Hello

[MedalMaker]

I have a problem with a doctor who clearly doesn't listen to his patients. I am trying to find ways to circumvent having to rely on him.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Do you have a thyroid condition MedalMaker?

[MedalMaker in reply to Buddy195]

Yes I do. As a result of radiation treatment after a throat cancer my thyroid became atrophied somewhat.

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to MedalMaker]

It would be helpful to members if you could share some of your thyroid journey so far in your bio. Are you experiencing any adverse symptoms? Can you share any thyroid blood test results/ details of your thyroid medication, so members can better advise.

[Jazzw]

Where in the world are you?

[MedalMaker in reply to Jazzw]

France.

[Lilian15]

I think most of us have that problem. I think the doctors selectively listen. If it is something they want to deal with they will listen, if it something they would rather not get involved in they do not. For example, I thought I would try changing getting my T3 from my usual place, to another place I had heard about. Container looked just the same. So when I suddenly had horrendous back spasms, unable to walk etc. the thyroid was the least thing I thought of. The GP had a full blood test done. Told me there was no problem with my thyroid as TSH was 1.8. I looked at the test results myself and saw T3 well below range and also T4. As my TSH was usually 0.01 I was extremely suspicious of the T3 I had been taking. I took one of the original ones I still had and within an hour the pain stopped completely. I told this to my GP who gave no answer (as if she wasn't listening) and put on my report that I had back strain. She put that even though she had not examined me or even asked a question as to how I could have strained my back, and would a strained back raise you TSH and lower your T3 and T4? and back strains do not immediately get better. She purposely did not listen to me. If she had, she would have to question the fact that stopping prescribing T3 was wrong and she does not want to go down that route.

[MedalMaker in reply to Lilian15]

I sympathise with you. I think it is becoming more prevalent with doctors everywhere from what I hear. I wrote a poem about it and have had many people comment about having the problem.

In my case a previous doctor (before I moved house - who was really good) sent me to an endo who worked out that I am better when my TSH is just a little over 5. It is really critical to how I feel, even between, say, 4.5 and 5.00 there is a tremendous difference. MY present doctor is only concerned in my TSH being within 'scale', and at my last consult outright refused to alter my thyroxine dose. As you can't get Lab Analysis without a prescription in France, I am looking for another doctor. I am seeing one on Tuesday. Maybe it will solve my problem. Keeping fingers crossed!

I hope you get your situation resolved too.

[StitchFairy in reply to MedalMaker]

Lots of us in the UK use private lab testing and some people even buy their own thyroid meds. Can you not do that in France at all?

[MedalMaker in reply to StitchFairy]

Thank you for your comment. As far as I am concerned, I have found no way of getting a test done without a prescription. I live near a reasonably big town which has two laboratories and neither of them will do one. And, no, I have not found a way of buying my meds privately. I knew you could buy them if you live in the UK, yes. MY best solution is to find a new doctor who will be more sympathetic to the patient knowing their own body!

[montluna in reply to MedalMaker]

I live in France too, just wondering if you've tried to get a blood analysis done yourself at a lab? I do it all the time without a prescription, and haven't had a problem either in the Savoie or Haute Vienne, but obviously I had to pay. Maybe try a different lab if the one you used refused?

[MedalMaker in reply to montluna]

As I have just commented, where I live the two labs won't do it. It is very wearing, you know: I am eighty-one years of age and although I don't look that age, I am not as 'confident' as I was. It is something that seems to happen to you as you age I think. As a younger man I was a bit of a 'warrior' when necessary, but these days find myself uncontrollably affected by confrontation or even the anticipation of it. :(.

[montluna in reply to MedalMaker]

I'm so sorry to hear that, it must be very stressful and infuriating. I don't know whether it would help, but the labs I used are part of the Synlab and the Biogroup franchises respectively. Good luck with the new doctors, I hope they are willing to take you on.

[MedalMaker in reply to montluna]

Thank you for the information. 🙂

[pennyannie]

Hello MedalMaker and wecome to the forum :

A fully functioning working thyroid would be supporting you on a daily basis with trace elements of T1. T2 and calcitonin + a measure of T3 at around 10 mcg + a measure of T4 at around 100 mcg :

T3 is that active hormone that runs the body, much like fuel runs a car and said to be around 4 x more powerful than T4 which is a pro-hormone and needs to be converted in your body into T3 -

and your thyroid like gear box synchronising all your bodily functions from your physicality through to your mental, emotional, psychological and spiritual well being, your inner central heating system and your metabolism.

Once on any form of thyroid hormone replacement the TSH is the least reliable bio-maker to treat and monitor you on - and we need to see a Free T3 and Free T4 drawn and analysed from the same blood sample to better help you understand where you are in your regaining your health and well being.

No thyroid hormone replacement works well until your core strength vitamins and minerals are up and maintained at optimal levels - so do you have any current readings for ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D ?

There are 3 main treatment options and I believe T3 and T4 are acknowledged as the only treatment options as Natural Desiccated Thyroid is banned in mainstream medical in France.

[MedalMaker]

Thank you for your response. Yes, I realise this. I have had this condition for 14 years now. The current problem is because the present doctor will do nothing- having seen my TSH is within scale (0.55 to 4.78). Last test was hovering around 3. I have asked for the additional tests but it has landed on deaf ears. I have become so anxious and stressed even going for my three monthly appointments. It is bad enough dealing with the language and my being hard of hearing, but on top of that I feel there is a battle of wills going on which I will never win. Also, he has the most deplorable 'bedside manner' in that his attention is solely on his PC monitor and rarely looks you in the eye, plus doesn't seem to listen to what you say if it doesn't suit his mindset! As you will know, I think, there is a shortage of doctors - certainly in the SW - and finding a doctor who will take on a new patient is very difficult. I am hoping that my appointment on Tuesday will result in the doctor being prepared to be my regular doctor.

[RedApple Administrator]

MedalMaker, 'sent me to an endo who worked out that I am better when my TSH is just a little over 5. '

Are you asking for an increase or a decrease in your thyroxine dose? You say you feel best with TSH a little over 5. That's very, very unusual for someone on medication. Most of us need it to be near to 1.

[MedalMaker]

I wanted to reduce it - marginally. As for the best level I can only go by how I feel and the diagnosis of the Endo. I don't believe in all the time I have had this condition I have ever been 'near to 1'. Something has changed in me because after I was stabilised originally, I plateaued on 75ug. Then it needed elevating: The next step was/is 88ug and I haven't been 'right' on that. I don't know*** what 'has gone on' / 'is going on' but even slight changes in dose** have a marked effect it seems: A very small difference in dose caused quite a swing.

Thank you for the kindness of your interest.

** Because of the intransigence of the doctor I endeavoured to do this myself by alternating the daily pill strengths

***Another reason why I need to change my doctor

[Anthea55]

Just a thought - are you using the same units? I posted a few months ago because I had received results using different units to what I'm used to. Here's the link

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Could it be that the usual units in France are not the same as in UK and hence the ranges may be different.

[Santolina]

I'm also in France and find despite seeing my GP, I've seen not one but three endocrinologists who spout the very same levothyroxine 'advice for doctors'. There is a blanket ban in thinking outside the French box. Best advice here & also see Dr Sarah Myhill's website on thyroid advice.

[Tlflom]

Can't you switch docs? I finally found a primary that I really like but it took a while. I have been on the same thyroid meds for 2 decades. I began guided healing meditations with the intent set on the thyroid. Months later the doc is reducing the meds, hurray! All the trial and error adjustment of the meds is a pain but worth it.