Private Endo in north west

[Linthyro]

Hi

I found a private endo in Liverpool, sounds really good. They want a copy of my thyroid blood test, which I will get from my gp this week, I hope. A bit expensive, but after 25 years on thyroxine, I think its worth it!!!!

[FibroKovia]

I will be interested to see how you get on as I’m in Liverpool too. My thyroid levels seem to be fairly well managed with 100 mcg daily (I take it in mornings before food). I’ve been feeling the cold recently and not feeling great (but also struggling with kidney stones and a painful ovarian cyst so it’s difficult to pinpoint the root cause). Do let us know how you get on! 🤞

[Linthyro in reply to FibroKovia]

Hi, yes I will post how I get on, but as its expensive I will be going early April, but I will let you know. We live outside Liverpool, but I come from there originally, great place!!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies. Plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

Essential to test thyroid antibodies, FT3 and FT4 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, delay and take straight after. 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

Have you considered dairy intolerance as cause of persistent cough?

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

[Linthyro in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi, thank you so much for your detailed reply. I will do exactly that and have a private test. Also, I don't know if I'm intolerant to dairy or not, but will test this myself over a few days without dairy. Thanks again, a great help!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Linthyro]

Essential to test antibodies

If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's and often 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 but dairy is also common

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 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 or endo for coeliac blood test first. Or can get a postal kit £20 - google to find

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...

[Linthyro in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi, I think I will do one thing at a time, but many thanks for your info. I'm 70 this year and have slowed down rather a lot lately!

Thanks again.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Linthyro]

Definitely only ever do one change at a time!