good and bad news.

[joyce59]

The good news is ive found an endo (who also researches in thyroid diseases) who is happy to see me for a second opinion. The bad news is i have to have a referral from my gp. Iam sure the gp will refuse. Does anyone know if i have the right to ask and can the gp refuse?

[bantam12]

You can ask but your GP has to decide if it is clinically necessary.

[joyce59 in reply to bantam12]

think i will see how i go in the next couple of months as my review with the gp is in july maybe ask then.

[silverfox7]

I live in a place not good for thyroid health! I did see someone local and thankfully in a way he didn't want to see me again! I'd been a patient of the great late Dr Skinner so needed to find somewhere else so I asked for a referral to a place within easy reach and so far so good. My GP just doesn't understand much about it and was taught locally and seemed frightened about me not agreeing to local 'help' but was therefore willing for me to go elsewhere.

[joyce59 in reply to silverfox7]

Its difficult to get good thyroid health in my area too unlike where my cousin lives and she got sorted right away.

[Kitten1978]

Hi Joyce59,

You have right to ask for a second opinion and, unfortunately, your GP has a right to refuse. I wrote an official letter to my GP requesting endo referral for a second opinion to a different endo department. I also copied surgery practice manager in. I have been referred. Whether the new endo is going to be of an help whatsoever, I will see....

[joyce59]

So maybe worth asking then but not building up hopes. However ive been put under mental health for the 3rd time since xmas and their suggesting i should have cognative behaviour therapy. (this is due to my imaginary symptoms and illness) I will raise the issues with them.

[Greenwall in reply to joyce59]

llttf.com/ is cbt online.

You don't have to agree to MH "treatment", but I found CBT useful for analysing a situation.

[Kitten1978]

Joyce59,

You are certainly not the first and not the last person with thyroid disorder, who has been referred to mh services. We have an invisible illness, which leads to anxiety, depression, agitation, insomnia and generally high levels of distress. I's easy for people to assume it's a mh problem. My family members and my old friends are the only people who are 100% sure that my current problems are due to hormonal deficiencies... CBT won't cure you but therapy may provide a degree of emotional support, which may help you get through this difficult time.

Take care

[joyce59 in reply to Kitten1978]

thats why ive agreed to go along with it they seem to be the only ones that take any notice and as greenwall says could be useful and chage the way i deal with things.

[Olsbird]

Usually they say on their website if they will see you without gp referral but of course you will have to pay ..... I'd give his secretary a ring and ask her.

[joyce59 in reply to Olsbird]

Hadnt though of that hes a NHS dr but maybe does private too. I have private cover but havnt been able to make use of it yet as gps wont acknowledge why i needed scans e.t.c

[Olsbird in reply to joyce59]

Without a gp referral bupa won't foot the bill for almost everything and I think you will find other medical providers will say the same (I'm in the same position in terms of looking at bupa that won't kick in until gp enlightenment occurs!!) That said usually a consultation with a consultant is only about 250-300£. I know it's a lot of money of course and it's only one session but you could find it it may well be worth it to find someone knowledgeable. There aren't many consultants who don't do private and NHS

[joyce59 in reply to Olsbird]

I paid to see someone last year as gp wouldnt refer me saying nothing was wrong. The endo i did see does both NHS and private as ive also nursed some of his patients. however he thought my teeth were the cause of neck pain (untrue). I offered to pay for a scan but he refused. I finally found a clinic willing to do the scan without questions. I was found to have thyroid gland fibrosis nodules which resemble raspberries and connective tissue fragments.

[Olsbird in reply to joyce59]

Jeez. Sad one has to have dogged determination to get anywhere. 😥

[Greenwall]

Of course you have a right to ask - it's your body / health.

You have a right to ask for a second opinion, so GP would have to have a very good reason to refuse.

My advice is to put it in writing - I've found docs respond better to black and white than verbals.

[Kitten1978 in reply to Greenwall]

Absolutely, people often take things more seriously if it's in writing.

[milkwoman]

I've often found the phrase "What's the harm?" to work wonders when speaking with doctors. It seems to make them realize that you are not asking for the world - merely a referral to specialist. It's your health and you are trying to put the pieces together.

Good luck!

[joyce59]

seems to me their more worried about costs than patient care. Iam a nurse my-self yet now i no longer enjoy the job i once loved.