Is it worth paying to see an endocrinologist privately?

[rifling]

Hello. I have been having the following problems over the last few years:

• irritability and anxiety
• palpitations
• always hot (I used to feel the cold a lot now I never do)
• low ferritin, vit D
• alopecia
• very achey joints and stiffness

In the last few months I can add

• brittle nails (my toe nails just seem to have given up and one has fallen off and I think the others are going that way...)
• tinnitus that has worsened a lot
• fatigue and memory problems

I have had my thyroid checked and told it was in the normal range and that the symptoms probably aren't related but I have my doubts! I was wondering whether it would be worth getting a second opinion but it's costly and don't know if anyone else has any experience of "normal" thyroid problems actually being a thyroid problem? Thanks!

Are you female and if so, how old are you? They all sound like classic menopause symptoms to me.

Sorry - yes, female and 49!

They all sound like classic menopause symptoms to me.
I'm not sure if that's better or worse. I was hoping there was an easy way to feel better and get my hair back!

Well the good news is that there's certainly no need to suffer if it is menopause. HRT can work wonders. Hop over to the Menopause board here and do some reading for starters. Then arrange to speak to your GP and discuss your options.

Have a look at the Thyroid UK website. Also I would ask for a test for Coeliac Disease and/or B12 deficiency. Thyroid diagnosis and treatment is not greatly understood here, some GPs are not very knowledgeable re thyroid conditions.

I would visit the endo. Get a full blood work up.

did you see your results?
If. It ask for a copy and see if you are only just normal. Doctors don’t seem to take symptoms into account and the fact that normal is a very broad spectrum and what is ok for one person is not necessarily ok for someone else.

I got a second opinion after my gp told me my results were normal. She sent them to an endo and he wanted to see me. Turns out I’m hyper with a massive tumour on my thyroid. Which id be none the wiser about if I had forced the issue.

But if you see your results and they look fine then I wouldn’t bother

It sounds like something systemic which is causing you to not have the vitamins and nutrients you need. My feeling is that the problem may be in the bowel. A good start would be vitamin tests, inflammation markers and celiac disease. Also a stool sample.