GP kind but re-referring me to T3-refusing NHS Endo clinic

[Abi-Abster]

Hi All,

I wrote to my doctor’s surgery asking to be prescribed T3. I said I’ve been taking it successfully for 5 years (under your collective guidance) and would prefer not to have to buy the T3 online from random bodybuilding websites. This seems a perfectly sensible request to me!

The GP who called me back was very nice, but said she could only refer me to an endocrinologist - and they’d be the one to prescribe T3 (or not). Which I kind of knew…

The problem is I haven’t had any luck with NHS endocrinologists in my area (W Sussex), and in fact the last lady upset me so much I cried all the way home! If I get an endo I’ve already seen I won’t have a hope in hell of obtaining a prescription, and will be stuck here for another umpteen years.

What are my options at this point? I can’t afford to go private. I have an old NHS T3-sympathetic Endocrinologist list from Thyroid UK, and will hopefully soon be sent the updated version.

Once the more recent list of NHS Endos is in hand, what do I say to the GP to be referred to one? Isn’t there a right to referral or something? How do I move this forward?

Thanks,

A.

[Anthea55]

I think you are wanting a second opinion. It seems that is possible.

I googled for 'Are NHS patients entitled to a second opinion?'

This NHS link in particular looks helpful

nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-...

The first paragraph says "Did you know that in many cases you have the legal right to choose where you have your NHS treatment? The NHS is offering more and more options to enable you to make choices that best suit your circumstances, giving you greater control of your care, and hopefully better results."

I know you can choose a hospital for an operation, so why not choose your endo?

Good luck!

[birkie]

Hi🌹

I'm having the same problem 😠 my surgery have been trying to get me off T3 since the endo prescribed it, the gp says all my symptoms are down to the T3.. They are not.. I got a diagnosis of primary hyperparathiyroidism in 2020, (so I came off T3 to show the gp its not T3, put on T4) im hypo at the moment and the gp suggested decreasing my T4 from 50mg to 25mg until I see the endocrinologist on 3rd August, that will make me even more hypo.. Good god they have no idea how to treat us.. I've just wrote to my referrals manager.. one I told her I should not be left on a medication I have bad side effects to T4 teva) 2, I am already hypo so leaving me under medicated can affect my health.. 3, can my endo appointment be brought forward? If this is not possible then I want my T3 reinstate ASAP.. I'm hoping this will give my surgery a swift kick up the bottom 😤 as this is no way to treat thyroid patients, maby you could try this method, I know it's a long shot for us both🤷‍♀️ and like you I have no faith in this endo I'm seeing in aug😠.. Its totally wrong how we have to fight for our health 😠😠😠 good luck.. ❤️