can anyone please recommend a doctor who has helped them

[nataliemolly]

Hi there

I have been on levo for years, saw an endo at Barts nhs who has now retired. I never felt really well but he was hesitant to give me T3 as i had it before some years back on too high a dose without monitoring it carefully and went hyper which was awful and took months to correct. however i think a bit of T3 would help me or natural thryoid. a hormone specialist i saw recently prescribed novothyral but i am nervous to take it and would like to get a second opinion and intro T3 gradually because of effects of too much before. also my TSH is now at 1 which my previous barts endo said was ideal, however i still felt tired and achy and non motivated and depressed. The hormone doctor ive seen recently said my T4 is too low at 12 even though my TSH is 1 and my previous barts endo said i am best around 12. i seem to remember i felt much better higher but he said that new research said that T4 be at the high end and also it wasnt right for me. He was a v experienced and v nice specialist but i continued to feel tired and not really well. Theres only a few times in my life i have felt well with energy and thought this must be how normal people feel. i am also on antidepressants but feel that the lack of energy is causing me to feel depressed and if it was solved i may not need them. i am in fact on a stimulating anti depressant that only worked initially to help me feel more energetic.

i am very confused at the moment and also very nervous because of going hyper before and suffering very bad anxiety. Any advice on doctors/specialists in London and anything else would really be appreciated.

many thanks

[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. Thousands on here forced to do so as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

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

Dr Toft, past president of the British Thyroid Association and leading endocrinologist, states in Pulse Magazine,

"The appropriate dose of levothyroxine is that which restores euthyroidism and serum TSH to the lower part of the reference range - 0.2-0.5mU/l.

In this case, free thyroxine is likely to be in the upper part of its reference range or even slightly elevated – 18-22pmol/l.

Most patients will feel well in that circumstance. But some need a higher dose of levothyroxine to suppress serum TSH and then the serum-free T4 concentration will be elevated at around 24-28pmol/l.

This 'exogenous subclinical hyperthyroidism' is not dangerous as long as serum T3 is unequivocally normal – that is, serum total around T3 1.7nmol/l (reference range 1.0-2.2nmol/l)."

You can obtain a copy of the articles from Thyroid UK email print it and highlight question 6 to show your doctor

 please email Dionne at

[e-mail]

Also ask for list of recommended thyroid specialists, some are T3 friendly too

Professor Toft recent article saying, T3 may be necessary for many

rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/fi...

[nataliemolly in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much for your help slowdragon

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to nataliemolly]

Before seeing any thyroid specialist it's recommended to get full private testing of thyroid and vitamins

Essential to test both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies as well

Come back with new post once you have results and ranges for members to advise

What supplements do you take, if any?

Do you know if you have Hashimoto's? (High antibodies)

[Chippysue]

You have been badly let down by conventional doctors. Prescribing anti-depressants makes matters worse but increases your gp’s pay packet.

A nutritionist/naturopath can help you to get better. Looking at your diet, your minerals/vitamins your whole self, looking at possible problems like Candida, leaky gut, heavy metals, parasites. It’s not just about the right thyroid medication. The less toxins your body is burdened with the better you will be.

Acupuncture, kinesiology etc are all brilliant too. Your gp was trained to give you drugs etc

[BBSM in reply to Chippysue]

I had hyperthyroidism, I took propranolol and carbimazole.

I am not satisfied with GP and endo care in the hospital.

I tried Chinese herbal therapy and acupuncture as well as diet.we have to cleanse the body of toxins. The liver, the spleen and the intestines are important. stop drink milk jogurts and milk products ,bread sugar I feeling 100% better

[nataliemolly in reply to Chippysue]

Thank you Chippysue, is that your experience.. eg that a naturopath helped you to get better ? it makes total sense but just wondering what difference it made to people who tried it..

[BBSM]

I had hyperthyroidism, I took propranolol and carbimazole.

I am not satisfied with GP and endo care in the hospital.

I tried Chinese herbal therapy and acupuncture as well as diet.we have to cleanse the body of toxins. The liver, the spleen and the intestines are important. stop drink milk jogurts and milk products ,bread sugar I feeling 100% better

[Espisnowwoman]

Depression comes with thyroid.

[kluang]

I saw Dr Peatfield, he turned my health around.

[nataliemolly in reply to kluang]

Thank you Kluang, i will look him up, ive heard about him before. just sometimes advice is conflicting and bewildering.. but its good to hear dr peatfield really helped you

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to nataliemolly]

He's now not well and not available.