How to inform a doctor...

[KingJohnVII]

This has been niggling in the back of my mind for a long time. Others have suggested (rightly) that we need to "educate" our GP about thyroid issues. I agree, but how do I do that without sounding patronising, eg, "You're the doctor, I'm the patient, but I know my stuff, you don't." Any ideas as to how to do this tactfully without upsetting the relationship?

[Dahliasanddaisies]

I think it's really going to depend on the GP. Maybe some are more willing to listen?

[humanbean]

Could you write the doctor a letter? I'm not known for my tact or my ability to think on my feet, so I have sometimes written a letter to my surgery. It gives me the chance to really think about what I want to say. Although I have never tried to teach a doctor about the thyroid, I must admit.

[Sparklingsunshine]

Are you hoping for a diagnosis, a change of dose, a change of thyroid medication? It might help to remember that doctors in training get very little education on the thyroid. One afternoon on the endocrine system, of which they thyroid is but a part. Even Endos are mostly diabetes specialists.

Many people with a chronic condition know a lot more than doctors, especially with the advent of forums and the internet. Its in our interest to know as we need to keep abreast of new drugs/ therapies, new discoveries, new research, new cures. GP's might have a wide knowledge but its rarely deep. And there is nothing like having a condition to concentrate the mind.

[Obsdian]

No. I am horribly forward. 😂

[tattybogle]

i just use the same method i would with other humans... see if they are up for an intelligent thoughtful open minded reasonable discussion about 'whatever the particular issue is' ....

ie.

"i read X in this research paper... what are your thoughts about X ?" or "my T4 has done X in response to Y, why do you think that has happened ?"

Gauge the willingness to have the discussion at least...... then depending on response either:

a) continue the discussion over a year or two and hopefully build a mutual 'understanding' even if 'agreement' is not possible ... harder now that it's much harder to see the same GP

or b) give up .... on the basis that you cant fix stupid/ arrogant .. and there is not much point arguing with a donkey.

[birkie]

This is a tricky thing to contemplate, I pussy footed around my gp for around 12 months I was respectful and initially accepted his diagnosis of the menopause, for over 18 months he declined to listen to me , as my son looked up my symptoms and it said overactive thyroid. My gp poo pooed that...up shot I was very patient with my gp I never got into any arguments ect, but after 15 months of obviously having overactive thyroid symptoms I'd just had enough of him, I questioned everything to his annoyance.

I again collapsed and were taken to an emergency gp appointment where another gp immediately said " you have an overactive thyroid and dully took bloods.

I was very angry and asked this lady gp how she could clearly see i had a thyroid problem, but my gp I saw not 4 ws ago said I was menopausal? He didn't at anytime in these last 18 months do any blood tests🤦‍♀️.

I went on to loose my thyroid because it was so toxic ...my gp didn't even apologise to me after I confronted him on his miss diagnosis...he just asked me what I wanted😡😡

I'm afraid some gps 'not all ' think they have a god complex ...where as you said...I'm the doctor your the patient I know way more than you!!

But they forget...its our body...we live in it everyday so if something feels wrong then it needs investigating not fobbed off as in my case.

I do just wish some gps and even endocrinologists would just listen to the patient instead of wanting them out the door quick...I had to go private to get my diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism because although my endocrinologist wrote saying it seems you may have primary hyperparathyroidism she didn't want to do anything about it, re writing a letter saying " there is now no indication you have primary hyperparathyroidism 😡

Well I did have the condition proved by a specialist at Liverpool University hospital.

It's daunting to confront these people...and let's face it ...they are people just like you and me

It's best, I found to ask them politely , keep your cool and if all fails write to the practice manager and make a complaint 👍

Good luck I do hope it works out for you❤️

[Hectorsmum2]

I think the way forward for the NHS and medical profession might ideally be that post qualification doctor and nurse training be given by the charitys that support patients like thyroid uk or the pituritary foundation etc At the moment we have a system where charitys that suppport know far more than the doctors.

[KingJohnVII]

Thanks for your replies everyone!