Having to go private to gain diagnosis.

I have suffered intermittently with thyroid symptoms since puberty, I am 40 years of age, so quite some time spent ill! Back in my teens and the early twenties I had no idea this could be the cause of weight issues, feeling cold, fatigued, horrendous periods, random fainting episodes, sun allergy, endometriosis, large numbers of water infections etc etc. I visited doctors for each issue, and the visits climbed in number a few years ago when the signs/symptoms worsened. I was treated for each separate issue singularly, but never as a whole picture of health. A few years ago I dared to raise my concerns re hypothyroidism; thyroid problems are rife in my family, my mother, her sisters and some of my female cousins have thyroid problems.

Each time I voiced my concerns about this fear, alongside discussing crippling fatigue, sore dry skin, feelings of coldness, repeat infections etc I was told my blood was fine so it couldn’t be this.

I decided to research the condition, and also joined support forums who provided a wealth of information. I decided to take my health into my own hands, ordering copies of my blood tests, researching my ‘barely in range’ blood, such as ferritin, vitamin D, white cells etc. I then ordered private blood tests for Ft3 Ft4 thyroid antibodies and TSH. I measured my basal temperature daily which was generally around 36.2 .

I had a starting place, supplementing all of the vitamins and minerals i was low in and then my own dwindling thyroid hormone, starting very slowly and steadily to self-medicate. Some of my symptoms lifted in a matter of days, within two months I was symptom-free.

By now I had saved enough money to go private and see a specialist, who was thorough and confirmed the diagnosis. Sadly he died earlier this year.

My own G.P. will not accept I have hypothyroidism and states the four grains of armor thyroid that I require to function on a daily basis must be for some other condition.

The whole state of affairs is so farcical its almost a joke. Shocking treatment of vulnerable patients!