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[babyjane]

In my opinion you need a referral so you can get a full thyroid function test done to get a fullmpicture. I urge you tonpush for this. Good luck.

[Mary G]

LadyT, I have never bought HRT online but I know you can.  I have Googled it and there are plenty of places that do next day delivery.  I always stock up in either Gibraltar (UK products) or Spain in the pharmacy where you can buy HRT over the counter. 

[LadyT]

Ah what a good idea CKLD!, Thank you so much for this advice, I will see if I can speak to the secretary tomorrow, I hope they will talk with me. x

Babyjane,  I wonder why they have refused so far, I would have thought anyone with an elevated TSH result would have had a full function test, how did you manage to get your tests? and thank you x

Thank you MaryG I will google it, although would be a good excuse to take a holiday!  x

[babyjane]

I was referred to a consultant endocrinologist some years ago when my levels would not stabilise and I was always ill.  Because I am now on T3/T4 combination therapy and my levels can still be erratic I am on 6 monthly reviews at the endocrine clinic.

It is also important to try and stay on the same brand of thyroxine if your GP will do this, as if you are very sensitive the minute differences in manufacturing can upset your levels.

I was changed from a branded thyroxine to a generic last September and my levels went haywire.  They have only started to stabilise in the last couple of months and my consultant and GP have both put instructions on my records that I remain on the same brand that I was changed to at every repeat.

[CLKD]

Did you get on OK today?

[Hurdity]

Hi LadyT

So sorry to hear about your problems and especially with thyroid. Hashimoto's thyroiditis is the most common form of underactive thyroid and I understand is likely to be the cause for most women who begin to suffer this in middle age. I have a good friend with this problem and also the T4 conversion problem but the GPs would not entertain the idea of this and in the end she had to go privately and now takes NDT (natural dessicated thyroid - from pigs) in order to give her the T3 and enable her to function normally.

Like babyjane I would definitely insist on a referral to an endocrinologist if you can - sadly I think thyroid issues are one of those conditions that is not only not fully understood, but there is a blinkered approach by doctors and too rigid adherence to whatever tick system they have for referral.

I also have another friend (male) who had the same problem with the thyroxine brands - one was OK and the other totally wrong. You will know more babyjane. One was Eltroxine I think or similar - can't remember if that was the good one or the bad one!

By the way I wouldn't buy HRT online. If you need it you are entitled to be prescribed it you have symptoms that indicate it can help. The contra-indications are listed on this site: http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/contraindications.php


    Pregnancy
    Undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding
    Active or recent blood clot or myocardial infarction (heart attack)
    Suspected or active breast or endometrial (womb) cancer
    Active liver disease with abnormal liver function tests
    Porphyria cutanea tarda

Another possibility is e-mailing Dr Currie (costs £25) and taking the print-out of her recommendations to your doctor.

Hurdity x

[CLKD]

 

I have begun a thread about how we might encourage GPs to be more au fait with menopause …… a copy of this comment Hurdity might go well there 

[LadyT]

CLKD I rang the secretary at the hospital and she told me I would have to get a referral as I wasn't a patient she couldn't answer questions regarding the length of the waiting list, i asked if there was a private clinic too and no there isn't.

 I then went on to look for a new surgery and have found one not too far away, their reviews were only average but I couldn't find one that had good reviews to be honest, but I have to give it a try, it should be better than the terrible treatment I have received. x

Thank you very much Hurdity, it was the NDT (Armour) that I particularly would have liked to try, testimonials for it have been so good, unfortunately National Health Doctors do not seem to prescribe it and like to stick with the T4 only, but if it isn't converting to T3 it is like having a warehouse full of stock (T4) but no vans to take it where it's needed (T3).

The TSH results will seem normal but it is just masking the bigger problem.  I am sure the doctors know this but T4 only med is what they will dish out whether it makes one well or not. I have been on Levothyroxine. I am glad your friend got a good result going privately, shame that she was left with no choice, The NHS should be there to help us get well :/

As I now will be going to a new surgery I will try again to get my HRT  and I will lie if I have to! so maybe I won't need to get it online. x

[CLKD]

What rubbish  …….. maybe try the records/appts office next?

>sigh<

[honeybun]

You won't get an appointement without a referral unfortunately no matter how many people you call and ask.
I guess I agree otherwise the whole system would melt down.  Once you have been referred you can ring and say you will take a cancellation.

Hopefully your new surgery will be much better and you will get to see a consultant.

Honeybun
X

[babyjane]

Yes Hurdity, Eltroxin was the brand that was discontinued. I took it for many years and remained stable. When I was migrated onto a generic my levels went haywire.  At the instruction of my endo I now receive the same brand, albeit generic, at each repeat and the levels have settled but I am not as well as I was on Eltroxin.  There are a lot of patients who found the same thing happened to them.

[babyjane]

LadyT you can get T4/T3 combination therapy on the NHS, I have it, but you need an understanding and supportive endo and GP. I realise how fortunate I am to have both.

[LadyT]

You are probably right Honeybun, if everyone called there would be a meltdown, oh well worth a try.    Thank you,Yes hopefully my new surgery will be better and refer me to an endo and give me my HRT back x

That is good news BabyJane, I had heard a lot of NHS patients were in the same boat as me, I imagined it was to do with the Surgeries budgets or lack of. You are very fortunate, that's great, there is hope for me yet  x