Re: Re: Any experiences of endos at RD&E and/or Torbay hospital?

[Guest guest]

…and I would beg, borrow or steal to get the money to see

Dr Peatfield. Every penny is well worth spending. He has given back normal

health to literally hundreds of NHS failures. And, for those who would like to

meet him, come to our dinner and meeting in Birmingham on 2nd October, and meet

also Dr Skinner and Dr Mantzourani - as well as a lot of our members, of course

)

Luv - Sheila

I don't know if it would be of any help, but Dr Peatfield runs a clinic in

Totnes every few months, the next one being 15, 16 and 17 October - see http://www.tpa-uk.org.uk/drpeatfield_clinics.php

BW.

Hazel.

www.oneagleswings.me.uk

http://oneagleswingsme.blogspot.com/

>

> Hello everyone I'm Sandie,I will post my story in due course (i.e when I

have the time and energy and a clear head, hmmm that might be a while! lol) in

the meantime I wanted to know if anyone has experience with endocrinologists at

Royal Devon and Exeter hospital and/or Torbay hospital? I've checked the

" good docs list " and they're not on there, I'm hoping that's not

indicating instant doom for me!

> Many Thanks

> Sandie

>

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22:15:00

[Guest guest]

Thankyou to all who have responded. I have checked out that website and none of the endo's at RD & E specialise in thyroid disease there is one at Torbay, but I've had bad experiences before at Torbay so that's not my hospital of choice. The endos at RD & E are mostly diabetes specialists.

Totnes isn't far from me but my concern is money, how much is a consult? and what about subsequent testing? Will he be able to figure out ALL that's going on? because I don't think my problems are just thyroid, I'm afraid I may have a myriad of problems (although I don't yet know that for certain)

My GP just referred me straight to a consultant because he admitted he's not knowledgeable enough to help me in the thyroid area, but he is willing to try and do what he can, and he does listen to me, which is more than some I've seen. So do I go back to my GP and request more testing for the other areas that I hear talked about on here? i.e mineral and vitamin deficiency, coeliac, candida etc. My GP wouldn't do the extended thyroid blood tests i.e FT3 FT4 both antibodies,he's leaving that up to the consultant, but I don't have that appointment till beginning of November!! which feels like ages away when I feel so ill. I feel like so much time is being wasted, even if something thyroid shows up in the blood work if I have other things going on then thyroid meds wouldn't work efficiently, and then we'd be back to square one finding out the other diagnosis's.

Help, where do I start? if I go back to my GP what other testing do I need to request and how do I put it to him to stand a good chance of getting it, i.e reasoning and explaining which tests are needed for which possible condition, and what the best test is for that, too many times docs will only do the cheapest tests when it's clearly not the best test.

Feeling pretty scared and overwhelmed at the moment, all I want to do is bury my head in the sand and forget all this is happening, but I know that won't help. It's just so frustrating at a time when I need to be most proactive, I feel completely incapable of doing so, my cognitive impairement really affects me and it's takes so much more effort and energy to even type this email. I need to be able to educate myself so I can get what I need from the docs, and I need to be able to understand, digest and retain information so I can fight my corner on an equal ground, once again I feel sadly lacking. Obviously here is where I will get the info but I need be able to process it and use it to my advantage, why does it have to be such a battle? I was so naive to believe you go to the docs and they know what to do to fix you and the best way to do that, how wrong was I? Sorry I'll stop being so negative now, look

forward to your replies and I'll use them as my own suit of "Armour" (see still got a sense of humour

Luv

Sandie

>> Hello everyone I'm Sandie,I will post my story in due course (i.e when I have the time and energy and a clear head, hmmm that might be a while! lol) in the meantime I wanted to know if anyone

has experience with endocrinologists at Royal Devon and Exeter hospital and/or Torbay hospital? I've checked the "good docs list" and they're not on there, I'm hoping that's not indicating instant doom for me! > Many Thanks> Sandie>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sandie - yes, you go back to your GP and get him to check

your minerals and vitamins as mentioned previously as these are essential and

again, as mentioned before if low in the reference range, will stop your

thyroid hormone from being utilised in the cells. These tests are REALLY

important. Get the results and post them here. Instead of paying to see a

private consultant, I would use the money instead to pay to go and see Dr

Peatfield, who is wonderful. He has a clinic in Totnes (see Dr Peatfield's

clinics in my web site www.tpa-uk.org.uk

to see when he is next there. His fee is £150 for a first consultation which

lasts an hour and a half and covers up to three telephone follow up

conversations. I know of nobody who is more thorough and I would trust his

recommendations.

I have no idea why your GP is refusing you the full thyroid

function tests, there is absolutely nothing that should be stopping him. Even

if he wants you to wait until you see the consultant, you will still have to

wait to get the test results and if you see one privately, you will have to pay

for these tests to be done - AND THESE ARE FREE ON THE NHS. I would write to

your GP and tell him that you would like these tests done NOW, together with

the two tests to check to see whether or not you have thyroid antibodies. If

you went to see Dr Peatfield - (you would not need a GP referral btw) then he

would want to know what these results are, but he doesn't order the tests

himself - he would recommend you get this tested privately through the 24 hour

urine test via Genova Diagnostics. Send a copy of your letter to the Head of

Practice as you have a right to know why their practice would refuse you these

tests. It is BECAUSE of thyroid function test results that GP's usually refer

their patient to an endocrinologist.

I would get the 24 hour salivary adrenal profile done through

Genova to see where your cortisol and DHEA levels lie at four specific times

during the day. If these show you have low adrenal reserve, you would need to

start treating them with adrenal glandulars BEFORE you start thyroid hormone

replacement, so this is something you could be doing right now, together with

the min. and vit. blood tests with your GP.

Don't bury your head in the sand - even if your name is Sandie

) - you will learn that those with the symptoms of hypothyroidism need to

learn to look after themselves, because if you leave your thyroid and adrenal

health in the hands of the NHS, you will continue to remain feeling so poorly.

The more you read and the more you ask questions, the more information you will

find you will be able to retain, and you will feel that you are taking charge

of your own health - many of us here now know a lot more about thyroid and

related conditions than any of our doctors - including the majority of NHS

endocrinologists. You will be doing more than fighting your corner on

" equal grounds " - you will be teaching your doctor.

All of this knowledge will be your 2suit of Armour " Sandie

- believe me, there is light at the end of the tunnel, but it won't happen

overnight and it won't happen if you leave it in the hands of doctors who have

little training in thyroid matters, and now do not have the time to do the

necessary research.

See Dr Peatfield, and you will realise that it is the best thing

you could have done for yourself.

Luv - Sheila

Feeling pretty scared and overwhelmed at the moment, all I

want to do is bury my head in the sand and forget all this is happening, but

I know that won't help. It's just so frustrating at a time when I need

to be most proactive, I feel completely incapable of doing so, my

cognitive impairement really affects me and it's takes so much more effort

and energy to even type this email. I need to be able to educate myself

so I can get what I need from the docs, and I need to be able to understand,

digest and retain information so I can fight my corner on an equal ground,

once again I feel sadly lacking. Obviously here is where I will get the

info but I need be able to process it and use it to my advantage, why does it

have to be such a battle? I was so naive to believe you go to the docs

and they know what to do to fix you and the best way to do that, how wrong

was I? Sorry I'll stop being so negative now, look forward to your

replies and I'll use them as my own suit of " Armour " (see still got

a sense of humour

Luv

Sandie

From: hazel132 <hazel@...>

Subject: Re: Any experiences of endos at RD & E

and/or Torbay hospital?

thyroid treatment

Date: Wednesday, 22 September, 2010, 9:51

I don't know if it would be of any help, but Dr Peatfield runs a clinic in

Totnes every few months, the next one being 15, 16 and 17 October - see http://www.tpa-uk.org.uk/drpeatfield_clinics.php

BW.

Hazel.

www.oneagleswings.me.uk

http://oneagleswingsme.blogspot.com/

>

> Hello everyone I'm Sandie,I will post my story in due course (i.e when I

have the time and energy and a clear head, hmmm that might be a while! lol)

in the meantime I wanted to know if anyone has experience with

endocrinologists at Royal Devon and Exeter hospital and/or Torbay hospital?

I've checked the " good docs list " and they're not on there, I'm

hoping that's not indicating instant doom for me!

> Many Thanks

> Sandie

>

No virus

found in this incoming message.

Checked by AVG - www.avg.com

Version: 8.5.445 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3146 - Release Date: 09/21/10

22:15:00

[Guest guest]

Ok, so can you remind me specifically what tests I need to request from my GP, so far I remember:

Ferritin

Magnesium

Copper

Zinc

B12

are there any more? are there only one type of blood tests for these? so they won't do the wrong test.

How do you test for Candida?

What about food intolerances and coeliac disease? should I get those tested, what are the best tests to ask for?

My GP didn't actually refuse per se, but he was just going to wait for the consultant (NHS) to do it, as I don't think he'd know how to deal with the results, he already has 2 patients on T4 and can't control their symptoms or lab results, I bit my tongue at this point screaming inside " ever thought about T3 or NDT?". He only referred me to an Endo beause that's what I wanted. I have had my TSH done and it was 1.9, so not anything out of the ordinary, not that that means anything, which is what I told him. I had my THS done in 2006 when my infertility was being investigated and it was 0.9, is this significant that it has risen? when I told my GP of my previous result he was not phased and said it will fluctuate.

Just want to clarify the process of seeing Dr P. It's my responsibility to get the blood/saliva/urine tests done (NHS if possible if not then private) then we meet and talk, he makes he's diagnosis and recommendation for treatment, but I then have to go back to my GP to initiate/access treatment/prescriptions, is that right?You talked about a urine test, what is that for? antibodies or FT3? do I need to get bloods aswell as urine or is urine only if I can't get the bloods of antibodies and FT3?

Okey doke, will try and write my story now, so you can get the full picture, it might take a while and it's going to be loooong.

Luv

Sandie

Whoever said you can't buy hapiness has forgotten about little puppies!

>> .and I would beg, borrow or steal to get the money to see Dr Peatfield.> Every penny is well worth spending. He has given back normal health to

[Guest guest]

You need a FULL thyroid function test to include TSH, free T3,

free T4 and a test to see if you have thyroid antibodies. The NHS can test for

all of these. You also need serum ferritin, vitamin B12, vitamin

D3, magnesium, folate, copper and zinc. If any of these are low in the range,

no amount of thyroid hormone can be properly utilised by the cells in your body

and brain.

You can get tested to see if you have Candida Antibodies through

Genova Diagnostics. Go to our FILES SECTION and scroll down to the FOLDER

'DISCOUNTS' and open the one 'Genova Diagnostics' and you will see that TPA

members are allowed a discount for the cost of these private tests, which the

NHS do not do.

Have you been tested to see whether you have food intolerances

or coeliac disease. Talk to your GP about getting these tests done if there is

a genuine reason for these tests to be carried out.  When your results are back

with your GP, ask him for the results and the reference range for each of the

tests done and post them here on the forum, and we can help you with the

interpretation. Your TSH rising from 2004 from 0.9 to now 1.9 could be

significant, but we need to know what your Free T3 and free T4 results are

before we could comment.

I would seriously worry about a GP admitting to having only 2

patients on levothyroxine and him being unable to control their symptoms or lab

results. Is there any chance you can change your GP to one who is, at least,

willing to learn WHY this is the case. I cannot believe that there is a surgery

anywhere in the world that has only 2 patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism.

I only mentioned about getting the thyroid function tests done

before seeing Dr Peatfield to give him an idea of where your levels lie, and

similarly, getting the 24 hour salivary adrenal profile done will save you time

and you will be given a diagnosis earlier if these tests are done first so you

can take them with you. Otherwise, Dr P may need you to get these tests done

and then report back to him after you receive the results, which will only

delay your treatment. However, I would first go to our FILES section, scroll

down and open the FILE entitled 'Medical Questionnaires' and do the three

questionnaire there on Adrenals, Candida and Magnesium. You should get an idea

after you have added up the score, whether you do, or do not have any of these

problems. If you score low for the adrenals and candida, then there is

naturally no need to take this matter further.

Whether your GP will take on board any of the recommendations

made by Dr Peatfield is up to him. Dr Peatfield does recommend either natural

thyroid extract or synthetic T3 for many of his patients, and as the RCP and

BTA tell doctors that ALL patients do well on levothyroxine (T4)-only, he may

be reluctant to prescribe these, so you may find that you have no other option

but to buy these privately.

The 24 hour urine test which again, is done privately through

Genova, is to test the amount of T4 and T3 that is actually being used by your

body, rather than finding out the levels of T4 and T3 that are in the blood.

This is the test we recommend as the best test done to see your true thyroid

status. The NHS should do the blood thyroid function tests for you, and also

the test to see whether you have thyroid antibodies. It might be best to write

a letter to your GP asking for these to be done, and ask for your letter to be

placed into your medical notes.

Luv - Sheila

What about food intolerances and coeliac disease? should I

get those tested, what are the best tests to ask for?

My GP didn't actually refuse per se, but he was just going

to wait for the consultant (NHS) to do it, as I don't think he'd know how to

deal with the results, he already has 2 patients on T4 and can't control

their symptoms or lab results, I bit my tongue at this point screaming inside

" ever thought about T3 or NDT? " . He only referred me to an

Endo beause that's what I wanted. I have had my TSH done and it was

1.9, so not anything out of the ordinary, not that that means anything, which

is what I told him. I had my THS done in 2006 when my infertility was

being investigated and it was 0.9, is this significant that it has risen?

when I told my GP of my previous result he was not phased and said it will

fluctuate.

Just want to clarify the process of seeing Dr P. It's my

responsibility to get the blood/saliva/urine tests done (NHS if possible if

not then private) then we meet and talk, he makes he's diagnosis and

recommendation for treatment, but I then have to go back to my GP to

initiate/access treatment/prescriptions, is that right?

You talked about a urine test, what is that for? antibodies or FT3? do I need

to get bloods aswell as urine or is urine only if I can't get the bloods of

antibodies and FT3?

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22:15:00

[Guest thyroquester]

Devon hospitals tests...any updates on the tests they are willing to carry out and their current expertise. Is Dr. Peatfield still there?