New poster and endo recommendation London

[moople]

Hi everyone,

I have been reading this forum for a few weeks now and I must say it has really opened my eyes.

Here is a quick introduction from me:

I am 34 years old woman, first went to my UK GP complaining of extreme tiredness in 2008 and was finally diagnosed beginning of 2009 in France with Hashimoto (high antibodies, I don't have the exact result with me). I was put on levothyroxine and had to fight until I got my dose increased to 150 mcg. This did improve my symptoms (was able to go to work for a full day and do some light exercising without feeling completely exhausted). However I always felt something was missing as I never felt like "before": I get tired much faster (for example going out for dinner at the end of a work day is often too much for me) and find it very hard to concentrate at work which is starting to be a real issue as I feel very overwhelmed all the time.

Due to my work I moved to France for a couple of years just before I was diagnosed and then to the Netherlands for 4 years.

During that time I didn't have the energy to look for alternative treatment but now I have moved back to the UK and I am determined to improve. I went to my GP asking him for blood tests and he did write TSH, FT3 and FT4 but the lab only did TSH (which was "normal" at 0.66). After I talked about my symptoms he said he couldn't help me but that he would refer me to an endocrinologist.

Does anyone know a good endo around South west London (Richmond/ Kingston/ Wimbledon area)? I have health insurance thanks to my work so don't mind going private.

What should I do before going to see him/ her? Would it be beneficial for me to get private blood tests before seeing the endo? Or should I wait and see what they suggest?

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Moople.

It's certainly useful to have TSH, FT4 and FT3. You can order private tests from Blue Horizon and Genova via thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

You can post the results and lab ref ranges on the forum for advice and they will be useful to show the endo you see.

Email [e-mail] for a list of member recommended endos. You'll need to check with your health insurer whether the endo is on their 'approved list'.

[mikee5]

I agree with Clutter. Blue Horizon offer a comprehensive full thyroid panel covering T3, T4, FT3, FT4 and antibodies. I believe there's a separate test for RT3. Check out their website.

I visited a private endo in North London about a year ago and was told that my extensive and debilitating symptoms were 'somatic'. I had a full thyroid panel for about £100 at Blue Horizon privately and it indicated low T4 and FT4, while only weeks earlier I was reassured by the same endo that I was NOT hypothyroid and was referred to a neurologist. I also have adrenal issues.

I strongly recommend a full thyroid panel and you could navigate from there. Perhaps you need a larger dose or a combination of T3 and T4. Adrenal fatigue should also be considered, as poor function of the adrenal glands compromise optimal function of the endocrine system. Good luck!

[moople in reply to mikee5]

Thanks for the help! I will report back once I have more details.