Guest guest Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 Hello > I posted (for first time) just before Xmas when I came away from> endocrinologist appointment "redfaced & agitated". I'm trying to get my> thoughts clear before I go back to the GP and I wondered if any of you> had any ideas. I'm bothered about the GP because, when he referred me to> the endo, it was because he "didn't know enough about thyroids" (his> words) and will be very inclined to accept the word of the 'expert' (who> in this case is bouncing me back to the GP with the view 'hormones fine,> depression the problem'). Obviously, you have hit on both a GP and an endocrinologist who know absolutely NOTHING about hypothyroidism - and if it is not possible to lose your GP and find a new one, I would ask him to refer you to an endocrinologist who DOES know what he is talking about. Tell us where you live in the UK and we will try to find one in your area, but if not, you can be referred to one outside of your area. Alternatively, are you able to visit a specialist privately? Let us know either way, and we will get working on this. Giving "depression" as a diagnosis is far too easy a cop out for doctors who don't know how to reach a proper diagnosis - or who can't be bothered to do further research. Doctors are supposed to keep themselves up to date. > I think I need to manage the visit to the GP but how best to? I'm> thinking I want to ask for a full breakdown of my blood test results for> the last 18 months (one thing I've learned from TPA-UK is we need to> know our numbers!). If your doctor doesn't know anything about hypothyroidism, I doubt he will know how to interpret your blood test results. Tell him you would like all of your thyroid function tests for the past 18 months and post them here to us and we will try to help you. If you have not had a blood test to see if you have antibodies to your thyroid, then ask your GP to do this. I also wondered about asking for fresh set of full> bloods: what is that? Which is the most important one to get? Free T3? A "fresh set" is the full thyroid function test (TFT). This consists of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) - this is the most important one, A Free Thyroxine (T4) - this measures the amount of thyroxine in your blood, and a Free triiodothyronine (FT3) - this measures the amount of the active hormone in your blood. If your laboratory won't do these, you can get a full TFT done through NPTech Services and you can find details of this laboratory in our Files. What else do you think I should raise with the GP? Should I ask about> alternatives to the Levothyroxine I'm on? Do I just ask for T3 to be> prescribed? Do I mention Armour? What if the GP looks blank at the> mention of alternatives? I don't want to come away from the GP having> not only not got any help but but also feeling like it's another door> closed and I'm running out of doors! Any thoughts? As your doctor acknowledges he knows nothing about hypothyroidism, it would be a useless exercise to ask him to give you a trial of 'alternative' medication. He would need an endocrinologist to recommend you needed additional T3 and the majority of medical practitioners do not know about Armour. So , I would save yourself the embarassment of him looking totally perplexed and of being turned down. As you must have posted your original message in another `thread' I am unable to remember your story exactly. Can you find me your original message and then we can take it from there as to what you now need to do. First thing I would do is to try to find a doctor in your practice who does know a little about hypothyroidism. You could do this by asking for an interview with the practice manager. Talk to him/her and tell him/her what yhour problem is and that you would like to change to a doctor who knows how to look after you. Point me in the direction of your original message to jolt my memory. Luv - Sheila Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 7, 2008 Report Share Posted January 7, 2008 Here is a list of endocrinologists in North Wales - maybe it might be an idea to ring each of them and ask their opinion about treating hypothyroidism with combination therapy where this is necessary. That way, you can get an idea of whether you have hit on a caring one or not and then you can ask your GP to refer you to that one. I don't know how to cut and paste this from my database, but if you are reading this message from the web, scroll across and you will get the full address of each endocrinologist. These are all NHS endo's, but there is one here, Dr Myhill, but she is purely a private doctor - but if you wish to see a private doctor, she is excellent. Dr Myhill MBBS Upper Weston Llangunllo Kingston, Powys Wales, Mid to North LD7 1SL Dr F Child FRCP MBChB Wrexham Maelor Hospital Croesnewydd Road Wrexham Wales, North LL13 7TD Dr N R Harvey Wrexham Maelor Hospital Croesnewydd Road Wrexham Wales, North LL13 7TD Dr M M A Hassanein MRCP(UK) Glan Clwyd District General Hospital Bodelwyddan Rhyl Wales, North LL18 5UJ Dr R Stutchfield BSc MBBS FRCP FRCPCH Ysbyty Glan Clwyd Sarn Lane Rhyl Wales, North LL18 5UJ Dr Wilton Ysbyty Gwynedd Penrhosgarnedd Bangor Wales, North LL57> Hi Sheila> Thanks for that. I originally posted as Message 3226 (Newbie update).> I live in North Wales and went to the endo at Wrexham Maelor hospital> (bloke called Stanaway).> I intend to take your advice and see a different GP: I go to a Group> practice and have seen all 6 of them at one time or another in the> last 3 years, so I am ok about seeing one of the others who may know> more. At the time the GP referred me to the endo, I was quite pleased> that he was seeing it as the best thing to do because he did not know> enough himself but, having got nowhere with the endo, I'm not so sure!> That's why I was/am concerned about going back to the GP and literally> starting again.> Are you saying the GP can't/won't prescribe anything apart from levo> or have I misunderstood that bit of your reply?> > > > > >> > > > > > Hello > > > > > > > I posted (for first time) just before Xmas when I came away from> > > endocrinologist appointment "redfaced & agitated". > > > > Point me in the direction of your original message to jolt my memory.> > > > Luv - Sheila> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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