Can a private endo refer me for NHS treatment?

[StrugglingThyroi]

I’m trying to avoid the long wait to be referred to the endo on the NHS, and then another wait to be referred for radioactive iodine.

If I see a private endo can s/he refer me to an NHS hospital for radioactive iodine?

[Fruitandnutcase]

Having read your previous post I think you needs to get in touch with the endo who was treating you and tell him you just can’t go on. I’m surprised they did not suggest PTU instead of carbimazole, it’s not the same.

Surely when he/she told you to stop the carbimazole/methimazole they should have made arrangements for radioactive iodine instead. Greaves is a very serious condition, I would have thought that they couldn’t just leave you untreated.

[StrugglingThyroi in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Even worse... he actually said if I had this issue with carbimazole, I will also have it with PTU! I’ve been told on this website that’s ‘fake news’! I will be demanding PTU from my GP first thing tomorrow morning

[Angel20]

If you are not currently under the NHS then yes, see a private consultant Endo he or she will then put you through the NHS system quicker. This is the way I did it. Consultant first then NHS

[Hillwoman in reply to Angel20]

I think this only works if you see the same consultant on the NHS. Private consultants don't have NHS referral rights for their patients.

[StrugglingThyroi in reply to Hillwoman]

I just checked and my previous endo does private appointments too, so will do that. Thank you

[Wetsuiter in reply to StrugglingThyroi]

thats only any good if the endo is any good tho!

[StrugglingThyroi in reply to Wetsuiter]

He’s not. But what difference does it make at this point? I need radioactive iodine ASAP, and the fastest way to get it is by going back to the same endo

[Wetsuiter in reply to StrugglingThyroi]

i think maybe i have become generally suspicious of the 'professionals' and their decision making skills these days. Puts the wind up me when they give incorrect information.

[StrugglingThyroi in reply to Angel20]

Thank you for this. I will definitely be seeing one privately

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

It may not been the same everywhere, but I was referred to an NHS lung consultant. The wait was very long and I was very unwell and needed help. I went privately to see the same consultant I had been referred to on the NHS as he also worked at the Spire, very fortunate because he had been recommended to me and has a good reputation.

He didn't require a separate referral letter as my NHS referral was already in. I saw him the next week, he gave me a prescription (private) but said to ask my GP to actually give me a NHS prescription (as then I wouldn't have to pay). I asked if he would transfer me back to NHS care and he was more than happy to do that.

He wanted a CT scan done and said he would put that through the NHS and it actually came quite quickly.

I live in Wales where the 2 main hospitals are 50-60 miles away so some routine clinics are done at the local cottage hospital including, luckily, the respiratory clinic. I always ask for any appointments with the consultant to be at the cottage hospital because I know that only he does those, so I get to see him rather than a member of his team, so there is continuity of care without a different doctor giving a different opinion and changing anything.

[StrugglingThyroi in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I just saw that my previous endo does private appointments, so will be doing that ASAP

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to StrugglingThyroi]

If your previous Endo is the guy who said PTU and carbimazole are the same thing do you actually want to go back to him?

Also see if you can find the post by Valarian titled Information for people with Graves and hyperthyroidism. A company have been trialling a vaccine for Graves and as you are young it might be an alternative to a life without a functioning thyroid.

[Hidden]

Hi I had it done two years ago to this date I regret it reason for is the Levo I’m taking makes my live a little worse rash time I have early cirrhosis and another thing it can cause cancer I didn’t do any research on it and I wished I did so do your research and talk to others. Prayers all goes well with you. Take care.

[StrugglingThyroi in reply to Hidden]

Sorry to hear of your experience. Sadly I have no choice as carbimazole gives me agranulocytosis