Hi I’m new here and have a little question to a... - Thyroid UK

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Hi I’m new here and have a little question to ask ;)

Snowdrops3 profile image
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Hi there Im new and need help to find out where I can get armour or t3 in the uk? Or from the internet. My doctor and endo won’t prescribe and my endo said it’s easy to purchase from the USA via internet ! but I need to know how without a prescription. Armour is my first choice but will try t3 if I have to :)

Grateful if anyone can set me in the right direction ;) best wishes :)

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Snowdrops3
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Clutter profile image
Clutter

Welcome to the forum, Snowdrops3.

Members are more inclined to share sources with new members who include some background about their illness such as, how long they’ve been diagnosed, recent thyroid results and ranges, and current thyroid medication.

Snowdrops3 profile image
Snowdrops3 in reply toClutter

Hi Clutter

Thanks for the advice :) here goes!

About seven years ago I became seriously ill and thought I was going to die. I had all the symptoms of a flu but ten times worse. A couple of days later I was better and thought that it must have been a ‘day bug’. That was just the start from then on I had new symptoms each day. First it was the cold ! I was always cold and my hands and feet aches and then after a while they became very large I couldn’t wear my shoes and had to buy the next size up and gloves too. It looked strange. I had always been a slim person and never worried about weight as I jogged, swam and did yoga and didn’t over eat. I had low energy and was exhausted by the end of the day. It affected my emotions and I couldn’t deal with regular problems anymore and would just break down. My memory was getting worse and I became like a very elderly person. During this time I had visited various doctors and they said it was a virus or depression or my hormones and that I should rest or take up sport. After almost a year I could barely walk, would fall asleep at the dinner table and had gained 60lbs. I looked and acted like a different person and friends whom I hadn’t seen for a while didn’t recognise me. My periods became continuous and the doctors told me it was my age! and continued trying to convince me I was depressed. I had to stop work and driving because I felt unsafe. I was always ill and my bones ached all the time and I could only walk very slowly. After fainting unexpectedly four times I told the doctors I thought I was dying and if they didn’t take me seriously my family would sue them. I was put on levothyroxin the next morning and treated as an emergency. Within a week I was a different person and I felt better everyday.

I had blood tests weekly and my prescription of levothyroxine was increased slowly. But I got to a point where the progress ceased as if something is missing. I couldn’t loose the weight and my bones still ache. I was given furosemide which helped a little but I stopped soon after a month. I now take 200mg of levothyroxine per day and always have some form of illness and the swelling in my bones hasn’t changed. I have asked for t3 or armour from both private and nhs doctors in London but no luck. I was given the name of a doctor who does but when I called was told I need a referral and the receptionist was unhelpful. I have called pharmacists who stock Armour and t3 but was cut off and told to call again later. I have read a lot and would like to try Naturethroid.

Frankly I had given up ........ until today. ;)

Best wishes

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply toSnowdrops3

Snowdrops3,

Can you post your TSH, FT4 and FT3 results and ranges? You will need some help transitioning to NDT from 200mcg Levothyroxine and we need to see your results to help you.

There is currently a shortage of NatureThroid and WP which has had a knock-on effect on the availability of other brands. You may need to consider starting on Armour or Acella NP or Thai NDT Thyroid-S and Thiroyd.

Snowdrops3 profile image
Snowdrops3 in reply toClutter

Hi Clutter

My results are not available at present as I am not at home. My Endo advised me to start by dropping my levothyroxine to 150mg per day and take two ‘grains’ of armour per day.

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply toSnowdrops3

Snowdrops3,

That's lousy advice. Either you are massively undermedicated on 200mcg or your endo doesn't have a clue about NDT. Your endo has effectively instructed you to increase your overal dose by the equivalent of 80mcg T4 daily (after reducing Levothyroxine to 150mcg).

If you are not used to T3 NDT should be introduced in 1/2 or 1 grain increments and Levothyroxine dose titrated accordingly.

When you get your results and ranges write a new post and members will advise how to titrate.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Do you have Hashimoto's (high thyroid antibodies) and have you had recent tests for vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

If you add these along with thyroid results members can advise

These need to be a good levels first before adding T3 or NDT. Many endo's have little idea how important vitamin levels are

If you have Hashimoto's then gluten free diet likely to help too

Why could your endo not give you private prescription, then you have far more options. French or German T3 is cheap.

Was endo NHS? Or private?

Snowdrops3 profile image
Snowdrops3 in reply toSlowDragon

Hi SlowDragon

I do take vitamins when possible and have been advised to take vitamin D daily by my GP.

The Endo is nhs who I saw earlier this year, they said if I was prescribed it they would risk being ‘struck off’ !! but that I can buy it on the internet if I look hard enough!! They also said that if I choose to take armour myself that their clinic would be happy to continue monitoring me. The other doctors are private and nhs but I haven’t asked a doctor for over two years and one of them referred me to the Endo thinking they could help!!! My financial situation has been affected by my illness and could no longer afford private care.

Since reading a few posts on here I see t3 is now easier to get hold of. However I would prefer to try NatureThroid and have discussed this with my Endo who suggested I start by taking 2 grains per day and lowering my daily prescription of levothyroxine to 150mg or 175mg and one grain. I am extremely careful about medicine and am very aware of changes in my body.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toSnowdrops3

Ask your GP to retest vitamin D to check you are taking enough

Also will he test ferritin, folate and B12.

It's an outrageous situation that endocrinologists are advising patients to buy over the Internet

Hopefully this will change. Step one of a long path was won yesterday with NHS England acknowledging that patients need T3

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