Anyone recommend me a private endocrinologist...

[Gordonsgrin]

Just that really. I need help finding a specialist to se my DD (22 years old). She has a range of issues that point to a thyroid problem but the GP has not been helpful. Currently on diff meds for anxiety and ibs. But other problems include, low iron levels, aches joints from hyper mobility, severe night sweats, shakiness.
I want to get her properly looked at to rule out all possibilities so need a specialist, probably an endocrinologist, we are based in the UK, preferably Wales or Bristol.
Many thanks....

Gentle selfish bump

Is your GP not running these tests? Also maybe explore hormone levels, adrenal and a few others, the night sweats could point to hormones, aching etc.

Does she have heavy painful periods as well?

Can you not just see another GP?

Thanks for the messages. It is tricky,it is your DD, she is currently a 5th year uni student and although she has tried the uni health centre she has had trouble getting them to run the full range of tests. They are context to stick to anti Anxiety meds and ibs meds. The thyriod test came back as borderline but not keen on looking further or looking to join the dots on the other symptoms. To be fair she wasn’t aware of the family history, nor was I until this week.
I just want to find a way to have a full investigation as some of the symptoms are getting worse,

Tbf to the OP, I've seen two GPs about my issues at my local medical centre, and neither of them will refer me to an endocrinologist, despite knowing I have thyroid disease and wider autoimmune problems.

I'd see a private endocrinologist if it was affordable.

@minicat how lovely it would be if she could just see another GP.
@mellowgreenspring, her last period was v heavy, but first time she has noticed. She is on the pill and often takes them back to back. Interestingly, she tried to give blood , which she has done for years, but was rejected due to low iron levels, this was last month.

Many thanks for that @JamieLeeCurtains don’t suppose you know of any. I am looking at all the private’s ones but don’t know how to select one.

Normally you can have a quick chat with a private consultants secretary before you go ahead and book. You could ask about specialties, experience with younger women etc.

Definitely worth looking privately. My GP has been asked twice by other consultants to refer me to endocrinology (my results say I have hashimotos but they're reluctant to label) and no referral
I did find a sympathetic GP in the practice and managed to plead for some thyroxine (my TSH is 7 and my T4 11...)

The British Thyroid Foundation may be able to help.
I know one in London.

Ta v much @Lightsabre that’s sounds like a good plan.
I am sorry @QueenPaws that you hVe had such a difficult journey. Private def seems to be the way to go, it’s a shame because we don’t really have spare cash But she has tried so hard to sort this herself. She deserves to get some answers.

Thanks @OhTheRoses, do you think a virtual consult would work with the one in London?

@gordonsgrin sadly no, all the endocrinologist's I've known want to examine the neck (re thyroid) and require wide ranging blood tests. Be aware a full blood screening is c£400, plus 2 x Consultants fees at £250ish each. DD was called back for another specialist test after that.

@OhTheRoses eeek, not sure where we will find the money, but it will be worth it to get some answers, did it help with your DD?

You could contact local private hospital and ask if they have any endocrinologists who work there and ask to speak to the secretary. You’ll be looking at £200-300 initial consultation fees, a couple of £100 for blood tests. Follow up consultation fee in region of £150-200. You don’t need to go to London to find excellent doctors - Bristol and Cardiff have excellent medical schools and hospital services. In fact there’s a lot to be said in favour of staying local as the consultants are more likely to have working relationships with local GPS.

However many doctors will only accept referrals from a GP and the vast majority of doctors working privately also have an NHS post. As an alternative could she use your GP surgery, especially if she was registered there before.

Diagnosising thyroid problems is notoriously difficult.

I can't recommend anyone but I am seeing one for a growth on my pituitary gland and I get blood tests for my prolactin levels, I was on specialist medication but not anymore but I need vitamin d tablets

OP we went down the private route because I have thyroid disease and dd was unwell with depression and anxiety at 15/16 and it was essential imo (And in her psychiatrists opinion) to rule everything out. The GP refused to screen beyond borderline TSH and T4 because they were in normal ranges but otherwise did a full blood screening picking up low bit D.

DD's endocrinologist and more far better bloods picked up low cortisol due to a serious auto immune disease but that would have made itself evident fairly promptly in any event.

However it is worth considering that one consultation may lead to journeys down rabbit holes and the private tests and the follow ups are expensive if you are self funding.

It may be more sensible in the short term to ensure your dd has iron and vitamin D supplements, look at B12, and good multi-vitamin, stop taking contraception back to back and keep a food diary via a via the IBS to monitor lactose/gluten, etc.

I wish you well but total fees for dd came out at £2k to £3k alone for endocrinology and follow ups.

@OhTheRoses why would you suggest she stops taking the pill back to back?

OP some of those symptoms also could point to hormone imbalance due to endometriosis, if she's back to back pill it would mask symptoms, but it's very often diagnosed as IBS it takes average 7 years as the GP haven't a clue how the disease works or develops, its an all body inflammatory condition. Just thought I'd let you read around that information as it's more common than diabetes 1 in 10 women have it, so worth learning more as well as your thought process.

I've seen an endocrinologist privately but this was in Reading. I just got the go referral and looked up who worked at what private hospitals, there's a few to choose from in Reading. The consultant I saw also works in the NHS at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

*GP

Thanks all for these responses. My DD is going to try the local surgery here in Wales, she is home from uni due to Covid. She will go through her list of symptoms and new info re family history and ask for a full blood screening inc TSH and T4 first. We will take it from there. If we have to find the £3000 for totally private we will do so....
All responses have been useful. I will suggest she has a proper break between round of the pill for a few months.

Thanks again. Following advice here my DD has had a telephone app with our GP, not altogether fab, GP trots out the usual line about it being a generalised set of issues; this is to be expected. GP has agreed to run a set of bloods, DD is not confident enough to check the bloods will include TSH and ferretin, however this means if we need a private GP we will have the bloods, or can go back and push GP for missing blood work.
You never know, we may make some progress....

Hello, I recommend Dr Paul Jenkins but sorry he is in London.

Maybe you can review www.livemint.com/brand-post/new-local-search-service-nearbyall-has-been-launched-in-india-11595841761081.html for concert medical in the India

I can recommend Professor John Wass, at Nuffield Manor in Oxford. A world renowned expert and the most gentle and kind medical expert I have ever met .