So I explained that those thyroid bloods would probably not be accurate and explained why!
Of course she's a newcomer to thyroid disease and told me at no point did the receptionist tell her the bloods should be as early as possible with no food or drink just water, wonder if her mother and sisters bloods have been taken in the same manner? so I gave her the low down on the process for thyroid blood tests, and telling her your receptionist and even your gp will not tell you this!
To say she was shocked is an understatement, she was also told by the nurse if your bloods are normal you won't be contacted, went on to tell her about the word normal in thyroid blood tests🙄 we all know what I mean 👍.
I gave her a written list of what to do next with ranges of TSH, T3, T4, we use the same lab so ranges should be the same, I urged her to get a printout of her bloods, although as I told her they would probably be of no use, so you need to request them again in 6 weeks time,... Why! She asked🤦♀️ I explained this as the test was done wrong and you can't go off one test to see how your thyroid is functioning, I went on to explain thyroid diseases.. And the connection with autoimmunity and T3, T4 being the actual hormones and TSH being a signal.
I'm sure she's not the only patient to get this treatment from doctors surgerys it's no wonder many don't get diagnosed with thyroid conditions, I myself fell for this 😠 but are now better informed than any gp or nurse at my surgery 👍
I felt everything I explained to her was a bit to much to take in, in the time frame we had, but I'm due to see her again in 5 wks so I've asked her if its OK with her if I could just take a peek at these results, she said yes please because I have no idea what it all means, I've given her the link to our site, but I'm sure this will be a bit overwhelming for her, it makes me so angry that if her bloods come back in normal range she will be dismissed, but still be feeling unwell 😠 this is the level of care within the NHS, and they prey on people who have no idea how thyroid blood tests should actually be performed😠 no doubt dismissing them to suffer further 😠.
I do hope I can help her, and she doesn't get bogged down by ill informed gps👍
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birkie
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I felt angry as she just went with the flow of the surgery thinking what she was doing was correct, and no one was going to help her😠
If we hadn't discussed it yesterday I reckon she may have just accepted her bloods if they come back in normal range, as I'm sure her surgery would be clapping their hands, no further action required.. Knowing the test was not done correctly 😠 and not giving a jot about her health.
She's really bothered mainly about how her symptoms are affecting her job, I've given her some good info mainly gleaned from this site, and will continue to keep in contact with her, because I just know as many on here do, doctors and even some specialists know little to nothing about thyroid conditions.
When I told her this I could see in her face.. She didn't believe it🤦♀️ seems she's putting all her faith in her gp.. As I told her I hope you have a good one who may know a bit about thyroid conditions... But I wouldn't hold my breath 😂
I recognise that feeling very well! I think we all trust the doctors to know what they're doing... until they fail us.
Give it time - she may come to see things your way.
If ever I get on my soap box around friends or family I always acknowledge that most people do well on levo alone and that most people don't need to do the deep dive into health I had to and that GP's cannot possibly know everything about everything so I understand why I got dismissed because if I don't I can see they think I've lost the plot.
We trust GP's and medics. To have that trust rocked is terrifying.
Plus - we have this incredible forum. It really is one of a kind. So many other forums are too quiet to be worth visiting and are full of half truths and misinformation. Plus, they're not as friendly. Without this forum I shudder to think where I would be now.
Unfortunately, birkie , receptionists are not medically trained so would have no idea of ideal conditions for any blood test let alone thyroid. Even nurses and doctors mainly are ignorant of them.
Maybe suggest to your friend that she has her next test done under ideal circumstances (I'll list them below and you can show her this reply) then she can join the forum herself, post her results with reference ranges and there will be many helpful, friendly members waiting to give her appropriate guidance. This will be better than you posting on her behalf and us asking you questions that she has to answer and then come back to us. Easier and quicker for us to communicate directly with your friend.
Always advised here, when having thyroid tests:
* Book the first appointment of the morning, or with private tests at home no later than 9am. This is because TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day.
In fact, 9am is the perfect time, see first graph here, it shows TSH is highest around midnight - 4am (when we can't get a blood draw), then lowers, next high is at 9am then lowers before it starts it's climb again about 9pm:
If we are looking for a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, or looking for an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction then we need TSH to be as high as possible.
* Nothing to eat or drink except water before the test - have your evening meal/supper as normal the night before but delay breakfast on the day of the test and drink water only until after the blood draw. Certain foods may lower TSH, caffeine containing drinks affect TSH.
[* If taking thyroid hormone replacement, last dose of Levo should be 24 hours before blood draw. If taking NDT or T3 then last dose should be 8-12 hours before blood draw, split dose and adjust timing the day before if necessary. This avoids measuring hormone levels at their peak after ingestion of hormone replacement. Take your thyroid meds after the blood draw. Taking your dose too close to the blood draw will give false high results, leaving any longer gap will give false low results.]
* If you take Biotin or a B Complex containing Biotin (B7), leave this off for 3-7 days before any blood test. This is because if Biotin is used in the testing procedure it can give false results (most labs use biotin). These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with phlebotomists or doctors.
I've given her all the info on getting thyroid bloods done and what to do before the test, my main concern with her is she just reminded me of myself, being blissfully unaware of how thyroid and now parathyroid bloods are taken.
I to suffered because of incompetent doctors until I joined this wonderful site and got great info from members like yourself ❤️
Unfortunately she as no clue what to expect after the blood test.. Like her results!! , the only info the nurse told her was if they are normal you won't be contacted 😠 as I told her, they won't be of any use as your test was compromise🤦♀️
With my gp receptionists I find everytime I need my thyroid bloods done they always try to give me a late afternoon appointment... Every time!! 🤦♀️and like a running loop tape I say time and time again.. Thyroid blood tests should be done at 9am no food or drink only water no other medication before draw.. And every time they question this😠 I even asked for it to be put in my notes to no avail, even my gp said it doesn't matter what time of day you get they thyroid blood test it makes no difference 🤦♀️ that's what I'm up against.. so I bet she's in the same boat to.. As for her actually going on our site I don't think she's that type, she's focused on her doctor knowing all the answers and reckoned she will get everything sorted.. 😂 Think she my be in for one hell of a shock, think I gave her a wake up call yesterday.
But I've printed out some info for her I'm going to try to drop it in next week for her👍
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Changing doctors - any advice please?
Phone-call from receptionist today
New receptionist
Doctors appointment advice if anyone still up.
