Does everyone with Hypothyroidism see an endo consultant?

I was diagnosed by my GP about ten years ago and have never seen an endo - is this unusual?

[helvella Administrator]

Not at all unusual. "Simple" hypothyroidism is regarded as a GP-managed condition.

It is also not unusual for those who have seen endos to feel that they added little or nothing to the management.of their condition.

My diagnosis was way under ten years ago, but I'd be surprised to see an endo in the next ten years!

Rod

[henrythewasp in reply to helvella]

Spooky! i had just logged in here to ask this very question.

[Hidden in reply to henrythewasp]

Ha ha that is a bit uncanny!

[Hidden in reply to helvella]

Thanks Rod. I've always thought my hypothyroidism was very simple - especially since I've landed rheumatoid arthritis in the past few years so thyroid problems weren't part of my thinking. But lately, with all-over burning pins and needles I'm not so sure how simple it is anymore.

[helvella Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Nothing to do with thyroid is simple. But sometimes in the more straightforward cases (like mine), throwing a bit of levothyroxine down our necks seem to work. So it appears to be simple. And that is what leads so many people - patients and medics - into thinking that it really is simple.

As soon as anyone says pins and needles, I and many others say "B12". Not with any certainty that it is the cause (it might prove not to be an issue at all for you) but there is enough of a possibility to consider it seriously.

Rod

[Hidden in reply to helvella]

Thanks Rod. Had B12 checked last week and it was within normal range. However I take a large amount of folic acid with my RA drug so I'm reliably informed that this may well be confusing the test result. Nothing is simple with RA or any other autoimmune condition either!

Alternatively hoping that an increase in my Levo (100mcg) might do the trick and get rid of the relentless burning prickles - but as my T4 is currently just about within normal range too and GP refuses to test my T3 and rheumy consultant says its unlikely to be my RA causing the sherbet fever - I'm at a bit of a loss.

Doesn't sound as if an endo would contribute much towards this issue but might risk incurring GP's further exasperation by asking to see a neuro consultant pretty please?!

[Hidden]

I have been under active for 11years now and an Endo has never been suggested for me.After my last set of blood tests this week I need to get T3 test as my TSH is now suppressed...( below lower limit) If my GP doesn't agree to this I will be asking to see one.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Marfit. I saw my GP this morning to ask her about the raging pins and needles. She explained that the practice doesn't test T3 unless someone's TSH is suppressed and mine is 0.6

( ref 0.34 - 5.60). I tried to get her to at least raise my Levo (100) by 25mcg again but she said she didn't think it would make much difference to my neuropathy. I could do with some more thyroid expertise from my GPs I think!

She doesn't think my hypothyroidism is causing my current problems - thinks its all down to menopause (even though I'm through it!) and my RA drug. Back to square one again!

[Lindsay]

I saw an Endo once when I was first diagnosed with graves 13 years ago. I have not seen one since despite requests for a referal

[Hidden in reply to Lindsay]

That's very poor Lindsay - Graves is more serious than Hashis and I'm surprised they don't refer you to one regularly from what I've read. Tilda x

[Hidden]

I have never seen an endo