well I have had thyroid problems for the past 20yrs and now this past 3-4 yrs the doctors cant seem to get it under control. I decided to go to a private endrocrinologist couple of weeks ago to go through past medical history and treatments etc... the Private Endro said it looks like its Hasimoto's thyroiditis and most likely to stay on 200mcg T4 with T3 Liothyronine and because I currently dont have any medical insurance that he would be grateful if the NHS could provide it.
when going to my GP (NHS) today he said that they couldnt prescribe the T3 medication due to price costs and also that there are no significant signs of it working either.
he also said he would refer me to NHS endro to see what they suggest. what do I do? my private endro said to trial the t3 and see him in 6 weeks. how can i trial it if I cannot get my GP to prescribe it.
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Alishaxyz
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Your private endo can give you private prescription.
German and French T3 is cheap, but requires prescription (£20-30 for 100 tablets. UK T3 is over £800 for 100)
Have you got blood tests showing it's Hashimoto's. High antibodies gives diagnosis
If so are you strictly gluten free.
Have you had vitamin D, Folate, ferritin and B12 tested. These need to be checked and probably need supplementing, likely to be low, before starting T3
i just posted my results from my private blood tests and this is what has been happening..I have been overtreated and under treated.. I was on 250mcg levothyroixine and then with the last results I got I took them to my gp to show them before going private and he said it looks like Hasimoto's but to go ahead with the private consultaion with the Endro and he would work with them. so I went and seen him today and he said that he cant prescribe the t3 due to costs and no proven evidence it works.
Thyroid peroxidase antibodies 297 are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine treatment is for the low thyroid levels it causes. Many people have found that 100% gluten-free diet is helpful in reducing Hashi flares, symptoms and eventually antibodies.
Do you have the lab reference ranges for those results? They help with interpretation.
Your GP is completely mistaken about T3 - this is the only active thyroid hormone currently available as a thyroid replacement hormone. (T2 is also thought to be active, but it can be converted from T3). T4, levothyroxine, has to be converted to T3 in various tissues of the body before it can be metabolised.
Your GP can prescribe T3, but many now refuse to do so on cost grounds.
No lab ranges added but can see your FT4 is too high and FT3 on low side
Have you got test results for vitamin D, Folate, ferritin and B12 - very likely too low and need supplementing if too low before adding T3
Your antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly 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.
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten
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
Your GP is WRONG about gluten only needing avoiding if coeliac
Gluten intolerance is just as serious but not test available
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
5mcg twice daily. one with the T4 in the morning and also take another 4 hours later. Private Endrocrinologist said to take it 30min before food. My GP told me to start taking it at Bedtime that is supposed to be more effective? ?
The T3 you buy without prescription will be 25mcg. Buy a pillcutter and cut the 25mcg tablet into quarters and start by taking 1 x 6.25mcg dose with Levothyroxine in the morning one hour before food and drink. If you tolerate it okay you can introduce a second 6.25mcg T3 dose at bedtime.
Thyroid meds can be taken at bedtime if you prefer. There is evidence to show absorption can be better. If you switch to bedtime dosing you need to leave 2 hours after eating and drinking.
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