Table of Contents
How do you get a thyroid specialist?
How to Find an Endocrinologist for Hypothyroidism. Your primary care doctor most likely has names of endocrinologists he or she can refer you to. Or you can visit the website of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists or the American Thyroid Association to search for endocrinologists in your area.
When should I see a thyroid specialist?
If you have hypothyroidism and your symptoms have not gotten better with treatment: If you’ve been taking medication to replace your thyroid hormone for an extended period of time but your symptoms persist, it may be reasonable to see an endocrinologist for a second opinion.
Do you need a prescription for thyroid?
Most thyroid problems need to be treated with prescription medications. Over-the-counter medication may help with some symptoms, but it’s important to proceed with caution. Thyroid problems can cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, but relief is available.
What is the best doctor to see for thyroid problems?
Thyroid disease is often managed by hormone specialists called endocrinologists and thyroidologists, but some primary care doctors diagnose and manage it as well. Other healthcare practitioners, such as naturopaths and chiropractors, can provide complementary treatments.
Can I ask my GP for a thyroid test?
A GP may arrange for you to have a blood test to check your thyroid hormone levels. This is known as a thyroid function test. The test checks the levels of: thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) – a hormone produced by the pituitary gland (a gland at the base of the brain) which controls the production of thyroid hormones.
What happens at first endocrinologist appointment for thyroid?
At this first visit, your endocrinologist will also perform a physical exam to check your thyroid gland and look for symptoms of a thyroid problem, such as dry skin or a slow heart rate. You will probably have blood tests, too, to determine whether your body is low on thyroid hormone.
When to see a thyroid specialist if you have a goiter?
When to See a Thyroid Specialist. If you have one, see an endocrinologist to help you figure out why it has developed, and what treatment will help. “If you have a goiter, you should see an endocrinologist whether you have hypothyroidism or not,” says Dr. Wexler says. A pituitary gland disorder is causing hypothyroidism.
Where can I find a doctor for my thyroid?
Your primary care doctor most likely has names of endocrinologists he or she can refer you to. Or you can visit the website of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists or the American Thyroid Association to search for endocrinologists in your area. Sign up for our Healthy Living Newsletter!
Do you need a primary care doctor for hypothyroidism?
Most people with hypothyroidism take synthetic thyroid hormone medication to replace what the body is unable to produce. Frequently, a primary care doctor can manage this condition.
When do you need to see an endocrinologist?
But there are situations in which you may need to have an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in the endocrine system, oversee your care. An endocrinologist is particularly knowledgeable about the function of the thyroid gland and the body’s other hormone-secreting glands.