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How can I get my doctor to listen to me?

Posted , 6 users are following.

Jonjo
Jonjo

Hi all,

I was diagnosed with hypthyroidism 4 years ago - though why my GP bothered, I don't know. They're reluctant to investigate my condition further despite me telling them the medication makes little difference. After some arguing, they agreed to up my Levo dose from 100mcg to 125mcg. Still no improvement, so I asked for re-tests.

My tests keep coming back in the normal range, but I know that only looking at TSH and T4 isn't enough.

I'm still gaining weight (despite exercising and watching what I eat), my brain is foggy and I'm almost always tired.

I've begun taking Supplements in the morning (I take my Levo at night) and I did see a slight improvement, but maybe that's because I felt they were my last hope.

What can I do to get my condition properly investigated? When I search for articles supporting my need for further investigations, my doctors tell me that I shouldn't use Google to self-diagnose. So I'm asking here since GPs at my surgery regularly print off patient.info articles and hand them over to usher you out quicker.

If I re-posted a full set of my test results, could somebody tell me what I need to be asking for to make me feel like life is worth living again?

Thanks,

J

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • mary59914
    mary59914 Jonjo

    Posted

    I'm sure that you will have a good reply soon and yes - its very important to post a full set of your results.

    Do you think changing your dr might help?

    Can you post some more details on your symptoms?

    If you continue to have symptoms its either a change of med needed or to up the dosage. Unfortunately it sounds like your dr's only deem the test results important and not the symptoms.

    I found going to my dr asking questions as if I knew nothing helped me be heard more than telling what I found online. It's absolutely frustrating not to be heard, and worse not to be helped. You are not alone.

  • laura11452
    laura11452 Jonjo

    Posted

    Hi Jonjo

    Like yourself my results keep coming back clear even from the Endocrinologist I am now waiting on my T3 results.  He has increased my levo to 100 mg.

    Has your doctor suggested being sent to a Endocrinologist specialist?? To get a more indepth look at your bloods.  if I hadn't of google I would have not known other options I had like a specialist or knowing what not to take along with Levo medication..

    . I have just been diagnoised  I have fibromyalgia which tells me why iam always in pain..

    Ask for more blood tests to be done relating to iron, vitamin D etc etc.. i have been put on these..

    Change to another doctor if your not getting enough support.. 

    Thank God we can gooole now and educate ourselves..

  • Jonjo
    Jonjo

    Posted

    I'd need to complete change doctor's surgeries as, at ours, you never see the same GP twice. You get 10 minutes (tops) with a GP who'll send you for blood tests and then the week later, you speak to another GP who says 'they're all fine, get them repeated in 12 months'.

    My sister was diagnosed Hypo shortly after I was and she was referred to an Endo, I've asked for a referral on as it can run in families but they're not interested in sending me.

    I genuinely do think they see a big lad walk through the door and assume I'm overweight because I'm shovelling junk in my face but having battled against a dodgy thyroid since I was at least 13, that's not me. For 21 years I've fought this battle and it's frustrating.

    • laura11452
      laura11452 Jonjo

      Posted

      Hi jojo

      My doctors are exactly the same as yours. Can you not ask for the same doctor each time you make an appointment ? I recently changed to a doctor who i knew would help me. So I will only ask for him everytime unless its urgent..

      I was going to gym and eating healthy before I took really ill.. Getting fit was and losing weight took months.. Now I know why.. i have piled the pounds on now and I could understand it if I eat junk food everyday and large amounts.. Cannot go to gym due to health..

      Just keep pushing.. you know your own body and how it operates

       

    • Jonjo
      Jonjo laura11452

      Posted

      Unfortunately not. Our GP operates a telephone triage system. You're assigned whichever doctor is on call that day. We always get told they don't have any appointments either.

      I think I maybe need to change practises all together.

    • laura11452
      laura11452 Jonjo

      Posted

      I was talking to one of the receptionists of my doctors and she even admitted things have gone crazy at health centres now. I use to be able to phone up and get an appointment next day.  Now its two weeks..
  • melody93815
    melody93815 Jonjo

    Posted

    Hi, Are you  in the uk? I am and like you doctors arnt interested.  Found out you can refer yourself  to a endro at a private hospital best 200 pound  i spent . If he thinks theres a problem he will write to your doctor on the nhs asking him to do lots of different tests.
  • shellyC19
    shellyC19 Jonjo

    Posted

    Hello Jonjo

    My name is Shelly & I am  a nurse in the USA.

    In the UK you have NICE guidelines that can allow a doctor to prescribe Levo 25mcg.  Can you switch GP's?  Not all doctors  are the same and find one who listens.

    If you are in the USA simply find another MD that your insurance plans allows and see that doctor.

     Ask for TSH, T4 and T3 and TPOA  & TGab blood  tests and blood cortisol  level.

    I hope this helps,

    Shelly

  • Noddydog
    Noddydog Jonjo

    Posted

    Hi Jonjo,

    l have just got my latest blood test results back and am not happy. 1 was  just over borderline three months ago , hence the latest blood test. I have been managing UAT for nearly 10 years with Vitamins and Minerals  and Organic Kelp.  Now my GP wants me to go in to discuss starting Thyroixine, I don't want this as I have no symptoms at the moment at all . I can't take any medication antibiotics, antiimflammatory pills. even paracetamol gives me an upset tum after a couple of days!! 

    After reading posts on this forum I think I will ask my GP either to refer me to an Endocrionologist or if she can prescribe Natural Dessicated Thyroid. I  will let you know how I get on. 

    Regards Cheryl.(aged 62) x

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