Re: Any advice please on how to cope with this

[Guest guest]

Dear - to be honest, you are damned if you do and damned

if you don't- but I would rather live knowing that I had done EVERYTHING within

my power to help her right now - even if she gets very angry with you . You are

a GOOD daughter, not a bad daughter because you want to do whatever you can to

help your Mum. I think writing to her doctor yourself would be worth it.

I would tell the doctor about your Mum's health and of her total

lack of wanting to take care of herself. I would list all of her symptoms

and signs (check these on our web site www.tpa-uk.org.uk under 'Hypothyroidism' in

the Menu). You would need to give him a full list of all her medications and

supplements.

Tell him that you are already aware that some common and often

undiagnosed symptoms and dangerous consequences of low thyroid include: serious

mental problems, seizures, heart disease, diabetes including misdiagnosis and

complications, constipation resulting in colon cancer, all female problems (due

to high amounts of dangerous forms of oestrogen), including: tumours, fibroids,

ovarian cysts, PMS, endometriosis, breast cancer, miscarriage, heavy periods

and cramps, bladder problems leading to infections, anaemia, elevated CPK,

elevated creatinine, elevated transaminases, hypercapnia, hyperlipidemia,

hypoglycemia, hyponatremia, hypoxia, leukopenia respiratory acidosis and

others....and that because of this knowledge, you feel your Mum might well be

suffering with some of these, and that therefore, would he please consider

referring her to an endocrinologist of your choice, because things get out of

hand and it becomes too late to treat her sufficiently well for her to get back

some semblence of normal health. (I have sent the list of doctors to you

private ).

Ask him if he would talk to your Mum about these problems and

that the level of levothyroxine may not be sufficient. Ask him also if he would

do the following blood tests to see if any of them are low in the reference

range, and tell him that you are making such a request because it is a well

known fact that if any of these vitamins and minerals are low in the range, the

thyroid hormone may not be properly utilised in the cells. These are ferritin,

vitamin B12, vitamin D3, magnesium, folate copper and zinc - any of which

should be supplemented for the thyroid hormone to work.

Yes, your Mum may be angry with you, but does that really matter

if the outcome is that she finds her health improving?

Luv - Sheila

I thought about writing to her GP but I don't really want to go over her

head,maybe trying to get her to see someone else but I feel like for me to help

her I need her to let me and at least acknowledge I could be right.She seems

almost resigned to her ill health and I don't think she believes it's possible

to get any better.

I also thought about showing her a list of symptoms of hypo so she can get a

better idea of how it can affect us.I wish I could get her to have a saliva test

at least but I think even that would be a battle.I don't know how I'd get her

to get the right treatment but the first step would be getting her to accept my

help.

[Guest guest]

Hi , (( Hug)) Its her life at the end of the day ans you may just have to accept that- impossible as that may seem with someone you love. As you know lack of T3 can leave you depressed and apathetic- which seems to have taken hold in a serious way. When you have recharged your batteries, would it be possible for you to go with her to see her doc? That wouldn't be going behind her back and may put pressure on him to do something- like refer her to an endo- she will need gentle care becuase of the heart attack- which may have been more likely to happen if she is undermedicated. > thyroid treatment > From: tinkerbell.3000@...> Date: Sat, 5 Jun 2010 18:14:22 +0000> Subject: Any advice please on how to cope with this> > Hi, I'm in a really difficult situation with my mum and I don't know how to deal with it.She was diagnosed with hypothyroidism years ago (I think it was routinely tested as a result of some tablets she is on) and she is on thyroxine.She's also had a triple heart bypass and had a stroke 3 1/2 years ago.> > > x> > > > ------------------------------------> > TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical practitioner before changing medication.> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Shelia, thanks for your reply and for the list.I do think that I have a

better chance if I can get her GP to help as I'm pretty sure she won't see

anyone else privately and go around him.I will probably have to tell her first

I'm doing it if I need to get all the med info she is on and she won't be

happy-will probably think I am doing something wrong and tell me not to. I do

have a few more questions though on things I'm not clear about so I'd be

grateful if you could answer them for me please;

I'm a bit unclear about how the referral to an endocrinologist works,am I right

in thinking I can ask him to refer to one on the nhs anywhere in the country as

there are none on the list near my mum? And that I'm specific in who I want her

referred to in my letter, stating they have a good reputation for treating

thyroid disease? (I'm assuming these are good endos and that ones local to her

probably won't be good but there's a chance he may refer to local one instead I

suppose, as my mum might have a issue with the travel).

On the list are the only ones that are endocrinologists the ones where it

explicitly states next to them that they are?

Should I mention adrenal insufficency in my letter as well as the other tests, I

don't want him to increase the thyroxine as could make her worse if this is

present but I know they don't test this properly on the nhs and only recognise

addisons?

A final question, could I request in my letter that if he does test any of the

vitamins that he sends a copy of the results and reference ranges to my mum? I

don't want to be too pushy but if they come back normal they could still be low

and my mum won't push for the results if she is told that they are normal.

Phew!! Questions over,

Thank you

x

>>

>

>

> Ask him if he would talk to your Mum about these problems and that the level

> of levothyroxine may not be sufficient. Ask him also if he would do the

> following blood tests to see if any of them are low in the reference range,

> and tell him that you are making such a request because it is a well known

> fact that if any of these vitamins and minerals are low in the range, the

> thyroid hormone may not be properly utilised in the cells. These are

> ferritin, vitamin B12, vitamin D3, magnesium, folate copper and zinc - any

> of which should be supplemented for the thyroid hormone to work.

>

>

>

> Yes, your Mum may be angry with you, but does that really matter if the

> outcome is that she finds her health improving?

>

> Luv - Sheila

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you,I really appreciate what you've said.I hope that once I feel I've done

everything I can I will be able to be there for her better and accept it more,

x

>

> Hi there, it is very hard when you wont to help you mum, but you may have to

except that it is her live and if she will not take any notice of you it is

because we are all brain washed in to thinking convensional medicine

> is the only way. my mum was like this and so was i until the hypo made me see

things differently.

> the only advice i can give you is just to be their to help her when she needs

it. I wonted to tell my mum

> many things but I never bothered to as in the end she was very old and I did

not wont to upset her.

> it is sad to watch the one`s we love suffering but no that you are a good

person and only wont the best for her. Angel.

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you , I wish I could get myself to go with her or that I had brothers

or sisters to go with us who would support this view as at the moment I can't

face dealing with a doctor right now face to face.My dad is of the same beliefs

as my mum so wouldn't support me.I had a lot of bad experiences with doctors and

have ended up self treating my own hypo. and seeing doctor P.I don't trust

myself to be able to handle a doctor and explain everything properly without

feeling intimidated as if he starts to patronise and disagree I think I could

get quite angry and upset as it will trigger my past experiences, particularly

as my mum will be likely to back him up.I feel guilty about not being able to go

with her but I just don't feel I can put myself in that situation right now, the

best I can do is write to him,

x

>

>

> Hi ,

> (( Hug)) Its her life at the end of the day ans you may just have

to accept that- impossible as that may seem with someone you love.

> As you know lack of T3 can leave you depressed and apathetic- which seems to

have taken hold in a serious way.

> When you have recharged your batteries, would it be possible for you to go

with her to see her doc? That wouldn't be going behind her back and may put

pressure on him to do something- like refer her to an endo- she will need gentle

care becuase of the heart attack- which may have been more likely to happen if

she is undermedicated.

>

>

> >

> >

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/195013117/direct/01/

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

Be prepared to be

told off by your Mum, and probably your Dad for wanting to get the facts to

enable you to put the case properly to her GP, but stick to your guns because

if you don't do this karen, you know your Mum will not and neither will anybody

else and she will remain unwell with no help coming from anywhere. ;

I'm a bit unclear about how the referral to an endocrinologist works,am I right

in thinking I can ask him to refer to one on the nhs anywhere in the country as

there are none on the list near my mum? And that I'm specific in who I want her

referred to in my letter, stating they have a good reputation for treating

thyroid disease? (I'm assuming these are good endos and that ones local to her

probably won't be good but there's a chance he may refer to local one instead I

suppose, as my mum might have a issue with the travel).

There are some excellent endocrinologists who really do care

about their patients throughout the UK that we do not even know about - the

membership of this forum is usually made up of those who have not had a caring

doctor or endocrinologist and are seeking one elsewhere who knows more about

thyroid disease than diabetes. Problem we have in the UK is that the majority

specialise in diabetes and not thyroid. The one at your Mum's local hospital

may be excellent, so see if you can find out anything about him first. As I

mention at the top of my list of doctors, I know little or nothing of their bed

side manner - but they do treat using a T3 thyroid hormone containing product

if their patients don't do well on T4 alone - so that tells me they know a

little more about hypothyroidism than other doctors. Ask the GP in the letter

to refer your Mum to an endocrinologist who he knows has a good reputation with

thyroid disease.

On the list are the only ones that are

endocrinologists the ones where it explicitly states next to them that they

are?

Most have MRCP after their name, but there are other excellent

doctors there who only have their names showing because I was not given their

qualifications.

Should I mention adrenal insufficency in my

letter as well as the other tests, I don't want him to increase the thyroxine

as could make her worse if this is present but I know they don't test this

properly on the nhs and only recognise addisons?

Probably not at this stage unless your Mum is showing any of the

signs and symptoms of 's disease (type ''s symptoms' into your

search engine to check for these. Just let's get her GP interested enough to

listen to the other information you are giving him and to give your Mum a

referral to an endo. Perhaps talk to your Mum about the adrenal/thyroid

connection and how, if she is suffering with adrenal fatigue , the thyroid hormone

replacement she is taking cannot be taken up by the cells until they are

sufficiently boosted, which is done by taking adrenal glandulars, which are very

safe and effective - full of the right vitamins and minerals. Doctors are not

taught about adrenal fatigue, only about 's and Cushing's syndrome. Would

your Mum be persuaded to complete the questionnaire in the files section or do

the home testing to see if this might be a problem. Could you persuade her to

have the 24 hour salivary adrenal profile done?

A final question, could I request in my letter

that if he does test any of the vitamins that he sends a copy of the results

and reference ranges to my mum? I don't want to be too pushy but if they come

back normal they could still be low and my mum won't push for the results if

she is told that they are normal.

Yes, most definitely. Your Mum is entitled to all the results of

any blood tests she has had done, and the reference range for each of the

tests. It is often the laboratory that writes that the tests are

" normal " simply because they are within the " normal "

reference range - and it DOES matter whether they are at the bottom, the top or

the middle - and especially, each test should be taken into consideration with

the other tests. We can help with this when you do get the test results.

Luv - Sheila

Phew!! Questions over,

Thank you

x

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18:25:00

[Guest guest]

Hi , I do hope that you will find a way of helping her- writing a letter is a good idea as then you have the opportunity to revise it until you have everything in order and nothing forgotten, as face to face something always slips by. Don't feel guilty- I know this is hard, but doing your best will help you as well as her. > thyroid treatment > From: tinkerbell.3000@...> Date: Sun, 6 Jun 2010 18:14:50 +0000> Subject: Re: Any advice please on how to cope with this> > Thank you , I wish I could get myself to go with her or that I had brothers or sisters to go with us who would support this view as at the moment I can't face dealing with a doctor right now face to face.I feel guilty about not being able to go with her but I just don't feel I can put myself in that situation right now, the best I can do is write to him,> > x> > > >> > > > Hi ,> > (( Hug)) Its her life at the end of the day ans you may just have to accept that- impossible as that may seem with someone you love.> > As you know lack of T3 can leave you depressed and apathetic- which seems to have taken hold in a serious way.> > When you have recharged your batteries, would it be possible for you to go with her to see her doc? That wouldn't be going behind her back and may put pressure on him to do something- like refer her to an endo- she will need gentle care becuase of the heart attack- which may have been more likely to happen if she is undermedicated.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________> > http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/195013117/direct/01/> >> > > > > ------------------------------------> > TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical practitioner before changing medication.> >

[Guest guest]

> HI KAREN

> Its nice that you care so much about your Mum despite having the same problem.

> The situation is different with me, as it was a struggle to bring mine up, and

contending with a Husband who spent his time in pubs, which in turn damaged his

health. This ended in divorce last year, as I could not cope even living apart

from angry tantrums.

> My own daughters never keep in touch by phone let alone visit me, in turn

depriving me of seeing my Grandchildren. One of my daughters does have thyroid

problem.

> Next year due to no thank you's or acknowledgement when I send them birthday

presents I have decided to send no more presents next year. I cannot feel sorry

for them if they end up in the same way themselves either.

> As a result of all this I have had to put down on hospital records NO NEXT OF

KIN. If I end up in hospital I would not tell them that I was going.

> It is the same with friends I used to go out with and they also knew how I

felt about my family's attitude, and I did a lot for them, and they too stopped

getting in touch (as a result of this I never informed them of my change of

address).

> I have not been treated that well by the medical profession either, and from

what I see many of us have not.

> I also was bought up by a Mother who had a brain tumour, and in turn suffered.

My Father should have informed us as to what was wrong with her, as it causes

them to have turns that they are not responsible for and cannot even remember

what happens.

> They finally operated on the tumour, but within 6 months at the time I got

married she went downhill again and on my wedding day they allowed her out for

the day.

> She lived for 2 1/2 years after the surgery and lived to see my first

daughter. She had refused to have further surgery, as I think she had, had

enough, plus the fear that further brain surgery would cause her to be a bigger

burden to us.

> I too would myself question and would refuse surgery if I was going to end up

more disabled than at present.

> It is quality of life that matters and some people age quicker than others,

and it is easier to face ill health when one is younger than older.

> It is good that you care about your Mother, but don't make yourself ill over

it.

> My Mother was only 63 and it was aweful the way that she died, but I never

treated her in the way mine have treated me, and always visited her (I cannot

say the same for the former Husband).

> Kathleen

>

> Hi, I'm in a really difficult situation with my mum and I don't know how to

deal with it.She was diagnosed with hypothyroidism years ago (I think it was

routinely tested as a result of some tablets she is on) and she is on

thyroxine.She's also had a triple heart bypass and had a stroke 3 1/2 years ago.

> If she won't accept my help I need to find a way to accept that and live with

that, and to be around her, and right now I don't know how to.I'm worried that

something is going to happen to her and I don't want to feel that I haven't done

enough to convince her.Has anyone got any ideas about how to deal with this?

> x

[Guest guest]

Hi Sheila,

Thanks for all the information.Providing I feel strong enough I hope

to broach the subject with my mum later this week and get more info about her

meds etc.It will take a lot of courage of my part to do this but I might try and

catch my mum alone and start by telling her I'm worried about her.I would love

her to have a saliva test and would even pay for it myself if I had to,as I

think they would have an issue with paying for something like that as they

wouldn't see the value in it, I can't see her agreeing to it though so might be

better a little later to suggest this rather than all at once.Will have to see

how it goes and if it feels right I will mention it.

I'm still deliberating the endo thing-it seems very much like pot luck.I've

googled some at the hospitals in her area but very difficult to tell what the

endos are like, as you said seems a lot of focus on diabetes though or thyroid

cancer.

Is there a way to find out more info. about them other than other patient

experience? I don't suppose there are any review sites where patients put

comments? (just a question -don't really expect there to be!).

I never went down the endo route myself ,as wasn't aware of all the options when

I had gp trouble, but are they more likely than gps to treat based on symptoms

rather than just blood tests as her blood tests are obviously showing 'normal'?

I would hate for her to succeed at getting referred and then go to a useless

one who just said she was fine because of her blood tests and was

dismissive-because of how she is anyway she would accept this as meaning I was

wrong and we wouldn't be able to take it any further after that.I know that we

just don't know what's going to happen.To be honest

I'd really love to ask for one of the ones on your list, however the travel

there would be a very real problem for her. I don't feel well enough or

confident enough yet to drive outside Derbyshire/notts.I've never driven any

further as I find it stressful right now if I don't know where I am going, I

don't do unknown busy roundabouts and motorways as yet, I'm too prone to driving

mistakes and panic too much if I get lost/end up in the wrong lane etc.I'm

working up to driving a little further but that's how it is right now, I wish I

was able to drive anywhere in the country and then this wouldn't be an issue as

I feel guilty that I can't. I would go anywhere with her on a train though but

my mum doesn't like trains so I think I would struggle to get her on one!!! I

suppose the gp may well know a good endo, I just don't know,

x

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathleen, I'm so sorry to hear about everything you've been through and that

you have no family and friends around, I can only begin to imagine how hard it

must be that your daughters don't keep in touch and you're not seeing your

grandchildren.

It really sounds like you were there for your mum, and as difficult as things

are with my mum ,and I may at times feel like it's difficult to be around her, I

can't imagine not keeping in touch with her.I'll do what I can to help her but I

will make sure I look after myself too and if at any point we can't go any

further towards improving her health and reach a brick wall I now know that I'll

find a way to accept that, providing I've tried,

x

>

> > HI KAREN

> > Its nice that you care so much about your Mum despite having the same

problem.

REST OF OLD MESSAGE DELETED BY MODERATOR WHO DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO DO!

( lol)

PLEASE REMEMBER TO DELETE MOST OF THE MESSAGE YOU ARE REPLYING TO. THANK YOU.

[Guest guest]

, I know this is stressful for you and you are probably

seeing too many obstacles getting in the way, but leave it with the GP for the

moment to refer you to an endocrinologist of his choice - which is likely to be

at one of the hospitals in your area. I cannot honestly see that under the

circumstances, you have any other choice. You might be pleasantly surprised.

You could, however, find out the days of the thyroid clinics and pop down to

the hospital and speak to the clinic nurses on duty and ask them which

endocrinologist they would recommend. I say this because I do speak to the

clinic nurses when I go for a consultation with my own endocrinologist, and

they are not backwards in coming forward to tell me which of the

endocrinologists or senior registrars most patients hate. Get a referral to the

one that the nurses like and respect.

Luv - Sheila

I'm still deliberating the endo thing-it seems very much like pot luck.I've

googled some at the hospitals in her area but very difficult to tell what the

endos are like, as you said seems a lot of focus on diabetes though or thyroid

cancer.

Is there a way to find out more info. about them other than other patient

experience? I don't suppose there are any review sites where patients put

comments? (just a question -don't really expect there to be!).

[Guest guest]

All the things you were going to write to your Mum's GP about

perhaps could wait until she has seen this specialist, and I would ask the same

questions of him. You are obviously very concerned, and until this is sorted,

you are all going to remained concerned.

You will find out when you see this new specialist exactly what

her blood results are that show she is anaemic. If she has low B12, she could

be suffering with pernicious anaemia. If she has low ferritin (stored iron) and

that got used up, then her body could be using the iron in her blood - and that

could be a cause of anaemia. If her folate is low, she could be suffering

anaemia. And yes, if she had a slow bleed inside without anybody knowing, that

too could cause anaemia. And, hypothyroidism can cause anaemia. Whatever the

cause , her anaemia has now been found and she will be started on the most

appropriate treatment to replace the lost iron. Try not to worry too much about

this and wait and see.

Sheila

I've said that there may be other causes, as I know that it could be yet

another symptom of hypothyroidism.We have no idea what to expect from this

appointment or what they will test.I've agreed to go with her, as she's scared,

but if they are looking for the cause of the anaemia and not considering hypothyroidism

I will find it quite hard to sit there watching her go through whatever they do

when I'm thinking it could be her thyroid. All I can do is concentrate on being

there because she feels that going is the right thing to do for her.Has anyone ever

been to a GI assessment and know what it entails?

[Guest guest]

Hi Sheila, will try and stay calm and try not to worry, I've not been looking

after myself that well so need to focus on that a bit so I can best help

her.Anything they do will have to improve things for her compared to where she

is now.

I'll do my best to support her.

Thank you,

x

>

> All the things you were going to write to your Mum's GP about perhaps could

> wait until she has seen this specialist, and I would ask the same questions

> of him. You are obviously very concerned, and until this is sorted, you are

> all going to remained concerned.

>

> You will find out when you see this new specialist exactly what her blood

> results are that show she is anaemic. If she has low B12, she could be

> suffering with pernicious anaemia. If she has low ferritin (stored iron) and

> that got used up, then her body could be using the iron in her blood - and

> that could be a cause of anaemia. If her folate is low, she could be

> suffering anaemia. And yes, if she had a slow bleed inside without anybody

> knowing, that too could cause anaemia. And, hypothyroidism can cause

> anaemia. Whatever the cause , her anaemia has now been found and she

> will be started on the most appropriate treatment to replace the lost iron.

> Try not to worry too much about this and wait and see.

>

> Sheila

>

>

>

> I've said that there may be other causes, as I know that it could be yet

> another symptom of hypothyroidism.We have no idea what to expect from this

> appointment or what they will test.I've agreed to go with her, as she's

> scared, but if they are looking for the cause of the anaemia and not

> considering hypothyroidism I will find it quite hard to sit there watching

> her go through whatever they do when I'm thinking it could be her thyroid.

> All I can do is concentrate on being there because she feels that going is

> the right thing to do for her.Has anyone ever been to a GI assessment and

> know what it entails?

>

[Guest guest]

Hi , If you are going with her to the hospital you could also mention the ferritin hypo link to the doc she sees there. I know this is hard, but you're making progress slowly in very difficult circumstances. I recall my mother tripping and gashing her leg- I had to almost bodily put her in the car to go and get it stitched- she was insisisting it was alright all the way there- she ended up with 11 stitches- and thanked me after, so it was worth a bit of gentle bullying at the time. > thyroid treatment > From: tinkerbell.3000@...> Date: Sat, 19 Jun 2010 13:53:58 +0000> Subject: Re: Any advice please on how to cope with this> > > Hi, just an update about my mum and I think I also need to off load a bit.The last week has been a little stressful.Last weekend I saw my parents and told them I was going to write to my mum's gp.My mum wasn't angry , just worried I was going to upset him, still didn't believe anything about the hypothyroidism, even though I gave her a list of symptoms, and justified every symptom as being down to something else.> > My dad was very unsupportive, said we couldn't go above doctors and they should know what they are doing, so we had a bit of an arguement about it.Their reaction wasn't surprising but it took me a few days to recover from it, as I felt drained.I did get a list of the meds she is on-9 different ones including a statin-uggh!.> > So my next step is to write to her GP.In the meantime though this week I found out she'd had a blood test a couple of weeks ago and the doctor has said that she is anaemic.Not sure what test as she doesn't know but came back as 9 and should be at least 11? He referred her for a GI assessment at her local hospital which she has next sunday.He's said he thinks she could be losing blood from somewhere causing her anaemia and so now she's really worried about it as I think she is thinking cancer.> > I've said that there may be other causes, as I know that it could be yet another symptom of hypothyroidism.We have no idea what to expect from this appointment or what they will test.I've agreed to go with her, as she's scared, but if they are looking for the cause of the anaemia and not considering hypothyroidism I will find it quite hard to sit there watching her go through whatever they do when I'm thinking it could be her thyroid. All I can do is concentrate on being there because she feels that going is the right thing to do for her.Has anyone ever been to a GI assessment and know what it entails?> > I guess at least he refered her somewhere and maybe if they can improve her anaemia it might help her a bit.> > So I thought I might mention the link between hypothyroidism and anaemia in my letter to the GP.> > x> > > > ------------------------------------> > TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical practitioner before changing medication.> >

[Guest guest]

Hi , I really want her to trust me a little on this so I can help her more,

I really want her to be well.Her appointment has been moved forward to thursday

morning now,

x

>

>

> Hi ,

> If you are going with her to the hospital you could also mention

the ferritin hypo link to the doc she sees there. I know this is hard, but

you're making progress slowly in very difficult circumstances.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi , hope all goes well for you both. > thyroid treatment > From: tinkerbell.3000@...> Date: Tue, 22 Jun 2010 20:50:25 +0000> Subject: Re: Any advice please on how to cope with this> > Hi , I really want her to trust me a little on this so I can help her more, I really want her to be well.Her appointment has been moved forward to thursday morning now,> > x> > > > > ------------------------------------> > TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical practitioner before changing medication.> >

[Guest guest]

Thank you , back from the appointment and I'm sorry to say that the

consultant was a complete asshole (pardon my language!).He was very abrupt with

my mum, no good bedside manner.He hadn't been sent any results by the gp so

didn't know what she had had tested.

I mentioned that hypo and low ferritin were linked and he looked at me like I

was an alien, then said " are you are a medical person? " in a tone of voice which

said if not what are you doing having any opinions on this? My voice was

quavering by this point and I was starting to shake and I said that no I wasn't

a medical person but I was hypo myself and knew alot of people who were and who

had low ferritin and he just said something along the lines of there being no

link and just dismissed me.I wanted to argue the point further but because I was

shaking couldn't speak.My mum even defended me to him and said that I did know

things, even though she doesn't believe what I am saying about the hypo. I wish

I'd have said something along the lines of just because I'm not a medical

professional it doesn't mean I haven't got a brain (ok perhaps not as

antagonistic as that!).

I feel so angry now because of course I know nothing, I've spent years myself

being ill with hypo and not being diagnosed and three years researching it so of

course in that time I have learnt nothing-not!!! How condescending !!!I find it

amazing how these doctors don't encourage their patients to have any knowledge

theirselves and seem to really resent them having any or trying to have any

involvement.

Anyway he has ordered iron related blood tests which do include ferritin and if

these show she is anaemic she will have to have some more investigate procedures

to check for more serious causes.He thinks the low iron though is due to her

being on warferin.Then he will probably give her iron.For now I'm going to see

what the outcome of this is as my mum is very stressed at the moment and worried

and so am I today.Hopefully she will eventually get some iron which might help

her overall use the thyroxine.I haven't given up I just feel a bit drained by

it,

x

>

>

> Hi ,

> hope all goes well for you both.

>

>

> >

> >

>

> _________________________________________________________________

> http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/197222280/direct/01/

> Do you have a story that started on Hotmail? Tell us now

>

[Guest guest]

Poor - but at least you tried, and you did get some result

in the end. Perhaps you could help this poor mans education so he doesn't show

himself up again by his lack of education. As he believes there is no link

between ferritin levels and hypothyroidism, tell him that biologically,

insufficient iron levels may be affecting the first two of three steps of thyroid

hormone synthesis by reducing the activity of the enzyme thyroid peroxidase,

which is dependent on iron. Iron deficiency, in turn, may also alter thyroid

metabolism and reduce the conversion of the ‘inactive’ T4 to the ‘active’ T3,

besides modifying the binding of T3. Additionally, low iron levels can increase circulating

concentrations of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH). That

severe iron-deficiency leads to anaemia as manifested by low haemoglobin and

haematocrit on a CBC blood test is well known (but apparently, not by him).

However, mild iron-deficiency leads to low ferritin in blood

tests BEFORE a drop in haemoglobin and haematocrit occurs. An

article published in the May 2003 British Medical Journal showed

that patients with low ferritin, but normal heamoglobin and heamatocrit, have

fatigue, that is reversed by iron treatment.

I am sure he would be delighted to receive such information to

further his education, and you can look at him like he is an alien and say

" as a medical person, you really should know better " - Well, are you

up for it )

luv - Sheila

I feel so angry now because of course I know nothing, I've spent years myself

being ill with hypo and not being diagnosed and three years researching it so

of course in that time I have learnt nothing-not!!! How condescending !!!I find

it amazing how these doctors don't encourage their patients to have any

knowledge theirselves and seem to really resent them having any or trying to

have any involvement.

Anyway he has ordered iron related blood tests which do include ferritin and if

these show she is anaemic she will have to have some more investigate

procedures to check for more serious causes.He thinks the low iron though is

due to her being on warferin.Then he will probably give her iron.For now I'm

going to see what the outcome of this is as my mum is very stressed at the

moment and worried and so am I today.Hopefully she will eventually get some

iron which might help her overall use the thyroxine.I haven't given up I just

feel a bit drained by it,

x

>

>

> Hi ,

> hope all goes well for you both.

>

>

> >

> >

>

> __________________________________________________________

> http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/197222280/direct/01/

> Do you have a story that started on Hotmail? Tell us now

>

No virus

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18:35:00

[Guest guest]

--- In thyroid treatment , "He was very abrupt with my mum, no good bedside manner.He hadn't been sent any results by the gp so didn't know what she had had tested> > > I mentioned that hypo and low ferritin were linked and he looked at me like I was an alien, then said "are you are a medical person?" in a tone of voice which said if not what are you doing having any opinions on this? My voice was quavering by this point and I was starting to shake and I said that no I wasn't a medical person but I was hypo myself and knew alot of people who were and who had low ferritin and he just said something along the lines of there being no link and just dismissed me.I wanted to argue the point further but because I was shaking couldn't speak.My mum even defended me to him and said that I did know things, even though she doesn't believe what I am saying about the hypo. I wish I'd have said something along the lines of just because I'm not a medical professional it doesn't mean I haven't got a brain (ok perhaps not as antagonistic as that!).> > I feel so angry now because of course I know nothing, I've spent years myself being ill with hypo and not being diagnosed and three years researching it so of course in that time I have learnt nothing-not!!! How condescending !!!I find it amazing how these doctors don't encourage their patients to have any knowledge theirselves and seem to really resent them having any or trying to have any involvement.Hi ,

I,ve been following your thread and I,m so sorry you had to endure this appalling episode.It is atrocious that whilst ill, these so called medical professionals add to our suffering.

Anyway,I wanted to give you a bit of advice regarding what to say when these arrogant sods sound their trump card"Are YOU a medically qualified person?"

I would reply "No,but a 'Medical 'Expert' in the field has explained this to me and I happen to believe it." (I know it might be telling a white lie or perhaps you have actually seen a doctor in the private sector)If they then ask "Who?" Just reply that you would rather they remain nameless under the Data Protection Act!!!

This way it takes the onus off you.They will tend NOT to criticise fellow doctors,but they will patronise and undermine you all the way.Its a kind of bullying actually.

I have used this line myself when challenged with THAT question. I,ve then followed it up with "It puts me in a difficult position as a patient when there is a difference of medical opinion.I,m just calling their bluff cause I,m on to them big time now.None of them are gonna make me feel small ever again.You,ve got to play these b*******at their own game.

I do hope your mother gets the proper help she deserves.

Best to you,

Peary

[Guest guest]

Hi , Hugs! you got him to test ferritin- success! > thyroid treatment > From: tinkerbell.3000@...> Date: Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:35:40 +0000> Subject: Re: Any advice please on how to cope with this> > Thank you , back from the appointment and I'm sorry to say that the consultant was a complete a> Anyway he has ordered iron related blood tests which do include ferritin and if these show she is anaemic she will have to have some more investigate procedures to check for more serious causes.He thinks the low iron though is due to her being on warferin.Then he will probably give her iron.For now I'm going to see what the outcome of this is as my mum is very stressed at the moment and worried and so am I today.Hopefully she will eventually get some iron which might help her overall use the thyroxine.I haven't given up I just feel a bit drained by it,> > x> > > >> > > > Hi ,> > hope all goes well for you both.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > _________________________________________________________________> > http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/197222280/direct/01/> > Do you have a story that started on Hotmail? Tell us now> >> > > > > ------------------------------------> > TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical practitioner before changing medication.> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Sheila, would really like to be able to say all that, perhaps when I am a

little stronger.Would love to look at him like he was an alien ) In fact

though I think I probably did look at him strangely for the rest of the

appointment, certainly found it hard to concentrate on what he was saying as I

felt I didn't have any respect for him after that.I didn't get in all the

medical terminology but I did get in that iron as necessary to utilise thyroid

hormones but he just ignored it.I need to toughen up a little as I'm quite badly

affected by confrontation and find it hard.Starting to shake doesn't help

though,very embarrassing and it would have made it very easy for him to respond

in the way that he did,a quavering voice isn't good when you're trying to get

someone to listen to you.

x

>

> >

> I am sure he would be delighted to receive such information to further his

> education, and you can look at him like he is an alien and say " as a medical

> person, you really should know better " - Well, are you up for it )

>

>

>

> luv - Sheila

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Peary,

Thank you for that advice.The next time I may be in a situation like that I'll

formulate a response similar to that beforehand so it doesn't silence me.He took

me off guard as it's a long time since I've had much contact with doctors other

than nice ones like Dr P and had forgotten how rude and patronising they can

be and wasn't prepared for it.Looking back I do feel like he did bully me and I

allowed myself to be bullied because I wasn't prepared.What better way than to

shut someone up than throw that in, and that's what he wanted to do, so rude,

x

> I have used this line myself when challenged with THAT question. I,ve

> then followed it up with " It puts me in a difficult position as a

> patient when there is a difference of medical opinion.I,m just calling

> their bluff cause I,m on to them big time now.None of them are gonna

> make me feel small ever again.You,ve got to play these b*******at their

> own game.

>

> I do hope your mother gets the proper help she deserves.

>

> Best to you,

>

> Peary

>

[Guest guest]

Hi , need the hugs after all this, feeling very fragile!,

x

>

>

> Hi ,

> Hugs! you got him to test ferritin- success!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi , ((HUGS)) you can never have too many hugs! > thyroid treatment > From: tinkerbell.3000@...> Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:39:11 +0000> Subject: Re: Any advice please on how to cope with this> > Hi , need the hugs after all this, feeling very fragile!,> > x> > > >> > > > Hi ,> > Hugs! you got him to test ferritin- success!> > > > > > > > > ------------------------------------> > TPA is not medically qualified. Consult with a qualified medical practitioner before changing medication.> >

[Guest guest]

Thanks so much for your post, this is hard going but the replies I have had here

have been so supportive, they have really helped me cope.

x

>

> I've just read all of your posts for the first time today. It sounds like you

are a supportive daughter who is willing to help your mum, or if necessary just

be there to support your mum, no matter what she decides to do (or not to do).

Your mum is lucky.

>

> Big hug your way, especially after the appt with the specialist. It didn't

sound like a pleasant experience. Even though he dismissed your comments, he

still tested for ferritin. You may not be medically trained, but it doesn't

mean that you are ill informed. Good on you for supporting your mum during her

appointment.

>

> P xo

>