private/nhs drs in the UK

[Guest guest]

Hi my name is Emma and I have been diagnosed as having hypothyroidism since

2003.

I am currently on a dose of 500mcg of thyroxine a day.

My TSH is still 16 and nothing has worked.

I feel for some reason I can't absorb the T4 (levothyroxine) I am taking.

I have 3 kids and my youngest has ehler danos syndrome, hypotonia, developmental

delay, weak bowel and dry skin due to me being hypo during pregnancy.

I am currently 7 stones (98lbs) over weight.

Nothing I do loses the weight.

I signed my youngest daughter and myself up for private healthcare last week.

Does anyone have any experience of this? Do I book myself in to see a

endicrinologist etc or does my gp still have to refer me?. how does it all work?

Can anyone help?

Thanks Emma

[Guest guest]

Hi Emma,

I do not know about other private healthcare companies but I belong to BUPA and they require a referral from my GP.

I can ask my GP to refer me to any private doctor I wish at any private hospital but the doctor has also got to be on BUPA's list. I am not sure whether, if I wanted a certain doctor and he was not on their list whether they would agree to pay his fees up to their limit and let me pay the rest because it has never occurred.

BUPA also have a limit on the number (or monetary limit) of times you have an outpatient appointment.

BUPA do not take previous conditions into account for two years after signing up.

Lilian

Hi my name is Emma and I have been diagnosed as having hypothyroidism since 2003.I am currently on a dose of 500mcg of thyroxine a day.My TSH is still 16 and nothing has worked.I feel for some reason I can't absorb the T4 (levothyroxine) I am taking.I have 3 kids and my youngest has ehler danos syndrome, hypotonia, developmental delay, weak bowel and dry skin due to me being hypo during pregnancy.