London endocrinologist and diabetes consultant

An endocrinologist is a consultant who specialises in the management of hormonal disorders such as hypo- and hyperthyroidism, Addison’s disease, primary hyperparathyroidism, etc.  A diabetologist is a consultant who specialises in the management of diabetes mellitus.  Consultants who work in district general hospitals tend to specialise in both diabetes and endocrinology. Consultants from tertiary hospitals are more likely to continue practising one, but not the other.

You should consultant an endocrinologist if you are suspected to have a hormonal disorder (e.g. hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Addison’s disease, hyperparathyrooidism, etc.)  You may want to consult a diabetologist if (i) you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, (ii) have poor control, or (iii) have complications of diabetes.

A paediatric endocrinologist sees patients under the age of 16-18 yrs. The precise cut-off varies depending on the consultants and factors such as medical indemnity cover. Patients older than this, should consultant an adult endocrinologist. Many of the disorders treated in endocrinology are similar in paediatrics and adulthood, but there are many disorders that are specific to each age group e.g. growth disorders in children, but not adults.

To find an NHS endocrinologist, visit your local hospital’s website and search under endocrinology and diabetes department.

To find a private endocrinologist near you, you can use various sources.

1. Your local private hospital (e.g. BMI, Spire, HCA) website and search under specialty “endocrinology”

2. Search insurers websites (e.g. BUPA) and search using your post code

3. Use search engines such as Google or Bing for “consultant endocrinologist.” An increasing number of private endocrinologists are registering their business with search engines. 

Patient, friend and relative recommendations are very important.  Your GP will often also be able to recommend a consultants in your area.  Independent sites such as Google Business Reviews and Bing are also useful and provide a balance of reviews.  We recommend avoiding websites that list doctors as top, ace or my specialist for a fee.

To find a good endocrinologist for your initial consultation, ask friends, colleagues and associates for recommendations.  You should also search independent websites such as Google and Bing business reviews.  We recommend avoiding websites that list doctors as top, ace or my specialist for a fee.

To know if your current endocrinologist is good, you can (i) seek advice from your GP, (ii) compare with the advise you receive from other equivalent specialists you see in the NHS, (iii) assess the response of your symptoms to treatment, (iv) if you are still concerned, you can seek a second opinion from another endocrinologist.

If you have health insurance, you should first obtain authorisation and approval from your insurer and then arrange an appointment to see an endocrinologist by contacting the relevant secretary or the private hospital booking office.

Insurance companies usually require a patient to be referred to an endocrinologist by a GP or another specialist involved in your care. Self-pay patients can self-refer to an endocrinologist and diabetologist.

It is always best to obtain a GP referral letter.  This is indeed a requirement of many health insurers.  Depending on your policy, you may not be covered for costs of consultation/investigations if you are seen without a referral letter.  Self-funding patients can self-refer to an endocrinologist.

You should expect to undergo an assessment (history obtained and examination) and appropriate investigations.  Once a diagnosis is made, treatment should be commenced and reviews undertaken to ensure symptoms have resolved or improved.

If the clinical opinion you have received is sound, your GP will usually follow the advice and recommendations given by your private endocrinologist. This applies to both investigations (if required to undertake in the NHS) and treatment. Whether your GP follows the advice completely is at his/her discretion.

Assuming the correct dietary, exercise, lifestyle and medication-related advice is given, your diabetes control should improve if these are adhered to.  For the greatest efficacy, management should be highly personalised.

A consultation within the private sector does not entitle you to an NHS consultation. To be seen within the NHS will require a referral letter from your general practitioner to be sent to an endocrinologist within the NHS. 

It is often possible to see our consultant within 24 hours. He has two regular private clinics per week, but can often see patients on other days on an ad hoc basis.