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[abbyH]

My dad has offered to pay for me to see someone privately - and I know I'm being seen in Panay's clinic in April (but not by him( but this is an NHS appointment that will last all of 20 mins..

who would you see if you could?

London or Surrey would be fine...or anywhere really!

I just want to get some specialised help and not be sent away for six months to flail around on my own again... I'm pretty sure I've got insulin resistance or something as well as a low functioning thyroid.. I would like a full picture and some HRT options not just told to take a 75/100mg patch and left to feel awful for six months (as has happened to me)

Suggestions gratefully accepted

Abby xx

[Maryjane]

I personally was very impressed with Dr Anne Henderson London / or Kent.


Got an hour with her , and she is extremely thorough .....she however is business like which doesn't bother me , but some ladies prefer a more softer approach possibly , my GP was very impressed with her letter she sent her.

[abbyH]

Thank you!

I'll put her on my list....

Abby x

[LJB12]

Ahhhh, when I told Mr Panay that I'd gained nearly 2 stone he said you are probably insulin resistant and told me to get some Inofolic.

 To be fair I haven't taken it yet ... been eating healthily and going to the gym which has stopped the weight gain (but not taken it off yet). Worth a try - you can buy online, it's a supplement so no prescription required.

I'm also under Mr Panay's clinic, but again on the NHS. I sympathise with the short appointments and being a bit rushed. I'm still not sure there isn't more support we can get at our GP's / local menopause clinics.

With the insulin resistance and thyroid concern, can't you get a full blood screen from your GP? Just because you're menopausal and many things are linked doesn't mean that you can only ever see a menopause specialist for everything!

Prof Studd is apparently rated but I have no experience and not sure he's even consulting anymore?

[abbyH]

Thank you, that is so helpful YES I have now begun to think I am insulin resistant. I've had all the blood tests and my GP has not said or recommended ANYTHING.. even though my last blood test it said basically pre-diabetes!

Honestly, I've lost years of my life feeling like this and gaining weight steadily without eating more etc etc.. the usual story..

I'm so relieved in a way that I'm not the only one going through this...

I'll see Panay's team again in April and my Dad has offered for me to see someone privately, yes thought about Studd
There's a clinic in Surrey and a Miss Whitcroft, that looks promising as Insulin Resistance is her thing

Thank you so much xx

[abbyH]

Just to clarify. My doc refuses to acknolewdge I have a thyroid problem, even though I have thryoid antibodies (low) and low T4

I've self medicated the past few years to feel better.. but am still at my heaviest (10 stone up from 8.9 in 2013)

the way my body has changed shape in the past few months (fat sitting around the middle) is the most upsetting..
 

[CLKD]

My friend drops into and out of diabetes due to extremely hot/humid weather ...... she now recognises the signs so her Consultant can give her appropriate insulin. 

My apron dropped a few years ago  ...... lack of oestrogen = laxity of muscles! Bugga ......

[Ju Ju]

I see Miss Whitcroft in Guildford, Surrey and she has really helped me.

[abbyH]

Ju Ju, I've checked her out.. Can I PM you about costs etc?

Thank you!

xx

[Elizabethrose]

Hi abbyH

May I ask, how do you know you won't see Nick at his clinic, were you told that? Are you going to Chelsea and Westminster? He does have a private clinic on Harley Street too, and a private appointment would give you a little more time which is much more reassuring, but you might also be able to then link his treatment recommendations back to his clinic at the Chelsea and Westminster which could save you cash in the long term.

Before you start searching and paying privately, do check whether you'll possibly see him and maybe even ring and say that the referral was to him specifically and request that you see him. He has a small team, all very knowledgeable specialists, and will send you off for all the necessary tests etc within the hospital. Just thinking that it might be confusing seeing different specialists and April is just round the corner.

Good luck to you! x

[Hurdity]

Hi AbbyH

Firstly if I had a chance to see Nick Panay I would see him like a shot! I don't know anything about his team but presumably they work to the same principles? I saw Annie Evans (only about testosterone) but unfortunately she has retired - and she was an endocrinologist too.

Also - if you have "pre-diabetes" range - presumably that was with the HbA1c  test that measures average blood sugar over the last 3 months? If this is due to insulin resistance and you are not diabetic this can be controlled/reduced I gather in most (?) cases through dietary changes alone ie reducing/eliminating sugar from your diet ( except low amounts of fruit) and also reducing carbs - and making sure any you do eat are slow release ie low GI.

Re the thyroid - I am not au fait with all the different scenarios and what they mean - but if you have antibodies and low T4 - does this mean your thyroid function is impaired? If you have gained weight without trying and without changing what you do then surely this points to an endocrinal cause? Are you not able to insist on a referral? I can imagine how frustrating this must be for you.

I think it's a good idea to go to the Panay clinic as planned but if you get nowhere with your own doc maybe ask there for the best way to go about a full endocrine screening - if you have access to the funds - but surely you should also be treated on the NHS!

I do hope you manage to get treated soon so that you feel better!

Hurdity x

[Ju Ju]

Ju Ju, I've checked her out.. Can I PM you about costs etc?

Thank you!

xx

Of course!

[Noheroicsplease]

Hi Abby,

Someone recommended Ms Whitcroft to me a while back and I enquired about costs I was told by her secretary, 'Miss Whitcroft's fee for a new consultation is £225.00 but if any tests arise as a result of the consultation i.e. smears, swabs, scans,s bloods,  would be charged as extra.'

Hope that helps.

[abbyH]

hi Everyone, thanks for your comments.
I did indeed ask to be referred to see Dr Panay but was seen by the nurse specialist claire instead, who I wasn't that impressed with and who just packed me off with a higher dosage patch and asked me to come back in 6 months!

I would love to see him, so will phone and ask that that happen..
My thyroid is definitely out of wack - adn I have asked repeatedy for a referral but nothing.. I can but insist again
I'm on the low carb and low GI thing already.. and am still putting on weight! its' ridiculous.. I suspect it's all interconnected now, the low thyroid, the insulin pre diabtes and lack of HRT

I will keep trying

Thank you all xx

[Mary G]

I am a patient of Professor John Studd (London) and would highly recommend him.   I had been on the wrong type of HRT at the wrong dose for years and it was only after my consultation with him that I finally got breakthrough.  He does offer telephone consultations if that helps.