Hi I'm new to this website so just trying to find my way!
I was wondering if anyone knew how to change my NHS endocrinologist to a new one? (Northern Ireland UK)
Mine is so unhelpful, haven't seen her in 2 years even though I've made many many phone calls to try and get an appointment, she just sends me for blood tests every few weeks instead of seeing me. My thyroid hasn't been at a settled level in years and I'm sick of the pain and fatigue its causing!
I'm only 20 and basically can't do a lot of things people my age can because of the constant tiredness.
Thanks in advance!
Written by
Chelseamorrow18
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I just realised you are in Northern Ireland so I think it is similar process to here where you ask your GP for a referral letter once you have found the Consultant of your choice.
I just walked out of my Endo's clinic when he offered me counselling for feeling so ill. I then received a letter confirming I was no longer his patient so I think he got the message!
Email Dionne at Thyroid UK for list of recommend thyroid specialist endocrinologists
tukadmin@thyroiduk.org
Not sure if there’s any in N Ireland
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 you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies
Presumably you have Hashimoto’s?
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking?
Ask GP to test vitamin levels
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .
Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose 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)
Is this how you do your tests?
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
List of private testing options
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin
medichecks.com/products/thy...
Medichecks often have special offers, if order on Thursdays
Thriva Thyroid plus vitamins
thriva.co/tests/thyroid-test
Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes vitamins
Thank you! I have hashimotos and am also on calcium, vitamin D, folate and B12 supplements. They test for TFT's each time. I was going to start a gluten free first to see if it would help, however wanted to see my endocrinologist first.
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone
Absolutely ESSENTIAL to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Why are you taking calcium. Improving low vitamin D will naturally improve calcium levels
Hashimoto’s frequently leads to gluten intolerance
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first
Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet
(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)
Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse
The predominance of Hashimoto thyroiditis represents an interesting finding, since it has been indirectly confirmed by an Italian study, showing that autoimmune thyroid disease is a risk factor for the evolution towards NCGS in a group of patients with minimal duodenal inflammation. On these bases, an autoimmune stigma in NCGS is strongly supported
In summary, whereas it is not yet clear whether a gluten free diet can prevent autoimmune diseases, it is worth mentioning that HT patients with or without CD benefit from a diet low in gluten as far as the progression and the potential disease complications are concerned
Despite the fact that 5-10% of patients have Celiac disease, in my experience and in the experience of many other physicians, at least 80% + of patients with Hashimoto's who go gluten-free notice a reduction in their symptoms almost immediately.
first step is to get FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing....privately if endo or GP useless/unhelpful
Thanks, I'm allergic to dairy so have to take calcium supplements to help me get enough. Have been tested for ceoliac and all came back clear but will definitely try to see if gluten has an effect on my thyroid.
I didn't like one of the consultants at the hospital I go to but happy to see anyone else there. When I get to my appointment, I ask the receptionist in the clinic for anyone other than the one I don't like and they've always been obliging.
If you've never managed to even get an appointment, I think you might need to start the referral process all over again.
Get your GP to refer you to a consultant\hospital of your choice, explaining why you feel that the current endocrinologist is not looking after you causing you anxiety. The GP should then refer you to another endocrinologist. I would also suggest that you also inform the existing endocrinologist that you no longer want to be under their care and will be referred to another endocrinologist\hospital by your GP by doing so, it will not be a total surprise to them and to also close your medical care with them.
Remember it is your choice, you are unhappy and feel anxiety these are good enough reasons for the change.
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