underactive throid

[thyroidkatie]

Hi im looking for a specialist in lincolnshire or near, either private or nhs that will prescribe ndt, please can someone help me?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

thyroidkatie Email [e-mail] and ask her for a list of thyroid friendly doctors, mention that you would like to find one sympathetic to NDT. It's not easy to obtain on the NHS as it has to be on a 'named patient basis' I believe but there are a few doctors/endos who are willing to prescribe.

[Jazzw]

Before you do go down that sometimes very expensive route - are you sure you need NDT or is it that your doctor has you on a pitiful amount of Levothyroxine?

What are you taking and how long have you been taking it?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Before heading off down that track .....Have you asked GP to check levels of vitamin d, b12, folate and ferratin. These all need to at good (not just average) levels for thyroid hormones to work in our cells.

Also have you had thyroid antibodies checked? There are two sorts TPO Ab and TG Ab. (Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin) Both need checking, if either, or both are high this means autoimmune thyroid - called Hashimoto's - most common cause of being hypo. NHS rarely checks TPO and almost never checks TG.

Make sure you get the actual figures from tests (including ranges - figures in brackets). You are entitled to copies of your own results. Some surgeries make nominal charge for printing out. Alternatively you can now ask for online access to your own medical records. Though not all surgeries can do this yet, or may not have blood test results available yet online, but all should be doing this with couple of years.

When you get results suggest you make a new post on here and members can offer advise on any vitamin supplements needed

If you can not get GP to do these tests, then like many of us, you can get them done privately

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

Blue Horizon - Thyroid plus eleven tests all these.

This is an easy to do fingerprick test you do at home, post back and they email results to you couple of days later. Usual advice on this test, is to do early in morning, no food or drink beforehand (other than water) don't take Levo in 24 hours before (take straight after).

If you have Hashimoto's then you may find adopting 100% gluten free diet can help reduce symptoms, and lower antibodies too.

Assume you know that Levo generally should be taken on empty stomach and no food or drink for at least hour after. Many take on waking, some prefer bedtime, either as more convenient or perhaps more effective. No other medications at same time, especially iron, vitamin D or magnesium, these must be at least 4 hours away