is this normal

[Ianmac59]

since 2014 i have been diagnosed with under-active thyroid (levels still up or down } but not once have i been referred to a specialist consultant. i just wondering is this normal practise .

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

I was diagnosed hypothyroid around 1975, I got sent to an endocrinologist for the first time in 2002 when my GP couldn't understand why I still had hypo symptoms despite a high dose of Levo. [The outcome was dire, he made me far more ill than I was already, so I wish I'd never seen him.]

So it's not routine to be referred to an endocrinologist unless you remain unwell and your GP can't understand why.

As you say "levels still up or down" - can you clarify this? Have you got your results (including reference ranges) to illustrate this so that we can see what's going on? If you don't have them just ask at your surgery's reception desk for a print out, we are legally entitled to our test results here in the UK. Don't accept verbal or hand written results, make sure you get a print out. Post them on the forum for comment.

[bantam12]

I was under Endo when I had Graves but since being hypo I just see my useles GPs, I did see one privately and he was worse than useless !!

[greygoose]

It is very rare to find a specialist consultant that specialises in thyroid, or even knows anything much about it. They are practically all diabetes specialist who thing thyroid is a piece of cake!

[Judithdalston]

No, never sent to specialist endo via NHS. Went to private one eventually to find they were really more interested in diabetes... and put me on diabetic drug instead of sorting out thyroid problems! Wouldn’t bother unless you can guarantee endo. will listen to and treat hypothyroidism etc. You ‘ll get better help from the forum members I think.

[Ianmac59]

thanks for the info other words we are snookered

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Ianmac59]

Not necessarily. The combined knowledge of experienced patients on here tends to far outweigh what most doctors know or understand about thyroid treatment. As I said, if your thyroid levels are up and down then tell us what you mean. That could indicate autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's, but we can't say for certain unless we see our test results.