NHS let me down again!

Hi All

I recently posted being a newbie. Having had abnormal Calcium levels for some time and feeling utter rubbish, I convinced my GP to send me to an Endocrinologist as I also kept having fluctuating PTH levels, I had my appointment on 1st Apr. The Endo basically said I was fine and to take Vitamins and change my diet. Having got upset in the consultation he decided to make me an appointment for a Short Synacten Test (which I am still waiting for) even though he believes this will be normal.
Out of frustration I wrote him a 3 page letter explaining my history of symptoms, I gave him a copy of all my blood results which show elevated Calcium (which he agreed) I must point out I was in Sydney when I discovered this and have been battling with my GP since my return home. I enclosed snippets of PTH information from Dr Norman's website for him to look at and even the letter my Australian GP had wrote to advise of these elevated levels along with fluctuating PTH. I received his response this morning :-( I question why I honestly thought it would be a good idea, I quote:

"You have raised several important issues with regards to abnormal results back in Australia, you should find it reassuring that these results with regards to Calcium & Thyroid profile are normal on our analysis in the UK"

"Once again I hope you make a full recovery and unfortunately we currently do not have any specific targets to help you out at this moment in time"

What can I say. Why are my results from Australia being disregarded? It's like saying "yes your levels are abnormal but hop on a plane, fly across the world and you'll be within lab ranges so you're healthy"

Is it just me? I'm trying to find a private Endocrinologist at the moment in Essex, I have had helpful responses from my previous post regarding this but I'm worried if I choose a private Endo who also works at NHS hospitals, I'll get the same care?

Thank you all
X

I suggest that you search for not just an endo, but one who specialises in thyroid and parathyroid.  Most endos are focussed on diabetes and have insufficient knowledge of thyroid and parathyroid diseases.

Thank you. Have made a phone call this afternoon with an Endocrine Surgeon who also offers Consultations but he does work within the NHS too.

Hello Lucie
Sorry to hear you have no answers yet. Did the consultant retest your ca/pth? Or go off old results only?
The reality is that almost all private consultants will have been trained in the NHS and will practice there as well as privately. Private treatment, in my experience, is only better in terms of speed of action. By that I mean your are seen more quickly, the tests are done more quickly. You also get enough time to explain your history.
One of the reasons consultants practice in both sectors is to get two revenue streams. I think that is understandable. Sure there are others which might include reputation, that they trained in the NHS and want to maintawell ain their position there as well as privately. All sorts of reasons. Bottom line is they will stay within guidelines because they are comfortable there.
One person you could try is Paul Jenkins at the London Endocrine Centre. Very thorough but very expensive. Think I saw him in Whitechapel so reachable from Essex. Watch what tests he runs as he is a bit test happy and they cost a fortune but you will get a fair hearing.


Would love to see your test results if you got new ones as mine are similar to your old ones.

All the best, John PM me for more details about Dr Jenkins, sorry this post is a mess but am on phone

Thank you.

I found out he trained in Endocrine under John Lynn at London Hammersmith. I do have private healthcare. All the results posted are all I have, I might go and ask my GP to test these again for me before my appointment. You mentioned mine are similar to yours, do you have a diagnosis?

No diagnosis here. Last total ca 2.61 corrected 2.5 pth 40.

My symptoms are mainly digestive and urinary.

All the best Lucie

Duplicate post....