AIBU to stand up for my GP

[Winifred86]

To cut a long story short I've very recently been diagnosed with under active thyroid and my GP has been very understanding and knowledgeable from the beginning. I decided to join a help forum for fellow sufferers but have been shocked at how competitive they all seem to be ( wanting to know specific results under the guise of wanting to help understand them but really so that they can say oh mine where better or worse than that) Also they are constantly moaning about their GP. I decided to big mine up on a post after she did more than necessary to help me and I've received quite a few nasty comments. I just wanted to express that I think the NHS does a great job and my GP has been great. What's so bad about that. Can I just add I am not from a medical background or have any tie to the NHS except for being a user of this great service

I like hearing stories where someone has done their job well and I'm pleased to be able to pass on my regard for someone. I don't really understand the competitiveness over the results it sounds a bit odd. I'm glad your gp has been able to help you, I have thyroid probs too and have a great go too!

Your experience is valid and you have every right to share it even if in that particular group it is the less common outcome.

Tbh I'd pull back from the group and find another if I were you. The group is meant to be supportive and what your describing is anything but so for that reason if it was me I'd not want any part in it. Being ill is hard enough without the added stress of shit like that!

That's really nice. Most gp bashing in relation to thyroid problems is over lack of ability to test for t4 with normal tsh or t3 at all - totally out if GP control as labs refuse to test it even if requested and not being able to prescribe natural thyroxine or t3 containing preparations - banned by most prescribing authorities. Neither of these can the gp's do anything about and but apparently this makes them lazy, ignorant and difficult. All available privately but not through the nhs in primary care.

Yanbu

I work in a call centre and very occasionally customers will ask to speak to a manager to sing the praises of whoever they spoke to. It's nice to be nice.

Tbh I had no idea about t3 t4 or even what my thyroid was for until a couple of weeks ago and it's all a steep learning curve. It's nice to know that some people do have good experiences with their GP and it's not all bad news.

Just come off the forum, Ive found there tend to be lots of comments about how every specialist or gp is stupid because they dont know about X Y and Z, or the poster just wants to boast about how much they know about the subject...all learnt from google 😜 I think its lovely that your so happy with your GP, and you dont need to know the ins and outs if you trust them and you continue to feel better x

not every GP is up on thyroid issues tho, my old GP was brilliant the rest of the GPs at my surgery are pretty crap when it comes to it

Yanbu. My mum has recently been diagnosed with hashimoto's due to goitre. Had she not had the goitre they'd not have investigated as all her thyroid levels are normal. Because of her diagnosis I am now being tested for it due to recurrent miscarriages. Again my levels are wholly normal but they now have a reason to test me. My gp has been wonderful about it and as soon as I told him he sorted all the autoimmune tests for me. I should find out this week.

It's a shame the tests aren't done as standard.

It might be nice to contact your GP practice directly to pass on your positive feedback. I'm sure they receive lots of complaints so positive comments would probably be gratefully received! Might also be good for GP's appraisal?

I too think it would be nice to write to your gp's practice and complement them as these days complaints seem to be the norm. I too have an underactive thyroid, one gp would not diagnose as i was borderline, so i saw another gp and they did prescribe thyroxine as i had some debilitating symptoms. Now i regularly see both gps and they are great. I think i would also leave your group as they are not exactly supportive. Illness is not a competition.

It's ace that you've got a good GP. I agree the group sounds like they're competitive misery seekers rather than a support group. I used to be in a group for parents of children with SEN. I was roundly abused on a regular basis for being g balanced and having experience of a good school. Some people cannot bear it when their experiences aren't universal.