can I get t3 medication privatley and would it be expensive?

[juniperwood]

Still feeling hypo symptoms even though results are now 'normal'. doc says pct wont support combined theapry as it doesnt make any difference. Is there another way i can get T3

[helvella Administrator]

In the UK, T3 (liothyronine) costs the NHS around £56 for 28 tablets of 20 micrograms each.

Buying your own (assuming you get the necessary prescription) would add something to that but you might find that different pharmacies charge different amounts.

Until you have tried, you won't know how much you need - some people would only need one a day (some might even need less) whereas others might need eight or more a day.

You can probably understand why people end up buying theirs outwith the UK even if they are offered private prescriptions and support.

Rod

[PinkNinja]

Do you have your blood test results? It might be that you are still not on enough levothyroxine. it could also be that your iron and ferritin levels are too low or your vitamin B12, folate or vitamin D. The NHS ranges for some of these are far too low so if you can get them tested, post your results and someone will be able to suggest whether you might benefit from supplements.

Iron/ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D seem to be important for hypothyroid patients to feel well on their medication, regardless of whether it is T3 or T4 or a combination that they are taking.

It may also be that although your thyroid tests are 'normal' they are not normal for you and you might need a slightly higher dose.

You can get T3 privately but it is very expensive. Many people feel better on combined therapy. There little actual peer reviewed research to show that combination therapies work purely because there has not been much done. That is not a good enough reason for the PCT, or anyone else, to dismiss its value. After all, the thyroid doesn't produce just T4, it produces t3, t2, t1 and calcitonin too.

I felt much better on combination therapy, as do others, but I had to resort to t3 only in the end. Hopefully this is only temporary and I will be able to go back to a combination at a later date.

I would get the above tests done first. If your doctor says it's not your thyroid, he should have no trouble in doing these tests. After all, it must be something else and the above 5 are some of the most likely. Also post your thyroid results if you have them. We have had people with a TSH around 4 being told their dose of thyroxine is fine, which is most certainly not true for most patients!

Carolyn x