T3 a Is it the way to go?

[Maltesers1]

30+. years of hypothyroidism but after giving up smoking 2 years ago weight piled on. Eventually got myself down the gym and lost some weight and got fit. 12 months ago got concerned as my pulse was way to fast so Dr tested thyroid and reduced by 25mcg re-tested again as no real improvement and reduced again, currently on 150mcg ( pulse still fast though!). Past few weeks feeling very tired, muscle aches, feeling cold and all my get up and go has gone. Trying to get another blood test is like pulling hens teeth, up to 2 weeks wait for a telephone conversation. Going on holiday in 2 weeks so that will be a total of 4 week wait before I get re-tested and at least 6 weeks before it gets back on track. Being very naughty, as I still have 'in date' 25mcg have started to take, I will be honest and say. Keep hearing about T3 as an alternative, any thoughts?

You would think in this day and age the medical profession would have a better way of dealing with this, popping pills every day of your life and having to wait until you feel pants before meds are increased seem prehistoric for this day and age!

[Marz]

Maybe you need to check other things linked to good metabolism of the thyroid workings.

Have you had B12 - Ferritin - Folate - VitD tested ? The levels need to be OPTIMAL and not bouncing along the bottom of the ranges.

Why not have the tests done privately through Thyroid UK. If you are a regular here - reading the posts - you will see it is what lots of people do.

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

Profile 11 will include everything you need to understand what is going on.

If your GP is going by the TSH test on its own then that is a very poor way of judging your thyroid performance and your dose should not be adjusted on the TSH alone. You also need the FT4 and FT3 tested - which is covered in the link above.

[Maltesers1 in reply to Marz]

Thank you for your reply, will be looking into the link you provided and feedback results once I know.

Maltesers1

[radd]

Maltesers,

Welcome to our forum and sorry to hear you are not feeling well.

The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore well being but for some, thyroid meds will only work well with optimal iron and nutrients. Ask your GP to test Vit B12, folate, ferritin, Vit D and post results complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) for members to comment.

Adding T3 has benefitted many members but adding additional meds should only be investigated when the fundamentals are in place. Also, ask for previous thyroid hormone test results to post for members comments. You are legally entitled to a copy of your results, although the receptionist may need to ok with your GP and some miserly surgeries charge a small fee for paper & ink ! ..

Happy holidays....

.

Accessing your medical records

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/NHS_In...

You have a right to see your medical records under the Data Protection Act 1998. Guidance on The Data Protection Act 1998 can be found at:

ico.org.uk/for-the-public/p...

[Maltesers1 in reply to radd]

Thank you for your response, will be looking into test privately as advised by 'Marz' and post results when I have them.

Maltesers1