First Endo appointment was not what I expected!!!

[Wavinghello]

Sorry for a mini rant and ramble.

So, my appointment was at 2pm today and I finally got seen at 4.30pm!!!!!

First the consultant was late (I understand sometimes this can't be avoided so I didn't have a problem with this) BUT I was told the clinic started at 2pm and I was first. Patients were not taken in appointment order and I was pushed to the bottom of the list . . . argh!

I thought I was seeing an endocrinologist but instead I saw an endocrine surgeon, excuse my ignorance, are they the same?

As far as I'm aware I don't have any thyroid issues apart from a lump in my neck. I've had an ultrasound scan which showed a haemorrhagic cyst and my Dr said it would most likely need to be removed, hence the referral to the consultant.

After waiting all that time I was in and out in 5 minutes, the consultant was not interested in any of my symptoms. Apart from the lump, I am finding it difficult to swallow harder foods, I have a very visible pulse in the front and all down the side of my neck that really aches and when I lay down the room starts spinning. He was not interested in any of this.

He doesn't think the cyst needs removing and did say it could be drained. My Dr told me and I have read that the cyst is very likely to come back again, he didn't mention this.

He said I should have a chest x-ray but I told him I've already had one (all fine) which was in the notes in front of him.

He now wants me to have a CT scan, another ultrasound scan and blood test for bone profile, full blood count, T4, TSH and (I think the form says) thyroid antibody. scans won't be done for about 6 weeks and he wants to see me in about 6 - 8 weeks.

Does all this sound pretty normal to you?

Thanks

[Wavinghello]

Another question, I had the blood test done today while I was at the hospital. As the consultant requested the blood test, can I phone the hospital for the results or do they get sent to my GP so I can ring them as normal?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

A blood test at that time in the afternoon will be unlikely to show raised TSH, unless very hypo. Would be good if FT4 and FT3 were tested as well as thyroid antibodies

You are entitled to copies of your own blood test results.

Ask your GP to test your thyroid antibodies and also vitamin D if these are not done by endo

If you can also get tests on Ferritin, folate and B12 that would be even better

If you can't get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw or

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH and most consistent results

[Wavinghello in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you.

Would you be able to write a complete list of what I should have tested (even if it was one of the tests the consultant asked for) and also which company is the best/cheapest.

I think I'm just going to get it all done privately and post my results here.

I'm not on any medication so when would be the best time to do a finger prick test (7am . . 6am?) and can all the tests be done this way. How long to fast before. It's not easy for me to get a blood test done at the hospital early morning.

Thanks for your help

[Inaquandary in reply to Wavinghello]

Did anyone mention having an FNA done of this lump to see what's in it?

[Wavinghello in reply to Inaquandary]

He kind of muttered something about that but hasn't requested it. Guess I'll just have to sit tight and wait for the scans!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Wavinghello]

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven, are the test you want

This tests TSH, FT4 and FT3, TT4, TPO and TG antibodies, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Both companies often have money off offers

Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, though not every test on offer every week

Blue Horizon run offers towards end of month

If you pick your moment to order can usually get for £79 instead of £99

Do the test on a Monday or Tuesday so that can post straight away and get processsed asap

As long as before 9am is fine for time of test.

[cjrsquared]

Fine needle aspiration (fna) is done under ultrasound guidance, they may attempt this at your next ultrasound scan. It is slightly uncomfortable but not painful. The ct scan shows the thyroid in 3D so it is easier to see if it is pressing backwards onto the trachea and oesophagus, also as sometimes happens if it extends downwards behind the collar bones into the chest. It sounds as though you are being thoroughly investigated from a surgeons view point. The surgeon will not be interested in treating hypothyroid that is an endocrinologist, a physician who deals in hormones, they are very different. I hope all goes well with your investigations, good luck.

[Rmichelle]

Ha yes my endoc was useless aswell, refused to do ultrasound even though doctor has requested it, also very impatient and a diabetic specialist and also refused to do tsi for graves disease and my app lasted around 7 mins and wasnt interested in me one bit- only interested in the sound of his own voice!! Needless to say i am not seeing him again.xsorry you have had a bad time.x

[silverfox7]

I had a sizeable cyst drained about 22 years ago. It didn't come back. The actual procedure was t too bad but it has to be done slowly and it seemed to take forever but it was t as long as I thought!

[TSH110]

I got copies of all letters from the endo to my GP including all blood results, from the hospital, so you ought to get them automatically.

I do hope you get it sorted soon

[Wavinghello in reply to TSH110]

Thank you for all the helpful replies. My lump seems to be getting smaller, is that possible?

[TSH110 in reply to Wavinghello]

Wavinghello I had atropic autoimmune thyroiditis so did not have any nodules/lumps. I am sure people have said that they can change in size (up or down) in posts here. My sister had boiled egg sized lumps in hers but was completely unaware of them! She had lymphoma of the thyroid but her thyroid was still functioning perfectly. It had to be removed because of the lumps and it was very deformed - went down into her chest cavity. She is fine after 20 years thrives on Levothyroxine. I only had very short bouts of hyperthyroidism (went crazy) but was actually hypothyroid. I got some eye problems like Graves but not serious and my symptoms were mixed with some more commonly found in hyperthyroidism (anxiety, heart pains, panic attacks, hellish itching etc) so I am a bit of an oddity.