referral criteria from primary care - thyroid disease
Last reviewed 10/2023
Patients with hypothyroidism can expect to be referred if:
- aged <16
- pregnant or post partum
- evidence of pituitary disease
- newborn infant
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