Should I have automatically been referred to endocrinologist?

[Familyof5]

[ChemicalAngel]

Short answer is no.

Your GP can actually treat you without sending you to see the endo. BUT he should not refuse to send you if you wish to see one.

Ann xx

[Familyof5]

Thank You Ann, I found out six and a half years ago I had UAT and the doctor never even told me I had to take my tablets for the rest of my life!! It was the pharmacist in the chemist that told me (in front of everyone aswell) Dr just printed a couple of sheets off and sent me on my way, because I'd asked her if the UAT was something that I had done/caused (at that time I knew nothing about it, never knew anyone with it so was quite naive to it all!!) it's just the past few years I've really looked into it all. I think I just thought this is it, put up with everything that goes with it!! Silly I know, but when the Dr says "yes all you have to do is take these tablets, and all will be good" haha yeah right?!?..... Sorry you just my life in an instant!! Haha. Thanks for quick reply though, much appreciated xx

[Karispitit]

My GP refused to send me to an endo on the grounds there was no clinical need for one.

[Jackie]

Hi The time to see an Endo is if you are not getting better and do not feel GP knows enough. Endo does all the important tests automatically. The other exception is if any serious heart problems and Endo is considered essential. Never let the GP ( unless brilliant) choose the Endo, do your own careful research first. If you see some one, they must be very good, nice a bonus!

Best wishes,

Jackie

[belwom in reply to Jackie]

Hi Jackie - I'm afraid endo I saw dismisses antibody tests saying ' you can have 10,000 times the amount of antibodies for 20 years or longer, as long as the TSH is normal'. This was after a private blood test showed I had 400 times the upper level of thyroid antibodies and my GP put me on a 25 mcg starting dose of levothyroxine, which I was taken off after 6 months by said endo.

[Jackie in reply to belwom]

Hi That is terrible and I do understand the problem. I was treated with very low tSH and very low FT3, but lucky as that was only when I ignored GP. Nasty letters from her every wek. Then I was referred to a wonderful Endo, it all changed and I actually have Hashimoto, still very low FT3, fine with Armour and FT3, TSH immeasurable, T4 oK.The answer is to do lots of research, find a good Endo who does not rely on bloods, just likes to see them too. Then ask for a new Rereferral, the fact that the gP did refer you originally should help a lot for a new one. other wise you may ave to be firm. It took me 20 years, I would never let them do that to me againI hope that works.

Jackie.

[belwom in reply to Jackie]

Thank you Jackie. I will have to go back to GP and be assertive enough to ask for another referral to one of the sympathetic endos on the list.

[Jackie in reply to belwom]

Good luck

Jackie

[BillieSt]

From experience, your GP will automatically refer you to an endocrinologist if you have an over active thyroid and it's the endocrinologist who dictates the medication and requests additional blood tests be carried out to monitor your condition, sending letters to your GP with copies to you. I understand from my GP that they treat under active thyroid patients themselves, not necessarily referring on to a consultant unless there are complications.

[Jackie in reply to BillieSt]

Hi That is lucky if a good GP but now because of costs most gP`s will only treat on TSH, if TSH normal or low, tough!

Best wishes,

jackie