Help with referral to Dr Skinner please?

[infomaniac]

I have an appointment tomorrow with GP and am going to ask for a referral to Dr Skinner but would love a bit of advice as how to word it so it doesn't sound too cheeky! Also, am I right in thinking Dr S can't prescribe? If so how do I get round it if my GP doesn't agree with his diagnosis? Thanks a lot.

[nobodysdriving]

Just ask to be referred.

If your GP 'refuses' ask why, if he/she says because Dr Skinner has been in front of the GMC too many times then say there is NO SAFER practitioner she/he can refer you to as at present Dr Skinner IS under GMC conditions so he's under very strict 'scrutiny' and is also supervised by a consultant endocrinologist, so surely what is your GP 'scared' about? can't be safer than that right?

PS Dr Skinner 'can' and does prescribe

[mitchell66 in reply to nobodysdriving]

Love this lol I'll have that one ready

[shaws Administrator]

Dr S always contacts the GP and informs him of the diagnosis. He then asks if he/she will prescribe for you. Sometime the GP does if it is levothyroxine but not usually if is dessicated thyroid hormone which you will then have to purchase with a prescription from Dr. S.

If your G.P. queries Dr S say at the last hearing there were 2,500 testimonials of people's life being given back to them by proper diagnoses and treatment.

Let's know what your GP says.

[infomaniac in reply to shaws]

Thanks a lot, that's great and gives me plenty of ammunition! I will report back tomorrow

[infomaniac in reply to shaws]

Well.. I went in armed with lots of info I'd printed off, ready to do battle only for the GP to say that as I had high antibodies and as my TSH is not in range (the GP last week said it WAS!) he was happy to prescribe Levothyroxine. So, I'm now the proud owner of some tablets I'm scared to take! He said that once I started taking the tablets my symptoms would start to abate, but having been a member of this forum for over a year I know that this is not strictly true.

I'm not sure why, when I have achieved what I wanted, but I feel a bit down now Can anyone understand that?

[shaws Administrator in reply to infomaniac]

Well, it is good that your doctor has prescribed due to your antibodies and you should give levo a chance as many do well on it, as long as their dose is high enough and our TSH is 1 or below, not kept within range.

Don't be afraid to take the tablets, they are only a hormone which is being replaced. He should increase your dose and take a blood test in about 6 weeks and raise your dose again, usually it is about 25mcg each time till you feel the real benefits.

If not, you do have an alternative now if it doesn't work out.

[infomaniac in reply to shaws]

I am even more afraid now after just scanning through here to see how to actually take the stuff. I know it's to replace something that's missing but if that's the case, why do people feel so bad on it? How on earth do people gain weight if it's supposed to regulate your metabolism?

To be honest after what I've read this morning I think I will be better off without it. Sorry to rant but I feel really down about it all.

[shaws Administrator in reply to infomaniac]

Most people on levothyroxine have no trouble at all and feel well when they get onto the appropriate dose. They don't gain weight either.

I should imagine in the UK there must be millions on meds for thyroid conditions. It is usually when you are not getting better that you begin to look for an answer when it doesn't come from the GP etc.

You cannot stop taking levothyroxine as you will become seriously ill and if you do not want to develop other serious illnesses you have to take it every single day of your lifetime.

People usually feel bad if they are sensitive to some of the binders/fillers - not to the thyroxine - or if they are not getting sufficient meds.

The fact too, that if you do get problems there is some support and advice here from people who have got better or are improving. It is also a place where you can vent your feelings as many just cannot understand how ill we can feel.

[Heloise in reply to infomaniac]

Hi info, did he instruct you? Are you starting at 25 mcg. each day for a week or so and then add another 25 mcg.? Or are you just instructed to take 50 mcg. for a month or two?

[infomaniac in reply to Heloise]

Hi-he said to take 25mg for about 4 weeks then go back to see how things are going. Does that sound OK? I am dreading taking it in the morning! Incidentally, is it best to take it in the morning?

[Heloise in reply to infomaniac]

Hmmm, I hope you post that question and see what others have to say. It doesn't sound right but he may have his reasons. Maybe he is just working on reducing the antibodies and thinks that is all you would need for that purpose. So I don't want to interfere with that but it doesn't seem the norm.

[infomaniac in reply to Heloise]

Why doesn't it seem right? Is it not high enough?

[Heloise in reply to infomaniac]

Yes, the only people I've ever known to take such a low dose are women in their 70's or 80's and who did not have Hashimoto's. But, this is not to say you should not stick to this dose. Normally you move up to the replacement dose that works for you and commonly around 100 or 125 mcg.

I think most take it in the morning before breakfast but some take it in two doses and some take it at night.

[Heloise in reply to infomaniac]

You could also try taking selenium which may also reduce antibodies.

[Lizbeth1]

Could you tell me why dr skinner was first scrutinised by the GMC. Thanks

[shaws Administrator in reply to Lizbeth1]

As far as I know he prescribed to people who had symptoms of hypothyroidism, despite TSH being 'within range and if the patient didn't get well on levo he prescribed armour.

It is not patients who made complaints - it was the Establishment.

Dr Skinner is a virologist but he was taught clinical symptoms of thyroid gland problems when he was a trainee doctor and that's how people were diagnosed at that time.

He disagrees with the guidelines laid down as he has seen so many people who are undiagnosed or untreated/undertreated. He has started the following and anyone who wishes to sign his article that would be good.

worldthyroidregister.com/