Can Anyone Recommend A Good Endocrinologist

[Me1157]

I have had Hashimoto's Thyroiditis since 1979 - The doctors at that time had me drink radioactive iodine. After a while, they put me on synthetic thyroid meds and they stopped working properly in 2003. They switched me to a combo T3/T4 - amour thyroid. All went well for a while and now I have hypothyroid symptoms again. I am gluten free, avoid processed foods and artificial sweeteners. I also seem to be starting with arthritis ( although this could be due to my thyroid too). I live in the Greater Manchester area and I am looking for an endocrinologist who thinks outside the box - as the thyroid tests come back within normal parameters. Any advice anyone can give me would be appreciated. Thank you.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Email Dionne at Thyroid Uk for list of recommended thyroid specialists

We also STRONGLY recommend FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing, especially BEFORE seeing any private endocrinologist, but even before NHS appointment too

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

What supplements do you take?

Do you have recent vitamin test results and ranges you can add?

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

(If/when also on T3, or NDT make sure to take last dose 8-12 hours prior to test)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins

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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

[Me1157 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for taking the time to reply and point me in the right direction. I have had a recent annual health screening, TSH and a full thyroid panel with antibodies. I also asked for reverse T3. The Dr. states everything is fine. I will pop into the surgery and get a copy of these tests and compare them to your suggestions. The surgery now states non-fasting - but I always do mine fasting.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Me1157]

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

UK GP practices are supposed to offer online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

Reverse T3 test doesn't often tel, you much. It's extremely expensive and takes 2-3 weeks to process

Initially better to test Vitamin levels and TSH, FT3 and FT4 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies

If FT4 came back above range, you might consider RT3 testing in future

[Me1157 in reply to SlowDragon]

I applied for enhanced patient access to access my records and that can take up to 45 days at my Drs. I am only 30 or days into waiting, so it's quicker just to pop in to collect copies of the lab tests.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Me1157]

Re your Full Thyroid Panel, was it the earliest appointment, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose and the test? If not, you need another blood test which will be more accurate as the TSH is highest early a.m. and drops throughout the day. It could mean the difference between getting an increase or not.

Doctors don't seem to know much about FT4 and FT3 and rely wholly upon the TSH. If it is below 1 they assume we've become hyperthyroid. Most of us need it 1 or below but most doctors think if TSH is somewhere within the range - even the highest that we're on a sufficient dose..

[Me1157 in reply to shaws]

Yes, I have struggled with Drs. for years over the standard TSH and normal parameters. I lived in the states for many years and while I was over there - they changed the bar on what was within normal range lol. I am used to having the free T3, free T4 T7 and antibodies type of tests. What's normal is what's normal for you. Many Drs. have promised to fix my ratio of T3 and T4 - no one has done it yet. My last appointment was at noon - fasting with water - my last meds were at 7 am the previous day. The best thyroid Doctor so far was my Nutritionist in Lake Mary Florida. She helped me understand what to do to help myself and change my diet...which in turn changed my life. I am hoping to find a good endocrinologist who can think outside the TSH in Manchester or within a couple of hours drive.

[Patient_0 in reply to Me1157]

Hi, it's been quite a while since you posted this reply but I got curious. What nutritional tips did you get that helped with your thyroid?

[Lora7again in reply to Patient_0]

Usually when members become well they no longer use this forum. I stopped using a few forums in the US and the UK when I was in remission the last time over 7 years ago. I am going to stay on here this time because hopefully I can help other thyroid sufferers because I do have a lot of knowledge about thyroid disease as you can see I have been to hell and back with the disease if you read my story on my profile.

[Me1157 in reply to Patient_0]

I hope this help you as much as it helped me. A gluten free diet, avoid cheese unless it's hard cheese then on an ounce a week. I avoid any kind of fake food. Additives, preservatives, fake sugar etc. I use honey in place of sugar where possible. I stay lower carb as much as possible - I tend to stay under 120 carbs a day to maintain my weight and to lose weight under 50 carbs a day. At certain times with my thyroid I can go as low as 20 carbs a day and still struggle losing weight...So at those times. I don't even bother trying anymore. I wait a month and try again. This has improved my health greatly and I don't get near as much brain fog. I eat a lot of home cooked fresh food, veggies, meat, fish and fruit etc.

I seem to gain weight if I eat the gluten free breads and sweets etc. Far more quickly than if they were the regular type. There seems to be a lot of sugar and carbs in gluten free baked goods. I don't do soft drinks, but I drink tea, coffee and water with lemon etc.

[Patient_0 in reply to Me1157]

Thank you