Help Needed for Dr’s Appointment

[witchcat43]

Hi All,

Can anybody help please. Have got a doctors appointment tomorrow and need to take some info with me re NDT and suppressed TSH. My levels at my last blood test were

TSH 0.02 (0.35-5.0)

T4 8.6 (9.0-20)

T3 3.8 (2.5-5.7)

As I was under medicated I have upped my dosage over the last 3 months (waiting on new test results)

The doctor was adamant that with a TSH of 0.02 I am hyper but said she didn’t know what was going on with my T4, I tried to tell her it was because I was taking NDT...her reply “what is NDT” Felt like I was banging my head against the wall.

Is there anything I can print off to take with me tomorrow? or can anyone tell me in layman’s terms what I should say to her.

Sorry for the epistle

TIA

[Clutter]

Witchcat43,

Your doctor was trained to use Levothyroxine so she is used to interpreting results on Levothyroxine where mid-to-upper range FT4 is good and mid FT3 is good. Many doctors think suppressed TSH indicates overmedication but as long as FT3 is within range you are not overmedicated. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Your doctor has no reason to understand the acronym NDT (natural dessicated thyroid) which isn't licensed for use in the UK. She has probably heard of Armour which is the most famous dessicated thyroid brand. Explain that NDT is a combination T4 and T3 hormone.

When taking NDT dosing is usually optimal when FT3 is in the upper third of range 4.61 - 5.7. Because you are getting T3 direct from NDT FT4 is almost always lower than required for Levothyroxine because high T4 for storage and conversion isn't required. TSH will be low, even suppressed, when FT3 is optimal.

[witchcat43 in reply to Clutter]

Thank you Clutter that’s really helpful. I’m so annoyed, just looked at my blood test results and the lab hasn’t done any for thyroid, not even TSH so I can’t even update the results above...what do you have to do to get well in this country 😡

[Clutter in reply to witchcat43]

Witchcat43,

Perhaps your GP hasn't released the results if she is concerned about suppressed TSH and FT4?

If the tests weren't done and NHS won't test levels when you adjust dose you can order private thyroid, vitamin and mineral tests to monitor your levels via thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin... Medichecks offer #ThyroidThursday discounts.

[witchcat43]

Thank you.