Had my NHS endo appointment, he is thinking Pituitary

[NotAFlyingMonkey]

After a long wait for a referral, I had a perfunctory phone consultation with my NHS endo. I don't know where he was, but the sound quality was terrible, sounded like he was in a wind tunnel. I couldn't get much of a word in, he made it clear the appointment was for him to talk and me to listen. Upshot is he is sending me for tests on my pituitary gland. He wasn't much more forthcoming than that. I said the Neuro I had seen had suggested an MRI, so did he mean that sort of test, and was told no. Just thought I would share!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looking at previous post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

GP/endo should be increasing levothyroxine dose to 75mcg per day

Retest thyroid in 6-8 weeks after each dose increase

[NotAFlyingMonkey in reply to SlowDragon]

Private endo recommended that increase, and wrote to my GP accordingly. NHS endo disagreed it is a thyroid issue (said the low FT4 in both tests was not a concern), and thinks it is more likely to be my pituitary that needs testing.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to NotAFlyingMonkey]

Probably a diabetes specialist

Obviously on levothyroxine low Ft4 shows you are under medicated……

Guidelines on eventual dose levothyroxine by weight is approx 1.6mcg levothyroxine per kilo per day, so unless very petite likely to need at least another increase in dose in 2-3 months time

[SlowDragon Administrator]

As vegetarian you will need vitamin B complex and a separate daily B12

Remember to stop taking vitamin B complex a week before all blood tests. Can take separate folate during that week

What’s GP/endo done about very low iron levels

Have you been prescribed iron supplements

[NotAFlyingMonkey in reply to SlowDragon]

No, I can't get a GP appointment for months at the moment. So I am taking supplements for B12, B complex and iron.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to NotAFlyingMonkey]

But you will need 25mcg increase in levothyroxine now

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to NotAFlyingMonkey]

Email/write to GP and request 25mcg dose increase in levothyroxine now

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

[NotAFlyingMonkey in reply to SlowDragon]

I'm on Euthyrox, started on 75mg last week.

[NotAFlyingMonkey]

I bought a load of Levo back from Turkey to last me a few months. I'm hoping my GP will start prescribing it for me at some point so that I don't have to worry about running out, but the Turkish meds cost me around 80p a pack, so they certainly won't break the bank.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to NotAFlyingMonkey]

Presumably the endocrinologist knew you were on 50mcg levothyroxine?

[NotAFlyingMonkey in reply to SlowDragon]

the private one did, and recommended the increase to 75mg, the NHS one I spoke to today didn't actually listen to me.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to NotAFlyingMonkey]

Ok …good private endocrinologist is aware

Retest in another 6-8 weeks

[Hidden]

Hopefully the Endo you spoke to is conversant with pituitary/adrenal issues as many of them aren't? Were you able to ask to be copies into the GP's letter? If not I would call the department & ask that you are sent a copy of the letter to find out what tests he plans doing.