Advice on how to buy t3

[Laurajake123]

Hi I am wanting to try t3 myself as doctor doesn't test after having hypothyroid for nearly 5 years my bloods (tsh level) is never in range I am fed up if having all these symptoms and all doctor advises is either increasing thyroxine or decreasing I honestly think I need t3 but doctor doesn't agree do I am going to try myself just need sone advice on how to buy it and how much should I take just very scared I make matters worse but can't go I. Feeling like this any longer latest results

Tsh 4.6. ( 0.4. - 4.0. )

Serum free t4 17.8. ( 10.0. - 25.00 )

Vit d 57.7. ( 50- 175 )

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Laurajake123 You can't possibly know if you need T3 until your TSH is down to around 1 and then see what your FT4 and FT3 are like. If you convert T4 to T3 well enough the FT4 and FT3 will be in balance. If you don't convert well then your FT3 will be much lower in it's range than the FT4 is in it's range.

Also, for thyroid hormone to work you need all your nutrients at optimal levels. You've only had Vit D tested. You've already been advised to get B12, folate and Ferritin test. Until these have been tested and supplemented, if necessary, there's no point thinking about T3.

So you really need to get all your ducks in a row first. Test all your nutrients and optimise their levels to allow Levo a chance of working, see if you can get your TSH down to around 1, see how you convert. Then you can see if you need T3. Taking T3 just because you think you need it can cause you all sorts of problems if you don't actually have a need for it.

Also, get thyroid antibodies tested, because if you have Hashi's your levels can fluctuate just to add another problem into the mix!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If you can't get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after.

Essential to get vitamins tested and increased first, plus if you have Hashimoto's highly likely to need to be on gluten free diet too, or at least try it for 2-3 months minimum

[Clutter]

Laurajake123,

You are undermedicated and should request a dose increase which will raise FT4 and FT3 and reduce TSH. The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 0.4 - 1.0 with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email [e-mail] if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

When TSH is <1.0 and FT4 higher in range you might want to check your FT3 level via a private thyroid test via thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin... If FT3 is low you will benefit from the addition of some T3.

VitD 57.7 is insufficient. I suggest you supplement 5,000iu D3 daily for 6-8 weeks then reduce to 5,000iu alternate days and retest in April. Take VitD 4 hours away from Levothyroxine.

[Laurajake123]

Thank so much for the advice it's just so annoying when doctors are supposed to be there to help you but they make you feel like all these symptoms are in our heads just feel like since I was diagnosed I have never felt myself I can remember last year one of my bloods came back abnormal and I was surprised because I felt better than I had in s long time my tsh was around 0.3 and the doctor told me to decrease thyroxine and it has snowballed ever since and can't seem to get it lower than 4 think I gonna have to wait till November when my bloods due again as doctor just recently increased thyroxine from 125 to 150 hopefully my tsh will be lower and if I still feel this bad I look into testing my t3 and in the meantime take vit d supplements and hopefully that may make me feel bit better