Ninja Gp 😀 appointment

Well after a couple of sleepless nights worrying about being confrontational with my GP ( long standing issues of people pleasing and anxiety around being told off !! Even though I'm 54 I still worry someone somewhere will tell me off for something I have it haven't done ! Therapy ongoing!) I had a good chat with myself, reading around all the advice given on here ...the overwhelming message is about taking ownership and being proactive and advocacy of self .. something I'm not entirely used to doing for myself... I sent an online request for a full iron panel and the elusive vitamin D.test that was promised last time ...and asked to speak about the recent diagnosis of autoimmune thyroiditis. .. within seconds of sending the request I got a text message asking me to make an appointment..so again booked online for today's availablity..8.30 til 1pm a call back ...8.30 on the nose GP rang..I didn't get a word in ..yes to iron panel completely agree yes to vit D ..and when I tried to mention the thyroid test results she waffled about to the three months and said repeat in 6 weeks ( which would take me to the original 3 months..) she then wished me well and said goodbye 👋 I actually was trying to ask if she felt the 50mcg was appropriate even though I'm within range on the recent test ....I have time now to prepare for the conversation regarding increasing thyroxine dose ...to reflect my wellbeing rather than range of results!! I'm pleased I can get these baseline tests and start to get my self back in track 😊 thank you again to the people who share their experiences and knowledge..it is really helping me to regain control and confidence 💪💪💪

[SlowDragon Administrator]

well done

Come back with new post once you get results

[DippyDame]

Confidence grows as you begin to understand your condition....and realise the "experts" treating you may not!!

Well done!

Post your next results, they will point the way forwatd

[Imaaan]

Bravo! Wishing you well on your path to wellness

[DaisyTed]

I totally empathise with you - I HATE having to ring the GP! Even though my Dad was a GP, I just feel always like I’m wasting their time. After a long time - maybe 6 months of taking advice here, I finally managed to ring to discuss a dose increase with my GP. It was not an easy conversation, she said she was very happy with my results - even though I told her my symptoms… I told her I had been reading up on it and a lot of people feel better when their TSH is nearer to 1 (mine was 2.58). Then I used the “broken record technique” to just keep re-iterating the point when she wouldn’t listen! Eventually I just said “will you at least let me try 75 per day?” (I had been 50 one day and 75 the next)… to which she agreed, cautioning that she would want repeat bloods in 8 wks in case it sent me hyperthyroid. Anyway, after a few days on the increased dose I woke up one morning and the brain fog had lifted! I hadn’t really been aware of it but my head suddenly felt “clear” for the first time in I don’t know how long. It was honestly quite amazing. A few days later and my energy had improved… I am so thankful to the kind people on this forum and the helpful advice and information I have received. I just want to encourage to keep persevering as it will be worth it!! 😀

[Hidden in reply to DaisyTed]

Thank you 😊 it is so encouraging to hear from you and sharing your experience is very helpful, and to all the other people who have given me positive feedback. It sounds like you found your confidence and it has worked out well for you, you must feel pleased with yourself 😀.It bewilders me how out of the loop GPs are considering the prevalence of thyroid issues within the UK . Still that said I am not ungrateful for their input with me, just frustrated at the conversation! The gut thyroid link is enormously important and I'm straight on that !! Week 5 AIP with absolutely no pressure to start reintroduction..I think once all the bloods are done and I can look at the vitamin minerals I think the picture will be malabsorption..and I can then work in appropriate supplements. I hope to be able to start exercising again soon and to perhaps read more than a page of a book without it bouncing around!! Thank you 😊

[DaisyTed in reply to Hidden]

Yes I totally agree re the gut thyroid link. I have experienced gut issues for years and it all makes sense to me now. I am still on a journey with making changes to my diet and checking vitamin levels etc but hopefully I will get there! Regarding how out of the loop GPs are - my Dad took early retirement in 2005, but prior to this he had been working in a very large GP practice in the south of England. He told me that he only had just 1 female patient with hypothyroidism on his caseload at that time! Can you believe that?! I think thyroid problems have just exploded in recent years and GPs just don’t have the training, knowledge or experience to deal with it! Obviously he’s retired a long time now, but I have been educating him since finding out so much more about it via this forum and other places! All the best with getting back to exercise - certainly that has been easier for me since my energy levels have improved 😊

[Hidden in reply to DaisyTed]

I bet your dad is scratching his head with the volumne of people with thyroid issues these days ..I know I am ! It incredible how everything seems to have exploded ..I think the supermarkets need to be held accountable for cheap highly processed addictive foods marketed very cleverly to sell them as health foods !! I I didn't think my diet was that bad until I started unpicking all the hidden toxins and chemicals.. I too have struggled for years with my stomach ..all dropping in to place now...I feel sad I have pushed my body this far down the track and am working double time to get some balance restored ..thank you im sure once I get on top of everything I'll be back out hiking in them hills 😊