for sheila Is this letter okay?

[Guest guest]

Hi Sheila,

I'm going to hopefully see a new Gp tomorrow and I've typed out the

following letter and also ticked symptoms on the check list on the

TPA web site for him. I'll copy the letter here, does this sound

okay to you, as I don't want to step on any medical mans toes if you

know what I mean. I don't know how I'm going to bring the letter up

or should I just give it to him as I first go in?

Dear Doctor,

I have been suffering with many health problems (see enclosed check

list) for many years now. I have really not felt well since October

2002. When I had problems with one of my eyes, and this started with

me sleeping solidly for a month. Going to see my previous GP on

several occasions, and prescribed anti-biotic eye drops etc.

Visiting Opticians to be told I had severe dry eye and ending up

after many trips to the GP paying to see a Eye Specialist at the Bupa

Hospital in Norwich who diaganosed Blepharitis. He did blood tests

and although they were normal he told me to keep a check on my

thyroid and ESR results.

Over the past few years more and more symptoms have emerged. I went

back to my previous GP on several occasions only to be told, its

either because I'm depressed or overweight. I asked for TSH full

function blood tests, but only given the standard TSH. The results

are as follows.

October 2004 2.62 (this was the one ordered by the eye specialist)

October 2006 2.92

October 2007 3.15

I also had cholesterol blood tests and they were also raised. October

2007 I was called in to see my previous GP, who wanted to prescribe

me diet pills and anti depressants as she was sure that was wrong

with me.

After the eye specialist had asked me to keep a check on my thyroid

levels I started to look into thyroid issues. As you can see my TSH

has risen over the years and although it is in the lab range I have

read that a normal TSH result does not always rule out that you do

not have a thyroid issue.

I also read to take your basal temperature before rising the normal

being 98.04 degrees, and since December 4th and up to January 7th

2008, my lowest reading has been 96.38(35.77c)and the highest (which

was taking during my period) has been 97.07 (36.14c). So mine in

under the normal.

Last December I went to see a private Doctor who on looking at my

symptoms, looking at the check list of symptoms and going on my past

history, my paternal grandmother had thyroid problems, and my other

grandmother had pernicious anemia, also with me starting my periods

at the age of 9 and other tests etc, he diagnosed me as hypothyroid.

He recommended thyroid supplements and other supplements but feel the

only way I can feel better is with thyroid hormone replacement. My

eyes are worse, sore and dry, bad vision and I'm lethargic and want

to sleep all the time and I do not want to carry on like this.

Would it be possible for me to have a full thyroid function tests to

include tsh, free T4 and free T3 also a blood test for antibodies in

my thyroid as regards to rule out Sjogren's which I know can cause a

dry mouth and dry eyes and joint pains etc.

I don't want to come across as I'm telling you your job, that is not

what I'm doing, I'm just putting it all down in writing as I find

it's the easiest way for me.

thanks Sheila