How to choose doctor

[DownAndDesperate]

Hi.

I’m thinking of going private to get treated for Hashimoto’s but I’m not sure whether to and if so who to go to.

I was self medicating with T3 but was told that my heart attack in January was down to taking too much. I’ve since come off it and feel awful. I don’t know whether to go back to it and come here for support (I’m new here) or whether to go to a private doctor. Part of wanting to go to a private doctor even though I can’t afford it is so that doctors won’t shout at me (I have Rejection Sensitivity Disorder so any confrontation or criticism spirals my mental health) but I get a private prescription for LDN and I’m still told off because it’s not from the NHS.

If I do go for a doctor I’m not sure how to choose. I’ve had recommendations for people but only one so I don’t know which to decide on. I’m also not sure if a functional doctor may be better or someone who says they’re a thyroid expert and talks about T3. If a functional doctor is mostly concerned with diet and exercise then I may not be able to comply with their recommendations due to being largely bedbound (even when on T3).

So, is it worth finding the money to go to a doctor and if so how do I choose?

Thanks!

P.S. I’m sorry for not replying to a lot of my original post. My mental health is rock bottom and I’m really struggling but I appreciate all the replies. Thank you.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

As per your last post, were you able to get a copy of any more results from the hospital/ GP?

Do you have results for FT3 and FT4 or just the TSH? If you only have the latter, I would look to test privately for a full picture of your thyroid health (& share on the forum) before considering seeing a private practitioner. Also test key thyroid vitamins (ferritin, folate, B12and vit D).

[DownAndDesperate in reply to Buddy195]

Hi. I got in touch with my doctor and they said they don’t have access to the hospital tests. I got in touch with PALS to ask for the test results and they just haven’t replied at all. I’ve looked online for details for the endo’s secretary and can’t find any so I’m not hugely sure how to get hold of them.

I had private tests done a while back after being on 1 tablet for T3 for a while along with the things like iron and folate that came in the package if they’re of use? I was on 2 tablets when I had the heart attack. The test was taken an hour or so before the heart attack but I’m not sure if I took my meds beforehand as I wasn’t expecting to have the test so I don’t know if the results are misleading. They said it was too high and I was taking too much but I don’t know if that’s accurate or they’re just uninformed on T3 like most doctors. I’m now not taking the T3 because they said that’s what caused the heart attack but have a long list of symptoms that have returned since stopping. Though I’m also not sure if levothyroxine didn’t work for me because I’ve recently seen that it should be prescribed by body weight and that I’ve never taken even close to the amount the calculator suggests (I’m on 150 and weight suggests something like 250 I think).

They’ve taken bloods recently but again I have no access to the results.

Thanks.

[Opposite]

I'm useless, sorry, I'm also new here but I just wanted to say sorry for your struggles and wish you well. I also suffer from RSD and can feel your pain. There's a lot of info to learn on here and it isn't always written in a 'soft' way but everyone is incredibly helpful and well-meaning. Good luck 😊

[pennyannie in reply to Opposite]

You are not useless - please stop putting yourself down - you, like all of us, myself included, are just starting on your learning curve - give it a couple of months, or years, and you'll be on the other side advising and helping others who are just starting out.

[pennyannie in reply to Opposite]

Now I'm worrying I've upset you - sorry if that is the case - but I'm able to edit my previous reply to you :

[Opposite in reply to pennyannie]

Thank you so much and no, you've said nothing bad at all!

It's just all a little overwhelming at first and with RSD it's easy to feel like you're doing something wrong by not having the right tests yet / not understanding things.

You've all been so helpful, I just feel ashamed of how little I have advocated for myself!

You are are all doing a wonderful service to us all on here and I'm very grateful to you.

[pennyannie in reply to Opposite]

I didn't know anything when I came on here a few years ago - and it is over whelming - but all anyone wants to do is help you - and sometimes the volume of people asking questions is such that maybe short, brief comments are made without realising to a ' newbie ' it all read like ' gobbledgook ' :

I learnt something new today from you - as I'd never heard of RSD - and growing up with dyslexia and being left handed - I totally ' get it ' :

[Opposite in reply to pennyannie]

Your comments are always so perfectly written - I'd have never guessed you struggled with dyslexia!

I completely understand that. There's a lot to teach and lots of lingo to explain! My comment was in no way meant to sound like I'd been offended by anything - I can just feel this person's pain and understand how overwhelming it all is.

I only learnt about RSD a few years ago, when I got an ADHD diagnosis and suddenly realised everyone I met probably didn't hate me or think me stupid... it was a lightbulb moment!

It's nice to have terminology for all these things now.

[pennyannie in reply to Opposite]

I use the More button quite a lot as there is an option to edit what you have already posted as I tend to think faster than my fingers can type.

However now I'm well and with enough T3 circulating in my brain and body my dyslexia is not the issue it was when i was a child and growing up.

Though my best before time of day was a few hours ago !!

[Opposite in reply to pennyannie]

I use that button a lot too!

I'm glad your treatment is working for you. Hopefully we'll all be there someday soon.

[DownAndDesperate in reply to Opposite]

Hi. Thanks for the kind words. RSD really sucks, I’m sorry you struggle with it too. I’ve learnt a lot over the years so I’m fairly informed but haven’t found anywhere where people are as helpful and knowledgeable as this to come for support before. I also have tons of overlapping conditions so it’s good to find a place where other conditons are covered too. I don’t trust doctors anymore.

[Opposite in reply to DownAndDesperate]

It really does suck. Thank you. I'm sorry for you too.

I came on here to understand my thyroid tests so I haven't looked at the other topics but I also have a colourful medical history so I understand how hard it is to know what to attribute to what, and who to listen to.

Unfortunately I've always trusted Doctors because they're Doctors... even though they make me feel like a hypochondriac a lot of the time. This place has made me realise they aren't always right and it's important to advocate for yourself.

The people here have taught me more in 2 months than I've learned about my health from any other source. I'm beginning to trust their advice above anyone else's. I hope they can give you the answers you need.

[DownAndDesperate in reply to Opposite]

Unfortunately I found out they couldn’t be trusted when I got diagnosed and started doing my own research coupled with knowing people that had really bad experiences.

It’s good when you can find good sources of patient information. It’s just unfortunate when you can’t afford all your own tests and supplements etc. It adds up a lot.

[Opposite in reply to DownAndDesperate]

⁶I guess they can't possibly know everything - the problem is they think they do.

It's hard. I definitely can't afford it all - I'm getting what I can from the NHS but saving for what I can't. Did my first set of private bloods yesterday for £89. Going to aim to do that every 6 months, as well as invest in the supplements I need but it is costly, and I resent that the things we need aren't covered when our health care is supposed to be free.

I suppose we're lucky not to be in the States at least.

Best of luck to you in getting to a healthier place.