After almost a year of being fobbed off by the doctors at the surgery where I am registered I took the advise of some of the valued members of this great forum and took myself off to see Dr Peatfield, (the author of The Great Thyroid Scandal and How to Survive it).
Fortunately, it is a
good week for me so I felt up to the long drive. By
good I mean I have some energy and no pain in my rotten hip.
Believe me on a bad day the drive would be too much.
The consultation took about 1 and a 1/2 hours and cost £120 (or $218 USD).
We discussed at length my family history and the possibility that I have Hashimoto's. When I have my next blood test I am going to try and get the result for my thyroid antibodies. Dr Peatfield said that he would be interested in finding what caused the problem.
On the same subject he also said that he felt childbirth could be a huge factor - infact this was very very fascinating to me as I have three children and my first two children were 7lbs 7oz and my third weighed in alot heavier at 9lbs.
It was also a difficult pregnancy and long drawn out labour.
Apparently, when a pregnany mothers thyroid levels are insufficient the child makes it for the mother and as a result ends up a bigger baby!
Dr peatfield thought it was very interesting the difference in birth weights of my babies.
So getting the thyroid antibodies result will be quite conclusive as to the type of hypothyroidism I have.
On a personal level, I have never recovered fully after my last child and not lost a single pound in weight! So I definately think that was the breaking point for me. Obviously, at the time I put this down to the pressure and demands of being a mum to 3 little darlings and starting my own business.
We also discussed my health over my entire life and in particular the last 10 years and it appears that the diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) when I was 18 may have been the start of my thyroid problems.
I mentioned that over the last 13 years I have had repeated bouts of tonsilitis, this recently stopped when I started taking T4. He thinks it is all related.
He did some tests, blood pressure both standing up and sitting down, took my pulse and I had to do some balancing. He also tested my ankles (reflex style testing) and felt my hands.
His conclusion was that I was HYPOTHYROID and was was quite surprised as he said I seem quite energetic and look well.
He was a little concerned that I presented quite as Hypothyroid as I did as he felt my T4 dose was already quite high.
So we moved on to examine why I was not responding to my medication. (Levothyroxine/T4) .
We talked about this at length and also a little about adrenal damage and although we did not totally disgard it, we moved on for a short time.
I mentioned the headaches I get when I increase my dose and he felt that I need a better T4 medication and suggested that I try to get Eltroxin as opposed to the brand that I am taking at the moment.
He mentioned that doctors in the UK are encouraged not to prescribe Eltroxin and the chemist buy T4 as cheap as possible. The result of this is that we are taking medication to quote Dr. Peatfield, "that could have been made on the back streets of Malaga out of black beetle".
He feels that the best type of synthetic available in the UK is Eltroxin. He said that doctors do not generally prescribe this brand as it costs more but we should push for it.
He said that Eltroxin and a seperate glandular thyroid available from New Zealand beef would be the way forward and in addition something called a Thyrocomplex which contains all manner of things.
We then talked a little more and I asked why I feel so tired after exercising or going out for the day. I added that after a holiday I often need a week to recover!
He then said that it sounds like Adrenal failure!
However, we chatted some more about this and decided that with the right dose in the first place and the right type of medication my adrenals would not fail.
So we finally decided at the end of the consultation that ARMOUR was the way to go. I am unable to get this from my GP so I have to buy it online. I think it will be wort every penny. Dr Peatfield suggested that if it does work for me I am in a stronger permission to get it prescribed.
(Although, if anyone in the UK is reading this and wants to get Armour and can persuade your doctor to prescribe it now I have found a few contacts. See the bottom of this post).
In addition to Armour I will be taking the Thyrocomplex that he thinks will help.
We talked about other tests that I need to do now and they include temperature taking in the morning and evening (as a comparision) and also taking my pulse (which is slow all the time).
He also wants me to rule out candida as a cause of hypothyroidism and believe it or not you can do this easily.
Spit in to a glass first thing in the morning and wait about twenty minutes. If its goes all stringy and sinks you have it!
Dr Peatfield suggested that my husband to this too so that we can compare.
As crazy as this sounds Dr Peatfield has assured me this is correct.
In addition the adrenal testing may follow. But first I will switch to Armour and note down any changes in symptoms and note any improvements etc.
He also has noted down on my notes that I am probably low in progesterone.
Which he is hopeful will improve.
All in all I am delighted to have had the opportunity to meet Dr Peatfield. He is a very interesting man (with a great sense of humour) I strongly recommend his book to you all and a message to anyone in the UK a visit to Dr Peatfield is well worth your while.
Getting Armour in the UK?
If you have a prescription for Armour you can get it at the following places:
Springfield Pharmacy, 124 Sheen Road, Richmond, London TW9 1UR
Telephone 0208 255 8096 Fax 0208 940 2661
(I think they maybe able to put you into contact with a doctor who will prescribe it - you will have to check though as my source is not 100% reliable)
The Pharmacy, 7 Bentalls Shopping Centre, Colchester Rd, Heybridge, Maldon, Essex, CM9 4GD.
Tel 01621 850 559 and Fax 01621 857 868.
If you cannot get a prescription, you can buy it online, so do not despair.
P.s Please ignore any typo's I had to write this fast