Do I need an to see an Endocrinologist?

[bmiah19]

Hi. I'm in my early 40s and started taking Levothyroxine for Hypothyroidism(sub clinical), a month ago. Very new to all this. Thought my fatigue, weakness, depression and brain fog was because I was lazy. May be I am, but I want to get my dosage right so I don't get problems like I've been reading. At the moment I get body aches and fatigue still, and I swear I'm gaining a little weight. So, atm all I have is my GP. Should I ask to see an Endocrinologist?

Thanks

[Marz]

Do you have your results from when you were diagnosed ? How much levo are you taking ? Were vitamins and minerals tested ? Apologies for all the questions ...

thyroiduk.org

[greygoose]

My answer to that would be, frankly, no. Whilst one would expect endocrinologists to be experts in all thing hormonal - considering their name and speciality - the truth is they rarely are. For the most part, they are diabetes specialist with some very weird notions about thyroid. And have been known to really screw some hypo patients up. Unless you know your endo and his methods very well, I would avoid them, if I were you. I've seen four, and only one would I give the time of day - and that only very briefly!

[MaisieGray]

You have been taking levothyroxine for only one month so can't expect that all your symptoms will have abated or that you are yet optimally medicated for that to happen. Starting treatment for thyroid dysfunction is a marathon not a sprint. At this stage, you should expect 6 weekly blood testing and adjustment to your dose accordingly, until results are optimal for you; and unless there is a specific issue that warrants secondary specialist input, there's no need at this point, to be referred to an outpatient clinic.

[bmiah19]

Thanks for the responses and advice. I will try keep up to date with my GP then and get blood checked regularly. Sorry Marz, I don't have my results to hand but, my TSH was 14, very low Vit D.