Buy Cytomel/NDT

[jenz]

Can anyone give me information on where I can but NDT and Cytomel. My GP refuses to prescribe either and I just know that levothyroxine isn't the drug for me as I feel no benefit whatsoever but that is all they will prescribe.

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Jenz.

How long have you been taking Levothyroxine? If post your recent thyroid results and ranges and say what dose you are taking members will advise whether you are optimally medicated and can advise how to transition from Levothyroxine to NDT and T3.

[jenz in reply to Clutter]

Hiya. I have been taking it for 18 months and am currently on 150mcg. Don't feel any benefits at all and have put on nearly 2 stone since taking it despite going to the gym 5 times a week and watching everything I eat. Am just waiting of my new set of results back from the doctor (went for a blood test this morning) so will post them as soon as they are available. GP's answer was just to up my dosage again which I am reluctant to do yet again.

[Clutter in reply to jenz]

Jenz,

Post the results and ranges in a new question and members will advise how to transition. If FT3 is low adding some T3 to Levothyroxine can be beneficial.

[jenz in reply to Clutter]

Brill. Will do as soon as I have them

[Marz]

Have you managed to optimize the basics - like B12 - Ferritin - Folate vitD ?? All those need to be optimal for the Levo to work in the body - and for you to feel well. Do you have any results for them - with ranges ?

It is not always simple going over to T3 or even adding it to T4 - especially if the above vitamins and minerals are not where they should be. Like building a house without foundations I have read lots of stories of people changing to T3 and then changing back - again this is not good for the body and can be confusing.

I am not against T3 - I take it myself - but it is not a quick fix - nothing about the thyroid is !

[jenz in reply to Marz]

Hi Marz. Thanks for the reply. I take ferrous sulphate daily as was anaemic and have a B12 shot every 12 weeks for pernicious anaemia. I don't know about folate VitD as don't think this has ever been tested. Tell me about it, the more I read the more I empathise with everyone with thyroid issues!

[Marz in reply to jenz]

I'm also on the PAS forum where I read almost daily that the 3-monthly shots are NOT enough - so that could also be part of your problem. Do you also take a GOOD B Complex - to keep all the B's in balance. Do you feel you need a B12 injection more than every 3 months ? Do any of your symptoms return ?

As you have PA - I am suspecting you also have Hashimotos - which is also auto-immune. Did you ever have your anti-bodies tested ? Anti-TPO and Anti-Tg. Auto-immune conditions like to hunt in packs I have Crohns and Hashimotos !

I have read it is advisable to take iron supplements with VitC which will help absorption.

Will look out for your blood test results ! Best to post in a new post in case it gets missed here - and more people will see it.

Do hope you will soon feel better - just take it slowly. I was diagnosed in 2005 at 59 - and it has taken me a long time to find wellness. The longer you have been poorly the longer it takes to heal - they say

[jenz in reply to Marz]

I can definitely tell when I'm in need of a shot as the tiredness kicks in big style! I don't take any multivitamins at the minute but maybe I should start. It just seems one thing leads to another with the auto-immune deficiency. I don't think I've ever had my anti-bodies tested as my GP is pretty rubbish at doing anything. Im actually thinking of paying a private endocrinologist to do a full check of everything so I can start getting some answers.

Glad you feel like you're on the mend and have finally got some answers. This is the start of my journey at 44 and I feel i've got a long way to go in understanding exactly what is the problem and then finding an answer

[Marz in reply to jenz]

It is often suggested here to have Private Testing with Blue Horizon through the main website of Thyroid UK - see below.

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

Thyroid 11 is the most popular covering all the Thyroid tests and the vits and minerals. Then return to a new post here with your results. People will guide you. From what I have read over 4 years - Endos also have a problem with the thyroid and know more about diabetes. There are of course exceptions. There is a list available of Thyroid friendly Private Docs should you feel the need. I would follow the advice of the folk here first

[jenz in reply to Marz]

Cheers Marz. I've ordered the Thyroid 12 so lets see what we're dealing with when I've done the blood test and get the results. I'm slowly finding that not many people in the medical world understand the problems we face and how we actually feel so reckon you guys will become my support network from now on! Who better to understand than fellow sufferers

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to jenz]

Thyroid plus 12 is more expensive and can not do by home finger prick - has to be standard blood draw.

Can be tricky to find someone to do that

Plus eleven is more popular option

[jenz in reply to SlowDragon]

Thankfully my friend is a nurse and has said she will take the blood sample for me. Will post my results as soon as I have them and look forward to getting some proper advice from you guys

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you have hashimotos ? Been tested for BOTH TPO & TG antibodies?

If either, or both of these are high then this means you have hashimotos - most common reason for being hypo

If you have hashimotos many of us are gluten intolerant so adopting gluten free diet can really help (easier to go that you think!)

Also vit d can be lower than appears in blood test if gluten intolerant

As Marz says it is essential to check b12, folate, ferritin & vit D are all at very good levels

[Marz in reply to SlowDragon]

.... no point in testing B12 SD - as jenz has PA and is having 3 monthly b12 shots. See above

[jenz in reply to SlowDragon]

Dr has never even mentioned Hashimotos but I do see a lot of people on here have had a proper diagnosis. I think I need to see what the blood results come back at in a few days and then start to properly kick some butt til I get answers!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Did you get blood test done as early as possible in morning, no food or drink before hand, apart from water. Also no Levo in 24 hours before the test. Delay taking Levo till immediately after. This gives the most consistent result, and highest TSH - important as doc's only consider TSH. (Even my endo gives this advice)

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, calcium or magnesium, these must be at least 4 hours away

Best advice is to read as much as you can. Vitamin and minerals levels are very important, but standard NHS thinking, doesn't at the moment seem to recognise this. You will see, time and time again on here lots of information and advice about importance of good levels of B12, folate, ferritin and vitamin D........and gluten intolerance

The book Hashimoto's - the root cause is worth reading

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.

I agree with Marz, if your vitamin levels are not optimum, then trying T3 or NDT can make you worse (I've been there, done that)

Get the vitamin levels right first and you may find just Levo may be all you need

[jenz in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes I always skip my levo the day before the blood test and ask for as early appointment as possible then take my dose after the bloods have been done. I take my dose (150mcg) upon waking then don't eat as go straight to the gym and take my iron on a nighttime so that the dose doesn't clash.

Reading is exactly what I'm doing as want to understand as much as I can about what i'm facing as my GP is pretty rubbish in all honesty and you guys are far more informative!

Have bought the thyroid plus 12 test as my friend is a nurse and will take the blood sample for me. Will post my results once I know them and can hopefully get some proper advice from you guys.

Cheers for your help so far