As per the title really!
I'm incredibly frustrated, and frankly angry, with the standard of care - or rather the lack thereof - that I've received from my local surgery.
I initially went to the doctor 18 months or so ago complaining of feeling constantly exhausted, gaining weight, and struggling to focus. I mentioned at the time that I felt I might have a thyroid issue as my symptoms were similar to a colleague with hypothyroidism, and my grandmother also had hypothyroidism.
The GP sent me off for blood tests and I heard nothing from the surgery so called them after a few weeks to be informed by a member of the reception team that all of my results were normal, when I asked her exactly what I'd been tested for she reeled off a few things, including my thyroid, and then said if she told me everything I'd been tested for she'd "be there all day"
Assuming my results were indeed normal I resigned myself to feeling crap and put my fatigue down to work, the menopause and life in general as a single parent...Fast forward a year and still feeling rubbish, by this point with my hair falling out as an added bonus, I went back to my GP to enquire about HRT. After having waited weeks for said appointment I was in and out, HRT prescription in hand, in five minutes flat.
I duly began the course of HRT, six weeks in I started bleeding exceptionally heavily, and my hair loss also suddenly increased dramatically. In a bit of a panic, I called the surgery, only to be told that I couldn't see a doctor and the best option they could offer me was a telephone appointment in three weeks time, which I declined.
Unsure as to my best course of action I stopped the HRT and, in sheer desperation, turned to Dr Google who informed me I could request copies of my previous blood test, which I did. The test showed that my TSH was above range, and that my folate was low, with a recommendation to begin taking folic acid. I hadn't been informed of either of these things, and on my subsequent visit to the GP she had blithely prescribed the HRT with no mention of the possibility of thyroid issues.
Following a complaint to the Practice Manager my GP called me to schedule an appointment. During this appointment she was very dismissive of the original test results, repeating that levels "fluctuated" and that my TSH was "only just" out of range. I cited the NICE guidelines re symptomatic subclinical hypothyroidism (thanks to info from you guys!)and she reluctantly agreed to trial me on levothyroxine at a starting dose of 25mcg - I'm early 50s with no underlying health conditions. I also spoke to her about my continuing hair loss and the emotional distress it was causing me, she suggested it could be age / menopause / stress related but that it wasn't always possible to underline a root cause. At no point has she actually examined my scalp, explained that low iron, D3, folate or B12 could be factors effecting hair shedding, or given me any further information, advice or options.
I began taking the levo, and felt even more exhausted than I had previously - I understand it replaces TSH rather than "topping it up", so presumably this was due to the low dose. Exasperated I made an appointment to see a different doctor, who was even more disinterested than my own GP, and believe me this was no mean feat! I requested to be referred to a dermatologist in relation to my hair loss, which he refused, suggesting I should "eat leafy greens and try Minoxodil" I explained to him that I felt worse since beginning levothyroxine - although my TSH level had fallen slightly to 3.15 (although the relevant bloods were taken mid afternoon for something unrelated, and I'd been supplementing with Biotin, so not sure how reliable the figure is) and he upped my prescription to 50mcg, which I understand to be a starting dose - I was in tears pretty much throughout the appointment, so not at my best in terms of advocating for myself!
Yesterday my GP called me, as she had scheduled to do so after two months of me beginning levo. She asked how I was feeling. I replied in no uncertain terms that I was feeling pretty awful, felt like my dose of levo was too low, was singularly unimpressed with my treatment by both her and her colleague and essentially felt like I was being told to "piss off and go bald" (clearly I wasn't at my most eloquent by this point!) she refuted this and stated that rather than increase my dose of levothyroxine perhaps we were "coming at it from the wrong angle" and I should "try another brand of HRT" - it goes without saying that this would be another random HRT prescription as, to paraphrase, any kind of sex hormone testing is "just a fad"
So there you have it. Despite raised TSH, classic hypothyroid symptoms and thyroid antibodies in the hundreds I am not, apparently hypo, merely some over emotional, menopausal, hypochondriac.
Thanks for reading if you've made it this far - it's at least vaguely cathartic to get it off my chest!
GP ‘fit note’
Can I challenge GP, if so, when?
GP increased T4 while T3 was reduced. Please help decipher bloods so I can direct her to the next best step with unsympathetic Endo. Thanks!
Latest bloods - GP reducing my levo :( 
My story so far, New-ish and seeking further advice
