Endocrinologist recommendations

[Scottccs]

Hi I’m new to the group. I’m 42 Been on levothyroxine for over 15 years now currently on 150mg but don’t really feel any better and haven’t done for 10 years.

I feel now I could do with seeing on endocrinologist for further tests such as t4, t3 etc - can anyone recommend one in South Wales or as close by . If not I don’t mind travelling To London or elsewhere provided it could be worthwhile.

All recommendations would be appreciated and if you have any idea of cost

Thanks

[Niklew]

Hi I live in South Wales and paid to see a private endo through nutfield ( he also works for Bupa). I’m you send me pm I will give you the details. He was very good and wrote to my gp for a list of tests and my gp completed them to avoid me having to pay for them through the endo. However FT3 I don’t think is tested ( wasn’t for me and I had a list of very extensive tests). However you can pay via medi checks or blue horizon to check these

Hope this helps

[Scottccs in reply to Niklew]

Thanks - I was thinking of having the tests first through medicheck they do a full load of tests for about £180 . I was thinking of having them done and then going to an endocrinologist . Or should it be done the other way round .

[Niklew in reply to Scottccs]

Well I went the route you are thinking of doing and paid about £360 in the end for tests .... then the extra for the endo. I think the only test was probably F3.

My GO agreed to do any tests the endo suggested etc so I guess if you do that route it will save you money then only pay for the tests that aren’t covered?

Having said that the tests may pick something up for you now for the referral to happen via the Gp. Although to be honest both the GP and endo I was wanted their own tests done anyway when I showed them the results

From medi and blue horizon

[Scottccs in reply to Niklew]

What was your outcome in the end - did they change your medication and are you feeling better

[Niklew in reply to Scottccs]

Yes they put me back on levo ( had taken me off after only being on it 8 weeks as GP wasn’t convinced I needed it..) they did complete allot of tests due to my weight loss to make sure there was nothing else going on!

Nothing has changed yet and I’m reaching 12 weeks now on the meds so I guess still early days

[cherryripe21]

to admin, I sent the contact details of an endo by mistake can u pleases remove. Many thanks.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Recommend getting vitamins and thyroid tests first

Then come back here with the results and ranges for advice on next step

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Private tests are available. 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.

£99 or offer price £79

All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. When on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, (and if on T3 don't take in 12 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)

[Scottccs in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for the advice , when you say fasting are we saying no food and drink and then how long before the bloods should the fasting take place.

Also what is the reason for the fasting

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Scottccs]

Drinking plenty of water to keep hydrated, the day before and that morning

Tests should be as early as possible in morning. TSH has daily diurnal variation, highest in morning

Can eat perfectly normally the day before. Just nothing that morning before the test

There is some debate wether fasting is necessary or not, but you need to be able to take your Levothyroxine immediately after blood test, and that obviously needs to be on empty stomach.

Graph showing TSH daily variation

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

If you normally take Levothyroxine in morning just delay taking until after test

If you normally take at bedtime, also delay taking until after the test