Endocrinologist or General Consultant

[mountainice]

My doctor, before she retired at Christmas, put a referral through for an endocrinologist to check thyroid, but the appointment has come through for me to see a Consultant in General Medicine this week - i am afraid he won't be specialised enough as i have B12D as well. Has anyone else seen a 'general' consultant? Doctor did some tests but i mention i had been in touch with another retired GP who, in his opinion, says i should be treated for hypothyroidism.

[Admin Edit: name of retired GP redacted]

[Foggyme Administrator]

Hi mountainice. Thyroid issues are more usually treated by an Endocrinologist.

Neither a general consultant or an endocrinologist are likely to have any knowledge about Pernicious Anaemia or B12 deficiency.

If you’re being treated for B12 defieicency or PA and have unresolved symtpoms see:

For gastric symtpoms - a gastroenterologist

For neurological symptoms - a neurologist

Note: guidelines say that for those with neurological symptoms, refer to a haematologist. However, unless you’re lucky, few are knowledgable about either PA or B12 deficiency, and are usually only interested if there are other anomalies (over an above macrocytic anaemia) in your blood work.

👍

[mountainice in reply to Foggyme]

I thought i was seeing an endocrinologist until the referral came through. I'll see what happens. Thanks.

[Marz in reply to mountainice]

Many of us are on the Thyroid Forum as well as here due to overlapping conditions. I have been on Thyroid UK for over seven years and appointments with Endocrinologists make for dismal reading - they are mostly diabetes doctors and know little about the thyroid.

You are legally entitled to have copies of your results - with ranges. Your surgery should hae on-line access to records - so worth asking. Post results on Thyroid UK for some excellent advice. Sadly the NHS do not do the correct testing and thousands are missed. These are the correct tests - TSH - FT4 - FT3 & Antibodies TPO & Tg.

Happy to help ... 😊

[Twench in reply to Foggyme]

I second that. Most haematologists of my acquaintance are not remotely interested in PA/B12 deficiency.