Considering paying for private consultation

[Trent]

I am new to this site and as I am feeling so awful despite 'normal' blood test results I am now considering seeing a private endo. Does anyone know of a sympathetic specialist in the Harrow area.

Thank you

[puncturedbicycle]

Hi. Do you know how 'normal' your bloods are? If you have a copy of the results it might help to have a look. I'm only thinking that endos are often more conservative than gps, so if your results are well and truly normal (ie within range and neg antibodies) I'm sorry to say a private endo is unlikely to take a fresh approach.

But if you have some results out of whack and/or normal hormone levels but high antibodies or similar and your gp is just too timid to give you a trial you may get some action from an endo.

Forgive me, I admit I'm a bit endo-averse.

[Trent in reply to puncturedbicycle]

Thank you, I will get a copy from the GP and go from there.

[FlippinThyroid]

Honestly, you don't need to see a private consultant you just need to see a better NHS consultant. if you PM me with your email address I will send you a list of Doctors who look outside the box!!

[Whiterose in reply to FlippinThyroid]

Hi I live in Winton Bournemouth BH 9 1DD would like to see G P that thinks outside the box when it comes to thyroid issues. Thanks..

[Camdentown]

Hello Trent. I had a similar situation and was considering a consultation with an Endo, but went to see Dr. B.W. last week at Weymouth Street W1 for an introductory session. I found him from the Thyroid UK list, and he's very thorough and understanding of situations like yours. He also offers Skype sessions and can be found at

<site deleted by admin in accordance with posting guideline #25>

I hope this helps.

[Trent in reply to Camdentown]

Thank you very much, I will definitely look into that.

[Turtles68]

Hi have you had your vitamin d levels checked . My daughter has a vitamin d deficiency and the symptoms ( tiredness etc ) are very similar it might be worth getting your doc to check .

[Trent in reply to Turtles68]

Thank you for your reply. I'm on maximum Vit D as it was non existent when I was tested a couple of years ago.

[humanbean in reply to Trent]

What dose do you consider to be the maximum for vitamin D?

Doctors often prescribe doses like 400 iU or 800 iU per day. But many people need a LOT more than that to actually raise levels.

My vitamin D was below optimal, but not outrageously so. I started supplementing with 1000 iU per day and after a few months my vitamin D level had actually dropped.

[Trent]

I will do, thank you very much

[Trent]

Yes, I'm on 1000 iU per day too but to be honest I don't think it's been tested since I started taking it. I also have very high ferritin levels and am having a trial of blood letting to see if that will help but my appointment is not until January so won't know until then.

I think I will pay to see an endocrinologist because I have felt ill now for over 2 years and need to get it sorted.

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Trent]

Here are guidelines for vit d dosing. If you're very deficient (my result was 10) you need to take a loading dose. If your d was in your boots you need to be on 2500-5000 per day *after* the loading dose is complete. What you are taking at the moment - 1000 units - will not help you and as humanbean says you may find your levels falling. imperialendo.com/for-doctor...

We all have to do what we have to do but manage your expectations and ensure you know about the endo (what they will and won't do) before your appt. I hear you loud and clear about wanting to sort it, but time and again a private endo will see someone in your position, take their money and send them packing w a flea in their ear about wasting their time when you are obviously perfectly well.

They are usually less flexible, less open-minded and less interested in hypothyroidism than the average gp. Saying that, I do hope your experience is different.

[Trent in reply to puncturedbicycle]

Thank you very much for your reply.

I was given a high dose from the GP for the first 3 months and now I buy my own but I will have to find out exactly what it was when first tested and perhaps ask for another blood test to see if it has improved.

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Trent]

Oh that's good news, then it wasn't just the 1000 per day. I think if you keep an eye on it for a year or two you'll know what dose will suit over time.

You can buy a kit online for about £30 incl postage to lab if you want to monitor it yourself. If you google blood spot vit d test a number of options should come up.

[Trent in reply to puncturedbicycle]

Thanks for the tip. I had no idea you could get it done without going through the GP!

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Trent]

You can have many bloods done privately. My last adventure in bloodletting was to do a fingerprick for full thyroid panel + various other relevant nutrients. It costs, I want to say around £80-100 ? - and you have total control.

When I go to the gp it used to take almost a full month from getting the gp appt to ask for the test, then getting the appt for blood draw (phlebotomist is only in twice a week) then getting results. I dread it when I have to go. This is supplementary and I can keep a closer eye on how my vits/mins are doing rather than the usual way of taking supplements w no monitoring at all.