RE: Advice on TSH readings

[Guest guest]

feel she won't medicate me I just wanted to ask you kind people course of action

should I take, for instance should I ask the nurse to print out all of my test

results since Dec 07 although form what I know this practice is looked upon very

un-favourably in most surgeries) so I can go armed with them privately Please

advise.

>  

> Thanks in advance

> n

>

Hi n

My GP will not even tell me what my results are any more, but I have contacted

the hospital where the blood tests are done and have arranged for a printout of

all my blood tests going back for several years since I have been at this town.

It has cost me £10, and I am waiting for them to arrive in the post since

sending a cheque a week ago. You are actually entitled to have a copy of your

blood tests apparently as they are part of your medical records and you have a

right to inspect these also. And by the way I have just changed my GP and I am

going to try my luck at another surgery and see if they are any more helpful.

It was pot luck as we cannot choose where we would like to be transferred to,

but I will go and see this new GP soon and if I don't like him/her I will

request yet another transfer until I get someone I can work with as an equal

partner in the mission of getting my health back totally and completely. My

relationship with my former GP has broken down totally and I felt so scornful of

him and his attitude that I could not bear to attend there any longer!!!!

[Guest guest]

Hello

n and welcome to our forum where I hope you get the support and guidance

you so obviously need.

You

should not have to wait so long for a blood test to see if you have antibodies

to your thyroid, especially when your Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is

outside of the range. This is what I would do.

Write

a letter to your GP and send a copy to the Head of Practice. Tell her first

that you would like a copy of all your previous blood tests you have had done

since December. You also need a copy of the reference range for each of the

tests. Tell her that you are requesting a second opinion and would now

like to be referred to an endocrinologist (preferably one who specialises in

thyroid disease) because you should not have to be kept waiting 3 months to

check to see if you have antibodies. Tell her the fact that your TSH was

decreasing and then suddenly increasing is a reason for such testing. This

could be caused through autoimmune thyroiditis. Antibodies see your

thyroid tissue as public enemy number one and set about its destruction - this

is probably why your TSH is fluctuating the way it is. Tell her that

without testing for antibodies, she is making it hard for you to move on to

other possible causes for your symptoms, and you are not prepared to wait for

another two months to check this out.

Tell her that you need

a referral because your symptoms are becoming worse and you are not prepared to

carry on with nothing whatsoever being done to find what is the cause of these

(check our web site www.tpa-uk.org.uk and

click on 'Hypothyroidism' and then click on 'Symptoms and Signs' and check

yours against these) and list all that you suffer. Also, check out the 'signs'

and if you have any and your doctor has not noticed these, she needs to be

informed that they are there. Take your basal temperature before you get out of

bed in a morning. Normal temperature is 98.6 but if your metabolism is low 9as

it is in hypothyroidism) your temperature will probably be 97.8 or could be

much list. List these for 4/5 days.

Tell

the GP whether there are any members in your family with an autoimmune or

thyroid problem (it can come down the family line). Tell her that you would

like a FULL thyroid function test that includes TSH, Free T4, Free T3 (and of

course your antibodies). You also need to have tested your ferritin level

(stored iron), B12, Vitamin D, Copper, Zinc and Magnesium. If any of these are

low, your thyroid hormones are not able to do what they should as they cannot

get absorbed properly. Tell her that this is another reason you need to see an

endocrinologist because the surgery are not doing these for you.

Ask

that your letter be placed in your medical notes. That way, if your GP refuses

and it is found that she has not been doing everything she can to give you a

proper diagnosis and the treatment you need (in other words, she has been

ignoring your symptoms, signs, blood results, family history, requests for a

second opinion) and it is found you ARE suffering from this debilitating

illness, somebody in a higher authority might need to ask her questions. Don't

take the letter in, send it through the post. You can, if you wish, enclose a

stamped addressed envelope and ask her to respond to you within 10 working

days.

Some

Doctors jump to snap-diagnoses of emotional problems, such as anxiety and

depression, before ordering more complete blood evaluation for patients and to

me, this is a disservice. I believe people with multi-symptom complaints,

should not only be tested for thyroid hormone levels and antibodies but should

also have a complete blood count and glucose levels tests, to check for

diabetes and other blood disorders. Do remember that your GP is just that - a

general practitioner - and she is not qualified in thyroid disease. This is why

we have consultants.

Meanwhile,

where about in the UK do you live and would you be prepared to see a thyroid

specialist privately. If so, let me know.

Luv -

Sheila

What worries me is this new doc I'm worried that if

antibodies come back as normal I feel she won't medicate me I just wanted to

ask you kind people course of action should I take, for instance should I ask

the nurse to print out all of my test results since Dec 07 although form what

I know this practice is looked upon very un-favourably in most surgeries) so

I can go armed with them privately Please advise.

In the meantime I'm nearly 48 years old and have put

on nearly 2 stone in 3 years my menatural cycle is very few and far between,

and more latley I'm exhausted.

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[Guest guest]

More power

to your elbow Janet - I so admire people who will stand up and fight their

ground, even though this can be scary. We have to show these doctors that they

must work with their patients and not against them, as the majority of the UK medical

practitioners seem to work against their patients suffering with the symptoms

of hypothyroidism. I know what you mean about feeling so scornful of your ex

GP. I do remember that when my ex GP walked in front of me into a shop when I

was in town, I felt like spitting on the floor. I have never felt like that about

anybody. I still hurt inside when I think about what she did to me and to my

husband.

Luv -

Sheila

I will go and see this new GP soon and if I don't like

him/her I will request yet another transfer until I get someone I can work with

as an equal partner in the mission of getting my health back totally and

completely. My relationship with my former GP has broken down totally and I

felt so scornful of him and his attitude that I could not bear to attend there

any longer!!!!

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[Guest guest]

Hi

My GP was quite unhelpful when I first went to see him, he offered me antidepressants 7 times (which I refused) before giving me a blood test.

I thought I would have a problem When I asked for a copy however he printed copy for me on the spot. I now only have to ask the receptionist when I want a copy, this is again its done on the spot no argument.

I really thought that there would be a problem getting them after I stuck to my guns and proved him wrong about my not being depressed, although I do think he was being genuine in his assumptions as being hypo ticks all the depression boxes.

Try ask your GP directly they can only say yes or no as and by saying no they are only delaying the inevitable, that you are entitled to and will get a copy if you write to the practice manager or PCT.

Cec

[Guest guest]

Hello Sheila,

Many thanks for the warm welcome and thanks for your in depth advice. I am in the West Midlands. I phoned my local Hospital today (clinical Chemistry) only to be told they can't give print outsof test results directly to patent's ! I have to ask my Doc for summary ! Never mind I will ask the nurse tomorrow, Also I need to educate myself about T3 & T4 and what it should be when on medication any advice on that will be greatly appreciated.

n

From: Sheila <sheila@...>Subject: RE: Advice on TSH readingsthyroid treatment Date: Monday, 9 March, 2009, 7:45 AM

Hello n and welcome to our forum where I hope you get the support and guidance you so obviously need.

You should not have to wait so long for a blood test to see if you have antibodies to your thyroid, especially when your Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) is outside of the range. This is what I would do.

Write a letter to your GP and send a copy to the Head of Practice. Tell her first that you would like a copy of all your previous blood tests you have had done since December. You also need a copy of the reference range for each of the tests. Tell her that you are requesting a second opinion and would now like to be referred to an endocrinologist (preferably one who specialises in thyroid disease) because you should not have to be kept waiting 3 months to check to see if you have antibodies. Tell her the fact that your TSH was decreasing and then suddenly increasing is a reason for such testing. This could be caused through autoimmune thyroiditis. Antibodies see your thyroid tissue as public enemy number one and set about its destruction - this is probably why your TSH is fluctuating the way it is. Tell her that without testing for

antibodies, she is making it hard for you to move on to other possible causes for your symptoms, and you are not prepared to wait for another two months to check this out. Tell her that you need a referral because your symptoms are becoming worse and you are not prepared to carry on with nothing whatsoever being done to find what is the cause of these (check our web site www.tpa-uk.org. uk and click on 'Hypothyroidism' and then click on 'Symptoms and Signs' and check yours against these) and list all that you suffer. Also, check out the 'signs' and if you have any and your doctor has not noticed these, she needs to be informed that they are there. Take your basal temperature before you get out of bed

in a morning. Normal temperature is 98.6 but if your metabolism is low 9as it is in hypothyroidism) your temperature will probably be 97.8 or could be much list. List these for 4/5 days.

Tell the GP whether there are any members in your family with an autoimmune or thyroid problem (it can come down the family line). Tell her that you would like a FULL thyroid function test that includes TSH, Free T4, Free T3 (and of course your antibodies). You also need to have tested your ferritin level (stored iron), B12, Vitamin D, Copper, Zinc and Magnesium. If any of these are low, your thyroid hormones are not able to do what they should as they cannot get absorbed properly.. Tell her that this is another reason you need to see an endocrinologist because the surgery are not doing these for you.

Ask that your letter be placed in your medical notes. That way, if your GP refuses and it is found that she has not been doing everything she can to give you a proper diagnosis and the treatment you need (in other words, she has been ignoring your symptoms, signs, blood results, family history, requests for a second opinion) and it is found you ARE suffering from this debilitating illness, somebody in a higher authority might need to ask her questions. Don't take the letter in, send it through the post. You can, if you wish, enclose a stamped addressed envelope and ask her to respond to you within 10 working days.

Some Doctors jump to snap-diagnoses of emotional problems, such as anxiety and depression, before ordering more complete blood evaluation for patients and to me, this is a disservice. I believe people with multi-symptom complaints, should not only be tested for thyroid hormone levels and antibodies but should also have a complete blood count and glucose levels tests, to check for diabetes and other blood disorders. Do remember that your GP is just that - a general practitioner - and she is not qualified in thyroid disease. This is why we have consultants..

Meanwhile, where about in the UK do you live and would you be prepared to see a thyroid specialist privately. If so, let me know.

Luv - Sheila

What worries me is this new doc I'm worried that if antibodies come back as normal I feel she won't medicate me I just wanted to ask you kind people course of action should I take, for instance should I ask the nurse to print out all of my test results since Dec 07 although form what I know this practice is looked upon very un-favourably in most surgeries) so I can go armed with them privately Please advise.

In the meantime I'm nearly 48 years old and have put on nearly 2 stone in 3 years my menatural cycle is very few and far between, and more latley I'm exhausted.

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[Guest guest]

n

- when you get the results for your blood tests, post them on the forum

together with the reference range for each of the tests and we hopefully will

be able to help in interpreting what they mean. If you are an untreated

hypothyroid, the TSH is usually raised, the Free T3 often shows low in the

reference range and the FT4 about the middle of the range. In fact, your TSH

should be about 1.0, your Free T3 and your Free T4 should be in the upper third

of the reference range for most people to feel good. You will learn as you read

- so read, read and read again. Look at all the information in our FILES and in

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

n

- please can you remember to trim the message you are responding to before

clicking 'Send' and leave just a portion.

Luv -

Sheila

I phoned my local Hospital today (clinical Chemistry) only to be told

they can't give print outsof test results directly to patent's ! I have to ask

my Doc for summary ! Never mind I will ask the nurse tomorrow, Also

I need to educate myself about T3 & T4 and what it should be when on

medication any advice on that will be greatly appreciated.

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[Guest guest]

Hello Cec,

Thanks for the reply...This new doc of mine is not that patient ! and trust me to get her now arrgggggggggggh I would rather ask the nurse, I might leave it until after the 6/04 when I have my antibodies done, we shall have to wait and see whatever the outcome is and whether or not she will put me on medication. I noted some new guidelines about Thyroxine and not prescribing until TSH is 10 and not prescribing Armour ( again I need to be educated about such things ) I would have thought she would have put me on Meds seeing as the consultant who seen me about my Carpal Tunnel suggested this in his letter to her, I suppose I've just got to be patient and wait and see.

n

[Guest guest]

Hi n,

What range of TSH is the surgery using? The most common range is 0.5 to

5.5 though 90% of healthy folk have a TSH of around 1.0. A good doc would see

the raised TSH and together with the symptoms should give a trial of Thyroxine to see if it helps. This continual waiting is not

getting you anywhere. In your shoes I’d write a letter listing all your

symptoms ( see files) list the TSH and ask why

your haven’t been treated as

you are suffering unreasonably. Why

did the private consultant not start treatment?

Subject:

Advice on TSH readings

Hello I'm new here and need some advice. It

all started in November 07 when a routine Thyroid test revealed the

TSH was 4.32 ( I don't know the other readings and not sure I know what T3

and T4 should be) however my doc said it was nothing too much to worry about

and I was retested in Dec and it went down to 4.2 it was repeated again

in Aug 08 it was then 3.43 but in Dec of 08 it shot up to 6.39 and during

this time I suddenly developed Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and was seen by a

private consultant who said it was most probably caused by an untreated

Thyroid !

In the meantime I'm nearly 48 years old and have put

on nearly 2 stone in 3 years my menatural cycle is very few and far between,

and more latley I'm exhausted.

Thanks in advance

n