Thyroid/pituitary/endocrine links - dyslexia/dyspraxia ADHD/learning diffs

[Guest guest]

The recent posts on parents concerned about possible endocrine/thyroid problems

and their impact on child development and linked educational difficulties are

not, I believe, insignificant.

At some point in time, I think that there MAY be some mileage in getting

together some stats or doing a poll on parental experiences in this

context.....it might give added weight to the need for endocrinologists to take

such matters seriously in young adults who themselves will go on to be parents.

Genetic links are important here. The medical profession need strong incentives

to address such issues. I have for years been concerned about treatment of

fertility related issues in ways that do not seek to address underlying factors

(with regard to endocrine related problems) which may affect quality of

development of the foetus in utero. Increasing medical success has increased

survival rates with regard to infant mortality, but it has not yet succeeded in

matching these statistical " successes " with ensuring quality of life measure

that ensure the resulting children have equally good chances within our

educational system and subsequent lives. The government gives them no " brownie "

points for so doing (!)

Most people will be unaware that in years gone by dyslexia and related

conditions were a medical responsibility in financial terms (linked also to

appropriate educational provision, in much the same way as speech therapy and

occupational therapy). I think it was in around the late 1970's early 1980's

that funding for education for those with dyslexia/dyspraxia etc was transferred

to education rather than health departments. The effect of such changes in

funding provision was to lessen the incentive for those involved in healthcare

to prioritise prevention of such difficulties.

This funding element may appear to be a side issue. However, it is clear that

schools have been creaking at the seams in their attempts to make appropriate

educational provision for children with such difficulties....particularly given

the sheer number of those affected.

These issues therefore go much further than might at first appear. Yes, it is

obvious that we do not have sufficient high quality endocrinologists to meet

existing needs, there being a particular shortage of those able to understand

and disentangle pituitary and thyroid related issues. The health care system is

also creaking at the seams and no doubt in time will reconsider whether or not

there may need to be a radical overhaul of not only provision of appropriate

NUMBERS of suitable endocrinologists - but also, I hope, may consider whether or

not departmental structures within health care adequately allow for appropriate

referrals.

At the current time, as far as my limited experience allows,it seems that people

needing referrals tend to be channelled towards thyroid/diabetes specialists or

towards fertility specialists. Many patients actually have symptoms and

difficulties which may involve a combination of factors, ranging from any/all of

the above but also including emotional factors - there being well recognised

links also with depression, bi-polar and other difficulties for which input may

also be sought from the psychiatric profession.

What we do NOT have, are departments and professionals who are trained in

sufficient depth to be able to offer comprehensive and integrative help for

patients whose real life difficulties cross over departmental domains.

Appropriate " channeling " at the current time creates enormous difficulties for

doctors and patients alike, primarily because of the inappropriate departmental

structures and divisions that exist within the STRUCTURE of NHS provision.

Patients who need integrated care get compartmentalised into " boxes " that

reflect NHS structures rather than being given integrated health care that

allows recognition of genuinely interrelated problems affecting every sphere of

life.

I am not volunteering for a role in taking action on this one as I know I have

to focus on resolving my own difficulties at this time. Until I get much further

along the path with regard to my own health I am not realistically in a position

to give consistent input in any domain. But I mention it because I feel I have

to!

I apologise in advance for raising another " headache " in considering appropriate

standpoints in campaigning strategies. Because the problem is potentially an

issue that affects health, education, employment and productivity - and hence

the eventual financial strength of the UK, there may be arguments for the issue

being confronted on a wider political base than simply within the health care

system.

Vicky