It has taken over Five years to getting near to receiving the correct diagnosis and treatment for Graves.

[Scarfred]

I am now out of hospital and have just read the hospital's letter to my GP

FInal Diagnosis = Fast AF

Secondary Diagnosis = THYROTOXIC,GRAVES DISEASE,ASTHMA

Impact summary New medicines started during this stay:

Short course of Analgesia. BIsoprolol and Carbimazole started for Thyrotoxicosis and AF

Presentation = 53 year old lady admitted with shortness of breath, anxiety, palpitations, sweatiness, tremors and diarrhoea.

Investigations revealed: TSH less than 0.1 Free T4 of 54.4 Free T3 of 36. 2 Troponin T less than 0.03

Medication on Discharge

Carbimazole 40 mg

Paracetamol

Visco tears

BIsoprolol 1.25

Tramadol cap 10mg

I had to beg for the Free T3 and T4 test after the Endo had told me my Thyroid was normal with a TSH of 6.

Any advice and what is Troponin. Case story to follow. Seeing Proffessor Zora on the 27th. Any one had any experience of him? Thanks

[helvella Administrator]

Troponin is used to determine whether you have had a heart attack!

nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/enc...

I found that I had to use preservative-free single dose ViscoTears for my dry eyes as I became sensitive to the preservative. And I needed to use up to four times a day. Plus LacriLube at night (which might be worth getting).

My concern is that you do not get left on 40 mg carbimazole longer than needed. It has been all too common to read posts here of people who have become very hypothyroid by continuing to take the originally prescribed dose and not cutting down as needed. Of course, this is something you need to discuss with your ongoing care providers (GP?).

It was quite peculiar reading your posts from within the hospital. New technology does achieve some amazing things.

Hopefully you have turned a corner - both yourself and those who should be helping to treat you.

Rod

[PinkNinja]

Well done for insisting on the T4 and T3 tests otherwise there would have not been a correct diagnosis! I wonder if a letter (not a complaint - just stating the facts of how you were treated) might be in order? Unfortunately I know nothing of such things so you would have to make sure that this would not make things worse.

I'm glad you are finally getting the right treatment. I second Rod's concern about the Carbimazole, but you seem quite assertive so I'm sure you will make sure this is monitored correctly.

Thank you for keeping us updated. I hope you make a speedy recovery from this.

Take care

Carolyn x

[shaws Administrator]

I am glad you are now home and hope everything goes well for you.

[editfmrt]

Those FT3 and FT4 results are quite shocking and to think you had to beg an endocrinologist to do them in the first place just defies belief.

I agree with CarolynB about a letter and not a complaint per se. I would ask for a written response. If you don't have it on record that you had to do his job for him it will look like he has done a good job - ordered the right tests, made a correct diagnosis and saved you from a dangerous thyroid storm. These endo are treated like Gods even by other hospital staff - when they fall short like this it needs to be exposed.

Glad you stuck to your guns and hope you are feeling much better soon.

[helvella Administrator]

Thanks - but very oddly I do not seem to need any at the moment! A few months ago I was on four lots a day and LacriLube and still felt dry.

But will remember that.

Especially as it is based on hyaluronate - which is pretty much what seems to cause the non-pitting oedema of hypothyroidism. Seems like a full circle...

[Clarebear]

Yes glad you have been discharged but totally shocked that you had to diagnose yourself and request the correct tests. Well done The letter sounds like a great idea too. Hope you continue to improve.xx