I've just had an appointment with a GP after my most recent blood test results showed a TSH of 6.21 and a TPO of over 100. I feel pretty awful. I haven't felt well since the beginning of this year, but my TSH was 3.87, so there was no way the NHS was going to treat that.
The doctor I had was incredibly condescending and arrogant and told me that TPO doesn't really mean anything, my TSH isn't that high (which I already know), and that I don't need an ultrasound because it isn't helpful in these instances. I told him that I had a PET scan in 2021 before cancer treatment that showed diffuse activity in my thyroid (which I think is indicative of Hashimoto's?), and he basically shrugged it off. He has agreed to put me on a trial of 25 mcg of Levothyroxine but said that none of my results over the past few years suggest there is anything seriously wrong with my thyroid (my TSH tends to be around 4) and that that's probably not what's causing my symptoms of fatigue, brain fog, cold extremities, heart palpitations, puffy face, etc.
I left the appointment feeling like I'm stupid and mad. I guess I'm just looking for some reassurance that I'm not! I am pretty sure those antibodies suggest Hashimoto's?! Should I go for an ultrasound privately? Is this the only way to truly diagnose Hashis?
Thank you!
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Sophtoots
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Wtf?! You have elevated TPO antibodies therefore you have Hashimoto's thyroiditis. You have an elevated TSH, therefore you have hypothyroidism caused by Hashimoto's thyroiditis. PLEASE BIN THIS JOKE OF A "DOCTOR" IMMEDIATELY. He doesn't know what he's talking about!
Find another GP who listens, shows respect and is knowledgeable enough to treat Hashimoto's. This may mean calling around a few GP surgeries (look on Google Maps for surgeries near you and check the reviews). When you call or visit them, ask the receptionist "Hi, I have an underactive thyroid and I'm looking for a GP with experience treating hypothyroidism and who listens and believes what I say. Please can you recommend someone from this surgery?" The response you get will tell you everything you need to know about whether to register at that surgery.
Don't waste another second on your current GP. He will make your life hell.
They are really good at making you feel like you're going mad! I'm sure it's to cover up their own ignorance. It makes you feel like crap and (if your like me) then spend month's looking at other possibilities and £££ seeing people privately. I'm so angry for all of us.
I don't know about the scan situation. I've not had one but been now diagnosed with Hashimotos due to high antibodies.
My TSH was similar to yours when I started on 25mcg (was like pulling teeth to get it). My TSH then dropped to 4, then 3.. that's where I am a year later and still trying to get upto a therapeutic dose and feel better.
I've read some of the studies on TSH and the vast majority of the healthy population have a TSH of 1 - 1.5. God knows why we have to wait until it's so high. I can see mine was 4-5 about 10 years ago but nothing was said and they let me carry on trying for a baby.
See if a different GP at your surgery is more sympathetic? It's so wearing and I got fed up of arguing so I've gone private now x
I dont know how old you are but unless elderly or you have heart condition then starting you off on 25mcg is setting you up to fail. Levothyroxine doesnt top up your own thyroid output, it replaces it.
My suspicion is he's given you a tiny dose so that when you say it hasnt helped he will say its definitely not thyroid related, and probably try and fob you off with antidepressants.
Unless you start off on 50mcg its likely that on such a low dose you will feel worse. 25mcg is a very small child's dose. We normally start on 50mcg and increase by 25mcg every 6-8 weeks. It can take months to end up on a full replacement dose.
I'm afraid you've experienced the reality that many forum members see, poorly informed, poorly educated GP's who dont have a clue about how to treat thyroid disorders. But rather than admit their ignorance they gaslight patients. If I were you I would ask for a second opinion and avoid this idiot.
These replies have made me feel much better and stronger. It's crap that we're all in the same boat being gaslit left right and centre, but it's nice to know I'm not alone!
He did seem extremely ignorant about the whole thing, and I also got the sense that he was trying to push me towards antidepressants, which I know I don't need!
I'm definitely going to take your advice and look for a new GP. I have sadly been considering going private, which is something I never thought I'd do, but if that's the way NHS docs treat this then I don't know what else we're meant to do! It feels like a hell of a lot of effort to advocate for yourself as a patient when you're knackered doesn't it?!
Your GP practice, who are all private businesses these days, get extra points for prescribing AD's. It called the quality and outcomes framework. The points allocated are then turned into cash for the practice.
So AD's statins, diabetes meds, blood pressure meds are all big earners. I'm afraid thyroid isnt. A more cynical person than me might wonder at this 😁. There's a reason why prescriptions for AD's have gone through the roof in recent years.
I was also prescribed anti depressants initially (for anxiety) but didn't start them as I knew it was thyroid related. If you do decide to pay privately, you don't necessarily need an endo, especially if you are doing lots of research yourself and use this forum for advice. For me I'm just done with the battle, exhausted and overwhelmed with how bad things have got and I can't fight them any more. Everything takes SO long, appointments for tests, appointments to talk to them about the results, hoops to jump through etc. The last 3 years of my life feel like a complete waste and I'm determined not to waste any more time (it's hard enough being patient with each dose increase).
Why are we left with those arrogant idiots who are basically a danger to our health....makes me see red!
Raised antibodies are usually a good enough indicator of Hashi's. Treatment is as for hypothyroidism but medication may need to be altered during a (Hashi swing
We are advised to follow a gluten free diet for Hashi's in simple terms it helps reduce inflammation caused buy antibodies
Starting dose is generally 50mcg T4, not 25mcg, if the dose is too low you will experience symptoms which will remain until you reach your therapeutic dose....
When hypothyroid symptoms are a message that you need more hormone!
You are undermedicated....this idiot should know this
Science shows that TSH is not a reliable marker....FT3 is the most important reading followed by FT4....but few of them understand this.....hence the mess so many of us find ourselves in
When correctly medicated TSH should be 1 or under.....not 4.
My younger son is now in the situation where his GP doesn't understand thyroid hormones...or TSH, which is a pituitary hormone. I understand your frustration....and I've already travelled the rocky road!
You can do a blood test with people like monitor my health forcabout £30;with tuk discount. This gives T4 levels and T3 levels.If they are low it adds to the arguement.
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I’m being gaslit in every direction. 
Feel like I'm slowly dying.hi 
Feel like I'm going mad
Feel like I'm getting no where
