need a script

[lynpalmer]

I want to change my levothyroxine for Armor thyroid I have asked the doctor for a script but she says it is not in her red NHS book. I have explained that I do not want the NHS to pay for it I will but she will not take note at all. I am so desperate and now do not know where to go to get a script as I know where to get it but have to have this magic script before they will supply

[Clutter]

Lynpalmer,

Armour and other brands of NDT are not licenced for UK use so most members using it have a private prescription or buy online without prescription and self medicate.

[Clutter]

Lynpalmer,

If you want a list of member recommended private practitioners email [e-mail] You should check that the doctors do prescribe NDT before confirming your appointment.

[lynpalmer in reply to Clutter]

I am quite happy to see a private doctor but have to find someone in our area.

[Clutter in reply to lynpalmer]

Lynpalmer,

You could write a post asking members to send you recommendations for private GPs via private messages or Google "Private GPs + your area".

If you post your recent thyroid results and ranges members will advise whether you are optimally dosed on 200mcg and can advise how to transition to Armour. You should be aware that Armour is the most expensive NDT and there are less expensive brands.

[Jazzw]

Lyn, what dose of levo are you on? You may simply need more levo, not Armour.

Do you have any thyroid blood tests results to share? We’d be happy to take a look at them.

[shaws Administrator]

Do you have latest blood test results with the ranges? It could be you are not on an optimum of levothyroxine to enable it to convert to sufficient T3 which should make you feel better.

[lynpalmer in reply to shaws]

I am on 200mg at the moment and have the same for years now, I was on Eltroxin before but have had nothing but trouble on the levothyroxine. I have my blood test next week. My weight is going up at an alarming rate I am so short tempered, and I have to care for my husband so he is still lucky he is around, I have been sent to a nutritionist and when she heard I am following slimming world I do gym 4 - 5 times a week, she said there is something else wrong, and has advised the GP but no response from any of them. I am so depressed and burst into tears which is just not me, but no one seems to care. I have now been taking thyroid medication for 40 years so know when something is wrong

[shaws Administrator in reply to lynpalmer]

I believe Eltroxin was the BRAND name for levothyroxine and when it was decided to only prescribe the generic it, too, was withdrawn from being prescribed.

We had quite a few posts in the past from those who felt a big difference when switching from Eltroxin to generic.

First - the root of our problem is being hypothyroid - which is an autoimmune condition we cannot do anything about except find out what thyroid hormone suits us. The Nutritionist is certainly untrained about unexplained weight gain which is one of the commonest complaints on this forum.

Depression is a clinical symptom of hypothyroidism and most probably due to you having a low Free T3. Also, exercising, before we are on an optimum of thyroid hormones (one that makes us feel well) reduces T3 which is needed in the T3 receptor cells and weight doesn't reduce.

So, after 40 years of being very unwell and I believe that the blood tests and levothyroxine were introduced around the same time, with the result that there are millions world-wide struggling as the emphasis has been on blood test results rather than on clinical symptoms and relief thereof. This can either be improved by having T3 added to T4 (one of our Advisers and his team have proven this fact recently).

As T3 has now been withdrawn from the NHS, if you can afford it you can source your own and add it to your T4. Or, you can source NDT which contains all of the hormones a healthy gland would produce and was in use from 1892 up until a few years ago in the UK. Many source their own on the forum. There are a few but, from reading posts, Thiroid and ThyroidS are popular and they are also cheaper. NDT being made from animals' glands, is probably more conducive to the human body than synthetic T4.

What you can tell the Nutritionist is that hypothyroidism, undertreated, can cause many, many clinical symptoms. They know none so are unqualified to deal with a hypothyroid person as weight gain is the commonest question on the forum.

You need a Full Thyroid Function test. Your GP wont do all of them but, if you can afford it, we have two private labs which will do them. If GP wont do all, you can get the ones not tested privately.

40 years is far too long to be undermedicated/unwell if only the medical profession were better trained. One of our Advisers (deceased) stated that due to the emphasis on blood tests alone we were in a Parlous State meaning we given too low a dose and not being prescribed an alternative. Now they have recently withdrawn T3 which was a life-saver for many and left patients without an option and in a panic.

Request TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies. The test has to be at the very earliest, fasting (you can drink water) and allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose of levo and the test and take it afterwards.

Also ask GP to test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate as everything is interconnected.

Get a print-out of the results with the ranges and post for comments. Ranges are important as labs differ in their machines so different ranges.

Tick off your symptoms below. If you were on an optimum of hormones you'd have none.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

The aim when taking thyroid hormone replacements is to feel well with relief of clinical symptoms.