Fibromyalgia and diaphragm cramping. I understand that Dr John C.Lowe suggested T3 could help.

[nomadico]

I have severely restricted breathing, from cramping of the diaphragm and inter-coastal muscles, as well as overall stiffness.

I suspect thyroid issues play a part. The easiest (and cheapest) way to test this is to try and supplement natural T3. Where could I buy this please. I understand it's prescription only. GP has done thyroid tests and they're 'normal', however I strongly suspect that body is not converting T4 into T3, given that I've had systemic inflammation issues.

Thanks. Alternatively, an affordable sympathetic private doctor experienced with severe muscle cramping, breathing difficulties and Fibro would be very useful.

[shaws Administrator]

You don't say if you are on medication at the moment. Did you have a thyroid gland blood test? If so, get a copy of the results with the ranges and post for members to comment.

This is a quote by Dr Lowe re fibromyalgia:-

The “more sophisticated, discerning” tests you ask about are for the most part not laboratory tests, although for some patients, various lab tests can be helpful. But the conventional laboratory thyroid function tests (TSH, free T3, and free T4) are largely useless unless one or more of the levels is way out of range.

The important points are these: In-range TSH, free T3, and free T4 levels simply cannot logically rule out that a patient needs thyroid hormone therapy. And when a patient is undergoing thyroid hormone therapy, these test levels are not accurate gauges of the effectiveness of the therapy.

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

another

Dr. Lowe: Most patients’ fibromyalgia is definitely related to too little thyroid hormone regulation! For those patients, what we call “fibromyalgia” is largely a set of symptoms that develops from too little thyroid hormone regulation. The two essential symptoms are chronic widespread pain and abnormal tenderness. However, the so-called “associated fibromyalgia symptoms”[1,2] are each classic hypothyroid symptoms.

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

T3 is synthetic (liothyronine) and it is prescription only. Some members may help as they already import, so they will answer your question.

I think the quicker you get onto medication the better as your breathing is affected.

[nomadico]

I'll see if I can get hold of the GP tests, but I have a feeling that I would need more 'sophisticated and discerning tests', I also suspect I may be hyperthyroid because of the weight loss and anxiety.

Is there a reliable doctor anyone could recommend, I'm in London but can travel.

My breathing is laboured, and I've been admitted twice into A&E over the last year, but no wheezing which really puzzled the doctors. Breathing is an uphill struggle, and pursuing diagnosis and treatment on the NHS is a fruitless task.

Thanks

[Afaghieh in reply to nomadico]

Hi Nomasico I also had sever cramps at night my bed looked like a war zone. last April eventually put on t3 cramps disappeared. Your breathing i can't comment. See your Practice Nurse.

[Afaghieh in reply to Afaghieh]

sorry spelt your name wrong!

[nomadico in reply to Afaghieh]

Thanks ! Was this on the NHS?

[Afaghieh in reply to nomadico]

Hi Nomadico Yes but had to waite almost two years of agony before I was put on it by Endo. However my own GP was pushed out of practice and others resent doing it saying it's expensive without considering the patient.

[nomadico in reply to Afaghieh]

Thanks. Ye sit appears to be a uphill struggle on the NHS.

[penny]

I got really breathless when I was taking T4 only. I was so bad that I had some lung function tests - couldn't make it up the stairs without hanging on the banister and gasping.

It turned out that I wasn't converting T4 to T3 and was also put on a tiny dose of T4 (this was when NDT was unavailable) and was severely hypothyroid. I didn't need the lung tests, just a knowledgeable GP. (I didn't have one!)

Now I'm on T3 only I'm fine.

[deniD]

Get your vitamin d level checked!!