Private endocrinologist who prescribe NDT

[dizzy1979]

Hi all, After being promoted by a post I saw on here, I have contacted my health insurance through work and they have said they will send me for a consultation with a private endo. I feel like I have won the lottery! Now the question is, can anyone recommend an endo who is likely to be covered by the insurance, that prescribes NDT? I currently take thyroid s, and these are running low, so I am wanting to find someone who can prescribe for me, so that I don’t have the ongoing stress of trying to source an ever dwindling supply myself.

If you could please send me any recommendations by private message I would be eternally grateful. I should add I am in Watford, Hertfordshire, but I am willing to travel for the right endo.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Email Dionne at Thyroid UK for list of recommend thyroid specialist endocrinologists...NHS and Private

[e-mail]

The aim of levothyroxine is to increase dose upwards until Ft4 is in top third of range and Ft3 at least half way through range (regardless of how low TSH is)

..important to have optimal vitamin levels too as this helps reduce symptoms and improve how levothyroxine or NDT works

[dizzy1979 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you, I will email now. I am hoping a private endo will thoroughly test everything.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to dizzy1979]

We would ALWAYS recommend getting FULL testing first

A) it’s essential to test early morning before eating or drinking water and last 1/3 daily NDT 8-12 hours before

B) essential to test and get vitamins optimal FIRST

C) waste of time going to first consultation without new test results

D) only test thyroid levels after 6-8 weeks on constant unchanging dose thyroid hormones

[dizzy1979 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi, thank you for this, I am actually having nhs bloods on Wednesday, so will be able to take these results with me, although I am assuming the endo will likely want to take his own bloods which could cover more then the nhs tests?

Would your 6-8 week rule of testing be the same with me being in ndt? I reduced my dose two weeks ago, after the nhs wanted me to stop altogether, but after 3 days in a reduced amount I felt horrendous so increased slightly and have maintained in that dose for two weeks. The nhs endo is calling me on Monday next week and wants me to have had had the blood test before then?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to dizzy1979]

Yes 6-8 week rule applies to changing any thyroid hormones....it takes weeks for adrenals to settle after dose changes

Rare for NHS to test anything other than TSH, possibly Ft4 if your lucky

[dizzy1979 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks, and there is part of the problem right there, they have told me to test after two weeks! I will do them anyway, and stick with my reduced dosage for the foreseeable. I will try and get my private endo appointment for around the 4 week time.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to dizzy1979]

Personally I find it better to wait at least 12-16 weeks when fine tuning dose

[Wired123 in reply to dizzy1979]

I would disagree, it’s worth going to the consult and asking the Endo to carry out blood tests as that way your insurance will pay for the testing.

Do go armed with the tests suggested here and also others such as DIO 1 and 2 gene tests.

No point paying for these if your insurance will cover them.

[dizzy1979 in reply to Wired123]

Thank you. I have the list of endos from thyroid UK and I am working through who will be best suited, once I find one I will make an appointment.