Private endochrinologist

[jenned]

There's a private hospital with an endochrinologist from the Thyroid UK list who I'd like to see. The hospital need a referral from my GP. I phoned the surgery and asked if I could have a private referral, was told to put in writing who I wanted to see and where, which I did, but no referral! No reason given. Any advice please?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Email GP and formally request written letter of reference to Dr XXXX

A referral for a private consultation is a formality

It’s just a letter of introduction

[jenned in reply to SlowDragon]

I sent a letter in writing because that was what the admistration department asked for but I'll try again.

[Insomania]

same here jenned

I put it in writing two weeks ago. Three calls from GP receptionists this week and still no letter.

Initially the message was the GP wanted me to go in to discuss my cortisol blood test results because HRT can affect it. I’ve already had saliva testing done so I know it is low.

I said no. Two years I’ve been asking for a referral. Numerous appts. I simply want a second opinion from a private specialist as is my right to do. To which they of course agree!

I rang on Friday and response was ‘oh so you want a private referral letter?’

Why is it so difficult?

[jenned in reply to Insomania]

I have no idea why it's so difficult for the GP to make a referral but I'll try again next week.

[Insomania in reply to jenned]

I’ve rung again and they want to charge me £40+VAT for the letter. I’ve complained because another GP offered me a letter to go private last year!

Have you got yours?

[jenned in reply to Insomania]

No I haven't. I expect they will expect to be paid too.

[pennyannie]

Hello again :

Slightly off topic but please ensure this endo is aware of your Graves and RAI thyroid ablation some years ago and prepared to dose and monitotr you on your Free T3 and Free T4 levels and not on a TSH and prescribes all of the treatment options as detailed in my reply to you 8 months ago.

You can reread your posts and replies by pressing the icon top right which says More _ and go to your profile page -

You can also read other peoples profile pages by pressing on their icon alongside any post where they have replied to somebody.

[jenned in reply to pennyannie]

Hi, I'm certainly hoping for a better understanding and treatment than the GP seems able to do. The endochrinologist has been known to prescribe T3. I would love to feel better than now. I do wonder if poor conversion is more likely after many years of levothyroxine.

[pennyannie in reply to jenned]

Your poor conversion is because you have had RAI thyroid ablation, living with the consequences of this, which also means living without a thyroid, have Graves Disease and likely having not been optimally medicated for some time.

Please read my full reply to you some months ago - I'm sorry but my eyes are not very good today and I can't see too well to write it all out again today .

I'll go back to the post I'm referring to so to show you where it is and I'll try and follow up with you tomorrow, if you wish.

[Italiangirl123]

I’m surprised that you have been told you need a GP referral for a private consultation. I have had private consultations in various specialties, the most recent being endocrinology, and have simply phoned the consultant’s private secretary for an appointment. Being able to do this has made a huge difference to the level of care I have subsequently received on the NHS. Without my private Endo consultation my GP would still be dithering about treatment (now on levo and titrating upwards) but what was worse she missed the small goitre I had which on ultrasound revealed suspicious nodules. I have had a biopsy which although clear will be repeated together with an endoscopy. None of this would have happened if I’d gone along with my GP’s wait and see attitude.

Good luck and I hope you get your private consultation. And by the way the Endo I saw was on the ThyroidUK list and is one of the best physicians I have encountered!

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Italiangirl123]

Some of the private hospitals seem to impose a blanket requirement for referral. Though if direct contact with the consultant's private secretary is possible, that might sidestep the requirement.

[jenned in reply to Italiangirl123]

The endochrinologist I want to see is also on ThyroidUK list and I think I might try directly with the hospital again and his secretary.

I'm so pleased everything has improved for you.

[jenned in reply to Italiangirl123]

Is it possibe for you to send a private message with the name of the endochrinologist you saw? The hospital needs a referral and the GP wont provide one so I need to find one who doesn't need a GP referral

[Insomania in reply to Italiangirl123]

I’ve called the private consultant’s secretary and she said “you need a GP referral letter.”

When I saw a haematologist at the same private hospital I had to show my GP referral to NHS haematology.

[Italiangirl123]

Hi Jenned. I saw Dr [redacted name]. He does clinics at New Victoria and also Parkside in Wimbledon. I saw him at New Victoria but never had any contact with the hospital itself. I can give you his secretary’s number if you need it. If this area isn’t convenient for you the same process, in my experience, can be followed for any private consultation - I have never made contact direct with the hospital.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Italiangirl123]

Please do NOT post doctor's names. Our guidelines do not allow identification of doctors.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Send a Private Message to the poster.

[Italiangirl123]

Apologies - thought I was responding to a private message!