GP visit

[Guest guest]

Hello Sheila,

I saw the GP this afternoon. She is going to write a letter to the

endocrinologist forwarding all my blood test results to them, as well as the

Synacthen test result. She will ask that they request zinc and copper blood

tests (she tells me these are specialised tests and have to be ordered by a

specialist). She will also enquire about an earlier appointment than my current

one of 5 February and treatment advice for my adrenals - she did say my

Synacthen test result was a bit low.

I asked her about my magnesium, ferritin, etc. results, which were in range but

low, and she said that was also up to the endocrinologist (her first response

was to dismiss my concerns as the results were in range). This leaves me with a

dilemma: do I start supplementing iron and magnesium now or do I wait until I've

seen the endocrinologist?

She agreed to the B12 test so I'm having this done on Monday.

I am to give the surgery a ring in a couple of weeks about the endocrinologist's

response, if any.

I am glad she agreed to press my case with the endocrinologist, but I confess to

feeling rather frustrated... I suppose my expectations are simply too high.

I am seeing the homeopath tomorrow, as well.

Best wishes,

[Guest guest]

Hi

Sadly,

GP's have a wonderful cop-out by referring you to the 'specialist' - that is

not always a good thing, because there are many endocrinologists who have no

idea why you would want such blood tests done, and will refuse to do them. You

have to ensure they know that you are asking for these tests to be done because

should any of them be low in the range, these need supplementing so your

thyroid hormone (natural or synthetic) can be properly utilised by the cells.

DEMAND them if necessary.

Post

your results here and the reference ranges so we can help you with them. If you

do have to take iron supplements, you must not take them any where near to

taking thyroid hormone replacement - these must be taken at least 3 to 4 hours

apart. It is NOT good enough that doctors tell you that your results are within

the reference range - it matters whether they are at the bottom, slap bang in

the middle or at the top of the reference range.

Unless

your Synacthen test showed you have 's disease (very little or no

cortisol output) or Cushing's Syndrome (too high a level of cortisol) it is

doubtful your endocrinologist will recognise low adrenal reserve, and you will

be told your tests are normal. This is where self treatment comes in. Your

thyroid cannot function properly or the thyroid hormones get into the cells if

you have low adrenal reserve - fully functioning adrenals are needed for every

hormone gland in your body to work, so you will need to supplement with

products such as Nutri Adrenal Extra to boost them. For some of us, we need the

actual cortisol replacement, and it might be a good idea to see one of our

Medical Advisers if you are worried about self-treatment.

I

would highly recommend that you buy Dr Peatfield's 'Your Thyroid and How to Keep

it Healthy'. It is not expensive. He wrote this book specifically for patients

who are being let down by the NHS and he teaches you how to self treat if that

is the only option left open to you. Go to our web site www.tpa-uk.org.uk

and on the right hand column, scroll down until you see " Buy Anything from

Amazon " and you can buy his book from there. TPA-UK gets 5% from any

orders, so you would be helping us too.

I asked her about my magnesium, ferritin, etc. results, which were in range but

low, and she said that was also up to the endocrinologist (her first response

was to dismiss my concerns as the results were in range). This leaves me with a

dilemma: do I start supplementing iron and magnesium now or do I wait until

I've seen the endocrinologist?

She agreed to the B12 test so I'm having this done on Monday.

I am to give the surgery a ring in a couple of weeks about the endocrinologist's

response, if any.

I am glad she agreed to press my case with the endocrinologist, but I confess

to feeling rather frustrated... I suppose my expectations are simply too high.