The idea for TPA-UK to compile a Hypothyroid Patient Survey originated from the Medical Advisory Service (MAS) to whom we are grateful. This survey was created by members of the TPA-UK Forum, who contributed all of the questions. This survey was created 'in common' for a 'common good' and was was peer reviewed by Dr Barry Durrant-Peatfield, Patron and Medical Adviser to TPA-UK. The final version was agreed with all members before it was passed to NSM Research (Market Researches) for analysis and presentation, who then drew up the questionnaire for distribution. Sheila was awarded a grant of £4900 from UnLtd Millennium Awards to be used to meet the costs of dissemination. She chose to fund the cost of the survey through this award. We would like to thank the all who took part in its creation with especial thanks to Louise who simplified some of the final results by translating them into graph form. We would also like to thank everybody for their patience during the processing of the raw information.
In this survey of 1500 hypothyroid patients, which was undertaken in 2005-6, the dissatisfaction of many patients is highlighted. Of all respondents, 93.8% (n=1407) had not been told of medicines other than L-thyroxine by their medical practitioner. 38.8% (n=768) felt they had “not been dealt with very well” or “not very well at all” by their doctor whilst seeking a diagnosis of their symptoms; 233 (15.5%) had given up paid employment; 300 (20%) had taken time off work as a result of thyroid illness; 500 (33.3%) felt their close relationships had been affected by thyroid illness and 632 (42.1%) had stopped or altered their exercise routines as a result of their symptoms. When asked of those patients undergoing L-thyroxine therapy, “Do you feel that you have fully regained your optimal state of health?”, 1176 (78.4%) Answered “No”.