GP ignoring symptoms, TSH 4.73, any advice?
Posted , 8 users are following.
Hi,
I recently underwent some blood tests. I have not been feeling right for almost 7 years. It started suddenly. I had a really bad throat infection, with migranes and flu like symptoms, but more severe. I remember waking up one morning and looking and feeling at least 10 years older! I had dark circles under my eyes and looked extremely ill, also excessively thirsty. I went to my GP, as I knew this wasn't right. They said that it was normal after a cold and that I must have been mouth breathing in the night (I never do). They sent me off with some prescription nasal spray and said I had sinusitis. It didn't help, so I stopped using it.
I have told all doctors that I've been to over the years about my symptoms. I also have extreme bouts of depression, lethargy, hair loss, problems with concentration, joint and muscle stiffness, etc. I went to the doctor many times, because I felt I was getting worse. They advised anti-depressants and therapy. I had blood tests in the past, at one point I had anaemia, so they did several tests to find that out. The most recent test was done and I assumed that I must be severely anaemic this time, due to symptoms being so bad. The results came back and they said that I was borderline for an underactive Thyroid. T4: 17, TSH: 4.73. They asked me if I had any symptoms, and looking through it, I have all of them.
But then, I was told that because all my symptoms could be due to something else, that they would advise to wait 3 months and re-test. Unless I became symptomatic... How can I monitor symptoms, if they're already there??! Also, I found out this time that I had been checked two years before and had a TSH of just over 3.5 (can't remember exact number). I was at my healthiest then, I was doing a large amount of cardio every week.
Now, looking online, I have been reading that in the states the guidelines differ and I would have been diagnosed as being Hypo, two years ago. The ideal for TSH seems to be around 1.5 - 2, from what I can see.
Can anyone think of a reason for my GP telling me that it's probably to do with something else, even though my TSH is at 4.73 and I'm symptomatic? I have blood forms to test for Peroxidase Antibodies. The date has been written for 3 months from now, but I have said that I would like to do it ASAP, because (like I said before), I can't monitor for symptoms that are already there! Just would be watching them get worse... She's rather impatient and said that we had already been through this. I am going to change GP, as I looked online and mine has a terrible reputation. 1 star out of 5, with many patients complaining of the same things.
I'm really frustrated and confused. And more than anything, I would really like to have some kind of confirmation on this, it's been a long time! Do you think I'm over-reacting? Do you think my GP is incompetent? Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.
2 likes, 18 replies
sunshinemb hannah75309
Posted
Please find another GP!
You are going to get nowhere with the one you have!
Suffering these symptoms constantly absolutely destroys the quality of your daily living!
Having numerous tests costing a lot more than the actual medicine(which costs very little) required to fix this problem!
When you do find a GP who will listen take a written account/list of your symptoms
and let them read it because trying to explain it to a doctor is extremely stressful and exhausting especially when you are feeling so ill!
Good Luck Hannah and hope you can get some real help soon?!
mvwaugh hannah75309
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libralady13 hannah75309
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Dont get fobbed off. Good luck and let us all know how it goes.
marieC hannah75309
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hannah75309
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Once I get the results through, I will be starting the process of switiching to a new practice. Given that I did some cardio on Wednesday evening and I haven't been able to walk properly and going up and down stairs is absolute agony, I feel that I really have something wrong. I've only just turned 28! Plus, all the other symptoms makes me want this to start moving, can't afford to lose any more hair...
Being Hypo is not a fantastic prospect, but getting better is. : )
I really appreciate the advice I received from you all, I will immediately request to see a specialist, once I have changed to a new GP.
Any continued guidence is also very welcome!
Thank you.
marieC hannah75309
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hannah75309
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No, I'm a fitness fanatic. I was doing a lot of Kickboxing for over a year, plus swimming and running regularly ever since I can remember. I was in a gymnastics squad and a swimming squad, for most of my childhood too, so I'm no stranger to cardio I had to stop kickboxing because I was feeling worse (tired all the time and getting joint pains and muscle stiffness). Pretty sure it's that and my very strict healthy eating, including being teetotal that have kept my weight fairly reasonable.
marieC hannah75309
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hannah75309 marieC
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marieC hannah75309
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marieC hannah75309
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hannah75309 marieC
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brewster121044 hannah75309
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jen00 hannah75309
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I don't think you are overreacting. With your TSH reading AND the symptoms, it does look like hypothyroidism. Persevere with other GPs if yours is so incompetent. Having said that, I personally have given up on them. Started self medicated, because every trip to the GPs was bringing nothing but despair. So much so that I started tsking it personally: maybe all these so-called doctors just hated me . Otherwise, how would one explain that they all ignore my symptoms (after half of my thyroid was removed with no subsequent replacement therapy!) and say that my TSH results were fine (always around 3.0)?
So I started taking Natural Desiccated Thyroid and now feeling much better. There is still a way to go to feeling completely 100 percent, but I am very hopeful now. Once back to normal, I'll continue my battle with the GPs.
My advice to your: persevere, since 4.75 is a more clear cut case of hypothyroidism and they should fix it!
hannah75309
Posted