What to tell GP about taking T3?

[Auria]

My GP called me yesterday asking why I was asking about getting a blood test for free-T3. Apparently he said this test is not available via the GP surgery, so I would have to get it done privately. He then asked where I obtained my T3 supply from, so I just said abroad. He then said he felt uncomfortable about this (understandably) so I promised to go see him and take my privately obtained lab results with me.

 I'm interested to know what other T3 users have said to their doctors when questioned about where they source it from?  It is horrible that we are made to feel like naughty school children just for trying to make ourselves better!  It is our bodies afterall! If T3 was prescribed properly as it should be, we wouldn't have to get it from elsewhere. Feeling a bit annoyed about having to justify myself to my doctor.

[Hidden]

many people here say they don't "bother the doctor" presumably for this very reason.

[Pastille]

I doubt I will even tell mine

[humanbean]

Nearly three years ago I told my doctor I would treat my own thyroid in future, and would pay for my own treatment and testing.

When she asked why I would do such a thing I told her I thought the NHS treatment of hypothyroidism was inadequate and sadistic.

The subject has never been raised since, and I no longer get asked to have thyroid function tests.

[humanbean in reply to humanbean]

I will admit it gets expensive... But I feel a lot better than if I'd left my health solely in the hands of the NHS and I have no regrets.

[nightingale-56]

If we give them all our information about T3 it might just make them a little bit curious to find out more for themselves.

[shaws in reply to nightingale-56]

All they need to know is that we feel well and have improved. They have refused to believe us so I wouldn't give any info as it may be used against us. They are going to try by hook or crook to have it withdrawn because they believe the pharmaceutical companies that levo is best and it's those companies who want to keep their vast fortunes through the ill-health of patients.

[shaws]

You do not have to divulge any source. Just say it was a recommendation and that you are improving. That T3 isn't dangerous as it is the Active hormone our body needs to function. It doesn't have to convert as levo does and you feel much better. Read this just for back up:-

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

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

[Naomi8]

when I lived in Wales I tried 3 times to get an NHS test for FT3.One GP agreed but the lab refused!When I moved to Cumbria my GP agreed to do it(I had complained of chronic fatigue)The lab did it & the endo agreed it showed I had a conversion issue & prescribed T3!

[Bluemaxx]

Hi - I just saw my endo who is a real sweetie and I don't want to get him in trouble but he told me 'off the record' that the reason why some doctors don't want to prescribe T3 is because there is a lot of controversy surrounding it and whether or not it works and that it's not the cost that is the problem for the NHS. He said that there was a conference last year and the endos were told that it didn't work. Apparently the initial trial of T3 was in Lithuania on people with thyroid cancer so it was thought that wasn't relevant for patients with other thyroid problems. He personally believes in T3 though and is willing to prescribe it if I don't start to feel better on the levothyroxine - I've only been taking it for 8 weeks and my TSH levels are back down to where they should be but still not feeling very perky.

[humanbean in reply to Bluemaxx]

There was a post I read on here quite recently about a conversation with a hypothyroid doctor. Apparently the doctor took something other than Levo himself, but he commented that T3 works for private patients!

[BeansMummy in reply to humanbean]

I think that might have been me, humanbean  

My endo says that T3 doesn't work. She will have a big shock when I have my next appointment and tell her the wonderful placebo effect I am having from my "drugs off the internet" that I am now on.

[humanbean in reply to BeansMummy]

Ah! I'll try and remember in future. I liked the anecdote so I'll no doubt bring it up again in future.

[humanbean in reply to BeansMummy]

I'm a big fan of the placebo effect I get from non-levo thyroid meds. I'm dithering between NDT and T3 just now - they both have their advantages and disadvantages for me. I may end up taking a bit of both.

[helvella in reply to humanbean]

The high price of liothyronine (in the UK) proves that it is better than levothyroxine or "foreign" liothyronine, or desiccated thyroid. Must be the best placebo going...

[telephonejunkie]

I did tell my GP and that I self mediate with B12, eventually. I explained how I had come to the decision to self medicate and I explained the difference in symptoms. Being so tired that you nearly fall asleep when driving, funnily enough does need to be slept out to them. Whenthe bloods came back she said begrudgingly that what ever I was doing was putting my levels into 'normal range'. Now I have to admit that Im very dogmatic and stubborn about these things. Being a Medicianal chemist I can also run rings around the medics on the holistic Biochemical effects.

I am now slightly concerned as all the GP senior partners have retired/left and the 'senior partner' is an arrogant un sympathetic piece of work. However thats not going to stop me : )

[Glynisrose]

Don't.  I have to say if it was my health I would not justify anything.  Keep it to yourself and fudge the doctors questions, after all thats what they do!

[greygoose]

Auria, he is just there to advise you, not to dictate to you. But if he feels he can browbeat you, he will! Just tell him it's your life, your body and your health, and you will do with it as you feel is best. You could add - if you felt like living dangerously - that you couldn't make a worse mess of it than he has! But that might start a fight. lol