Just went to sleep sitting up...

[LTwink]

I've been treated with Levo for 1.5 years and my dose was moved from 50 mg to 100mg about 9 months ago. I had a time when symptoms improved a tiny amount but its been back to the old flaky skin, missing eyebrows and weight gain though I eat less than 1500 calories a day. I'm a fan of science and was put off a bit by the whole NDT movement. Then I started reading and of course, now i feel differently - I'd love to try Armour but I don't know how to approach the subject with my doctor. I already pay privately for some meds not available to me on the NHS and feel angry that I might have to pay for more. Typing this takes so much effort. I hate visiting my doctor - they are rarely sympathetic and I dread visits. I'm not depressed - just worried and exhausted and I know they are going to try and give me anti-Ds. Any advice appreciated.

[shaws Administrator]

Your dose of 100mcg levo is still quite a small dose. What about adding some T3 to your T4 as lots of members feel much better with a combination. That way GP can still prescribe T4 and you provide T3. You can tell him if you wish (once you feel much better). Your TSH will also be lower and he may want to adjust your dose. Don't adjust dose according to the TSH only. T3 will also raise your metabolism a bit. He might even prescribe T3 if he sees an improvement in you!

You can also try NDT later on if you wish but I believe Armour is the most expensive of them.

"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"

[LTwink in reply to shaws]

Thank you! I will try that!

[Clutter]

LTwink, if you post your recent thyroid results with ranges (figures in brackets after results) members will advise whether you are optimally medicated.

NDT isn't licensed for UK use so GPs aren't obliged to prescribe it, and most don't. Most members using NDT have a private prescription or buy on the internet and self medicate.

[Heloise]

Hi Twink, I'm not sure of the cost of NDT as I'm in the U.S. but I think it is quite affordable as there are several choices. Armour has increased for some reason. So many here could let you know where and how. Consider that you may be able to stop whatever else you are taking whether it is high blood pressure medication, etc. The symptoms from low thyroid really vary from person to person. Why not look into it.

[Pastille]

I never ask for my t3 levels, I will do at my next bloods. Id like to know where to get t3 please and what you look for when you are buying it. Can you also give me some idea of the price, I'm in uk. Thanks much appreciated. awake again at daft oclock !

[Treepie]

T3 is very xpensive in UK ,which is why GPs are not keen to prescribe. From other posts i gather it can be bought cheaply over the counter in some european countries.

[tegz]

Endos will not step out of line on the T4 use in the UK, it seems to me. My experience is you have to be 110% forceful [even if you don't feel like it] to get T3. It's available & in my opinion made costly by arrangement to keep the lid on the neglect going on for years using only T4. Eventually truth will out but you may risk raised eyebrows and offers of a talk with someone if you raise this particular bag of tricks. I have managed to get T3 on the NHS after some years of struggling with low metabolism and will not give names here. Just keep pushing -and try to get to a University Clinic specialising in Endo issues. I wouldn't recommend taking T3 from abroad -as even if a lot cheaper, the quality may be unknown and tests during use will run up costs ,whatever.

I found T3 easy to use, if titrated up [or down] carefully, but it is still a synthetic med and I hope to manage without it eventually as I'm not Hashi or missing any of my thyroid.

[alchemilla12]

what is your diet like? 1500 clories is low and could well contribute to lack of weight loss paradoxically -are you eating enough protein and " good " fats ( low fat diets are not a good idea for anyone )and avoiding nutrient robbers such as white carbs /sugars etc. Drinking plenty of fluids is also important to encourage proper movement of nutrients / production of enzymes throughout the body etc.

good nutrition is essential -all the medication in the world wont work as well as it should if your diet is poor