Mixed feelings about appointment

[Aeracognie]

So I had my doctors appointment this morning following up blood tests (only the aforementioned TPO 117 iu/ml and TSH 2.2 (range 0.1-4.5) was measure unfortunately SeasideSusie ). GP agreed to trying me on 75mcg levothyroxine on a trial basis which is good, and wants me in next week for bloods to check T3 and T4. So he seemed to have some idea about things, was the first person to actually say out loud "Those antibodies mean you have autoimmune thyroiditis" and has talked about increasing me to 100mcg in future if needed. So that was all positive.

However, he got dismissive the second I mentioned I was on a gluten free diet, spoke very patronizingly about how the thyroid works, cut me off after asking me about my symptoms, tried to get me to leave before doing what I actually had come in for (weight, blood pressure etc) saying the nurses do that and only gave in and did it when I refused because that was why the other doctor had booked me this appointment. He then proceeded to spend 20 minutes on my weight, when I said I had joined Slimming World dismissed my diet as average, tried to tell me what to eat (mentioning bread repeatedly after I had told him I was gluten free), advised me to "skip lunch, you don't need it" and generally being very patronising to the point that I left absolutely furious.

On top of that I wanted to ask for a physical examination of my thyroid as I don't remember anyone ever checking and some vitamin/mineral tests, but he was so overbearing I could barely get a word in edgeways and ended up leaving without asking for either. Its ruined my mood for the day and left me almost rebellion eating rubbish for most of the day. Just feeling really wound up about it all.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Aeracognie

At least you've got your Levo.

When having your blood test next week make sure you book the earliest appointment of the morning, fast overnight from your evening meal (water allowed) and leave 24 hours between last dose of Levo and blood draw, take Levo afterwards.

As far as your gluten free diet is concerned, just don't bother discussing it, it really isn't worth wasting time and emotion when someone's mind is so closed.

[Salphy]

To be honest i really don't think many gp's have a clue how to do a physical exam of the thyroid.

My gp reluctantly felt it as I remembered after leaving her office and went back in. Told me it felt fine.

Second gp I asked admitted she didn't know what she was feeling for and referred me for a thyroid ultrasound.

Private endo told me he could feel a lump on one side. Where I was getting pain on palpation.

Ultrasound showed my thyroid to be really small. So more likely none of them could really feel anything.

See if you can get an ultrasound referral. Otherwise some private hospitals do them. I was looking into it before I got my referral and they were about £120-£180.

[Rmichelle]

Hi there fight for what you need, i agree with salphy gps are useless when it comes to feeling the thyroid-my gp toldvme he knew nothing about the thyroid and referred me for a ultrasound, my endo felt my neck for no more than 2 secs and told me no lumps nodules -well he was wrong!! I have around 8 well defined ones-make sure you go back and say what you need.good luck. Ooh and you should not skip lunch or dinner-ignorant ass him!!

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Rmichelle]

Well, skipping meals is fine - but not for the reasons the GP probably meant. Lots of people do well with OMAD or 16/8 or 5/2 or another version of intermittent fasting.

[Rmichelle in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Yes you are correct but gp was very rude-like you said for the wrong reasons, ooh i like my meals and i would not give a meal a miss-only if i was ill😊