HELP IN THE UK

[Lotus266012]

Hi I am a 27yr old female with ongoing problems with my thyroid.

In November 2011 I had a blood test to screen for anaemia but when I went back to my doctor they noted my TSH was high. Unfortunately I was not informed of this when it was more relevant (the doctor's visit was in January 2012, so I had spent the past 2 months not knowing the high TSH) and the doctor casually passed the high TSH off as nothing.

Since then I've developed problems swallowing, constipation, aches and pains in my hips and legs, sleeping all the time despite getting 8 hours, etc. and every time I go to my doctor I try to talk about the blood test that came back abnormal and for some reason they keep skirting around the issue and refuse to answer my concerns about it which I don't understand.

I am currently on the NHS and I recently spoke to FTB4 about receiving a second opinion regarding my symptoms, is that possible to do on the NHS and where I live? I don't really want to pay for anything private as I'm currently jobseeking.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Lotus266012

[Lotus266012]

Hi there thanks for your advice. I have selected your answer as the best one. :)

[Lotus266012]

Hi there, yes the TSH level is 5.20 and the normal range is from 0.27 to 4.20. I'm just wondering if changing doctors was the best thing to have done. I've done a lot of reading up about Hashimotos/hypothyroidism but I've gone to nurse practitioners who have noted I have a minor goitre. When I go to a doctors however they don't see one, so I don't understand!

I've tried complaining to the patient liason services within the NHS and they were going to proceed to inform my previous doctor who I've had all these problems with. The only thing I can do I guess is say to my new doctors that I'm suffering from subclinical hypothyroidism and to ask if I can be put on a thyroid (T4) medication. How well that'd pan out I'm not sure.

Thanks for your advice.

[gimel]

Just wanted to make sure you saw my reply to your post of Jan. 28, on the thread started by Kirsten22.

[Barb135]

Most of us are in the U.S. and would not be able to answer your question, as we don't know the rules surrounding your NHS.  You should check with your local authorities.  Or you could check with another clinic to see.

We do find that the NHS does not, often, allow for adequate thyroid testing/treatment, and many of our members do have to go private in order to get adequate care.  

Do you know the exact TSH level?  Some doctors refuse to begin treatment until TSH is quite high. Along with TSH, however, you also need the actual hormone levels (Free T3 and Free T4) tested. You should also try to get thyroid antibodies tested to confirm/rule out Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.

I might suggest that you do some research regarding thyroid issues, then go to your doctor armed with information.  If they know the patient knows what they need, the doctor will sometimes provide better care.  We can try to answer some of your questions here.