Endocrinologist recommendation in Scotland

[LorneB]

Hi,

I’ve been hypothyroid for 18 years and now on a 150mcg dose of thyroxine but really not feeling great even though the GP says my blood results are within a normal range.

Can anyone recommend an endocrinologist in Scotland? I live in Fife so ideally looking for one around the Dundee/Edinburgh area.

Thanks.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Sent you a private message on possible endo

For full Thyroid evaluation before you see a consultant you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies.

Plus very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Add results and ranges here for members to advise if you have them

Private tests are available if not. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

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.

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting.

If on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .

[littlemo76]

Dr Toft is at Spires in Edinburgh! He was only guy that could give me answers/ explanation for feeling so crap for so many yrs on levo.But go armed with blood results if you can.

It was a relieve to know it wasnt in my head as countless Gps had told me.

[MKitty]

Hi LornaB, I also live in Fife, and found it necessary to have private bloods done and appointments with private Doctor.

I use Dr Toft at Spire in Edinburgh. You don't need a referral from your GP. He is excellent. For the first appointment I took along the results from my blood tests. Even the ones done by the GP.

[Lovethemozman]

Hi LorneB - I am in Fife too and Dr Toft is my Endo- he has been brilliant!

[Hashi-hacker]

Hi, I'm going to see Dr Karen Adamson privately at Spires in Edinburgh, as she's on the Thyroid UK list. Not that this is why I'm going to see her, but she was in the Kirsty Wark 'Insider's Guide to the Menopause'. Good luck!

[Plinka in reply to Hashi-hacker]

Hello have you had your appointment yet? I am just in between seeing Dr Toft and Dr Adamson and can’t decide.

Do you know if she prescribes T3?

Xx

[Hashi-hacker in reply to Plinka]

Hi, I had my appointment, if I remember correctly she's not a fan of NDT but I think she said she would consider T3 options if the go-to T4 options weren't working. I have only just started taking Teva (lactose free) levothyroxin as I 'scored' a high TSH of 6.3 after the NHS blood test she requested via my GP. She understands the difference between NICE guidelines and treatment that suits the individual, and that the two may not match. Not sure if I will need to go back and see her now that I've got my meds approved, will see how my GP treats me going forward as that's the easiest and cheapest option for me.

[Plinka in reply to Hashi-hacker]

Thank you for getting back to me!

[LorneB]

Thanks guys, I will contact Dr Toft and see if he can help me.

[LorneB]

For those who have seen Dr Toft have you taken along blood results to your first appointment? If so where have you managed to get the full range of necessary bloods done?

[littlemo76 in reply to LorneB]

I asked for copies of all previous blood tests from GP since diagnosis. Should have really got more medical notes at the time. But i could email my private Medichecks test results which he was happy to do. Plus i could test relevant to thyroid ie T4 T3 Rt3 antibodies n vits, that NHS wont do.

[Plinka in reply to littlemo76]

Hello,

I am so glad you found an understanding endocrinologist.

May I ask how often do you have to see him?

I mean if he prescribes you medication and want to check your blood results in 3 months I assume you got to see him then? Or can the prescription be continued by the GP?

Also how much do you pay to see him? Can’t see it on the website.

Thank you xxx

[littlemo76]

I only seen him the once but we communicated by email after to adjust meds. His consultation was £200. He could have given me private script, but he was content i was able to source T3 cheaper from abroad. And no, GP refused to prescribe nor acknowledge Tofts recomendations, due to him being retired from NHS. Iv had to pay for all my own tests thro medichecks which Dr Toft accepted.

He answered many of my questions a lot more honestly than any Gp or endo on NHS. It was quite refreshing.

Goodluck

[storrance55 in reply to littlemo76]

Can I ask where you were able to source T3 from?

I'm about to get in touch with The Spire in Edinburgh, and can't see Dr Toft in the list. My NHS doctor said she can't test FT3, so I assume she wouldn't be able to give me a T3 prescription.

[littlemo76 in reply to storrance55]

Dr Toft has since retired. Im not sure if his replacement is pro T3. I had to test T3 privately through medichecks along with a load of other vits folate ferritin etc. I got my T3 from Turkey not via internet. Though i too would be keen to source internet source.