T3 or HRT: Hi all, would someone please give me... - Thyroid UK

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T3 or HRT

crapthyroid profile image
12 Replies

Hi all, would someone please give me the details of a reputable supplier of T3? I am new here but have gained confidence from reading about some of your experiences and its much appreciated.

My main symtoms are migraines and fatigue, there are others but these are the most debilitating . I have Hashimotos and have been on T4 for over 13 years. I am 56 and believe that I feel crap due to my thyroid or the menopause or both. I've tried to get my T3 tested to no avail. I have tried to manage things with diet and vitamins etc. Does any one have an opinion on whether I should try T3 or HRT first?

Thanks very much.

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12 Replies
Clutter profile image
Clutter

Crapthyroid,

First thing you need to do is find out what your FT3 level is. You can order TSH, FT4 and FT3 Thyroid Monitor test from Medichecks for £29 today if you get a crack on. Otherwise look at Blue Horizon and Medichecks thyroid profiles. Medichecks offer #ThyroidThursday discounts.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

crapthyroid profile image
crapthyroid in reply toClutter

Thanks for the recommendations Clutter, I'll get a crack on then !

silverfox7 profile image
silverfox7

You may wel find from the tests that you just need a dose increase, some doctors think that giving you treatment solves all but over time we may need more as our thyroid gets less efficient over time. Worthwhile to get your VitD, B12, folate and ferritin tested at the same time if you haven't any recent test results. These fab 4 help our thyroid so much but they need to be optimal.

crapthyroid profile image
crapthyroid in reply tosilverfox7

Thankyou

Vallillyann1 profile image
Vallillyann1

The doctors have been telling me for years (age 45) I’m peri-menopausal and needed HRT & it just didn’t feel right. I stuck to my guns and got the necessary Thyroid tests done and started to treat. Anyway, last year I had some spare cash & I decided to do the sex hormones, Adrenal and melatonin test by Genova & this proved that my sex hormones were still happy (optimal) at age 50.

T3 should be your last resort really, it’s tricky to dose and unloved by the medical profession. So you can often be on your own.

So I’d say do your research and some testing to narrow/rule things out. Sometimes we just have to do our own advocating.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

Always get actual results and ranges. Post results when you have them, members can advise

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone 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 gut connection is very poorly understood

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies

Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first

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...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

So for full evaluation you ideally need TSH, FT4, FT3, TT4, TPO and TG antibodies, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested

Low vitamins are extremely common and must be improved with supplements

See if you can get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP. Unlikely to get FT3

Private tests are available

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results

Link about antibodies

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

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...

Avidreader profile image
Avidreader in reply toSlowDragon

brilliant advice as always- Also I think if she takes vitamins she should stop taking those before blood test? A lot to remember

Avidreader profile image
Avidreader

I take Bio Identical Hormones for menopause - I don't think I'm allowed to mention on here where I go? private message only?

After 20 wasted years on Levo I now take NDT Nature Throid , 1 grain 3 times a day- (4 months so far feel sooo much better) I see a private Endo who writes me a prescription which he doesn't charge extra for.

crapthyroid profile image
crapthyroid in reply toAvidreader

Thanks for your help. Did you get your thyroid issues sorted before you pursued the bio identical hormones? I Would love to know where you go for the hormones. Any ideas how I would find a sympathetic private Endo (I'm in Manchester) if I don't have any joy with the T4 and T3 and vitamins avenue. I'm getting my blood results together and hopefully get a little more advice from the forum but will feel reassured if I have as much info as possible. Hearing yours and other peoples experiences is particularly interesting and helpful. I too feel Levo has done little or nothing to help me but its hard to be sure unless I stopped taking it. Thanks again.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

crapthyroid profile image
crapthyroid

Thank you so much everyone, I suddenly feel like I have my own personal experts. I have done as Clutter suggested and ordered a blood test on #thryroidthursday...that made me smile! Think they should have a #faggedout Friday too. I will get as much info together and come back to you for your advice. Think I will start on the gluten free again in the mean time. Have a good weekend.

Katelou profile image
Katelou

I have just started HRA, nights sweats and anxiety greatly improved. A few days prior my Endo started me on 10 gm of T3, to supplement my Armour 2.5 grains, as my T3 level had dropped by half from 5.00 to 3.00. I have since started to feel better, rather confusing as I've never had a problem with Armour before. Additionally I take Dr.Wilsons Adrenal Re builder as and when I feel I need it. I also self inject B12 weekly and supplement with FOLATE twice weekly. At night I sometimes take Magnesium prior to bed time. And use the D3 with K2 Better Me spray last thing at night.

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