Re: Basal temperature test

[Guest guest]

Thanks ,

I don't need to prove a thyroid connection as I have high antibodies.

Its just with everything else I've complained about I wondered if he

would think I'd flipped if I start talking about temperatures and

charts....remember Professor Weesmans article....I don't want to be

written off with Briquets Syndrome!!

I was more concerned as to whether it is serious having a constant low

basal temp.

Gillian

> As for mentioning to your GP, I guess it depends on his/her

understanding, as if you're trying to prove a thyroid connection, GP's

tend to rely on blood tests as the only reliable factor, but why don't

you give it a try.

> Take care, hope the flushes settle down,

>

> x

>

[Guest guest]

Completely understand, my GP is beginning to regard me as queen

Briquet. I've tried mentioning details like temp, and saliva tests

for adrenals and she's not responsive, unfortuantely.

That's a good question, how serious is low basal temp?

M

x

>

>

>

> Thanks ,

> I don't need to prove a thyroid connection as I have high

antibodies.

> Its just with everything else I've complained about I wondered if

he

> would think I'd flipped if I start talking about temperatures and

> charts....remember Professor Weesmans article....I don't want to be

> written off with Briquets Syndrome!!

> I was more concerned as to whether it is serious having a constant

low

> basal temp.

> Gillian

>

> > As for mentioning to your GP, I guess it depends on his/her

> understanding, as if you're trying to prove a thyroid connection,

GP's

> tend to rely on blood tests as the only reliable factor, but why

don't

> you give it a try.

> > Take care, hope the flushes settle down,

> >

> > x

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Gillian,

Since low basal temperatures can have a number of reasons aside from Hypothyroidism, I would not bother to more than just mention it as a 'by-the-way' to your doctor. You are already diagnosed, so what's the point .... he would just poo-poo it

Btw, other 'possibilities' for low temps other than Hypothyroidism are pituitary insufficiency (which is closely linked to Hypothyroidism), Gonadal insufficiency (which doesn't apply to you <G>), Adrenal insufficiency (which again is closely linked to Hypothyroidism), Hypoglycemia (likewise linked to HT), Cirrhosis, acute Pancreatitis (you'd certainly know if you had THAT !!, so don't worry) , drug or alcohol abuse, central nervous system abnormalities and metabolic toxicity (which can also be linked to HT) ... It's not surprising that low temps are closely linked to malfunctioning thyroids, because the thyroid gland controls the metabolism... - low metabolism = low body temperature.

Basal temperature means that the reading is taken at total rest (i.e. very last thing before you fall asleep or very first thing when you wake in the morning). Everybody's temp drops when asleep .... but not by very much - only by a few tenths of a degree!! But with hypothyroid people the temperature drops as much as 3 degrees F of 2 degrees C. - still, personally I don't see much point in telling your GP about this, he won't believe it anyway.

***I was more concerned as to whether it is serious having a constant low basal temp.Well, it's not 'serious' in the way I assume for you to mean it (i.e. it won't make you any 'iller' than you already are) - but it is jolly uncomfortable, to say the least. The idea is that your temp should go up once you are correctly supplemented with thyroid hormone. In theory, optimal thyroid supplementation should bring up your metabolism and consequently your temperature should come up into normal regions.... Not sure if practice always follows the theory, but most people at least no longer *feel* cold (even if the temps are still below what they should be) when they are properly medicated (particularly those on Armour). But although your temperature will go up when on thyroxine or Armour, it may never reach "optimal" levels ... at least that is what people on here report. Sheila is one of those, I think, who feels fine, but still has subnormal temperatures. *I* am still cold most of the time. Before diagnosis and treatment my temps were even lower than yours. Since medication I have 'warmed up' a little, but only by about 1 degree C so far. Now that I am on Armour, I have hopes..... ;o)

Best wishes,

[Guest guest]

This is all very interesting ....ummmm????..wonder which one

I've got?!

You've given me plenty to think about anyway.

It is very uncomfortable feeling hot (menopausal hot flushes) I know

that for sure...yet I've always got cold hands and feet. Wierd!

(although hubby says I've got a warm heart...ah!)

I think you are right...I won't mention it to the Doctor, he'll poo

poo it like you say..should I carry on taking my temps though? I am

not really sure why I am doing it really.

Gillian

>

>

> Hi Gillian,

[] Btw, other

> 'possibilities' for low temps other than Hypothyroidism are

pituitary

> insufficiency (which is closely linked to Hypothyroidism), Gonadal

> insufficiency (which doesn't apply to you <G>), Adrenal

insufficiency

> (which again is closely linked to Hypothyroidism), Hypoglycemia

> (likewise linked to HT), Cirrhosis, acute Pancreatitis (you'd

certainly

> know if you had THAT !!, so don't worry) , drug or alcohol abuse,

> central nervous system abnormalities and metabolic toxicity (which

can

> also be linked to HT) ... It's not surprising that low temps are

> closely linked to malfunctioning thyroids, because the thyroid gland

> controls the metabolism... - low metabolism = low body

temperature.

Best wishes,

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My god, poor you, you haven't half been through it... and for 10 years

too... you don't look old enough judging from your photo?

I hope I haven't got to put up with this for 10 years or I will be

depressed before I'm done.

Like you, the Doc offered me HRT but I politely declined..I don't agree

with it to be honest and then there's my mother who tells me she never

had anything in her day so I shouldn't need anything either!

I did take Menapol supplements for 6 months but they were useless and a

waste of money. Last time I saw the Doctor, she recommended Confiance

but I still haven't tried that yet. I'm loathe to throw more money down

the drain after the last lot I bought. A friend of mine swears by

black cohosh, but I've read negative reports about that...so I just

continue to suffer in silence and hope I get through this sooner rather

than later.

One thing for sure though...I'm coming back as a man in my next life!!

Best wishes,

Gillian

Hi

> Gillian, ...tell me about it !! <G> - I had them for 10 years every

> hour on the hour - day and night....it broke my spirit, wrecked my

> social life and turned me into a nervous wreck - and guess what ...

I'd

> been told it was ALL due to the menopause ! ... and this was

a " natural "

> process and not an illness and all women have to go through it....

[Guest guest]

Hi M,

Low temps can drop to hypothermic levels- yes it's serious, though

to get it taken seriously is another matter -tends to work only where

part of a whole list of hypo symptoms.

Subject: Re: Basal temperature test

Completely understand, my GP is beginning to regard me as queen

Briquet. I've tried mentioning details like temp, and saliva tests

for adrenals and she's not responsive, unfortuantely.

That's a good question, how serious is low basal temp?

M

x

>,

> >

> > x

> >

>

------------------------------------

TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical

practitioner before changing medication.

[Guest guest]

Hi Gillian,

http://www.progesretone.co.uk

Subject: Re: Basal temperature test

It is very uncomfortable feeling hot (menopausal hot flushes) I know

that for sure...yet I've always got cold hands and feet. Wierd!

Gillian

>

>

> Hi Gillian,

[] Btw, other

> 'possibilities' for low temps other than Hypothyroidism are

pituitary

> insufficiency (which is closely linked to Hypothyroidism), Gonadal

> insufficiency (which doesn't apply to you <G>), Adrenal

insufficiency

> (which again is closely linked to Hypothyroidism), Hypoglycemia

> (likewise linked to HT), Cirrhosis, acute Pancreatitis (you'd

certainly

> know if you had THAT !!, so don't worry) , drug or alcohol abuse,

> central nervous system abnormalities and metabolic toxicity (which

can

> also be linked to HT) ... It's not surprising that low temps are

> closely linked to malfunctioning thyroids, because the thyroid gland

> controls the metabolism... - low metabolism = low body

temperature.

Best wishes,

>

>

------------------------------------

TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical

practitioner before changing medication.

[Guest guest]

Hi Gillian,

***... you don't look old enough judging from your photo?

Thank you - you made my day ;o) I will be 58 next month and my misery started when I hit 47. It came on pretty quickly, just escalated.... unlike you, however, I had the 'sweaty' version of hot flushes and had to towel myself down all the time... not sure what is worse - the dry burning up or the melting and going to pot sensation... both are horrid and we shouldn't have to put up with it. ***I hope I haven't got to put up with this for 10 years or I will bedepressed before I'm done.

Well, I did get depressed (who wouldn't with symptoms like that!), but I never let on when at the doctors office - until one day in the end, when I broke down and sobbed my heart out (which melted his, and he seemed very concerned.... and offered counselling and Prozac <G>). I did not want to get labelled and have "depression" in my medical notes. I knew it would just give him an excuse to put *everything* down to depression. I count myself lucky that just at this point in my life my TSH had jumped up and instead of 'Depression' I got a diagnosis of 'Hypothyroidism'. ***Like you, the Doc offered me HRT but I politely declined..I don't agreewith it to be honest and then there's my mother who tells me she neverhad anything in her day so I shouldn't need anything either!

In year 5, I think it was, I did briefly give in and took some HRT. It stopped the flushes, but gave me many other symptoms instead, including a lump in my breast (fortunately benign) and I stopped the HRT ... and the flushes came back with a vengeance.

***I did take Menapol supplements for 6 months but they were useless and awaste of money....

I tried most of those products too with not much success. - How are your adrenals coping, Gillian? Have you done the adrenal questionnaire in our files? With me, an "extra" flush was always brought on by one of two things: sudden stress and/or hot food intake, although most of the time it didn't need a culprit, it just happened....

According to the questionnaire and salivary test results, my adrenals were 'moderately' stressed (and still are a bit) and when I started taking Nutri Adrenal Extra (but that was before I got started on thyroxine) my flushes eased off in intensity and quantity. I am not sure if the NAE would work as well with you already on thyroxine, but I am sure others will be able to tell you.

***One thing for sure though...I'm coming back as a man in my next life!!

Good thinking !!!!!!!

Best wishes,

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Yes, I did do the Adrenal questionnaire but it was not very conclusive.

I did ask the Doctor (last time) if it was possible that there might be

a problem with my adrenal function. She gave me a funny look and said

she was quite sure there was nothing wrong with my adrenals. I told her

I had read that adrenal and thyroid insufficiency often went hand in

hand but she clearly did not want to get drawn into a discussion about

it and killed the conversation stone dead.

I am still not convinced though as I used to be prone to 'panic

attacks' whenever I felt under pressure, especially when I was in

employment (I gave up work 5 years ago and haven't had one since) so I

wondered if it might be possible that any adrenal damage was done

earlier. I don't think the Doctor's realise the additional stress that

deafness can contribute to a person's coping mechanism. They also fail

to credit me with any intelligence in this respect and I did go to uni

and have a honours degree, but they don't know that!

I am going to see a different Docor next time I go and will ask him

what he thinks. (I'm working my way through them in my new practice and

crossing them off one by one till I find one I like!) They have to tick

quite a lot of boxes in my book...but I'm still hoping!

Best wishes,

Gillian

- How are your adrenals coping, Gillian? Have you done the

> adrenal questionnaire in our files? With me, an " extra " flush was

always

> brought on by one of two things: sudden stress and/or hot food intake,

> although most of the time it didn't need a culprit, it just

happened....

> [] According to the questionnaire and salivary test results, my

> adrenals were 'moderately' stressed (and still are a bit) and when I

> started taking Nutri Adrenal Extra (but that was before I got started

on

> thyroxine) my flushes eased off in intensity and quantity. I am not

> sure if the NAE would work as well with you already on thyroxine, but

I

> am sure others will be able to tell you. >

[Guest guest]

Hi Gillian,

***Yes, I did do the Adrenal questionnaire but it was not very conclusive.

In which way, Gillian? I know, it's a bit of a fiddle to add up the points... I found it quite confusing at first and had to read the instructions a few times before I understood what they wanted me to do.... but once you've got the results, it should give you a pretty good indication of the state of your adrenals - ......or do you mean the questionnaire 'told' you that you don't suffer from adrenal fatigue?

***I did ask the Doctor (last time) if it was possible that there might bea problem with my adrenal function. She gave me a funny look and saidshe was quite sure there was nothing wrong with my adrenals.

Aaarrggg, sorry, I forgot for a moment that you are fairly new to all this..... No doctor inside the "establishment" will acknowledge that adrenal fatigue exists. The BTA has decreed that there is no such thing as AF, so you will just get the cold shoulder, when you bring up this subject. As far as their teachings and belief go, there is 's disease (total failure of the adrenal glands to produce cortisol) and there is Cushing's disease at the other end of the spectrum (too much cortisol is produced) .... and nothing in between. The adrenal glands either work or they don't work ... full stop! - I should have warned you not to bring up the adrenals when talking to your doctor. It's even less fruitful than talking about low temperatures. We thyroidians usually just find out what state our adrenals are in and then get on with the job of restoring them to former glory - well, if we are lucky ;o)) The best way (though it'll cost you £ 70) is to have an adrenal salivary test done privately. But the results will just be of value to *you* and somebody like Dr.Peatfield ... no NHS doctor will pay any notice to what it says. Since adrenal fatigue does not exist, the results don't exist either....

The best you can achieve is for your GP to order a 9 am cortisol blood test for you....which will probably come back "normal" (meaning in range) - regardless of where abouts in the range the figure is - (still, it would give *you* a starting point to know the figure). Such a test is a fairly safe bet for the doctor, because cortisol is predominantly produced during the night, so by 9 am most people should still have enough cortisol in their bloodstream to ensure a "normal" figure... never mind what happens to the cortisol levels during the day....

However, if you think your adrenals have seen better days, then Nutri Adrenal Extra might be worth a consideration. But perhaps Sheila or others can comment if this would be the right supplement for you. It certainly worked for me, but I wasn't on any thyroxine at the time when I took them.

Best wishes,

[Guest guest]

[[...One thing for sure though...I'm coming back as a man in my next

life!!

Best wishes,

Gillian.....]]

simple

I 'will' that I be:-

XX >> XY there! that should fix it....

Bob

>

>

> Hi ,

> My god, poor you, you haven't half been through it... and for 10

years too... you don't look old enough judging from your photo?

[Guest guest]

Goodness Bob, you're a magician too..is there no end to your talents?!!

Best wishes,

Gillian

> [[...One thing for sure though...I'm coming back as a man in my next

> life!!

> simple

> I 'will' that I be:-

>

> XX >> XY there! that should fix it....

>

> Bob

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I had another crack at the questionnaire to double check...some of the

questions are not easy to answer with total honesty as they don't

always apply..but here goes..I gave myself 64 which says I have

insufficiency to a mild degree. But then again....I think all humans

have it to some degree don't they? We live in stressful times!

The second section 'key signs and symptoms' is where I racked up the

most points..30.

I will look again at the nutri adrenal supplement you mentioned..is

there any danger of overdosing with the current supplements I am

already taking as well as the levo. These are, Selenium, Magnesium, B

complex, Q10 co Enzyme, Zinc and Vit C.

Thanks again,

Gillian

>

>

>

> Hi Gillian, ***Yes, I did do the Adrenal questionnaire but it was

not

> very conclusive. In which way, Gillian? I know, it's a bit of a

fiddle

> to add up the points... I found it quite confusing at first and had to

> read the instructions a few times before I understood what they wanted

> me to do.... but once you've got the results, it should give you a

> pretty good indication of the state of your adrenals - ......or do you

> mean the questionnaire 'told' you that you don't suffer from adrenal

> fatigue?

[Guest guest]

Hi Gillian,

***I gave myself 64 which says I haveinsufficiency to a mild degree. But then again....I think all humanshave it to some degree don't they? We live in stressful times!

Yes, I guess most of us are pretty stressed at times, but people without thyroid disease can cope with stress much better than us thyroidians, because their adrenal glands are in good working order. To deal with stress, the adrenals need to be able to produce enough cortisol - and when you have adrenal fatigue, they don't ...

64 is pretty good, I think.... seems like your adrenals are sort of coping. I think my count was similar, and my adrenal salivary stress profile supported a mild to moderate adrenal fatigue. Still, I benefitted greatly from taking NAE (same as NAX btw. = Nutri Adrenal Extra). I was never one to panic like a headless chicken or fall apart in hysterics , but I knew my adrenals were not coping when I got yet another flush at the slightest thing.... even silly events like watching a crime drama on telly and the music indicating the next victim would bite the dust ... and off I'd go and have yet another flush! I took NAE for over a year, and in the end up to 4 a day (but I wasn't on thyroxine then) and whilst on them felt 'serene' - for lack of a better word. I still got my flushes, but they became less and less severe and I could cope better.

***...is there any danger of overdosing with the current supplements I amalready taking as well as the levo. These are, Selenium, Magnesium, Bcomplex, Q10 co Enzyme, Zinc and Vit C.

I don't think so - everything you list above (and more) is what Dr. Peatfield says our bodies need. I'll type out for you what Dr. P. recommends for daily supplements from his book....

A - 880 iu

B Complex: high strength (B1,2,3,6 and12,Folate)

C - 1 - 2 g (that's 1000 - 2000 mg)

E - 400 - 800 iu

D - 15 mcg

Manganese - 4 mg

Calcium - 1000 - 1500 mg

Zinc - 15 - 20 mg

Chromium - 120 mcg

Iron - 15 mg

Copper - 2 mg

Flavonoids, Carotenoids & Co-Enzyme Q10 are also required.

All those essential nutrients can be provided in thyroid support supplements (for example Nutri's Thyro Complex) or taken separately....

The NAE would be in addition to all the above. - I used to get everything separately and I rattled !! Then I switched to just buying the Nutri Thyro Complex, which saves me thinking and counting. They are quite expensive, but when I added up all the other bits and pieces, it came to about the same or more. Now - apart from my adrenal support - I just take an extra 1000 mg Vit C in addition to the Nutri Thyro Complex as well as 200 mg To-CoQ10 for my thyroid.

http://www.yournutritionshop.co.uk/shopdisplayproducts.asp?Search=Yes & sppp=20 this is a good site from which to order Nutri products, if you wanted to have a browse through the products.

One thing to watch out for (if you take supplements separately) is that you do not accidentally double up and overdose on the fat soluble Vit. A. I don't quite understand the listing of Vit A in the Thyro Complex (as opposed to Dr. P.s recommended 800 iu), but I just trust that Nutri has got it right....

Btw - if you haven't already got Dr. Peatfields book "Your Thyroid and how to keep it healthy" - I would highly recommend for everyone to buy it - it is excellent ... and not expensive - less than £ 10, I think.

Best wishes,

[Guest guest]

Hi Gillian,

***You and me both ,....

LOL - well, we are both Pisceans... maybe that has something to do with it <G> - I looove curries too....and *now* I can eat them again without running outside half way through the meal, ripping my clothes off ;o)))

***Anyway, yes...it sounds like I need some of this wonder complex and Iam going to give it a try. How long will it be before I can expect tonotice a difference do you think?

Well, are you talking about the Nutri Thyro Complex or the Nutri Adrenal Extra? The Thyro Complex would replace most of the vitamins and minerals you are currently taking (all in one, so to speak). But tbh, before starting on those, use up what you've already got first. There's no point in wasting perfectly good supplements. You probably won't feel very different on those than on your current regime, it's just less pills to swallow. You'll still need the Q10 and extra Vit C though...

The Nutri Adrenal Extra (or NAE for short) is the 'wonder pill' that will (hopefully) heal your adrenals .... and you'd have to start with one per day and gradually build up the dosage over several weeks. You should feel the effects quite quickly (2 days?), but it is subtle and gradual. How many of those you'd need per day depends. Some people are ok with 1 or 2 per day, others take 5 or even more. I felt best on 4 per day.... but remember, that was *before* I was on thyroxine. Hopefully you won't need that many, as it can get expensive. Oh, and very important never take NAE after 1 pm, or you'll be up all night, watching flush producing CSI !! ;o) Start with one pill at breakfast time, and if you add another, do so at lunch time. If you need more, take 2 in the morning, 1 at lunch time ....- if still more, then 2 and 2....

***I do think they are helping a little..I have to admit some days Ifeel a lot better than others now I have been on 50mcg levo for 2months. (I'm getting my T4 result tomorrow morning (they didn't testfor this last time if you remember) so I may be due for an increasein dosage)

Brilliant ! I'll be keeping an eye out for your results. Remember to make sure the ref ranges are on the copy. Is it just a T4 (well, FT4, I hope!) or did he do any other tests? Do ask for an increase to 75 mcg, if he is not offering straight away... ;o) I'm sure you still need more. - Btw... do you take thyroxine at night or in the morning? I used to take it at night, and it helped me sleep much more soundly.

***I am also 5 pounds lighter than I was this time last year so thatmight also have something to do with it do you think?

Very likely ))) and a good sign. Seems your metabolism is slowly getting pushed up ....

Looking forward to your results tomorrow - oh, just remembered - I have an ENT appointment tomorrow.... so I'll be out for most of the day, but British Rail and God willing should be back late afternoon. They forecast more heavy snow showers here for tomorrow morning.... hope the trains are running....

All the best,

[Guest guest]

Hi Gillian

Well, I was going for Gold

as in Hg >> Au

transmutation of metals:

I do worry about an end to my talents ......

best wishes

'Worried Bob'

Sheila advised against transmuting metals 'in public', on the forum !!

>

>

> Goodness Bob, you're a magician too..is there no end to your

talents?!!

> Best wishes,

>

> Gillian

>

>

[Guest guest]

Don't worry Bob...all the good advice you give here makes you a

diamond!

Best wishes,

Gillian

> Well, I was going for Gold

> as in Hg >> Au

>

> transmutation of metals:

> I do worry about an end to my talents ......

>

> best wishes

> 'Worried Bob'

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

You won't believe the day I've had...

I went out in all this dreadful snow this morning to the Doctor's for

my blood results. I asked the receptionist for the results and she

looked them up on the screen and said 'That's OK they are normal'. I

asked her to write them down and she gave me a piece of paper with TSH

3.01 mu/L written on it. I asked her where the rest of them were and

she said that was all there was! I explained that I had already got a

TSH result (3.26 mu/L) from 16th Jan and because I didn't get the TF4

done, I went back last Friday with another blood test form

specificially asking for this TF4 to be done. She shrugged her shoulder

and said sorry thats all there was.

I asked for an appointment to see my Doctor but couldn't get an

appointment until 17th Feb. However, I got an opportunity instead to

speak to a nurse who fortunately for me was seeing my husband in the

diabete's clinic.

She told me that the TSH was normally all that was required and I was

seemingly doing OK as my TSH level is now within normal parameters, as

it should be.

She wondered why I was so insistent on getting the TF4 done and I

explained that I wanted to see if the increased 50mcg Levothyroxine has

made any change to my last low TF4 reading as I understood it needed to

be in the upper third of the normal range.

She wondered where I got this idea from and I explained that I was

looking out for my own interest now and learning as much as I could

about my condition. This was met with tut, tut tut, I don't want to be

reading too much on the internet as this can do more harm than good and

I won't tell you what she thought about chat forums...

I came away feeling very dejected and will now have to wait until I see

the Doctor on 17th Feb to go through it all again with him.

So I am sorry, no results today I'm afraid...I hope you have had a

better day than I have and that you got on OK at your ENT appointment.

Best wishes,

Gillian

Looking forward to your results tomorrow - oh, just

> remembered - I have an ENT appointment tomorrow.... so I'll be out for

> most of the day, but British Rail and God willing should be back late

> afternoon. They forecast more heavy snow showers here for tomorrow

> morning.... hope the trains are running.... [8-|]

[Guest guest]

Hi Gillian,

Another alternative is to get the practice to phone the lab & they can do the FT4 from the blood as they will probably still have it. My practice has done this many times for me in the past when FT3 was not done when requested.

Val

I explained that I had already got a TSH result (3.26 mu/L) from 16th Jan and because I didn't get the TF4 done, I went back last Friday with another blood test form specificially asking for this TF4 to be done.

[Guest guest]

Oh, for crying out loud... - if it were not so sad, it would be laughable !

Don't worry, Gillian. You just have to do what nearly everybody else here is doing... "patient heal thyself"

Your TSH is now 3.01 .... so it's going down, but is by no means low enough yet. It is a shame that you don't know your FT4 (let alone the FT3), but at this stage it does not really matter too much. Since your TSH is still quite high with ~ 3, it is highly probably that your FT4 is still not in the upper third of the norm range - so you would need more thyroxine anyway.

I don't know how you want to play this.... the 17th is not so far away. If I were in your shoes, I would probably up the dosage myself to 75 mcg and confess later - or you could wait until your see your GP and complain bitterly that you do not feel any better than before, that the flushes are killing you, you feel ice cold all the time, you can't concentrate, etc.... you get the picture. Complain your heart out, tell her/him it's not working and you want to increase the dosage.... don't 'ask', but 'tell' . The GP will most likely oblige, just to get you out of the office. - If not, then please insist on a referral to a more competent endocrinologist - one of YOUR choice (and preferably one from Sheila's list).

Honestly, Gillian, I am sitting here, fuming on your behalf. What I really want to say is not fit to be posted on a forum. I just can't comprehend such tunnel vision and stupidity by both, your GP and the nurse. It shows so much ignorance and lack of knowledge.

It really is up to you what to do next and how confident you are. When my endo told me last June that I should now up and then hold my dosage at 75 mcg and see him again in December, I mentally gave him two fingers, upped my dosage to 75 mcg for 5 weeks, then went up to 100 mcg for the next 5 weeks and when I still did not feel 'right', I went back to my GP, told him what I had done, told him that I was not prepared to go back to this endo and gave him an ear full about still having all those symptoms even at 100 mcg and asked him if I could go up to 125 mcg - he said yes.... but I don't know how your GP would react in similar circumstances. So your next move might be to ask for a referral.

***I hope you have had a better day than I have and that you got on OK at your ENT appointment.

Well, yes and no.... the good news is that - for now - I won't need the grommet operation. He said that the chances of success in my case would be about 50/50... and for a doctor he was refreshingly open. He told me that there would be no guarantee to solve the problem if he operated, and no guarantee if he didn't. And that the operation had its own risks too - sometimes the hole does not heal or the ear gets infected... I asked him what he would chose if it were him - he said he would "keep his cool and wait "... There is hope, as I managed today to allow him a glimpse behind the ear drum by holding my nose and blowing.... he could see that there was fluid and 'bubbles' apparently a good sign, as there is a chance that this will clear in time. I asked if there was any medication that might help the healing along ... he said no - not even steroid drops/spray or anything else. My best chances are to 'train the muscles involved' ... meaning to hold my nose and blow, several times a day. So this is what I am doing now, and keeping my fingers crossed in between - I'm going back to see him in another month for a review.

The bad news is that the damage already done to my hearing in this ear seems permanent. He said the chances of regaining the loss already incurred were slim

Don't despair, Gillian, you'll get there in the end, one way or another

Love,

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thanks for the pep talk...I've slept on it now and like you say we have

to laugh or we'd cry.

As I only have 50mcg tablets, they are so small that I don't see how I

can cut them in half to get a 75mcg dosage... so I think I will have to

wait until 17th.

My husband is going to come with me this time...he is starting to get a

bit fed up with it all and wants to make sure the Doctor listens to me.

when I tell him all that I am threatening to say..its so easy when you

plan it all in your head but a different story when you get into the

lion's den! Anyway...I am going to tell him I have not got any

confidence in the way I am being treated because of the lack of FT4

blood tests to date and I will ask very nicely for a referral to an

endo. (Perhaps I should think about getting down on my knee too?!)

So watch this space...

I understand what you are saying about the risk with the grommets..I do

beleive that the operation is less successful with older patients

compared to young children. Don't make your ears sore with too much

blowing though..and watch out for vertigo. If I was to do that too much

it would make my head swim and I would feel drunk!

Have a nice weekend.

Best wishes,

Gillian

>

> Oh, for crying out loud... - if it were not so sad, it would be

> laughable ! Don't despair, Gillian, you'll get there in the end,

one

> way or another

>

[Guest guest]

So, perhaps these

nurses know more than the Royal College of Physicians, the Society of

Endocrinology, the Association of Clinical Biochemistry, the Royal College of

General Practitioners, the British Thyroid Association, the British Thyroid

Foundation, or the British Thyroid Foundation Patient Support Group who have

all joined forces to lay down their latest guidelines on the diagnosis and

treatment of primary hypothyroidism where they state categorically - " The only validated

method of testing thyroid function is on blood, which must include serum TSH and

a measure of free thyroxine (T4) " .

I

wouldn't argue with them but I would meanwhile send a letter to your GP and let

him know this is the general consensus of the endocrinology specialty and ask

him WHY their practice (or the local laboratory) only tests TSH. TSH is a

pituitary hormone, it is NOT a thyroid hormone. You should really also get the

Free T3 test too.

Always

be ready for doctors/nurses who tut-tut when you mention you do research on the

Internet. This is quite patronising. Ask them if they have ever wondered WHY

there are tens of thousands driven into having to do their own research. If

they were fine under the care of the NHS they wouldn't need to do this.

I'm

sorry you had such a rotten day. Keep your chin up Gillian, you KNOW you are

learning a lot and it's all thanks to the poor diagnostic protocol of

hypothyroidism they dish out. Boy - I wish these doctors and nurses would

do a little research themselves to help their poor patients.

Luv -

Sheila

She wondered where I got this idea from and I explained that I was

looking out for my own interest now and learning as much as I could

about my condition. This was met with tut, tut tut, I don't want to be

reading too much on the internet as this can do more harm than good and

I won't tell you what she thought about chat forums...

[Guest guest]

Thanks sheila,

It was a rotten day yesterday and it was just unfortunate I had to

speak to a diabete's nurse instead of a Doctor. I have an appointment

for 17th Feb with my Doctor so I will raise all the points you

mention then. If I get no joy this time I guarantee you that a letter

of complaint will surely follow.

I don't know how they work in these labs, but surely they must keep

computerised records or a system of some sort...then they would have

seen that I only had my TSH tested the week before. If they had

bothered to look closely at the form it clearly said TF4 on it, (NOT

TSH) so I can't understand why they took the liberty of overlooking

it and doing the TSH twice.

I think they need to change the blood test request forms to make them

more precise as to what the patient is being tested for.

Best wishes,

Gillian

> I wouldn't argue with them but I would meanwhile send a letter to

your GP

> and let him know this is the general consensus of the endocrinology

> specialty and ask him WHY their practice (or the local laboratory)

only

> tests TSH. TSH is a pituitary hormone, it is NOT a thyroid hormone.

You

> should really also get the Free T3 test too.

[Guest guest]

Hi Gillian,

Oh dear, god complex again.

Subject: Re: Basal temperature test

Hi ,

You won't believe the day I've had...

she gave me a piece of paper with TSH

3.01 mu/L written on it. I asked her where the rest of them were and

she said that was all there was! I explained that I had already got a

TSH result (3.26 mu/L) from 16th Jan and because I didn't get the TF4

She wondered where I got this idea from and I explained that I was

looking out for my own interest now and learning as much as I could

about my condition. This was met with tut, tut tut, I don't want to be

reading too much on the internet as this can do more harm than good and

I won't tell you what she thought about chat forums...

I came away feeling very dejected

Best wishes,

Gillian

------------------------------------

TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical

practitioner before changing medication.

[Guest guest]

Hi gill,

The T4 tabs will bite in half quite well, or you can take

different does on alternate days- this works for some folk as T4 has

such a long half life 5-9days.

Subject: Re: Basal temperature test

Hi ,

Thanks for the pep talk...I've slept on it now and like you say we have

to laugh or we'd cry.

As I only have 50mcg tablets, they are so small that I don't see how I

can cut them in half to get a 75mcg dosage... so I think I will have to

wait until 17th.

,

Gillian

------------------------------------

TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical

practitioner before changing medication.