RE: Upcoming Endo appt

[Guest guest]

Hi Jo,

Write a list of all your symptoms a copy for you and a copy for dr. also writr a bullet point list of your health history to date concerning your present ill health and ask her to keep this copy in your records.

also bring all your medications with you so she can see and make a record of this.

also if you have your pulse and temperature recordings before you get out of bed for 5 days this may also be helpful.

bring someone close to you with you to help you feel supported.

dont let dr fob you off to be seen again in 6 months. ask what is the soonest you can see dr again to review your health.

bring a list of questions you have with you.

be assertive and stay calm !

Please let us know how you get on.

sending you lots of good wishes.

kindest Regards,

Bernie.

From: Joanne Owen <owen.joanne@...>thyroid treatment Sent: Tue, 1 March, 2011 15:05:51Subject: Upcoming Endo appt

Hi,I have an appointment with an endo at Salford next week. I was diagnosed with M.E. last December, but have classic Hypothyroid symptoms. Autoimmune/thyroid disease run in my family on my mother's side. Can anyone give me any suggestions how to best prepare myself, as it's been enough of a struggle getting seen in the first place. I really don't want to be fobbed off!!Thanks,Jo

[Guest guest]

Hi Jan, go to our FILES section (accessible from the Home Page

of this forum's web site thyroid treatment

and scroll down to NHS Information for Patients (I think???) and in there ,

click on 'First Visit to Endocrinologist' and you will pick up some good tips

there.

Luv - Sheila

Hi,

I have an appointment with an endo at Salford next week. I was

diagnosed with M.E. last December, but have classic Hypothyroid

symptoms. Autoimmune/thyroid disease run in my family on my

mother's side. Can anyone give me any suggestions how to best prepare

myself, as it's been enough of a struggle getting seen in the first

place. I really don't want to be fobbed off!!

Thanks,

Jo

[Guest guest]

Hi Sheila,I can't find 'First Visit to Endocrinologist', any tips please?Best wishes,JoFrom: Sheila <sheila@...>thyroid treatment Sent: Wed, 2 March, 2011 8:21:46Subject: RE: Upcoming Endo appt

Hi Jan, go to our FILES section (accessible from the Home Page

of this forum's web site thyroid treatment

and scroll down to NHS Information for Patients (I think???) and in there ,

click on 'First Visit to Endocrinologist' and you will pick up some good tips

there. Luv - Sheila

Hi,

I have an appointment with an endo at Salford next week. I was

diagnosed with M.E. last December, but have classic Hypothyroid

symptoms. Autoimmune/thyroid disease run in my family on my

mother's side. Can anyone give me any suggestions how to best prepare

myself, as it's been enough of a struggle getting seen in the first

place. I really don't want to be fobbed off!!

Thanks,

Jo

[Guest guest]

Jo,

You need to scroll down to NHS treatment and the doc is in there..... here's

the link....

thyroid treatment/files/NHS%20TREATMEN\

T/

.

>

> Hi Sheila,

> I can't find 'First Visit to Endocrinologist', any tips please?

> Best wishes,

> Jo

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sheree, you need to write a letter to your endocrinologist so

you are sure that he has all the information you can give him and give him time

to read this before your appointment.

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 any members of your family who have a thyroid or

autoimmune disease.

Next, take your basal temperature for 4 or 5 days before getting

out of bed in a morning and list these if they are 97y.8 degrees F (36.6

degrees C) or less.

Next, list all of the tests you need to check fully your thyroid

function. These are TSH, free T4, free T3, TPO and TgAb (thyroid antibodies).

Next, ask for your blood to be checked to see what your levels

of specific minerals and vitamins are, because if any of these are low in the

range, no amount of thyroid hormone (not even your own) is able to be properly

utilised at the cellular level. These are ferritin, vitamin B12, vitamin D3,

magnesium, folate, copper and zinc. Add into your letter the attached document

in case your endocrinologist tries to tell you that there is no association

between these low levels and low thyroid.

Ask that when these test results are returned, you are sent a

copy, together with the reference range for each of the tests done, because if

any of these are returned within the so called 'normal' reference range, the

doctor is likely to tell you that all is " normal " and that you do not

have a problem. This is often NOT the case. Post these results on the forum

here and we will help with their interpretation.

Ask the endocrinologist to give you a thorough clinical

examination (something I am sure your GP will never have done) and something

the GMC, the DoH and even the BTF state categorically should be done, together

with taking a history of your past medical problems and that of your family,

taking symptoms and signs into account AND BLOOD TESTS ALONE ARE INSUFFICIENT

TO REACH A DIAGNOSIS.

Write in your letter that you are determined to find the cause of

your present symptoms and that you hope your endocrinologist will work with you

to find the cause.

Last, ask for your letter of requests to be placed into your

medical notes and remember to keep a copy for yourself in case you need this at

a later date.

Hope this helps - but meanwhile, check our FILES section and

look under 'Information for Patients' and there you should find a document

entitled 'First visit to Endocrinologist'. Check out the information there and

make a note of the tips we have given.

Luv - Sheila

Hi, I have an appointment with an

endocrinologist next Tuesday which I have to say I am facing with some

trepidation!! I've just seen my GP who cannot see any further than my 'mental

health problems', and despite just showing her the contents of my constantly

blocked and bloody nose, (I have atrophic rhinitis and chronic sinusits), which

is no better after 2 recent courses of antibiotics, I cannot convince my GP

than any of my symptoms are not purely down to depression and anxiety.

1 of 1 File(s)

LOW MINERALS AND VITAMINS AND THE THYROID CONNECTION.doc

[Guest guest]

Hello

I will try to write a longer reply later but just to say my case sounds VERY

much like yours - told l had ME for 4 years, TSH rising etc. Totally relate to

the dizziness and chest pressure. On Tuesday I saw an Endo for the first time

and finally diagnosed hypothyroid. I'm doing this on mobile but will login

properly when I can and explain how I got to the diagnosis. Getting my

antibodies confirmed positive was the most important step - have you had this

test?

Hugs

>

> Hi, I have an appointment with an endocrinologist next Tuesday which I have to

say I am facing with some trepidation!! I've just seen my GP who cannot see any

further than my 'mental health problems', and despite just showing her the

contents of my c

[Guest guest]

Hi There,

Please try to be positive about your appointment with your Endo. They cannot hang you at dawn, so what can they do that will hurt you more than your body is hurt already? Nothing. Come on build up your strength and just say it as it is. If the doc is rude back just ask politely for him not to be rude to you and that if he persists you will terminate the consultation and write him a very long letter which you will expect him to read before your next consultation which you would expect to be within 2 weeks maximum. What I am saying is YOU CALL THE SHOTS. Dont let them walk over you. Put your case and if he doesnt listen just say I will repeat myself and remain here talking until you listen....something like that; the trick is to take control, dont let them take control.

So be clear in your head what you want to say, what you want to get across, what you want to find out and what you want from the conusltation at the end.....and just keep focused on that. If the doc takes you off track check your prompt page and pull him back until you get your answer...satisfactory answer. Best of luck....You can do it, remember he is no more human than you and you deserve the best. Sally xx>> Hi, I have an appointment with an endocrinologist next Tuesday which I have to say I am facing with some trepidation!! I've just seen my GP who cannot see any further than my 'mental health problems', and despite just showing her the contents of my c

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thanks for your reply, can't wait to find out how you finally got diagnosed. I

don't think my antibodies were tested, as it was December last year when I was

diagnosed with M.E., but my TSH was definitely still rising. I'm hoping that

this time I'll get a positive result.

Thanks Sheree

>

> Hello

> I will try to write a longer reply later but just to say my case sounds VERY

much like yours - told l had ME for 4 years, TSH rising etc.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sheila,

Thanks for all your invaluable advice.

Best wishes, Sheree

>

> Sheree, you need to write a letter to your endocrinologist so you are sure

> that he has all the information you can give him and give him time to read

> this before your appointment.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sally,

Thanks so much for your reply, you've reminded me of the attitude I really need

to adopt at all times!!!

Best wishes, Sheree

>

> Hi There,

>  

> Please try to be positive about your appointment with your Endo.  They cannot

hang you at dawn, so what can they do that will hurt you more than your body is

hurt already?  Nothing.  Come on build up your strength and just say it as it

is.