Private Endo' referral advice please.

[Funkycherry]

Hi,

Just joined up today.

Been Hypothyroid for around 5 yrs since having my only child. On 50mg Levothyroxine. TSH around 2.5.

Still feeling exhausted, fat, zitty and generally rubbish. Since becoming hypo' I have also struggled to conceive and when I did, I've had 2 miscarriages. Not getting any younger and at 41, I need to sort my health out. The idea of feeling like this for the rest of my life fills me with dread.

So today asked my Dr for a referral to Endocrinologist. Said he would struggle to justify it on the NHS, but as I have private health insurance will refer privately.

So, I need your help. What should I expect from the appointment and what questions should I ask?

Thanks for reading long post!!!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Also if you have not had thyroid antibodies checked ask for these to be tested. If result is high then you have autoimmune thyroid called Hashimoto's.

You need to know, as with Hashimotos we can very often improve symptoms by changing to gluten free diet and looking at other diet issues or supplements

Very common as reallyfedup123 says to be low in vitamin D, folate, ferritin and/or B12. We very often need to improve these by supplements

Get GP to test and make sure you get full copies of test results including ranges (figures in brackets) then come back here and make a new post with the results.

Any thyroid test should be done as early as possible in the morning, fasting (should drink water to keep hydrated) and don't take Levo in 24hours prior to test, take it straight after

If GP is unhelpful, you can get private tests - best to get full tests prior to seeing an endo

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven or Medichecks Thyroid & ultra vitamin tests both test all these - £99 - DIY home test or can get blood drawn at private clinic

They both often run money off offers - Medichecks usually does "Thyroid Thursday " offers

See Thyroid Uk website for lots of info

The Thyroid Pharmacist website for masses on Hashimoto's

Email Louise for list of thyroid friendly doctors

[e-mail]

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Funkycherry.

Email [e-mail] for a list of member recommended endocrinologists.

You are a little undermedicated. Ask your GP to increase dose. The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 1.0 or lower with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email [e-mail] if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

[wano]

I have a wonderful endo in Wales and my doctor didn't hesitate to recommend me to them when levo wasn't working for me. Perhaps you could see another doctor at your surgery?

[Funkycherry]

Thanks for replies everyone.

I'm guessing the first thing the endo' will do is order a full blood test of everything you've suggested. Is that right?

Will I get the results that day if I'm at a private hospital?

[steviecat in reply to Funkycherry]

Your guess may not prove to be accurate, Funky. *Strangely*, endos' don't always have a deep knowledge of thyroid disorders. Do take along a note of all the tests that have been recommended and ask that they be done. Whether you get the results the same day or some days later; if you get all the tests done you will be in a much better position.

PS. Reallyfedup's response included, 'fokate' - that should read 'fotate'.

[mistydog in reply to steviecat]

Or Folate, even. I would agree with steviecat , and even get some medichecks tests done and take the results with you. They may still fob you off, but NICE guidelines are that anyone who is trying to conceive or is pregnant should maintain a TSH of 2 or less (preferably MUCH less), and this is why you will have miscarried unfortunately.

Do stamp your feet until you get properly treated.

[steviecat in reply to mistydog]

Thanks, Misty - yep, 'Folate', That's a perfect example of the evils of beer...

[puffyface]

Oh dear Funkycherry, you sound sad, and I completely understand. There are definitely things you can do. Were do you live? Have you chosen an endo? It's quite important to get somebody good. If you'd like to chat, please private message me.

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