What medication is it best to treat autoimmune ... - Thyroid UK
What medication is it best to treat autoimmune disease Hashimoto thyroiditis ?
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Hi Most Endo`s including mine, prefer Levo ( T4) and T3, depending on bloods for TSH,T4 and Free T3 and how you feel. If that no good for you, armour etc ( NDT) often on its own or with a little T4 or T3, depending on bloods.Also make sure you have the other important tests as it is autoimmune, you need tests for , Diabetes, B12 + folic acid, vit d ( corrected calcium before treatment first if low) an iron/feritin If nodules on thyroid, routine biopsy , needle, done by radiologist under ultra sound.
Best wishes,
Jackie
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Hi Jackie and Lou
I have just been prescribed with advanced Hahimoto and my endo only has prescribed levo - nothing else.... Other than vitamin supplements .... It's week two at 75 and week 6 on thyroxine and I'm still iffy.....
Hi , Has he/she made no plans to increase the dose?, Have a follow up in 6 weeks?Do the other tests etc? Are you sure about no FT3 test either. Have you had the test results + rnges? If not, phone Endo`secretary, for results. See GP in 6 weeks, Levo. takes that long to be at optimum. Then ask for a new referral to an Endo of your choice, pick one first very carefully, An Endo, not a private doctor as thinking of the futre you may need scans etc. Also a GP alwats does what any consultant tells them, more or less. No compunction not following a private docs recommendation. Also more importantly you get all NHS drugs through the GP, so cost even if seeing a private Endo is minimum.Louise has a list of a few but also other ways of louise,warvill@thyroid.uk.org
Any thing else, get back to me.
Best wishes,
Jackie
Thanks Jackie - yes I am seeing a private endo on Pru health and he is being thorough - wants to see me in a few weeks again and has scanned and already done two sets of bloods inc adrenals and vitamins. And my heart consultant has suggested I will need to be on around 150 for a month before I feel better, but I am hoping for sooner... x
Hi That is good, but if an Endo, even private, he an tell GP to do bloods, if paying yourself, this is usual. If insurance, phone if you think you need more bloods, or further bloods and to see him earlier. That is usual. I see 12 to 16 private consultants, depending on how I am., ( a wreck in other words!)
Jackie
Just realise the significance of Pru, you do not have to see their choice of Endo`s, just some one who is registered with them. So, if in the future not happy , ask for a new referral, GP and insurance. That is OK for BUPA and AXA, do not know much about the others but should think they have to be compatible.
Jackie
Since a pig's thyroid is very similar to human, a porcine extract mimics our own thyroid and was used 100 years ago before they could make T4 in the lab. T4 is not the same as desiccated extract which also contains T3, the viable portion.
Sometimes low dose naltrexone (LDN) is used to fight autoimmune conditions like MS and some are trying it for their thyroid disease.
Others try to build up the immune system to resist autoimmune attacks.