Private thyroid doctor

[Jazz27]

Can anyone recommend a good private thyroid doctor?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Jazz27

You can send for the list of thyroid friendly doctors from Dionne at ThyroidUK

[e-mail]

Then ask on the forum for feedback on by private message on any that you can travel to. We can't discuss individual doctors on the open forum without their permission.

[Jazz27 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I've received the list but unsure if it's best to see a NHS Endo or a private doctor.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Jazz27]

In my experience, and that of many members, seeing any kind of endo is a waste of time, they often make things worse.

Do you have a diagnosis of a thyroid condition and are you on any thyroid replacement hormone?

As a first step, why not post your latest test results, with reference ranges here. We may be able to offer the help that you need and it wont cost anything. For a full picture we need results for

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

If we can see those we can comment and hopefully point you in the right direction.

[Jazz27 in reply to SeasideSusie]

I had bloods taken a few weeks ago which showed a slight high T3 and T4 but my TSH was ok. The doctor seems to think it's nothing to worry about but i feel like it's effecting me and my throat has gone really hoarse

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Jazz27]

Well, I'm sure if you post the actual results and reference ranges for the tests mentioned members will comment.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results? if not will need to get hold of copies.

We would ALWAYS getting FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing BEFORE seeing any endocrinologist

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.

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

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

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

(If/when also on T3, make sure to take last dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before 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

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 primary 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 .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

If you can add your recent results members can advise on next steps