New here - need advice on results of full Thyroid check :)

[pecan4371]

Hi all

I've had Hypothyroid for 14 yrs - recently I paid privately to have a full check of bloods for my thyroid. The results have come back saying that my rT3 is elevated and my FT3/rT3 ratio is low - the letter goes on to say that I might not be getting sufficient free (FT3) into my cells - this is what I expected.

However, on previous visits to the doctor she has told me they will NOT give me T3.... so I really don't know what to do now.... I'm seeing her again in an hour

Any advice would be greatly received .... Vic

ps. It also says my thyroid peroxidase antibodies are elevated - anyone know what that means too?

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

pecan4371 Elevated antibodies mean that you are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease aka Hashimoto's. This is where antibodies attack the thyroid and gradually destroy it. Hashi's isn't treated, it's the resulting Hypothyroidism that is. You can help reduce the antibodies by adopting a strict gluten free diet which has helped many members enormously.

Gluten/Thyroid connection - chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

Supplementing with Selenium L-selenomethionine 200mcg daily and keeping TSH suppressed also help reduce antibodies.

Hashi's Information:

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

stopthethyroidmadness.com/h...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

As for your rT3 and adding T3, the decision to prescribe comes from an endo then the cost is down to your surgery and it's very hard to get it prescribed now due to the extortionate cost.

Many of us self source T3 and go it alone, keeping an eye on levels with private testing.

[pecan4371 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for the info. My doctor said she basically can't help me... and I do have to go it alone! Not in a position to fund anything yet! I guess I need to find where I can get it from and how much it costs....

[Gazebo]

I find myself in a similar position. Had watched some videos by Dr Izabella Wentz -a luminary on thyroid matters -and one of the things she stresses is that when standard tests are done we are often told that our results are normal but that that often masks the fact that, although TF4 levels may look normal on tests, T4 sometimes doesn't convert sufficient T3 and we might discover we have an underlying autoimmune condition such as Hashimoto's. A while back my Thyroxine was reduced from 150mg daily to 100mcg. I asked if that meant that the thyroid was improving and might eventually normalise but was told that that was unlikely and that they just continue to monitor it until something happens that necessitates action being taken. Recently I had gotten to a point where I could not function, got tested and the results came back as 'normal' and the GP who advised me of the results would not say whether they had tested for T3 so I got mine tested privately and was discovered to have Hashimoto's. Looked up thyroid issues on NHS website and discovered they are not keen on using a combination of T4 and T3 supplements for various reasons. Am housebound so have left message asking for my own GP to contact me to discuss the way forward. In meantime, am looking at Izabella Wentz 's book as she provides strategies for dealing with various aspects of thyroid issues and many of those who have followed them have had improvements and some, including herself, have gone into full - blown remission. One of the things that she mentioned was that many people have had excellent results with Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) but that one would have to find a GP who would be prepared to prescribe it for off-label use so am currently investigating that avenue.

[Marz in reply to Gazebo]

ldnresearchtrust.org

[pecan4371 in reply to Gazebo]

It is soooo infuriating! Do keep me posted as to what course of action you take.... many thanks for reply