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"Conflicting advice"

About: Southmead Hospital

I visited the endocrinology department in May this year and I was not very impressed with what came out of my appointment. - The endocrinologist commented on my antibody levels by saying that at the levels they are at, my thyroid still has "functioning tissue, albeit inadequate". But these levels are not positive, so what justifies this finding?? I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's but my antibody levels could well suggest Graves' Disease if I am now feeling hyperthyroid and feel worse on the Levothyroxine! - The consultant then suggested I have my FT3 levels checked but I received an email saying this was not possible due to the lab ranges being "recalibrated". If this is so, then how come I was able to get a FT3 result from my GP practice? And the private lab range for FT3 is not much different to the GP lab? - The consultant also said that my sex hormones would be tested - but on the printout estrogen and progesterone - two main sex hormones - were not tested. Please explain? They could well have been abnormal given the fact I have excessive hair on my body and I am too underdeveloped for a woman. - The consultant also said I was tested for anti-nuclear antibodies, but not every single anti-nuclear antibody was tested. Where is the Anti-Ro? The Anti-La? The Anti-Jo1? Why pick and choose and only do what I feel is half a job?

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Responses

Response from Southmead Hospital 9 years ago
Southmead Hospital
Submitted on 31/07/2014 at 13:30
Published on nhs.uk on 01/08/2014 at 04:00


Dear Jo – thank you for taking the time and trouble to post your feedback on NHS Choices. I am sorry that your consultation did not give you the clear answers you were seeking. Regrettably I am not clinically competent to comment on your results and the tests undertaken but I would urge you to seek a further appointment, or ask the appropriate questions at your next planned visit, so the consultant can provide the medical rational behind the tests and explain your treatment. As you say you have the right to understand your treatment and feel confident to make the correct choices. I wish you well and hope that you can obtain the answers you are seeking. Kind Regards - Steve Sykes Advice and Complaints Team

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