Endocrinologist waiting times.

[Hkm2281]

I have just been referred to an endocrinologist department, I'm just interested generally how long people have waited for initial referral. Mine is non urgent. Thanks.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

I think It’s likely to vary widely between hospitals. If referrals are urgent you tend to wait weeks and when standard you can expect 2 -3 months. I think I saw on my hospital letter they have a within 16 week aim.

In my own case I was sent a “book your own appointment online” letter within a few weeks. Unfortunately when I went to book it there were no actual appointments available, despite 3 clinics being listed. All I could do was send a get in contact message. The hospital then send a letter saying I would get an appointment soon, but it might not be a local hospital, it may be at one 30 miles away.

I was also sent a form for “pre-clinic bloods”The GPs receptionist refused to book an blood draw appointment and said I must wait until I get an appointment then have the blood test done nearer the time. When I hadn’t heard nothing for over a month the doctor said we need more current results and said I should now have the pre clinic blood test done even though I had no appointment. Within 2 days of having my blood test an hospital appointment was booked locally for the following week. Took about 9 weeks from referral.

So if you get a pre-clinic blood form get them done as soon as you can, as it’s possible they only make an appointment once they receive them back or even priorities appointments based on the results!

Here’s a similar post about it

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Hkm2281 in reply to PurpleNails]

That didn't sound straight forward for you at all, they just don't make things easy do they. Thanks food the advice on the blood form, if I receive one I'll make sure its done promptly.

[PurpleNails Administrator in reply to Hkm2281]

Hoping it’s straightforward and easy for you. I sure it is for many people, but I also hear similar stories. It shouldn’t the be the case but I often find it necessary for you to do your own chasing up and checking appointment are in place.

[Lora7again]

Have you researched the Endocrinologist you will be seeing? The reason I ask is because a lot of them specialize in Diabetes and if you get one who does they will be useless at helping you with your thyroid disease. As a side note I personally haven't found one who will help me because they go by NHS guidelines which means they will only look at your TSH which does not give a good indication of thyroid function. There are exceptions but I don't know of any here in the UK so perhaps other members can advise you.

[McPammy]

NHS in my area is 4 months. However, if you go private you can see an Endocrinologist within a week or two.

[Lora7again in reply to McPammy]

Could you recommend anyone to her? You don't have to stick to your own area and can see one in another part of the country if she wishes to.

[McPammy in reply to Lora7again]

Sorry I don’t understand your reply/comment.

Recommend who?

[Lora7again in reply to McPammy]

A Endocrinologist

[Fruitandnutcase]

I’ve been in remission from Graves’ disease since 2012 but back then I was referred and waited for three months for my appointment and that seems to be the case still.

My GP started me on antithyroid drugs and I was monitored after a month and got a letter from my endo to be telling me to get more carbimazole and double the dose (my GP surgery file share with our local teaching hospital)I had an appointment at my own surgery for blood tests for the week before my endo appointment.

When I turned up for my first endo appointment I had become very hypo because I had so much anti thyroid drug.

It was all sorted out in the end and although I was shocked at the 3 month wait because I felt I was feeling terribly ill and felt I must have been an urgent case at how long I had to wait to see the endo but I don’t suppose there was anything else that could be done - well apart from monitoring me after a second month so that I didn’t become hypo - other than wait as long as it took for the anti thyroid drugs to kick in.

Agree with Lora7 - make sure the endo you get to see specialises in thyroid problems and isn’t a diabetic specialist. It’s worth travelling to get the right person.

[Gilbo72]

I was referred in November and didn’t see him until May the following year. So 6 month waiting list for me.

[fuchsia-pink]

I first saw an NHS endo about three months after the GP referral. BUT I saw a locum, who just wanted a little chat. There was no follow-up except a rather patronising letter from a person who hadn't seen me (or, seemingly, read any notes). It took another 11 months before I saw a third person who actually did anything, So your first meeting may not be much use ...

And (as per Lora), the one I finally saw is mostly a diabetes man, although he mentions thyroid in his hospital bio. I had to go private to see a true specialist.

[Dovedale]

My GP realisedthere was an issue and asked for bloods to be taken. He got a call from the hospital saying I needed urgent treatment. My GP phoned me and his pharmacist prepped the drugs so I could start on them straight away. Seen in hospital shortly afterwards. I was heading into thyroid storm however - resting heart rate of 178 etc. I feel I was treated promptly although since then have seen a carousel of Endos which is getting frustrating as all seem to have treatment preferences and I am not stable yet.

[Pasionaria]

After T4=42.5 (12-22)&TSH<0.01 I was referred 'urgently' and eventually, after chasing, an appointment was set up for 3 months after the referral. They did ask the GP to prescribe Carbimazole, but it was left up to me to ask for a follow up blood test when I thought I was probably going hypo. I was right and I lowered my Carbimazole. Still waiting for endo.