Endocrinologist

[Kokojwo]

Hi all, just a little update. I have requested my results dating as far back as possible. I know it will take a while to receive them but on a positive note my doctor has referred me to be seen by an endocrinologist because I have hypo symptoms but bloods come back fine. I would appreciate any advice regarding what I should be enquiring about and what I need to do to make the most of it because for years I've allowed myself to be fobbed off and I don't want to waste this opportunity to finally feel some what normal again. Thank you for the support so far and thanks in advance.

[humanbean]

I have hypo symptoms but bloods come back fine

When a doctor says that your thyroid is fine because blood tests are fine, it is most likely they have only tested TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone). You should ask for a copy of all your blood test results for the last 3 - 5 years or thereabouts.

You might be able to see them online if your surgery has got this set up. You would need to phone up and ask if this is possible and what kind of proof of identity you must show to get access.

If online access isn't available ask for the results to be given to you on USB Stick or CD (if you can read CDs on a PC). If the worst comes to the worst they can always be printed out.

Note that there is a lot of overlap between symptoms of thyroid disease and the symptoms of nutrient deficiencies. Some links on symptoms :

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

You can find many symptoms of deficiency on wikipedia.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miner...

B12 deficiency : b12info.com/signs-and-sympt...

Mineral deficiencies : life-enthusiast.com/article...

Vitamin deficiency symptoms : healthsupplementsnutritiona...

geekymedics.com/iron-defici...

b12deficiency.info/folate-b...

[1tuppence]

Will your Dr agree to you saying which endocrinologist you would like to see? I ask because so many endocrinologists are diabetes specialists and do not necessarily understand thyroid symptoms and treatment. You could put up a Post asking for recommendations of endos who cover where you live, or could reach.

[DippyDame]

Interpretation of the lab results by doctors is often poor because they tell us that if the result lies within the reference range then the result is normal/fine.

"Normal/ fine" is not an accurate analysis

Instead what we aim for is the exact point within the range where symptoms are resolved....this is personal to you so we all differ in this

Unfortunately they usually rely on TSH which science proves is not a reliable marker...and overlook symptoms which are very important

Re TSH

bmcendocrdisord.biomedcentr...

Time for a reassessment of the treatment of hypothyroidism

John E. M. Midgley, Anthony D. Toft, Rolf Larisch, Johannes W. Dietrich & Rudolf Hoermann

Re Symptoms

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tick your symptoms off the list and take that to your appointment

To evaluate thyroid status it is important to have a full thyroid test which comprises....

TSH, FT4, FT3, vit D, vit B12, folate, ferritin and thyroid antibodies TPO and TG

The results will show where your results sit within the ref range....we aim to have them roughly approaching 75% through the ref range

Calculator to do this quickly...

thyroid.dopiaza.org/?utm_so...

You can maybe check recent labs to see where results lie in the relative ranges.

We need to establish your T4 to T3 conversion status....if FT4 is high with low FT3 then conversion is poor.

Treatment involves optimising essential nutrients and perhaps adding a little T3

Thyroid function/ conversion must be supported by optimal nutrient levels...listed above

We're all here to help...just ask

Good luck!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Vast majority of endocrinologists are diabetic specialists and useless for thyroid

So you need referral to THYROID specialist

Here’s link for how to request Thyroid U.K.list of private Doctors emailed to you, but within the email a link to download list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologists

Ideally choose an endocrinologist to see privately initially and who also does NHS consultations

thyroiduk.org/contact-us/ge...

BEFORE consultation you need FULL thyroid and vitamin testing

Highly unlikely that GP can do this

previous post here

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Once you have gathered up test results from GP …..likely amazed at how few things tested

Then get Full Thyroid and vitamin testing done

ESSENTIAL to test early morning ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test 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

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

what vitamin supplements are you taking

if taking any vitamin supplements that contain biotin stop these a week before all blood tests

[pennyannie]

Hey there again ;

Suggest you register for on line access to your medical records held at your primary care surgery - just ask the receptionist at the surgery for the necessary paper work and when you can see your medical history forum members can help you work through anything that you don't understand, explaining things to you in layman's terms.

You should be able to see in detail your blood test results and ranges possible pre and post thyroid surgery and your ongoing thyroid blood tests since your treatment was past back to your primary care doctor.

Hopefully you will see TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 readings and ranges - but possibly just TSH readings and the odd T4 result -

but if you share these with forum members we can explain how these relate and actually what these mean for the patient and likely the ' facts ' causing your current symptoms.

Keep a list of symptoms - there is a check list of both hyper and hypothyroid symptoms on the Thyroid UK website - if you need help to focus - thyroiduk.org

In preparation for this appointment please ask your doctor to run your core strength vitamin and minerals - ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D as if these are not maintained at optimal levels - they can compound your ill health further - and just as importantly - no thyroid hormone replacement works well when these core strength vitamins and minerals are not maintained at optimal -

So while we wait for the endo appointment - we can advise on these results / ranges so to ensure you are best placed when the meeting takes place.

Also just reading this forum can help you understand better ' all things thyroid ' as it is a little bit like a jigsaw initially without any corner pieces to be seen.

P.S, Where abouts are you in the country - do you know the name of your local Health Board Authority ?