Would a private Endocrinologist accept the find... - Thyroid UK

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Would a private Endocrinologist accept the findings of a Regeneros cortisol saliva test?

Everdean profile image
18 Replies

Would a private Endocrinologist accept the findings of a Regenerous cortisol saliva test?

I am hoping to see a private Endo but I'm sure the testing they do will be far too expensive for me. So wondering if they will accept my own private testing .

If you could advise I would be grateful please.

Thank you

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Everdean profile image
Everdean
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18 Replies
Buddy195 profile image
Buddy195Administrator

My private endo accepts thyroid & vitamin results from Medichecks, so I see no problem with a cortisol test. I email results through before my appointment.

You can always double check by emailing the endo or the medical secretary.

Everdean profile image
Everdean in reply to Buddy195

Thank you Buddy195

Alanna012 profile image
Alanna012

Some do some don't.

One I enquired of required me spending £275 for a thyroid test with antibodies and T3 with the bare minimum vits included. No reverse T3 even.

Totally unwilling to accept 'labs from laboratories that we're not sure are trustworthy'🙄

Add that to the initial consultation it would cost nearly £600 all in.

I hate to think what their private adrenals labs were.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Alanna012

One to avoid then

Many endocrinologist are happy to accept patients getting tested themselves privately before consultation

Alanna012 profile image
Alanna012 in reply to SlowDragon

Slowdragon, the secretary actually said and I quote: 'You need us, and we can help you, but you can't afford us dear'😄😒

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Alanna012

How delightful (not)

Everdean profile image
Everdean in reply to Alanna012

Oh dear!!!!

FinneUK profile image
FinneUK in reply to Alanna012

OMG!

Everdean profile image
Everdean in reply to Alanna012

That is extortionate!!!!!!

Alanna012 profile image
Alanna012 in reply to Everdean

To be fair this was a private thyroid specialist GP. And the secretary wasn't wrong.

I asked whether a telephone consultation would be cheaper

To which she said. "No I must stop you there (!) you see, the doctor's time, is the doctor's time. His expertise does not diminish either in person or over the phone. And he does not offer 'reduced appointments'"

It ended with a suggestion that as I was clearly financially challenged, I should raise a complaint with my GP!

Everdean profile image
Everdean in reply to Alanna012

Still. It wasn't helpful !!

Alanna012 profile image
Alanna012 in reply to Everdean

No it wasn't, I just eliminated them from the list.

I have a different doctor now, but overall I find the advice on the forum is sometimes superior anyway.

Everdean profile image
Everdean

Yes I'm sure you're right Alanna012. I'm glad you've found a different doctor too.

humanbean profile image
humanbean

When I hear about doctors not accepting private test results, I wonder what they do with results from BUPA or Spire or any other private hospital/private insurance company?

I really can't imagine a well-off person being told by a GP that their BUPA test results aren't reliable. If the well-off person chose to make a stink about it with the GP and/or BUPA, it would be bad publicity for both.

the secretary actually said and I quote: 'You need us, and we can help you, but you can't afford us dear'

What an arrogant condescending bitch! I would make a complaint about that. Even if people really are poor (and the secretary has no grounds to decide that for herself) they still deserve to be treated politely and with respect. And even if I was well-off I still wouldn't want to be ripped off.

Alanna012 profile image
Alanna012 in reply to humanbean

You said it for me! The thing is she felt she was being ernest....

They had no problem with clients! That's what makes me bitter, is that some clinicians know that your chances of getting the help you need with thyroid problems on the NHS is next to none. So they hike up prices on tests and supplements...even my doctor collects some sort of premium when you buy the supplements he recommends.

If it were not for this group, I'd know no better.

humanbean profile image
humanbean in reply to Alanna012

I treat my own thyroid and my own nutrients. I also pay for my own tests.

I would never rely on an endo or a GP to a) care about my nutrient levels, b) to test my thyroid adequately and c) to dose me correctly for thyroid and nutrients.

I would have to be absolutely desperate to pay to see a private doctor. The last time I did this (nothing to do with thyroid) the consultant wrote to my GP to say some really horrible things about me. I paid several hundred pounds and got absolutely no benefit at all.

Edit : Personally I think that DIY is a lot cheaper than seeing private doctors.

Everdean profile image
Everdean in reply to humanbean

Thank you human bean. I've just come home from A&E. Been dizzy an weak for a few weeks. Pulse got to 137 this afternoon. It's due to over medication on t3 that an Endo at the hospital prescribed without any instructions. Am of course lowering it but it can't be rushed. I and they thought it was a heart attack.

Alanna012 profile image
Alanna012 in reply to humanbean

That's disgusting that your private doctor wrote horrible things about you! You'd think you'd be able to trust someone you're paying to be in your corner! Not surprised you don't trust them.

I've had 'coded' letters given to my GP before by consultants implying I'm difficult etc. It a disgusting practice.

I agree that advice here can be better than you get from the doctor. But I will admit that I'm not always confident at understanding everything well, and sometimes don't want to think at all, however the decision this time is mostly one of pragmatism. I didn't want to keep buying my meds from abroad with fluctuating supply issues and just wanted to be under somebody who could give me a prescription that would arrive in a week. Also I wanted a backup. The fact is it is getting increasingly difficult to rely on getting what you need from abroad and I thought it wise to have another avenue to get my meds and not be suddenly scrambling around in an emergency. I certainly don't rely solely on either facility.

A doctor is also good for more arcane things like prescribing cortisol, DHEA or melatonin if necessary, although mine refuses hydrocortisone supplementation but will refer to endo if he thinks you need that. Yes you can source and supplement those things yourself, but with all the hassle I've had within the nhs, I really would just prefer to say 'I'm under the care of xxx, now leave me alone'.

Inevitably what happens is I get fed up, and end up doing things my own way with information from this board anyway...😬

For e.g. when my TSH fell below 1 he started saying I was in danger of becoming toxic despite the fact I still did not feel well. I knew from this board that this was balderdash.

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