Advice pre doctor's appointment please

[Guest guest]

Hi all. Hoping you can help with some advice please on what to say to my GP when

I see him next week or what tests to ask for. Apologies for the length of this

email but there is some background which is relevant to my query :-

I'm on 100mcg of Levothyroxine having been diagnosed with auto immune

hypothyroid/Hashimotos 4 years ago. Most of my 'major' symptoms - brain fog,

inability to concentrate, confusion, seem to have improved somewhat but some

(notably weight gain!!) have steadfastly remained and one if anything has got

significantly worse in the past few months.

It was numb hands at night that initially took me to the GP.I mentioned the

other symptoms just before leaving and he ordered blood tests which showed low

thyroid function so he then ordered the antibody test which showed auto immune

hypothyroidism. I still have the numbness and pins and needles at night but now

have pain in my thumb joints and sometimes this also causes difficulty opening

jars/holding things. Following a few periods of gritty sore eyes I have also

recently been diagnosed with 'dry eyes' by my optician. In a recent tear test

she said the 'normal' time for tear evaporation is 10 seconds and mine was 4.

She gave me a protocol to follow which involves stimulating the meibomian glands

and this has helped but apparently it is not curable - the protocol only helps

to unblock the glands and has to be done night and morning.

My concern is this - when I see my GP he is understanding but tends to only

treat the symptoms rather than sort the underlying condition out. I've seen

endocrinologists but they are useless and simply told me to 'learn to live with

the remaining symptoms' as my 'thyroid function tests are normal'. My GP is

likely to say that its 'up to me' which treatment I choose (anti inflammatories,

cortisone injection, surgery) or none in that I can leave it and hope it goes

with rest. This latter is not an option as I drive for a living which apparently

makes carpal tunnel worse. The fact that I've now developed dry eyes, which if

the stuff I've read is correct, can be associated with auto immune disease such

as Hashimotos and the intial blood test actually said on it that the result puts

me at risk of other auto immune related diseases makes me think the underlying

thyroid condition has not been optimally treated or something else is going on.

I still get tired quickly and have to 'push' myself to keep going when doing any

activity which involves physical effort.

I'd appreciate some advice on what I can say that will get him to try something

different to his usual approach.

Kind regards

[Guest guest]

Hello

I'm so sorry to hear that you are going through so much. In such

circumstances, it seems to work better to write a letter to your GP setting

down various things with requests for specific tests etc so that your GP has

time to grasp whatever you requests might involve and give him time to do a bit

of extra research if that is needed.

First, list all of your symptoms and signs. Check these against

those in our web site www.tpa-uk.org.uk

under 'Hypothyroidism'.

Next, list your temperatures taken for 4 or 5 mornings before

you get out of bed, if these are 36.6 degrees C (97.8 degrees F) or lower. These

low temperatures show your metabolism is under functioning.

Next, list the thyroid function tests you need, to include TSH,

free T4 and free T3 and ask for these results when they are returned, together

with the reference range for each test done.

Next, ask for the specific minerals and vitamin levels to be

tested to see whether any of these are low in the reference range. These are

ferritin, vitamin B12, vitamin D23, magnesium, folate, copper and zinc. Again,

ask for the results with the reference range. Should any of these be low, they

must be supplemented. Be prepared for your GP to tell you that there is no

association between low levels of mins/vits and hypothyroidism, and give him a

copy of the attached document where we have cited just a few of the references

to the science to show that there is.

Next, tell him that levothyroxine-only is not giving you back

your optimal health and that you would like a trial of T4/T3 combination.

Hashimoto's should not be treated with T4 - it should be treated with the

ACTIVE thyroid hormone T3. You should also be on a gluten free diet as thyroid

antibodies thrive on gluten.

Next, ask for a referral to an endocrinologist of your choice -

you CAN be referred outside of your area. I will send you a list of recommended

endocrinologists who will prescribe T4/T3 combination therapy either synthetic

or natural.

Next, ask that your letter of requests be placed into your

medical notes.

Send this letter off now so he has time to digest the contents

before your next appointment, and very good luck!

Luv - Sheila

I still get tired quickly and have to 'push'

myself to keep going when doing any activity which involves physical effort.

I'd appreciate some advice on what I can say that will get him to try something

different to his usual approach.

Kind regards

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LOW MINERALS AND VITAMINS AND THE THYROID CONNECTION.doc