Endocinologist letter

[Otto11]

Following on from my last post regarding blood result. As I still havnt received a call back from my GP I decided rightly or wrongly to contact my Endocrinologist’s secretary to see if I needed a new referral to discuss my results as when he discharged me he said I could come back to see him at any time. Also at my first appointment he suggested I may require a small amount of T3 as possibly not converting adequately. A few days later I received this response. I wondered what people’s thoughts were on this please ( sorry it’s the wrong way round)

[1tuppence]

Hello. It seems to be a question of "what do you, Otto11" feel about this?

As you've Posted it seems you feel unhappy with what the letter says? Can you say what you would like to happen?

[Otto11 in reply to 1tuppence]

Hi thanks for your response. In answer to your question, I'm not sure what if anything should happen & that's why I'm asking others opinions. I feel a bit short changed I think as when he saw me he said things which he did not then put in his letter to my GP. He also said I could well feel better with a small amount of T3 but has now changed his mind on that too it would seem from his letter. He also said I must ask my GP to add T3 & T4 to my blood tests every 6 months although he did say that I would need to push for this particularly T3 but again did not put it in his letter. Also as when I saw him he said I had been undermedicated for years looking at my previous results so how would he now expect my GP to understand that a TSH constantly around 4.0 is not acceptable.

[1tuppence in reply to Otto11]

Mmm I understand your dilemma. It seems that not all of what was said to you was reported in the letter sent to your GP. .... and I understand the frustration that can cause.

Did you see this endo on the NHS or did you see him privately?

If you saw him privately, you paid to do so.

In either case, I'd be inclined to write a very polite letter to him, explaining that from your consultation you had understood a) b) c) etc...could he please clarify?

Any other concerns ie TSH and GP, how would he suggest you manage this, given his expressed feeling that you had been undermedicated for years?

I would then send a copy of the letter to my GP, and keep one for myself.

That is me, Otto.....You are you, and need to do what you feel is right for you.

[Otto11 in reply to 1tuppence]

Sorry if I’ve mislead you as my history was in a previous message. I had a first face to face NHS appointment with Endocrinologist in May where he increased my Thyroxine dose from 75mcg to 11mcgs & asked GP to re instate my B12 injections which were stopped at the beginning of lockdown. Then repeat bloods & a further increase to 125mgs. Further bloods in September followed by a phone appointment where he said all was ok & discharged me saying I could return to him at any time. As I felt my bloods still needed to be better I contacted his secretary to ask if I could see him again or would I need to be re referred from GP & this iletter is the outcome. The letter has also been sent to my GP

Regarding symptoms it’s hard to pull apart as I have Long Covid since Aug 2021 & have severe fatigue plus a lot of other illnesses taking a lot of medication which can also cause fatigue. RA & Epilepsy & Lung disease. I’m just trying to get some sort of life back. It may or may not be down to my Thyroid but felt my results could be better 🤷🏻‍♀️

[1tuppence in reply to Otto11]

Thank you Otto. I haven't looked at your previous Posts.

With regards to your thyroid situation, I feel you need more expert advice than mine. SlowDragon SeasideSusie

You've been through a lot...and from a friend who had a hard time with covid, it can take time to recover. Wishing you the better health you are seeking .

[Regenallotment]

how do you feel? Optimally dosed or undermedicated? Symptomatic? Anyone saying normal range to me gets a ‘look’ 🙄 and I suggest we talk about my symptoms and the possible root causes that mean ‘normal’ hasn’t fixed it and isn’t yet optimal. (Ie low in range T3). I’m in a similar place, currently pursuing an NHS endo referral but as back up I think I’ll order privately from an online pharmacy.

[Otto11 in reply to Regenallotment]

thanks. I just want to have some energy I’m not sure if I’m optimally dosed. The Endocrinologist obviously thinks so 🤷🏻‍♀️

Good luck with your appointment x

[SlowDragon Administrator]

As per my replies in previous post here

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Results show high Ft4 and low Ft3 = poor conversion

Next step is likely to be reducing levothyroxine a small amount and adding small dose of T3 prescribed alongside levothyroxine

Vast majority of endocrinologists are diabetes specialists and useless for thyroid

Of the few endocrinologist that are actually thyroid specialist …….Very few NHS endocrinologist prepared to support thyroid patients by prescribing T3

Private prescription enables access to Thybon Henning 20mcg tablets via specialist pharmacies in U.K. - cost is 50-60p per tablet. Typical dose of T3 is 2 or 3 x 5mcg T3 per day …..so approx £11-15 per more