NHS strikes again...

[Tony63]

Does the H stand for Horrific? Nothing but Horrific Service?

I went with Edysia today to see an NHS endocrinologist, we were told we were seeing the top consultant (I believed them as usual, Edyta didn't) turned out Edyta was right (as usual) and we got a very young and inexperienced Endo. who had never heard of Erfa.

We were asking him about PCOS and he looked at Edyta's blood test results and said "As your LH level is 2-3 times higher than your FSH level that means you are very unlikely to have PCOS, in fact I would bet all of my money that you don't. It is very unlikely with those readings".

Cue big sigh of relief from us! PCOS is not a factor, great news! However Edyta didn't look that pleased.

When we got back to Edyta's house she checked and found that he had made a mistake, He had got the LH and FSH mixed up and what he said was completely wrong, In fact during the second half of the menstrual cycle if the LH level is 2-3 times higher than FSH level that means that there is no ovulation and there is a risk of PCOS!!!

Another idiot. So many idiots.

Edyta is quite lucky that she is knowledgeable about these things and never, ever takes a 'doctor's' word for anything. But I worry about the hundreds of thousands of people who are given wrong information like this and skip off down the road thinking that they are in safe hands. It's terrifying.

I'm going there tomorrow to tell him off and ask for all of his money that he bet. I'm joking about the money but someone is getting an earful tomorrow.

We are aware that the thyroid causes disruption in reproductive organ function, an under -active thyroid can contribute to the development of uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts, it can also mask PCOS.

In a lot of cases thyroid hormone replacement can treat both thyroid and gynecological issues, however in some cases such as PCOS additional treatment might be needed.

Has anybody came across a good gynecologist that specializes in PCOS and knows about the endocrine system? I would appreciate your help.

Had to have a mini rant, I'm getting so fed up of these 'professionals'

[Tony63]

...I just realized I have already asked the Gyno question! My brain hurts...

[PinkNinja in reply to Tony63]

I'm not surprised your brain hurts having to deal with hard-of-thinking doctors all the time!

[Tony63 in reply to PinkNinja]

It's too small to handle this much work!

[PinkNinja]

I'm sorry to hear about such bad treatment. You are right that if it wasn't for educating ourselves, who knows what state we would be in now! I have had macrocytosis since I was pregnant with my daughter (she's now 6!) I was always told (every 6 months at my blood tests) that it was nothing to worry about it and no-one knew why my red blood cells were so large. I recently found out here that it could be a B12 deficiency so I started taking the Jarrows B12. My last blood test showed that my MCV had reduced to the top of the range, so that was an improvement and I think that proves my case! I still can't get a B12 test though I have had so many symptoms because of it and was seen by various "specialists", none of whom even suggested B12 even after seeing blood test results showing a high MCV.

Anyway, I know this is nothing compared to what Edysia is having to deal with at the moment but it does make me worry about all those other people who don't know all this information, just as it worries you.

I'm afraid I don't know any gynaecologists that can help but hopefully someone will be along shortly with some information for you. It might be that you are better with a good endocrinologist that has some experience of gynaecological problems. Hopefully someone can come up with a name for you.

Keep fighting and educating yourselves and do keep asking questions. We'll all do our best to point you in the right direction or just be here to support you both.

Please pass on my best wishes to Edysia. I hope she gets some proper answers soon!

Carolyn x

[Tony63 in reply to PinkNinja]

Thank you Carolyn, You're always so nice! I was just letting off some steam, I was given Marion G's name last time I asked and Edyta likes the look of her...so we might be giving her a try...

[edited by admin to remove surname of doctor]

[PinkNinja in reply to Tony63]

Brilliant. Do you mind if I just put her initial for her last name as we don't want any good doctors getting into trouble It's good that you got a recommendation. Hopefully Edysia will get the help she need finally!

[RedApple]

Hi Tony, So sorry you and Edysia have had yet another appalling medical experience

That said, I'm with Edysia in not having any faith or trust that these doctors know what they're talking about. I too have seen umpteen so called specialists, some of whom have been downright rude, unsympathetic, unhelpful and even twisted my words when writing their report to my GP.

However, I wish I could also say that it's just the awful NHS doctors that are like this. But it isn't. I saw doctors privately, and all I got for my fee was a longer appointment time in more luxury surroundings. The doctors themselves were equally useless.

So, maybe it's a UK wide problem then, regardless of NHS or private? Well no, I don't think so. I've seen enough horror stories over the years from other countries, most especially from people in the USA who appear to be constantly 'sacking' their useless doctors.

If anyone knows which country has best medical professionals, and can help people like us with complicated health problems linked into thyroid issues, please let me know. I'll seriously consider emigrating

PS, thanks for the opportunity to rant on your blog

[Hidden in reply to RedApple]

Note to all key personnel - emigrating is NOT allowed...!

L

x

[RedApple in reply to Hidden]

They have internet in other countries too now I believe

[Hidden in reply to RedApple]

eek!

then again, hmm Spain & Sunshine (my fav topic) no my brother complains of intermittent service & it's painfully slow, def not a good idea

of course the private docs are sadly usually also NHS docs x

[Schenks in reply to RedApple]

Probably Saturn. Bit far to travel though.

[Schenks in reply to Schenks]

In reply to RedApple's question.

[deskplant]

Hey Tony. I recently put up a comment about a bad Endo experience I had and being handed off to a bored Registrar instead of seeing the consultant, and I got two amazing comments back both offering the same advice. I'll pass on the advice to you and my own tip.

1) RING the secretary of the consultant you want. Lay it on think about how important it is that you see this consultant. A good and friendly secretary bodes well in my experience.

2) when you get to the clinic INSIST you'll only see the consultant you want -- even if you have to wait much longer to do so. They will then put you in his queue. And eventually they'll know that you'll chose to wait and will only see the consultant.

I printed off one of the messages i got and took it to my doctor. She read it and pointed out that waiting / insisting at the clinic was in fact an excellent piece of advice.

3) My TIP? Write out what you've said about above the mistake. And send it to the Consultant you want to see. Send it to his secretary - when you ring them and get the details let her know you'll be writing asap before your next appointment. And state clearly it's a serious mistake. But if you put it in writing it must be added to the file. Be nice about it. And use it as a reason for insisting on seeing the consultant. Be very political about it. VERY POLITICAL. 'Play the game'. That's also a tip from my amazing GP.

4) Another TIP is turning the questioning around. I can't remember if this tip was to me or something else I read on this site. But this is it:

'if you were the patient and were told ..... ( or worried about ......) wouldn't you ask your specialist?'

I like that reverse questioning. Apparently it's very good at getting them to agree with you and once they've done that they're more likely to get on board with your case

Good luck xx