Thyroid ultrasound?

[Rock_chick1]

Hi there just need a bit of advice really. I have Hashimotos and am very poorly. Had an appt with an endo who has done a load of blood tests. Apart from the obviois thyroid dysfunction and very high TGA's which have gone from 200 to 647 nothing else really shows up in the bloods. I have requested that he consider a thyroid ultrasound and he has refused. Is there anything else I can do or any way around this?

[PurpleNails Administrator]

Did he explain the basis of why he refused? if you have a diagnosis of Hashimotos he likely doesn’t see the need for one. Relying on blood tests to judge function and antibodies for diagnosis.

What are your concerns? Why are you seeking an ultrasound scan (there are more specialist types such as uptake for function)?

A scan is usually only approved if you have specific issues either swallowing,breathing or your voice is hoarse, or pain extending downward. So if you have any of these make sure your doctors aware, you might have to be persistent. Even if you are referred if the hospital judge the referral doesn’t meet their criteria, which can be increasingly strict, it will be declined. This happened to me recently, the GP arranged an separate ENT referral, so I had an additional consult to get to scan stage!

You could do a further post asking if anyone has used private companies for scan stating your nearest town & explore this option?