Am well versed on the physiology of thyroid disease as that applies to me and around 15% of hypothyroid patients. Whenever GPs have spoken to me about thyroid matters and I explain that I’ve been forced to self-medicate, I take xyz and start to explain the reason why. Without exception I’ve been shut down.

So you’re not well versed in the physiology of the other 85% of hypothyroid patients, i.e. the majority. Are they the ones that speak nicely to their GP and follow the suggestions?

Can’t see why you would be “shut down”*

I’m pretty much familiar with GPs thatns to being diabetic, I don’t always see why the things that are recommended are like they are, but I listen and work with them. My last A1C was 46, before that 52, so I’d say that following GP Practice and NHS advice has worked for me.

It’s not all been perfect, had the odd blood test have missing results and had a shed load of problems with statins, but they all got sorted in the end.

Even given the limited appointment times and stretched resources my GP and Practice Nurse have been brilliant.

Stop knocking the NHS every five minutes, it’s far better than Doctor Google.

(*Sarcasm)

Any of you suffers tried ashwagandha?

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ashwaganda&oq=ashwaganda&aqs=chrome..69i57&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#q=ashwagandha+thyroid

Chuckles at whimbrel’s post. 😀

allan23 – with respect, this thread was started by a user asking if anyone here was hypothyroid and some have expressed dissatisfaction with their treatment. I am always polite with GP’s, I didn’t follow their suggestions as I knew they were wrong but managed to persuade them to let me have a trial of Thyroxine. I was given 25mcg of Thyroxine for one month and felt worse, was told I couldn’t be hypothyroid as it would have made me feel better. My suggestion that I needed a higher dose for a longer period of time fell on deaf ears.

Strongly suspect that there is an acronym on my medical records, the only thing I’m guilty of is trying to improve my health so as I can ride my bike. So that has meant that I’ve read, read and read some more to educate myself. I’ve encountered too many who’ve shut me down cos they don’t like informed patients and their inability to have an adult discussion. Shall continue to plough my own furrow, confident that I’m the only person truly concerned with my health.

allan23 – For many years my wife DID follow the advice of doctors, including at one point being put up to a dose of thyroxin that 6 months later had the same doctor in a panic that she was od’ing on T4. Only to bare-faced deny she had then prescribed that amount when questioned. We found the details of the prescription on her medical records when we had them output to take abroad.

That all resulted in the eventual prescription of anti-depressants and dismissal as a hypochondriac because she was constantly at the doctors complaining of exhaustion, muscle pain, difficulty concentrating etc.

It looks like cinnamon-girl like my wife has spent many many hours and days poring over reports, documents, anecdotal & pharmaceutical evidence & details of how the endocrine system operates as well as many websites and forums detailing the problems with Thyroid treatment both here in the UK and in other countries. This research has involved discarding a fair amount of nonsense and/or irrelevance along the way.

I cannot deny that T4 treatment does work for many, quite possibly the vast majority. Personally I have known a few people whose lives have been positively benefited by the prescription of T4. This approach did not work for my wife. Trust me on this, it REALLY did not work.

Tonight (Wednesday 8th February) 8.00 pm on BBC2 “Trust me I’m a Doctor” with Michael Mosley.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-38895877

Article:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/13F5TrhcBykDqC4ysm46KkY/how-can-i-tell-if-i-have-a-thyroid-problem-and-what-can-i-do-about-it

Facebook comments, over 250 so far:

https://en-gb.facebook.com/BBCLifestyleHealth/

Saw the BBC article earlier. Having recently moved doctors I am due a routine check on mine. I have never asked for the actual results before, just been told I am fine on current level, will make sure I get the figures this time.

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-3139/13-Ways-to-Treat-Hypothyroidism-Naturally.html
the info in this link is 90% complete bollocks #fakescience

just been told I am fine on current level, will make sure I get the figures this time.

Ideally you’d want the FT3 test carried out but it’s normally an Endo who would authorise this. Private testing is available and not as expensive as you may think, I can supply links for finger prick ones as well as those done at private hospitals/private phlebotomists. Do ensure you ask for the ranges too, this link will help with understanding.

http://labtestsonline.org.uk/

the info in this link is 90% complete bollocks #fakescience

I would say the title is misleading but in your opinion what isn’t bollocks?

There are some basic facts that are correct, but there are so many mistaken concepts or jumps of twisted logic e.g. protein transports thyroxin in the blood (true), eat more protein and so transport more thyroxin (bollocks).

I have two daughters who are low and a now ex wife who is high. You don’t have to have it to suffer from it! 🙂

There are some basic facts that are correct, but there are so many mistaken concepts or jumps of twisted logic e.g. protein transports thyroxin in the blood (true), eat more protein and so transport more thyroxin (bollocks).

OK, the Western diet is far too high in carbs with gluten being a particular problem for many including those with Hashi and high antibodies. Without wishing to generalise women often eat insufficient protein.

Would be interested to hear any further comments. 🙂

I have two daughters who are low and a now ex wife who is high. You don’t have to have it to suffer from it!

Rubbish when inherited! Sorry that you’re up against it. 🙁

This entire thread has horiffic parallels of GP ignorance and disinterest that my wife and I experienced over 4 years prior to getting a simple blood test to diagnose her primary hyperparathyroidism.

It’s a slightly different condition, but the same unthinking dogma in how we were treated. We eventually sought advice from an American surgery on the topic who were streets ahead of current UK thinking, which, allowed us to successfully challenge gaps in her investigation and push for the correct tests.

When we finally got through to the consultant, they were totally upfront about GP endocrine knowledge being under developed.

We have the BTA to thank for that. A gentlemen’s club, previously accompanied by the RCP, who refuse to stay up to date with research and dismiss patients with an arrogant air. There are however little signs that they are shifting, at tortoise speed, from their draconian position. However I doubt very much that patients will receive better treatment in my lifetime.

Just to add that the cost of buying my own thyroid meds has increased to £240 for the year.

Rubbish when inherited! Sorry that you’re up against it.

Fortunately the youngest has responded extremely well to medication and everything is within normal limits. The ex wife is now in the process of trying to decide whether to go down the route of surgery or radioactive iodine. My elder daughter has only just being diagnosed but before she starts on thyroxine they need to get her iron levels up as she was also found to be anemic. Hopefully she will also respond well once she is on thyroxine. It does seem to be something that has for many years been missed in many people but awareness and testing do now seem to be slowly catching up with just how common a condition this is especially in women.

avdave2 hopefully your elder daughter will be prescribed iron, worth keeping an eye on the youngest too to ensure her levels are good. Your ex has a big decision to make and could be worth her joining UK thyroid forums to read/learn of the experiences of others. Need to sign up to read and post.

http://www.healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk (NHS Choices link to this) and home page
http://www.thyroiduk.org
http://www.tpauk.com (Thyroid Patient Advocacy)

Bump!

For anyone taking Liothyronine and some other medications the NHS is consulting on items which should not routinely be prescribed in primary care. This will be used as guidance for CCG’s.

It’s a bit wordy and you do need to read the consultation document here:

https://www.engage.england.nhs.uk/consultation/items-routinely-prescribed/supporting_documents/consultationitemsnotroutinelyprescribedinprimarycare.pdf

Online Survey:

https://www.engage.england.nhs.uk/consultation/items-routinely-prescribed/consultation/intro/

For anyone who isn’t aware there has been a supply problem overseas for those of us who have to purchase our own Liothyronine. There has basically been a clampdown and many many thyroid patients have paid for medication that they’re unlikely to receive. The supplier has refused to refund and it seems that nothing can be done.