referral criteria from primary care - hyperthyroidism

Patients with hypothyroidism can expect to be referred if:

Referral should also be considered if (2)

there are particular problems such as "active and unstableischaemic heart disease (2)" or treatment with amiodarone or lithium
symptoms do not respond or worsen after treatment with levothyroxine
serum TSH level is persistently raised while on full dose of levothyroxine (2)

Patients with hyperthyroidism can reasonably expect to be referred for a specialist opinion at diagnosis.

Reference:

(1) Franklyn J (1996). Concensus statement for good practice and audit measures in the management of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.BMJ, 313, 519.
(2) Vaidya B, Pearce SH. Management of hypothyroidism in adults. BMJ. 2008;337:a801

Last reviewed 01/2018

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