Hyperthyroid Specialist

[KT388]

How long is it acceptable to wait before seeing a specialist after being diaganosed with hyperthyroid? My heart has recorded beating of up to 155 beats per minute. I have been prescribed betaloc to slow down and this was 19/10/2009. I won't see the Endocrinoloist until 23/12/2009. I have heard people can suffer heart failure, is there any issue with this length of time between diagnosis and seeing the specialist?

[skeeterknitwit]

Hyperthyroid felt like a one way trip to the looney bin for me.  The time we have to wait to get to an endo is rediculous!  Endos just don't seem to be in any hurry to see us.  Then when you finally get an appt., it takes months to get all of the test results in order.  
Please excuse my rant.  Most Drs just don't know what to do.  Hyperthyroid is a complicated diagnosis.
You could ask your Dr for more tests while you are waiting for your endo appt.
TSH - it won't hurt to run another one
FT4 -
FT3 -
WBC with differential - would inticate an infection
Sed rate - would indicate inflamation
Antibody tests
TPO- antibody test for Hashimotos
TRab - Antibody test for Graves
Tgab - Antibody test

Thyroid ultrasound

You can take this list to your Dr and request the tests.  It is never a good idea to diagnose yourself, but this site has a lot of info about making the diagnosis easier to understand.
http://www.aafp.org/afp/20050815/623.html

In the mean time, avoid foods with iodine.  Sea salt and red food coloring were big ones for me.  You could have peeled me off the ceiling!

[ann4512]

HI WELL I HAD A 6 WEEK'S WAIT,BUT IN THAT TIME I WENT VERY HYPER AND ENDED UP IN A&E A FEW TIME'S ON 3RD ARRIVAL IN A&E I GOT TO SEE AN ENDO HE PUT ME ON MED'S THAT DAY AND SAW HIM AGAIN 2 DAY'S LATER IN HIS CLINIC,SO IF YOU FEEL REALY BAD GO TO HOP YOU MIGHT GET TO SEE ONE SOONER,CAUSE WAITING TILL DEC IS A LONG TIME THE SOONER U GET MED'S THE SOONER YOU WILL FEEL A LOT BETTER.HOPE YOU GET SORTED SOON TAKE CARE XX ANN

[KT388]

Hi Tamra,
Thanks very much for your reply, I think I will let me referring doctor know the wait and go from there.
Cheers,
Kate

[TamraW]

That's a long wait. I have Hashimoto's, and during those few days when my body swings to hyper mode, it is just dreadful. I couldn't imagine having to deal with hyperthyroid all the time.

Here's a list of recommended thyroid docs if you live in the states: http://www.thyroid-info.com/topdrs/

Maybe you can find one who can see you sooner. It is good that you have some medication until then, but waiting can be so frustrating.

:) Tamra