Blood Test results

[Guest guest]

Dear Sheila,

Thank you so much for your reply. I'm so worn down with all this at

the moment it's hard to know what to do. I don't think I can face

going to the doctors again. I was thinking of going to see Dr

Peatfield and getting some private blood tests done when I have saved

enough money, and then maybe going back. Do you think this would be a

good idea? I'm so desperate at the moment. I'm trying to do a PhD and

I'm literally hanging on to it by my fingernails at the moment. I

barely have enough energy to drive here, and when I get here I can't

think straight. I have no energy or motivation to do anything.

I wanted to thank everyone and you especially for all your help. I'm

not sure where I'd be if I didn't have this forum to come to.

Thank you so much

Angie xx

>

> Angie, I can assure you that your blood results are not normal.

Your Free T4 should be above 14 with this particular reference range,

but I must say, I have never seen a reference range for Free T4

starting so low. Your STH needs watching. I see there was no Free T3

test done, neither were there any tests to see if you have antibodies

to your thyroid, which is a very important test to do. Your GP is

wrong to say there is no need to do these as they are unrelated to

your TSH or Free T4. Ask your GP to test these. If you have

antibodies, this means the antibodies see your thyroid tissue as

public enemy number one and set about its destruction, thus making it

very difficult for your poor thyroid to put out the amount of thyroid

hormone your body needs. This is called Hashimoto's disease.

>

> Luv - Sheila

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Sheila,

Thank you so much for your reply. I'm so worn down with all this at

the moment it's hard to know what to do. I don't think I can face

going to the doctors again. I was thinking of going to see Dr

Peatfield and getting some private blood tests done when I have saved

enough money, and then maybe going back. Do you think this would be a

good idea? I'm so desperate at the moment. I'm trying to do a PhD and

I'm literally hanging on to it by my fingernails at the moment. I

barely have enough energy to drive here, and when I get here I can't

think straight. I have no energy or motivation to do anything.

I wanted to thank everyone and you especially for all your help. I'm

not sure where I'd be if I didn't have this forum to come to.

Thank you so much

Angie xx

>

> Angie, I can assure you that your blood results are not normal.

Your Free T4 should be above 14 with this particular reference range,

but I must say, I have never seen a reference range for Free T4

starting so low. Your STH needs watching. I see there was no Free T3

test done, neither were there any tests to see if you have antibodies

to your thyroid, which is a very important test to do. Your GP is

wrong to say there is no need to do these as they are unrelated to

your TSH or Free T4. Ask your GP to test these. If you have

antibodies, this means the antibodies see your thyroid tissue as

public enemy number one and set about its destruction, thus making it

very difficult for your poor thyroid to put out the amount of thyroid

hormone your body needs. This is called Hashimoto's disease.

>

> Luv - Sheila

>

>

[Guest guest]

-Hi ,

Thank you so much for your reply. I am seriously thinking about going

to see Dr P as I can't carry on like this for much longer. How did you

manage to get to see an Endo? Did your GP refer you or can you just go

and see them privately? I hope your tests back up your private ones.

Angie xx

In thyroid treatment , " frances.sacramento "

<frances.sacramento@...> wrote:

>

> Hi Angie

>

> My NHS blood tests are 'normal. I had tests done via Dr P and it

> showed that my T3 was under range - suggesting I have a conversion

> problem. I took the test sheet to my doctor who ignored it.

> When I went to see an endo and took the results to show him - he

> actually looked at them without making me feel like I was 'a fool and

> her money etc.,'. I am now having a full test done (I hope) which

will

> back up the private tests.

>

> B

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Angie

........How did you manage to get to see an Endo? Did your GP refer you

or can you just go and see them privately?........

I have been going to my doctor for years - he says the tests are

normal, its just my age/menopause etc., - and he ignored the test

results I had done with Dr P.

December last year I was feeling so fed up I made a appointment to see

any doctor at the surgery. I got a horrible locum - he was so

patronising that it 'put my back up' and I insisted he refer me. I saw

an endo at the beginning of January and I will be going back in a

couple of weeks time.

B

[Guest guest]

You don't have to go back to your doctors asking for more blood tests if you don't want. You can get the tests you need done through NPTech Services. Go to our Files and scroll down until you see NPTech Services and you will see the blood tests they do and the prices they charge. I think it a good idea to see Dr Peatfield, this is your health, and if the NHS are not going to look after you, then you are left to do this yourself. It is a very sad state of affairs, but fact is fact. Where about do you live in the UK?

Luv - Sheila

Dear Sheila,Thank you so much for your reply. I'm so worn down with all this at the moment it's hard to know what to do. I don't think I can face going to the doctors again. I was thinking of going to see Dr Peatfield and getting some private blood tests done when I have saved enough money, and then maybe going back. Do you think this would be a good idea? I'm so desperate at the moment. I'm trying to do a PhD and I'm literally hanging on to it by my fingernails at the moment. I barely have enough energy to drive here, and when I get here I can't think straight. I have no energy or motivation to do anything. I wanted to thank everyone and you especially for all your help. I'm not sure where I'd be if I didn't have this forum to come to. Thank you so muchAngie xx>> Angie, I can assure you that your blood results are not normal. Your Free T4 should be above 14 with this particular reference range, but I must say, I have never seen a reference range for Free T4 starting so low. Your STH needs watching. I see there was no Free T3 test done, neither were there any tests to see if you have antibodies to your thyroid, which is a very important test to do. Your GP is wrong to say there is no need to do these as they are unrelated to your TSH or Free T4. Ask your GP to test these. If you have antibodies, this means the antibodies see your thyroid tissue as public enemy number one and set about its destruction, thus making it very difficult for your poor thyroid to put out the amount of thyroid hormone your body needs. This is called Hashimoto's disease.> > Luv - Sheila> >

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.19/1258 - Release Date: 04/02/2008 10:10

[Guest guest]

Hi Sheila,

I live in Fareham in hampshire. Do you know if doctors actually take

any notice of tests you get done privately? I'm so desperate right

now I would do anything to get my life back. I'm just worried about

costs at the moment as I'm a student (although I probably won't be

one for much longer the way I'm going :0( ) and don't have much

money.

Angie xx

>

> You don't have to go back to your doctors asking for more blood

tests if you don't want. You can get the tests you need done through

NPTech Services. Go to our Files and scroll down until you see NPTech

Services and you will see the blood tests they do and the prices they

charge. I think it a good idea to see Dr Peatfield, this is your

health, and if the NHS are not going to look after you, then you are

left to do this yourself. It is a very sad state of affairs, but fact

is fact. Where about do you live in the UK?

>

> Luv - Sheila

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thanks for your reply. Did you specify who you wanted to see or did

they just send you to the nearest one?

Angie xx

>

>

> Hi Angie

>

> .......How did you manage to get to see an Endo? Did your GP refer

you

> or can you just go and see them privately?........

>

> I have been going to my doctor for years - he says the tests are

> normal, its just my age/menopause etc., - and he ignored the test

> results I had done with Dr P.

>

> December last year I was feeling so fed up I made a appointment to

see

> any doctor at the surgery. I got a horrible locum - he was so

> patronising that it 'put my back up' and I insisted he refer me. I

saw

> an endo at the beginning of January and I will be going back in a

> couple of weeks time.

>

> B

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Angie, I used my private blood test results to get a referral to an endocrinologist, and the endocrinologist happily accepted them and gave me a trial of thyroxine on the strength of the private results. I guess it depends on who the docs are?

Gill

Do you know if doctors actually take any notice of tests you get done privately?

[Guest guest]

Hi Gill, thank you so much for your reply. Were your T4 and TSH in

normal limits? I'm trying to work out what my next steps are as I don't

know if I can face going back to the doctors again only to be sent home

and told I'm depressed (which I know I'm not). I am saving up to get

some private blood tests done but wanted to be sure that there was a

chance they would actually look at them.

Angie xx

>

> Hi Angie, I used my private blood test results to get a referral to

an endocrinologist, and the endocrinologist happily accepted them and

gave me a trial of thyroxine on the strength of the private results. I

guess it depends on who the docs are?

> Gill

> Do you know if doctors actually take

> any notice of tests you get done privately?

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Angie, I know how frustrated you must be, I had a similar experience to you - I was told I was depressed, when I knew I wasnt and when I said its something physical I know it is, I was told that depression is a physical illness. My TSH was normal so that was it according to the GP, (yet I had very many symptoms, puffy face, weight gain, aches and pains all over, tiredness, memory and concentration problems). My free T3 and T4 were 'normal' but were both very low in the range. At the moment if its going to be hard financially to get the bloods done privately, then I would wait to do that until you have tried a couple of other routes. Many GPs dont understand about T3 and T4 so you are probably no more likely to get a referral than you are now!

Im not an expert but my advice would be to (1) find an endocrinologist who preferably is recommended by people on this group and is somewhere you can get to - (so that you dont waste a precious referral to an endo in thrall to the BTA!). Remember that you can choose to go to any endocrinologist if you are prepared to travel (NHS 'rules' that come into effect in April mean that patients have a right to a choice of any NHS hospital or consultant). In some areas free T3 is a consultant only request so if you go to a decent endo you should get that tested.

(2) choose the GP who either has some sympathy for you, or is the one most likely to give in and refer you even if they dont really agree, many will give in if you are determined and prepared to sit it out until they do!! You do have the right to a second opinion.

Gillx

Hi Gill, thank you so much for your reply. Were your T4 and TSH in normal limits? I'm trying to work out what my next steps are as I don't know if I can face going back to the doctors again only to be sent home and told I'm depressed (which I know I'm not). I am saving up to get some private blood tests done but wanted to be sure that there was a chance they would actually look at them.Angie xx>

[Guest guest]

Hi Gill,

Thank you so much for your reply. I really really appreciated it.

Maybe I will brave it and go back to the doctor again.

My next question is, does anyone have any recommendations with regard

to endocrinologists?

Angie xx

>

> Hi Angie, I know how frustrated you must be, I had a similar

experience to you - I was told I was depressed, when I knew I wasnt

and when I said its something physical I know it is, I was told that

depression is a physical illness. My TSH was normal so that was it

according to the GP, (yet I had very many symptoms, puffy face,

weight gain, aches and pains all over, tiredness, memory and

concentration problems). My free T3 and T4 were 'normal' but were

both very low in the range. At the moment if its going to be hard

financially to get the bloods done privately, then I would wait to do

that until you have tried a couple of other routes. Many GPs dont

understand about T3 and T4 so you are probably no more likely to get

a referral than you are now!

>

> Im not an expert but my advice would be to (1) find an

endocrinologist who preferably is recommended by people on this group

and is somewhere you can get to - (so that you dont waste a precious

referral to an endo in thrall to the BTA!). Remember that you can

choose to go to any endocrinologist if you are prepared to travel

(NHS 'rules' that come into effect in April mean that patients have a

right to a choice of any NHS hospital or consultant). In some areas

free T3 is a consultant only request so if you go to a decent endo

you should get that tested.

> (2) choose the GP who either has some sympathy for you, or is the

one most likely to give in and refer you even if they dont really

agree, many will give in if you are determined and prepared to sit it

out until they do!! You do have the right to a second opinion.

>

> Gillx

>

[Guest guest]

You're welcome Angie, have a look in the files for the doctors who will and tell us where you are and if anone can recommend a good endo near you Im sure they will.

Gill

Hi Gill,Thank you so much for your reply. I really really appreciated it. Maybe I will brave it and go back to the doctor again. My next question is, does anyone have any recommendations with regard to endocrinologists?>>

..

[Guest guest]

I had private blood test done as I could not get a T3 done on NHS. The results were that the T4 was on bottom of range and T3 below range.

When I took this to my GP I was told that they do not take any notice of T3 but as my T4 was so low they would increase my thyroxine.

By the way there is no point in paying for the TSH to be done unless you have not had this done on the NHS.

Lilian

I am saving up to get some private blood tests done but wanted to be sure that there was a chance they would actually look at them.

[Guest guest]

My GP told me I was depressed. I said I was not. He said there were people walking around who do not know they are depressed. So he reckoned I was depressed but I didn't know it.

I said I was not depressed just fed up with feeling so tired all the time. Ah, he said, fed up means depressed. I said I would say depression is feeling you do not want to do anything, whereas I want to do lots of things, just too fatigued to do them.

Again he tried to press Prozac on me, which I refused. He then said that he had spent too much time on me and ushered me out of his room.

He reminded me of those sales people who just wont let go.

Lilian

Hi Angie, I know how frustrated you must be, I had a similar experience to you - I was told I was depressed, when I knew I wasnt

[Guest guest]

Hi Lilian

This is exactly what I've just had. I'm just too exhausted to argue

with them any more. The other little gem my GP came out when I had

just started to tell him my symptoms was that medical science can't

solve everything. I have lost all faith in doctors. You get treated

so badly. I can't believe that the medical profession are happy to

leave people like us suffering for so long and can't even be bothered

to be nice about it. The last doctor I saw was marginally better, but

she still came out with " I think you have psychological issues " .

That's when you know they can't think of what else to do with you.

Angie xx

>

> My GP told me I was depressed. I said I was not. He said there

were people walking around who do not know they are depressed. So

he reckoned I was depressed but I didn't know it.

>

> I said I was not depressed just fed up with feeling so tired all

the time. Ah, he said, fed up means depressed. I said I would

say depression is feeling you do not want to do anything, whereas I

want to do lots of things, just too fatigued to do them.

>

> Again he tried to press Prozac on me, which I refused. He then

said that he had spent too much time on me and ushered me out of his

room.

>

> He reminded me of those sales people who just wont let go.

>

> Lilian

>

> Hi Angie, I know how frustrated you must be, I had a similar

experience to you - I was told I was depressed, when I knew I wasnt

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Angie,

You have my total sympathy because I was exactly where you are now,

only 18 months ago. I'd had various blood tests which showed no

obvious problems and kept on going away wondering what the devil was

wrong with me and if perhaps I was just one of life's failures who

couldn't be bothered to get up in the morning, do the housework, go

to work etc, etc.

When I ballooned up I finally realised that I was seriously ill, not

that my GP could see it. I had sleep apnoea, blood pressure through

the roof, depression, paranoia, there were periods when I had to

force myself to breath as I had no urge to do so - sounds wierd

doesn't it? I truly felt I was dying and my GP practically told me

that I was hypothyroid until the latest set of tests came

back........within range, again! So having had that metaphorical

pat on the head and again being told that my weight was the issue I

finally found this forum and Sheila told me I was hypothyroid and

that the tests didn't work for everyone.

It's amazing how principles go out of the window when you are

fighting to get your life back isn't it? I put myself at my

partner's mercy and asked him to help me pay for my meds and he's

been doing it ever since.

I'm not well enough to work yet but I still have hope. Throughout

my childhood I struggled to understand things and now for the first

time I'm studying and enjoying it. Sheila recently congratulated me

on being able to resume my life and being well enough to do so and

it was then that I realised how far I've come.

I've lost such a precious period of my life, the time that my boys

were growing up, the time that I should still have been active,

young and full of life, not struggling to keep up with my retired

parents.

I can't claw back the 15 years I've lost which are barely more than

a blur to me but by getting on with my life, albeit not fully yet, I

can claim to be one of TPA's success stories.

I have determined that my next move will be to tackle my GP, get my

levels checked and persuade them that I am hypothyroid and entitled

to meds on the NHS. I'm a little vague on whether I can do this

without revealing my dependance on HC but I'll give it a shot. I

figure tht I owe it to the hypothyroid cause to try to change even

one GP's mind about hypothyroidism.

Luv Bella

>

> Hi Lilian

> This is exactly what I've just had. I'm just too exhausted to

argue

> with them any more. The other little gem my GP came out when I had

> just started to tell him my symptoms was that medical science

can't

> solve everything. I have lost all faith in doctors. You get

treated

> so badly. I can't believe that the medical profession are happy to

> leave people like us suffering for so long and can't even be

bothered

> to be nice about it. The last doctor I saw was marginally better,

but

[Guest guest]

Here are a couple of doctors in Hampshire who know more about thyroid disease than the average endo or GP. I think they are both private doctors though but not 100% certain. You might find look for their phone numbers and give them a ring to enquire. I think you first need to get your Free T3 and antibodies checked and then we will be able to recommend where you should go from there Angie.

Dr G Lewith MA DM FRCP MRCGP

The Centre for Complimentary & Integrated Medicine56 Bedford Place, SouthamptonHampshire, SO15 2DT

Dr M B.Sc MBCh.B D Obst. RCOG M.HomThe Centre for Complimentary & Integrated Medicine56 Bedford Place, SouthamptonHampshire, SO15 2DT

Luv - Sheila

Hi Sheila,I live in Fareham in hampshire. Do you know if doctors actually take any notice of tests you get done privately? I'm so desperate right now I would do anything to get my life back. I'm just worried about costs at the moment as I'm a student (although I probably won't be one for much longer the way I'm going :0( ) and don't have much money. Angie xx

..

No virus found in this incoming message.Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.19.19/1258 - Release Date: 04/02/2008 10:10

[Guest guest]

Lilian, exactly the same happened to me. My former doctor kindly

offered to alter the diagnosis from " clinical depression " to

hypothyroidism ONLY when the TSH reference range drops to 3.5. My

TSH was around 6 at the time and, in my mind, I was not depressed.

I was worried enough to phone loads of people who know me and ask

for their honest opinions about my mental state and all of them

confirmed that in no way was I depressed. Some of those friends are

bipolar and have personal experience of real depression! They were

quite offended that non-depressed people are being persuaded to

accepted a diagnosis of depression. Real depression IS a serious

condition and it is being trivialised by GPs who ought to, but who

choose not to, know better.

A more sinister implication of having " depression " written in your

medical records, as I found out yesterday, is that all future medics

who read those records then have carte blanche to disregard anything

you say and even ignore blood test results as all the symptoms are

in the patient's head. Infuriating!

Tracey

>

> My GP told me I was depressed. I said I was not. He said

there were people walking around who do not know they are

depressed. So he reckoned I was depressed but I didn't know it.

>

> I said I was not depressed just fed up with feeling so tired all

the time. Ah, he said, fed up means depressed. I said I would

say depression is feeling you do not want to do anything, whereas I

want to do lots of things, just too fatigued to do them.

>

> Again he tried to press Prozac on me, which I refused. He then

said that he had spent too much time on me and ushered me out of his

room.

>

> He reminded me of those sales people who just wont let go.

>

> Lilian

>

> Hi Angie, I know how frustrated you must be, I had a similar

experience to you - I was told I was depressed, when I knew I wasnt

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Bella,

I am so pleased your are on the road back to regaining your life

again. And I really hope you can get your GP to listen. I have been

like this for about 4 years now. I have 3 boys aged 13, 15 and 18,

and I constantly feel like I am letting them down all the time

because I can't do the things with them I used to do. I even struggle

to help them with their homework because my brain function, memory

and concentration have reduced so much. I am so glad I found this

site, it has given me some hope. I am going to get my T3 and

antibodies checked and am going to brave it to see my doctor again.

If I get no luck there, then I will try Dr P or someone on the list.

Angie xx

---

>

> Hi Angie,

> You have my total sympathy because I was exactly where you are now,

> only 18 months ago.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sheila,

Thanks for that. I'm definately getting the T3 and antibodies done as

soon as I can and will post the results on here when I get them.

Angie xx

>

> Here are a couple of doctors in Hampshire who know more about

thyroid disease than the average endo or GP.

[Guest guest]

Hiya Angie

..............Thanks for your reply. Did you specify who you wanted to

see or did they just send you to the nearest one?...........

I heard there was a sympathetic endo at my local hospital so I told the

locum that I wanted to be referred only to him. I just hope that the

endo is as understanding and sympathetic as I need him to be. I shall

be seeing him again on the 19th - and I will be going equipped with all

the info Sheila suggests I take along. I just hope my nerves don't get

to me and I get tongue-tied - so to keep my confidence up I keep

reminding myself that I am an inteligent 60 year old woman with lots of

experience, good job, house and a toy boy !!

B

[Guest guest]

Hi Angie,

I'm really glad you found this forum too! Please ensure you take

someone with you when you go to your GP. Try to persuade him to

give you a trial of thyroxine because there is that documented 5% of

hypothyroid sufferers who won't show up through blood tests. I'm

sure Sheila will have evidence of that somewhere so that you can

take it with you when you see the GP and I would be grateful for it

too as I'm going to go armed!

My fella is coming with me and I feel confident that I will have to

cwith their homework because my brain function, memory

> and concentration have reduced so much. I am so glad I found this

> site, it has given me some hope. I am going to get my T3 andourage

to follow it through. Thanks to the fact that I've been self

treating I've finally got some confidence.

Luv Bella

>

> Hi Bella,

>

> I am so pleased your are on the road back to regaining your life

> again. And I really hope you can get your GP to listen. >

antibodies checked and am going to brave it to see my doctor again.

> If I get no luck there, then I will try Dr P or someone on the

list.

>

> Angie xx

>

> ---

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I really hope your appointment goes well on the 19th. Wow a toyboy!!

You lucky thing!! :0)

Angie xx

-- In thyroid treatment , " frances.sacramento "

<frances.sacramento@...> wrote:

>

> Hiya Angie

>

> .............Thanks for your reply. Did you specify who you wanted

to

> see or did they just send you to the nearest one?...........

>

> I heard there was a sympathetic endo at my local hospital so I told

the

> locum that I wanted to be referred only to him. I just hope that

the

> endo is as understanding and sympathetic as I need him to be. I

shall

> be seeing him again on the 19th - and I will be going equipped with

all

> the info Sheila suggests I take along. I just hope my nerves don't

get

> to me and I get tongue-tied - so to keep my confidence up I keep

> reminding myself that I am an inteligent 60 year old woman with

lots of

> experience, good job, house and a toy boy !!

>

> B

>

[Guest guest]

> I've lost such a precious period of my life, the time that my boys

> were growing up, the time that I should still have been active,

> young and full of life, not struggling to keep up with my retired

> parents.

> I can't claw back the 15 years I've lost which are barely more than

> a blur to me but by getting on with my life,

I hope that in a few months time I will be able to write a post like

this, but at the moment I'm still where you were. Thank you for giving

me hope.

Rosie

[Guest guest]

I hope the very same thing for you Rosie.

Life can be good again, different but good.

Luv Bella

>

> I hope that in a few months time I will be able to write a post like

> this, but at the moment I'm still where you were. Thank you for

giving

> me hope.

>

> Rosie

>