Help GP appointment in 2 hours and I’m worried they will think I might wasting their time

[Generallyok]

Been backwards and forwards to GP a few times over last 2 months. I have reflux and a tight feeling in throat. omeprezole not worked at all. On top of that I have terrible fatigue that makes me so weak and a pounding heart. I have lots half a stone in last few month s too. I’m 6 and a half stone now so too thin. I attributed this to anxiety as feeling very stressed. I have now been presribed sertraline but too afraid to take it as side effects sound potentially horrendous. 2 people have asked if I have been tested for thyroid and anemia. I had a blood test for helibactor but don’t think anything else. I think I would feel better taking antidepressants if I know all ok physically. Would be unreasonable to be tested for these things? I don’t want to sound like a total hypochondriac.

You must be tested for thyroid problems. Your symptoms are classic. And btw your weight loss is a sign of somthing significant happening to your body, something physical not mental. Keep pushing for the GP to take you seriously. You have to advocate for yourself.

Thanks sea - sat here crying as I so want to feel well again. My grandmothers on each side have thyroid issues but not sure if relevant. I’m so worried that they will think I’m mad

Its completely relevant. Look up hashimotos thyroiditis. It runs in families. I have it as does my mother and her mother probably had it too.

Now stop crying and write a list of all your symptoms to take with you. You can put it on the desk in front of the doctor so that you dont have to worry about forgetting something. Start with the weight loss and go in order of importance. If you want post it on here, and we can help you with the order. Its ti,e for you to take control of this problem, you are in charge of you

Insist on a full blood work up. You might well have raised thyroid levels.

I agree with the PPs. I’m a retired doctor, and weight loss, anxiety, rapid heart rate, fatigue- that screams thyrotoxicosis to me! It can be diagnosed with a simple blood test, then controlled with carbimazole tabs until you are ready for either thyroid surgery or radioiodine therapy. Your pounding heart rate can be controlled with a beta blocker too.
Please ask your GP to run a thyroid function screen, OP, along with whatever other tests they’re considering. If it is your thyroid causing your problems, you will feel dramatically better once treated. Good luck!

Thank you so much

Weight losss
Weakness
Racing heart
Pins and needles
Anxiety
Mood swings
Reflux
Tight feeling in throat

Don't forget to write - history of thyroid disease in your family, on your list op.

These could be due to thyroid, vit B12 deficiency or... anxiety/stress, but whichever it is, you deserve to have these investigated.

Some professionals are keen to say that testing when the issue is anxiety is pointless because the moment you get reassured about one test, you focus on another. I don't agree with this for myself. I have found that when I have got tested for conditions that 'could' cause my symptoms and they come back normal, it has made me more accepting of the cause being due to anxiety/stress and I do find that it does relieve it a lot and help me move on.

Tell your GP as you are here, that you feel terrible, that you accept that it could be all due to anxiety, but if it is, you would feel much more able to cope with it if you could be reassured that you could have the tests.

I have found that each time I've taken that approach with three different GPs, all have been sympathetic and agreed on the tests.

How did it go?

Hello I’m back. Dr was very understanding and managed to fit me into get bloods taken this afternoon along with an ecg. Pulse 101. She thinks it all still be stress but wants to rule thyroid etc. Thanks so much everyone I’m glad you encouraged me to go. Weight by the way 6.4 stone!

bloody hell what is your BMI?

Just wanted to add I have started Sertraline this week. Have cut the tablets in half so taking the 50mg but only half a dose in the morning and the rest at night. I'm also petrified of side effects after horrendous experience with blood pressure meds, but so far, so good. It may not be as bad as you feared!