Doctor frustration...

[Julesmcol]

Hello,
I just joined this website after seeing a text someone posted in the London Lite.

I am a 26 year old female.

I was "diagnosed" with hypothyroidism at 21, i have never seen a specialist, just a GP and he put me straight on tablets, my condition is not genetic, and I feel that I still suffer from the symptoms despite being treated.

Is this normal? or should I have been referred to a specialist? is it too late now to see a specialist now i have been on the tablets so long, as I would like to know what has caused it in the first place

Cheers
Jules

[Mike]

Hi Jules and

You are not alone in this situation. I don't think GPs refer to Endos unless you are hyper or other thyroid problem like thyroid cancer, nodules, goiter etc.

Having said that, if you have good relation with your GP then you can convince him to refer you to a Specialist. On the other side, if you are feeling fine or your test results are within *Reference Range*, then GP wont refer you to the specialist at all.

How were you diagnosed at the first place? Did you have any symptoms or was it a routine check up? Do you have any test results at all and what medication you are on at the moment?

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas dadachris

[Thyroid Guy]

Hi there and welcome to the site dadachris

If you and your GP get a 'dead end', and you still feel unwell I would stress to yout GP you would like to see a specialist, but all he will do is put your dose up a little bit more, and order a few more tests! (in my experience) Endos seem to push the Thyroxine up a lot more than Gps will.

How much Thyroxine are you on? Stick with your Gp, and dont be afraid to go back after 6 weeks or so and ask for more meds, of you feel you should. No point in sufferring for the 'normal 3 month period' while you could of had a med increase.

It would be good to know what your TSH, T3/4 are!

Keep in touch, and merry Xmas xms

[Julesmcol]

guys, I've been taking the medication for 5 years now, and am currently on 100mcg of thyroxine, I went to the GP when i was 21 cos i was sick of feeling tired all the time.
the reason I wanted to see a specialist was because I thought that 21 was a bit young to be suffering with hypothyroidism.
I still suffer from tiredness, and lethargy although sometimes I think it could be paranoia. I also have white hairs, which i also heard could be a symptom of hypothyroidism is this true????
Cheers
Jules

[David]

Hello

Make no mistake it is not unusual to have a thyroid problem when you are young. There are a large number of young people with the problem and there are probably many more that are undiagnosed.

Can I ask how do you know you're condition is not genetic ? Do you know the cause of your problem ?

Thyroid problems occur in clusters in families and although I don't think they yet know which genes are responsible there seems to be little doubt that a large number of cases are genetic.

It wasn't until we were able to diagnose our son and then get it confirmed that we started to find that there were a considerable number of other suffers on both maternal and paternal sides of the family, too many to call it chance. I also believe that there are others in the family that are undiagnosed but are putting their problems down to depression and other causes. They unfortunately will not challenge their doctors to carry out tests. After all the doctors must be right they have been highly trained haven't they ???


all the best

David

[Mike]

Like David said, thyroid problems can occur to anyone so dont think if you are young, you are unlikely to have any issues.

I was first identified at 22 but that was a case of mild hyperthyroidism and I cared to ignore it which wasnt the right decision. Ric is only 26 as well and have been dealing with the similar issues like yourself for a while.