Dear all
A friend of mine who is suffering quite badly received this letter cancelling her endo app and stating clearly as we know that they do not recommend T3 as a thyroid treatment. I’m sorry about the picture but if you can make out the blood results could you let me have your opinion as she is on 175mg levo at the moment. Many thanks as always.
TSH 1.58 and FT4 18.4. But no ranges. However, your TSH is too high, should be one or under. But, if they never test the FT3, there is no proof of poor conversion, and therefore no support for the need for T3! Very sneaky!
Have you ever had your FT4 and FT3 tested at the same time? Does it show poor conversion? Have you considered buying your own? The NHS really isn't concerned with getting people well, they're only concerned with money. It's highly unlikely you'll get anywhere with them. - Oh! Just realised you're writing this for a friend! Well, just transpose my words into the third person. lol
So, the first things she needs are decent labs. A mere TSH and FT4 don't tell you very much at all. She needs :
TSH
FT4
FT3
TPOab
TgAB
vit D
vit B12
folate
ferritin
That will give a much clearer picture. But still one that the NHS will be incapable of understanding, so if she needs T3, she's probably going to have to buy it herself. Sorry. 
Dear Greyhoose
Many thanks for your reply so informative as always. I will pass across to my friend .
Great advice
Thank you 😊
You're welcome. 
For full Thyroid evaluation TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies. Plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.
Essential to test thyroid antibodies plus vitamins
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 ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)
If 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
Essential to know if it's Hashimoto's
Thank you SlowDragon very good advice I have directed her to Blue Horizon where I had my testing and diagnosis confirmed.
SlowDragon my endo took no notice of my antibodies even when I pointed them out and mentioned Hashimotos. They are in the thousands. Do endos not consider that worth treating ? I felt as if it was nothing he was worried about. Many thanks in advance.
Yes that's typical of conventional NHS medics
I believed that for 20 years, remained very unwell with very high antibodies despite "correct" dosing (it wasn't) more info on my profile
But to address the autoimmune issues you need to look at leaky gut, low stomach acid and gluten intolerance
If 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
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
Low vitamin levels are extremely common
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 and gluten 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...
Hashimoto's is as much a gut issue as it's Thyroid
Other things to help heal gut lining
Bone broth
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
Probiotics, fermented foods like kefir and sauerkraut too
Low stomach acid
thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...
drmyhill.co.uk/wiki/hypochl...
scdlifestyle.com/2012/03/3-...
Absolutely amazing advice SlowDragon thank you so very much I will look further into all of this information and see what changes I need to make.
Forgot to say
Most on gluten free diet find TPO antibodies slowly fall over months/years
If you search gluten on here you will see thousands of posts
Thank you SlowDragon so I take it there is no medication for Hashimotos? Is it as serious as normal under active thyroid?
80-90% of primary hypothyroidism is due to autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's)
The antibodies are started/caused/triggered by leaky gut. Gluten, casein (in cows milk) then often become a problem
High percentage find strictly gluten free diet helps significantly. You don't need to have any gut symptoms at all to still benefit
Many NHS medics only recognise coeliac but with Hashimoto's have non coeliac gluten sensitivity
It's not as difficult as it seems at first to go gluten free. I was dreading it. But never looked back. Some, like myself feel much better very quickly. Others it's more a slow improvement
Some need to be dairy free instead or as well
See those links I gave you
The Thyroid Secret is excellent video series - can find on YouTube I think
Broken brain episode 2 also covers gluten issue
Coeliac UK website is good
Thank you so much as always for advice x
Blood results help please
Help with bloods please
Latest bloods - help please!
Help with latest bloods please! 
Blood results please help! 
