Frequency of testing

[Citrine77]

My surgery have stopped doing yearly tests for hyperthyroid levels. I had my last yearly test 3 years ago , the next year it was deemed not necessary, although I haven't been to the doctor about my condition for about 4 years. I am now getting just an occasional T4 test when I need a revised prescription. I gave up going to the doctors as they were totally clueless and now just adjust my dose when I am having problems. I have no idea at all of what my other levels and vitamins are., although I do take a daily dose of all recommended vits. Any ideas how I can get a proper test without having to go privately. I've done that before and the surgery do not accept the results.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

If you were to use Monitor My Health lab for a private test your GP should accept the results as its an NHS lab itself.

Perhaps you should discuss with a GP a plan for ongoing monitoring. Most GP surgeries should do an annual medication review with a blood test prior.

You could also consider switching to a better GP surgery. They arent all the same.

[Citrine77 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Hi Jaydee

I shall try the Monitor my Health lab, I was told that I could do it through my surgery, but pay for it. When I made the request I was told that the surgery does not do any private work even through NHS. I would change, but the nearest surgery is 8 miles away and I don't drive.

Thanks for your advice.

Kind regards

[Tina_Maria]

GP practices should monitor all patients with chronic diseases at least once a year as a follow up. This is usually set out in the Quality Outcomes Framework and incentivises practices to perform tests and follow ups of patients with chronic conditions. This is why they sometimes check your blood pressure at an appointment, as they are getting paid to check patients (even if the notes say that their BP is normal).

However, I just had a quick look, and I could not find out if hypothyroidism would be included under the framework, so if there is no incentive to do so, your practice may choose not to do this.

Having said that, I had hypothyroidism for over 20 years now and each practice I registered with did the annual monitoring. Although these days, most GP practices will only test TSH, which will tell you not much, some might test T4 and very few will include T3 (costs). Most of the time it is just TSH, which will not be helpful at all.

You could tell your GP that you feel very tired and that you would like to have a blood test to check your thyroid status, including vitamin levels. I think you are entitled to a health check every two years? If they do not want to do this, I would try to change the practice, as this would be appalling, as they would fail in their duty of care.

Monitor my health offer a private thyroid test, which is performed through an NHS lab, so the results should be accepted, and if you enter THYROIDUK10, you get a 10% discount, so it is £28.80 for the test. Given that you most likely will not get accurate information through your GP (especially if they do not test for T4 or T3), this would be the best way to check.

[Citrine77 in reply to Tina_Maria]

Thank you Tina, that's good advice which I shall follow. As I have had my thyroid removed due to hypothyroidism and a large goitre, would this put me in the chronic classification?

[Tina_Maria in reply to Citrine77]

Absolutely, hypothyroidism is a chronic condition, as you need lifelong replacement with thyroid hormones, as your body cannot produce its own hormones (just as diabetic patients cannot live without their medication).

I hope you can convince them to do some testing, otherwise I would really try to change practices, as this is very poor to say the least!

[SnowQueenOne]

Hi Citrine

I seem to be having a similar issue. I was diagnosed with Graves' in early 2021. Prescribed carbimazole but couldn't tolerate it. Was kept a close eye on by the endo. By September 2022 things had levelled off and my endo wrote to the surgery specifically asking for regular bloods to checked as by this point I was unmedicated. Believe as I'm unmedicated it should be every 6 months?? This wasn't acted on. Late last year I started with Graves' symptoms but it was only picked up and a result given of hyperthyroidism as my Cardiologist also asked for regular bloods to be taken (I have 2 conditions where some symptoms are similar but its confirmed no link). I tried to get back in with the endo who gave me my original diagnosis but they are swamped so went on an NHS waiting list. I'm still waiting. Recently spoke to the surgery to query why I have never been called in since 2022. The receptionist I spoke to was liaising with someone as I kept being put on hold. When she came back on started saying that as I was on levoxythyrine I only need an annual review. What????? The GP then contacted me to say he could see that another GP referred me back to endo but couldn't see the outcome of the referral. Because I haven't seen anyone! I've managed to get an appointment next week for bloods but based on the form I've seen they're only testing TSH. Feels like an up hill battle all the time.

[Sparklingsunshine]

Not helpful for you but many of us wish NHS GP's would stop doing annual blood tests altogether. They arent really worthwhile nowadays since many only test TSH and that tells us diddly squat.

Then they freak out if you have a low or suppressed TSH. And try and lower your dose as they dont understand hypothyroid or how it works once on thyroid replacement medication. Frankly many of would welcome an end to the annual thyroid bloods palaver and ill advised meddling.

[serenfach]

When I was put on the pill, I was supposed to be monitored. Nope.

When I was put on HRT I was supposed to be monitored. Nope.

When I became hypo, I was supposed to be monitored. Nope, I phone up if I think my levels are out and get an appointment. (and then do my own thing!)

Well Woman clinic - nope

Old lady clinic - nope.

I am not even called for flu or any jabs.

I know I am the only person with my date of birth in the whole surgery, but recently I received an appointment for a hospital 70 miles away for something I dont have. I dont think I am unique in that (obviously I am unique in other ways )