this post was submitted on 30 Jun 2025
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That's like five kinds of wrong. I know because I have carried that blood from point a to point b. Now he's probably right that you can't diagnose hair loss by blood test, I'm not a doctor yet, but you can check for hormone imbalances or vitamin deficiencies or immune system function, which as a chronic patient with thyroid problems and a restricted diet you should get tested anyway. Your GP here is bad at his job. Like objectively. He should want those blood tests done, you should be tired of getting them. I hate your GP.
Great instinct, endocrinologists love blood tests. But you don't even have to lie on this one, If you have any appointment with your endocrinologist and you mention that you're losing hair and suffering parasthesia or dysesthesia they should absolutely get you a blood test. I quite frankly assumed you were already getting these blood tests.
They regularly test my T4, T3 and TSH. A few months ago they also tested my blood count and blood sugar, at my request as I was feeling even more tired than usual. They only tested the vitamin deficiencies a long time ago after I fainted in the street and told them I hadn't been able to keep myself fed. But they never check other hormones. And they are requesting I have these tests less and less frequently, as the doctors who used to work there full time have retired and now it's just a load of random locums who work there for a day then are gone. And the local hospital is so booked up that my endocrinology appointments aren't anywhere near as frequent as they should be, and they often just do phone appointments now. The whole NHS seems to be trying to keep patients away as much as possible. If you aren't actively dying right this second, they aren't interested.
Yeah the t7-tsh is the standard thyroid panel, but you're an immunocompromised person with cancer and a restricted diet, you're the poster child for blood tests. Beat the drums for your own healthcare is all I can say, advocate for yourself. Send emails, call every office, make yourself a huge nuisance, and don't feel bad for even a second. This is your health and they are utterly failing. These doctors should all be fired if they're not willing to help you, but sadly I'm not in charge of hiring and firing.
Thanks. I've got a blood test for tomorrow, as far as all the other things I'm just tired. It's too exhausting dealing with being ill, fighting benefit appeals, fighting for meds and appointments, and constantly having to scrounge and beg repeatedly for food on here. So I can't mount a huge fight over this but i'll ask for an appointment. The endo is shut today but I'll ask for an appointment when they reopen. It's so hard now though, another problem with the NHS is specialists always try to give phone appointments rather than face to face now. It's much harder to have a proper discussion like that, and I don't feel I can say everything I need to say as I'm worried about people like my landlady and her guests overhearing my private medical details.
Part of being a zealous advocate for your own health is being willing to be open about your needs and symptoms. You have nothing to be ashamed of with regards to your health. And you need to be able to say what you need in the context you are in. If you can only communicate by phone you need to be able to say what you need over the phone. It's not ideal and it may feel humiliating, but it's the hand we are dealt as patients. Duck into your closet and call when your landlady isn't home if that's what you need to do, but do call and do say what you need.
I know that's all easier said than done.
I'll put you in charge as soon as I figure out who needs to be complimented out the door. This is disgusting.