How to get a referral

[VivaBlack]

What do you need to say to get a GP to refer you to an Endo in England? Think my medication is too low and also suspect Thyroid Eye disease (which GP doesn’t appear to know exists) … don’t feel confident with my GP at all and would like an expert! What have others done to get a referral?

[Lalatoot]

A GP referral doesn't even guarantee an appointment with an endo. Hypothyroidism is regarded by medics as something that can be dealt with at GP level. So if your blood results are consistently near or in the normal ranges the endo is likely to refuse the referral. Sorry to sound negative but realistic!You could ask for a referral to an ophthalmologist regarding your eye problems.

[PurpleNails Administrator]

With regards to the TED you could download & print this leaflet and take to GP showing which symptoms apply to you.

btf-thyroid.org/thyroid-eye...

It’s the leaflet recommended by TED charitable trust also useful for information.

tedct.org.uk

I found both GP & endocrinologist very unhelpful and seriously lacking knowledge, more on my profile.

You may find high street optician can be more helpful recommending drops and can write a letter to give to GP to help a referral.

I had terrible battle getting a referral, currently been on waitlist for Opthalmology specialist since July, had 1 video appointment - where it was decided video appointment not sufficient.

[greygoose]

There's not even any guarantee that the endo you'd see would know anything about thyroid. Quite honestly, thyroid specialists are as rare as hen's teeth. 99.9% of endos are diabetes specialists who think thyroid is a doddle to treat - just prescribe levo and get the TSH somewhere back in-range - and often make patients worse, rather than better.

This, too, sounds negative, but it's the truth. I've seen four and they were all useless!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Email Thyroid U.K. for list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologist and doctors

[e-mail]

Roughly where in U.K. are you

Some private endocrinologist are currently doing consultations on zoom, so distance no object

BEFORE considering booking any consultation with thyroid specialist endocrinologist we ALWAYS recommend getting FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Many people find different brands are not interchangeable

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Please add most recent results and ranges

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 and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk