Still more questions .... Stepping into the unk... - Thyroid UK

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Still more questions .... Stepping into the unknown

Claire67 profile image
6 Replies

Thanks to everyone for their support and answers at least I now know what it all means :) I have felt really tired for months and have struggled working full time in Retail... thinking it was just me getting older (nearly 49) .

Should I have time off to adjust with the medication?

Am I entitled to a free perscription ?

Do I have to watch my diet etc and I do like a drink on my night off (Vodka & diet coke) will this all have to end ?

Should I exercise more (the last thing I feel like doing at the moment ! )

Should I supplement any vitamins etc so lost with it all .....stepping into the unknown :(

Should I go for a more comprehensive blood testing (privately) ?

Thanks again

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Claire67 profile image
Claire67
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6 Replies
greygoose profile image
greygoose

Well, the best thing you can do for yourself is give up the diet coke - the vodka's ok, but diet coke is poison! You're better off with normal coke.

Give up everything with artificial sweeteners, they are really, really bad for you. Much worse than real sugar!

Apart from that, just eat clean, no processed foods, and no unfermented soy in any form.

I believe you are entitled to free prescriptions in the UK, yes.

Whether or not you take time off, is between you, your doctor and your employer, I should think. Some people do, some people don't need to.

No, if anything, you should exercise less until your T3 is optimal, because exercise uses up your T3, which you cannot easily replace.

Don't start taking vitamins before testing your vit d, vit B12, folate and ferritin. You need to know if you need to supplement, and by how much. Only a test will tell you that. Don't bother with multi-vits, a waste of money, and you won't get much out of them. Things you can start right away are vit C and magnesium. No point testing for them.

Can't answer the last question because I can't remember what you've had tested. But the important ones are

TSH

FT4

FT3

TPOab

TgAB

:)

Claire67 profile image
Claire67 in reply to greygoose

Thanks for your help xx

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

If you can afford it, yes many of us have resorted to private blood tests to find out what is going on.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

I use Blue horizon thyroid plus eleven test as includes tests for both antibodies, vitamin D, B12, folate and ferritin. Easy to do, finger-prick test you do at home, post back and results emailed two days later.

As grey goose says don't start supplements before testing or you won't know where you are. (Other than Vit C and magnesium)

When/if start any supplements, only start one at a time and give about two weeks before introduce any others. That way if you do have a reaction, you can work out which is culprit.

If you find your antibodies are high - this means you have Hashimoto's. You may find, like many if yes, that adopting 100% gluten free diet helps reduce symptoms and lowers antibodies. Supplementing Selenium can also help.

Mimie profile image
Mimie

Yes, you should not have to pay for your prescription as it is a chronic condition. X

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Mimie

It might seem tough, but that isn't true. (Well, "should" might be but the reality isn't.)

The actual NHS England rules are:

People with certain medical conditions can get free NHS prescriptions if they hold a valid medical exemption certificate.

You can get all your NHS prescriptions free if you have a valid medical exemption certificate because you have:

a permanent fistula (for example, caecostomy, colostomy, laryngos-tomy or ileostomy) which needs continuous surgical dressing or an appliance;

a form of hypoadrenalism (for example, Addison’s Disease) for which specific substitution therapy is essential;

diabetes insipidus and other forms of hypopituitarism;

diabetes mellitus, except where treatment is by diet alone;

hypoparathyroidism;

myasthenia gravis;

myxoedema (that is, hypothyroidism which needs thyroid hormone replacement);

epilepsy which needs continuous anticonvulsive therapy;

a continuing physical disability which means you cannot go out without the help of another person; or

cancer and are undergoing treatment for:

- cancer;

- the effects of cancer; or,

- the effects of cancer treatment.

You can only get a certificate if you have a condition on the list. If you are not sure about the name of your condition, check with your doctor. Doctors may advise you about free prescriptions. However, it is up to you to find out if you are entitled to an exemption certificate.

nhsbsa.nhs.uk/1126.aspx

There are many chromic conditions that do not fall within these conditions - almost certainly most chronic conditions don't.

There is always the PPC if not eligible:

Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs)

nhsbsa.nhs.uk/1127.aspx

Mimie profile image
Mimie

When I got diagnosed with thyroditis and got prescribed levthyroxine, my GP said: " the good news is you won't have to pay for you prescription, it's free for your condition, oh! You just passed 60 so you won't have to pay anyway". My experience...

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