Just diagnosed with overactive thyroid

Hi Kay, I've read of many GPs who are happy to treat over active thyroid with Carbimazole, however, if you have existing issues such as goitre, it's probably better for you to get a more specialised treatment plan from a consultant.  I was diagnosed last December, my own GP wasn't very supportive so I paid for a private consultation, the GP then refused to follow the treatment plan as it hadn't been requested by an nhs consultant... I'm now on the waiting list to see an nhs consultant and in the process of changing my GP to a practice that I hope will offer more support.  If you are concerned, I would suggest that you ask to speak to your GP about his decision to refer and not treat, quite often annoyingly, it seems it boils down to whose budget the treatment comes out of!  All the best, hope you get some answers soon xxx

Thank you both for you replies. I am not sure she knows too much about Thyroid issues. The only symptoms she said you get with an overactive thyroid are loss of weight and shaking, so I think that says it all really. She hasn't prescribed anything, when I asked her about why she was referring me all she said was they will sort my meds out. Sometimes I think the gp's are all too quick to hand you over. She was more interested in the fact she was feeling awful with a cold and cancelling the rest of her appointments for the day.

I have a great GP.  I live in a large city and he sees his job as assess and refer.  There are things he treats like antibiotics for pneumonia, however once he has identified what the problem is, he prefers to refer to a specialist.  That said, when I developed Graves it was found on blood work before I had any symptoms, initially my values were a little off and then a month later when repeated they were way off and he referred me.  It took 3 weeks for me to get into a specialist and another 3 to 4 weeks for her to complete the tests.  By that time, both I and she noted symptoms of fast heart rate and she prescribed Propranol for me to take until she could confirm her diagnosis.  Now if I had had really uncomfortable symptoms at the time I saw my GP and asked him for something, I am sure he would have given it to me.  He once said, if I lived in a small town with no specialists, I would have to deal with this but I live in a large city with many academic teaching hospitals so I am going to refer you.

Hi Kay,

It is not unusual for your GP to refer you to a Consultant Endocrinologist who

deals with the hormone system.  The thyroid produces thyroxine hormone from the thyroid gland in the neck. So just sit tight and wait for your appointment. Your GP probably wants to make sure she will be prescribing you with the correct medication in your particular case.....Best wishes...

Hi Kay

Where are you living? obviously you have to pay for your treatment.

We dont pay to see a consultant in UK..I thought perhaps you were living in

UK..hence my reply to you....sorry...best wishes.

Hi Kay

I shouldn't worry too much, it is standard practice to be referred to an Endocronologist, there is only so much a GP will do. Hope everything goes well for you.

Hello kay 14865

Sometimes GP's just want to get confirmation from a consultant before they start a treatment.  This is especially true if the patient has been under consultancy for a previous similar issue.  Goitres and thyroids are related so I suspect that is why he is referring you. Also, scans etc. will all be done through the request of a consultant so it's probably wise to check it all out anyway.