Hi
New member here
Please could I be recommended a source of T3. Previous endo said I can't convert without it and new endo has refused to extend or renew T3 prescription. When I was on T3 I felt so much better, new endo does not understand this.
Diagnosed hypothyroid 2012. Thank you
TSH 7.2 (0.2 - 4.2)
Free T4 13.7 (12 - 22)
Free T3 3.6 (3.1 - 6.8)
(Taking 150mcg levo October 2017)
When the new endo took away your T3, did he increase your levo to compensate? Because there, you are very under-medicated. Do you have any results from before you had T3 added? Could be that you were under-medicated then, too. Taking T3 doesn't improve your conversion, saying that you can't convert without it, doesn't mean anything. What happens is that your can't convert T4 to T3, so you therefore need to take T3 ready-made, so to speak. But the above results don't hint at a conversion problem. Just an under-medicated problem. 
Levo not increased to compensate, it was reduced.
Before T3 and on 175mcg levo
TSH 1.30 (0.2 - 4.2)
Free T4 19.8 (12 - 22)
Free T3 3.9 (3.1 - 6.8)
OK, so yes, there we can see the poor conversion. Sounds like your new endo is a bit of a cretin. I really do believe that endos should be banned from seeing thyroid patients!
If you do get PMs of where to buy T3 - people are not allowed to post links on the open forum - I would suggest you stay clear of this moron, and get your GP to prescribe your levo in future.
This new Endo is wrong but most are following new suggestions to withdraw T3.
However I would read this link and send him a copy highlighting the appropriate parts with regard to your own health. This is an excerpt and you can send whole article to your Endo. Excerpt:
Clinical approach to patients on LT3
For patients who are established on LT3 and are considered to be stable,
a change to LT4 monotherapy should not be implemented without discussion with the patient.In such cases change of treatment may result in significant instability of thyroid status and potentially undesirable clinical
outcomes, which may prove more costly than continuation with LT3 therapy.
british-thyroid-association...
If should have an adverse reaction on levo only - would we be able to sue?
And to add to Greygoose's comment, those levels on 150 t4 suggests a probable absorption problem too. Do you have Hashis? If yes are you gluten free? Do you take levo well away from food, drink, supplements and any other meds? Are you taking any acid suppressing drugs?
I have been told I don't have hashis
TPO antibodies 278 (<34)
TG antibodies 358.3 (<115)
Thanks
Well whoever told you that knows diddly-squat about thyroid - in other words I would guess it was a doctor! You very definitely do have Hashimotos.
I take levo away from everything else and I take no other meds
Your antibodies are high, this is very definitely Hashimoto's, (also known by Uk medics as autoimmune thyroid disease). About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's
With Hashimoto's, until it's under control, our gut can be badly affected. Low stomach acid can lead to poor absorption of vitamins. Low vitamin levels stop thyroid hormones working.
Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. Always get actual results and ranges. Post results when you have them, members can advise
When T3 is stopped (inappropriately) vitamin levels seem to crash right out.
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's is very poorly understood, as you have discovered. Plus big battles going on between endo's over T3 .....we get the fall out
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...
chriskresser.com/the-gluten...
scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...
drknews.com/changing-your-d...
Low stomach acid can be an issue
Lots of posts on here about how to improve with Apple cider vinegar or Betaine HCL
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/hypochl...
scdlifestyle.com/2012/03/3-...
Other things to help heal gut lining
Bone broth
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
Probiotics
carolinasthyroidinstitute.c...
Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,
"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l. In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.
Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.
This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."
You can obtain a copy of the article by emailing louise.roberts@thyroiduk.org print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor.
She can also send you list of recommended thyroid specialists- some are T3 friendly
Highly likely you will need T3 adding back in, but will first need to get vitamins at good levels, TSH lower by increasing Levo and changing to strictly gluten free diet
This is worth reading too
T3
T3 raising reverse T3
T3 compared to Free T3
T3
