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Reproductive/fertility endocrinologist UK? And postal testing?

4K views 25 replies 6 participants last post by  StrawberrySundae 
#1 ·
Hi there can anyone recommend a reproductive or fertility endo? I am in Norfolk UK but due to current situation would prob do video appointment or something anyway so location not an issue. Would also like to have some hormone bloods done am happy to pay to have done via a postal service and also to have full thyroid stuff done. Anyone done this and can recommend a service? Thanks
 
#2 ·
I saw Professor Conway, a reproductive endocrinologist, who has a good reputation. He was based in Harley Street London (possibly other bases too), but you may be able to get a virtual appointment, worth looking into? I had already done quite a lot of research myself and been to see other people so he mainly confirmed what I was already doing or planning, but it was still quite reassuring. He wrote a letter/report afterwards which I could show to my GP and explain why I needed a small amount of Levothyroxine for my thyroid/prevent further  miscarriages and to increase by 25mcg once pregnant (which I did). I also saw Dr Maksoud at Derby Nuffield who was really nice and very thorough too. Hope that helps, good luck x
 
#3 ·
Hi there

I recently used a Thriva home testing kit for my thyroid panel. they do a pretty extensive range of tests, TSH, T4 t3, free T3, TPO & TPOab plus a few other things, it all came to around £69 or slightly higher, but very thorough. I mucked up the blood prick test to begin with and they sent me a brand new kit, make sure you read the instructions carefully how to use the lancet but it was fast and thorough. Good luck
 
#4 ·
Hi I also saw prof Conway only two weeks ago. He was happy to base his opinion on my previous blood tests so I did not need to spend a fortune on redoing blood tests. My tsh was 3.85 which he wants below 2.5 for trying to conceive and also my history of miscarriage. So for that he prescribed 50mcg of thyroxine. I also have insulin resistance so for that he prescribed metformin three times a day. These drugs can both cause weight loss which is the primary reason I consulted with the doctor. I really felt like he listened to me and has given me alot of hope that the treatment will work.  He wants me to be on these medications for the first trimester. My consultation was via Zoom. I received a prescription in two days and a letter for my gp the following day. Overall an excellent service. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. Xxx
 
#5 ·
I also have done some of my bloods through thrivia and it was quick and easy.
 
#7 ·
Yes my results for the tsh was a thrivia test.
 
#9 ·
Your welcome pognut. Best of luck to you too on your fertility journey and sending you lots of baby dust. Xxx
 
#10 ·
Hi guys, thankyou so much for your replies, ^hugme^ I really appreciate it. I have just been taking a break from thinking about it all for a bit.  I will definitely look into Professor Conway then and the thriva tests. That all sounds really hopeful. Thankyou. I have done two fet's so far and miscarriage each time, have been on thyroxine but now thinking maybe there may be immune issues.

Thanks again guys xx
 
#12 ·
Hi brooky best of luck with your consultation and sending lots of baby dust your way. Xxx
 
#13 ·
Hi guys, so I did the thyroid profile with Thriva and my TSH was higher than I expected. Thanks again for the recomendation, I found it really easy process. Before I decide on making an appointment with either of the endos (who have both said they can do a video appointment) I just wanted to find out a bit more about what you got from the appointment? How in depth did they go with you in terms of discussing possible treatment options. Did they take the time to go through your history carefully? I'm just asking as it is a lot of money for a short appointment so I want to make sure they will be thorough before going ahead and booking.

Hope you are all well xx
 
#14 ·
Personally I found Dr M more thorough and willing to help, but Prof C is the more famous specialist. Both wanted past history info which they read through, but Dr M wrote more in depth reports & summary of my history with test result info etc to my GP, which I found very helpful as I could use for other things/clinics subsequently. Well done on  doing the Thriva test, I did a finger blood test once and really struggled squeezing enough blood out of my fingers! 🤢 Glad you’re making progress 😊 xx
 
#15 ·
I can tell you about prof c. He asked that you do a medical summary prior to the appointment and send it to him so he can read beforehand. I was delighted with the appointment I had with him as I had slightly above normal tsh and elevated insulin resistance. I am also struggling to lose weight. He listened to me and then gave his opinion of what might be going on and then prescribed metformin and thyroxine. It was the first time I felt a doctor listened about my metabolism issues. He then wrote a letter for me addressed to my gp. He has recommended that if I get pregnant again I stay on thyroxine and metformin for the first trimester. As he said it could help with my miscarriage history. He sent the prescription via post. I've taken the medication for a month now but have not lost any weight but I am due to have a repeat thyroid function test on Friday and that will let the doctors know if they need to increase the thyroxine. If you need and other help give us a shout. Xxx
 
#16 ·
Hi there

I have seen Professor Conway this year and liked him. Before going I had a full thyroid profile done and provided him with the results. I also wrote everything down that I wanted to tell him about my history and he listened intently as I went through it all, asked questions and took notes. I also gave him a copy of everything I had written down to put with my file and he took quite a bit of time with me and took me seriously.

He also recommended thyroxine and metformin for me. I started on these just before lockdown. However I had a bad reaction to metformin - it made my eczema flare badly - and I had to stop taking it. I have been on the thyroxine since then though and just last week had a blood test to see how it has affected me (would have tested sooner except for lockdown).

Unfortunately although I have felt a bit better physically, my TSH levels haven't dropped and I only lost a little weight in the first 3 weeks of taking the medication. Though I am only at just over 2 for TSH - but based on my symptoms Professor Conway was willing to prescribe me thyroxine anyway ahead of me trying a FET with our remaining embryos. However,  he said based on my TSH the GP would not agree to this so I would need to have private prescriptions.

I started on the lowest possible dose which is 25mg. The first prescription was given to me at my appointment and then he posted me another. Since my most recent blood test result he has agreed to up my dosage to 50mg per day and has sent me another prescription for this, however he charged a fee of £30 for writing the prescription. I also had the follow up blood test at his london clinic and that was £121 which isn't cheap but my NHS GP won't do any testing 😡. Fortunately the actual medication is quite cheap though and also the blood results came back the same day so no waiting around.

Anyway, I would recommend seeing him as he is well respected and seems to know his stuff. And if like me, your results are borderline normal, he won't just fob you off if your physical symptoms suggest there is an issue.
 
#17 ·
My tsh was 3.85 and I was put on 50mg of thyroxine. The blood test is a thriva finger prick blood test but the test I'm having tomorrow will be a venous sample. I wonder if that alters the results.
 
#18 ·
I was lucky the gp did a prescription and requested the blood tests for me after I gave them the letter from prof c.
 
#19 ·
Hi Bailey

I guess because your TSH is above the level recommended for pregnancy there was more of an argument that the NHS should have to do your prescriptions and bloods. I am glad your GP agreed.

Also, I haven't had the finger prick tests but I would think they should be fairly similar in accuracy, although perhaps the length of time it takes for them to receive the blood may impact things? Professor Conway suggested I do a home test when it was impossible to travel to the clinic so he must think they are fine. However I am too squeamish which is why I waited.
 
#20 ·
Hi poppy41london. Yeah my tsh levels were 3.85 and he said that they like it below 2.5 in pregnancy.
 
#22 ·
Hi there, Just had a video chat with Proffessor Conway and it was really good. Thank you so much for the reccomendation. He didn't seem to think my TPO is too high at 60 odd and is sending me a list of tests to have via the GP hopefully. He said clexane and aspirin should cover most auto immune stuff and that he thought that the steroids could be used on a case by case basis so he is going to recomend it.. so I'll see what the clinic says about that. Scary to be taking all these things but hey... He also had recomendations about my oestrogen levels due to having p.o.i which was great. It was just really good to actually have the autoimmune stuff taken seriously and talked through.

Hope everyone is doing ok.

 
#23 ·
Glad it was helpful 😊 I was on all those too but not now. Good luck with next steps! X
 
#24 ·
Hi Brooky, Great to hear that you had your appointment. Please God your GP will do those other blood tests and you can have a good plan in place for your next transfer. Best of luck and keep us posted. xxx
 
#25 ·
Thankyou so much guys, :) I'll let you know what happens. Strawberry sundae: were you on those for your successful cycle? Massive congrats by the way!!
 
#26 ·
Yes I was  :) Thank you! I’m so glad we kept going all those years, so worth it! 🥰 xx
 
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