I have suffered with hypothyroid for 15years due to partial removal of my gland caused by multiple nodules. I am 42 years old and have been on levothyroxine all these years.
My dose over the years has gradually increased ( mostly by myself) and now on a high dosage which the GP keeps trying to reduce due to concerns of osteoporosis with my age, heart conditions and strokes and length of time on medication.
Every time we try to reduce by 25mcg I feel dreadful, sluggish, muscle fatigue, lack of energy & enthusiasm and mind fog. I suffer constantly with hair loss and weight gain although eat healthy and small portions ( my downfall is chocolate ) I never have palpitations, I sleep well etc
My T3 levels have in the past been on the lower side but GP and encronologist will not put me on medication for T3 as advised the NHS cannot prescribe it as too costly and they prefer to use levothyroxine not natural thyroid!!! I also have started early menopause so feel worse for that.
My BMI and weight is the highest it's ever been, I feel so frustrated.
I have research thyroid books on diet and read many forums regarding medication ( mainly in USA)
I have considered paying privately to get treatment but no idea where to start? I also have been advised to buy T3 treatment on the Internet and self treat?
Does anyone have any advise on what I should do and where to start?
I appreciate any feedback.
(Replies via private message in line with posting guideline #23. Thank you. Admin).
Welcome to our forum and sorry to hear you are feeling so unwell.
Do you have any thyroid hormone blood test results that you could post complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) for members to comment.
Thyroid hormones synthesis can be impaired by low levels of nutrients and cortisol. Therefore it is a good idea to get your GP to test your Vit B12, Vit D, Folate and Ferritin levels as it is common for people with thyroid issues to have deficiencies in these.
In order to try raising your T3 levels you try supplementing selenium which has been shown to aid T4 -T3 conversion.
Any deficiencies should be adressed and if you post results complete with ranges ( numbers in brackets) members will comment. A doctors "normal' is not always the same level as that which members have found to be most beneficial.
I experienced low levels of T3 when medicating on T4 alone as well and felt very symptomatic so empathise with you.
Flower
This following link explains the importance of vitamins and where they may be obtained. This forum is supported by the charity ThyroidUK. You do not have to join the charity to benefit from this forum but by doing so you will be supporting the charity and also entitled to various discounts when buying supplements, as detailed in the link below.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.
I don't have the most recent blood test results as we have been playing around with different doses this year. We have agreed on 175mcg one day the following 200mcg and so on
I was advised my levels were very high previously but whenever we reduced my meds to 175mcg I had terrible muscle pain, struggled getting out of bed and climbing stairs I felt old and exhausted and within weeks gained pounds!! ( which struggling to loose ) so the compromise was as mentioned.
My bloods back in Feb as follows
Serum free thyroxine 33.8 ( so very high )
Serum free triiodothyronine 3.9
Serum TSH 0.01
I don't quite understand the results but know the top one was high. Since alternating daily my dosage my recent blood test was showing a drop in the top reading but need to find out what it was!!??
It's likely that Free thyroxine (FT4) will remain over range with only a 25mcg dose reduction. Free triiodothyronine (FT3) 3.9 is low in many ranges and reducing Levothyroxine dose will reduce both FT4 and FT3. I think the addition of Liothyronine (T3) to a reduced Levothyroxine dose will be beneficial. It will be helpful to see recent thyroid results and ranges (figures in brackets after results) to advise how to titrate Levothyroxine and T3.
Ask your GP receptionist or practice manager for a printout of your recent results and ranges . Post them in a new question and members will advise.
Email louise.warvill@thyroiduk.org.uk for a list of member recommended endocrinologists and private GPs.
I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.
Hi Bella, I'm glad you have found this forum, too. I also wish I had found it fifteen years ago. I am on T3 only but it really hasn't done much better than Armour or Erfa. I was hoping it would raise my T3 level but I feel now that the same problem with Armour is also applying to T3. I'm just saying that so at some point if you decide it would be easier to take or acquire NDT you may have the choice.
But your being on T4 is different and with those symptoms on T4, why would your doctor's solution not include something OTHER than T4? It is the reason why so many are on this forum. I will concede that finding out the underlying cause of hypothyroidism takes real detective work.
One underlying cause is low iodine and often that is because fluoride, bromide and chloride have taken over receptors but your thyroid still tries to work harder to supply you with hormone. Did they check you for antibodies back then? No, probably not. Since they won't do the detective work, it leaves the patient to figure it out. I've been posting some videos which I think plainly describe some of these problems and if you have time to watch, they can be very helpful. I applaud the efforts you have already made.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
T3
T3
T3
T3
Worcester CCG now banning T3 prescriptions
