Thyroid Clinic

The Department will periodically contact patients waiting for an outpatient clinic appointment via SMS, with a link to an electronic form.  This is part of routine waitlist auditing to ensure patient details are up to date.  If you receive this SMS, please update your details.

Availability

North South North West Statewide

Pre-referral work-up

History

This clinic accepts referrals for the investigation and management of non-malignant thyroid disease including hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism, nodular thyroid disease, goitre and management of post parathyroidectomy hypoparathyroidism.

All referrals should comply to referral standards and also include:

  • Onset of symptoms
  • Current medications especially thyroid hormones
  • Family history of thyroid disease
  • Size and description of thyroid gland – enlarged, smooth or nodular?
  • Associated eye signs
  • Weight loss/gain and appetite
  • Energy
  • Signs or symptoms of cardiac disease

Tests

  • TSH
  • T4 and T3
  • Thyroid antibodies

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Endocrinology clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

Hypothyroidism is usually a general practice condition unless the symptoms fail to respond to treatment and all patients should be started on Thyroxine replacement.Hyperthyroidism with Grave's disease can be started on carbimazole +/- beta blocker in discussion with endocrinologist while waiting for appointment. Do not perform neck ultrasound unless palpable nodule or goitre.

For more information please see the Tasmanian Health Pathways website.

Emergency

Clinically severe hyperthyroidism complicated by cardiac, respiratory failure.
Neutropenia in patients taking carbimazole or propylthiouracil
Possible tracheal or superior vena caval obstruction from retrosternal thyroid enlargement

Semi-urgent / category 2

Newly diagnosed hyperthyroidism

Red flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Emergency:

Proceed to Emergency Department (ED).
LGH ED Reception  – Phone: (03) 6777 6405  Fax: (03) 6777 5201
MCH ED* – Phone: (03) 6478 5120  Fax: (03) 6441 5923
NWRH ED* – Phone: (03) 6493 6351 Fax: (03) 6464 1926
RHH ED Reception – Phone: (03) 6166 6100  Fax: (03) 6173 0489

Advice for medical practitioners can be given by the Medical Officer In Charge (MOIC) - see HealthPathways Tasmania for contact information.
*MCH and NWRH MOICs request GPs call them prior to referring a patient to ensure the patient is being sent appropriately to a safe destination.

Urgent:

Urgent referrals should be accompanied by a phone call to the Consultant/Registrar to organise urgent review.

We will endeavour to see these patients within four weeks, or sooner if clinically indicated.

Semi-urgent:

We will endeavour to see these patients within 12 weeks

Routine:

Next available appointment