t3 or not t3

[thewebwitch1]

I am again trying to get my doctor and my endro to at least help me to get t3

What are the exact tests I need please so that can at least look at getting it

I am 300 levo per day how do you know what dosage you need?

[Nanaedake]

300mcg of levo is a large amount. If you need this amount of levothyroxine, then unless you are very large, you likely have an absorption problem. Have you had your vitamin levels tested including vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12? Have you had tests for coeliac disease?

For thyroid testing it would be TSH, FT4, FT3 and TT4 but unlikely to get all of these on the NHS if you reside in the UK. By the way, it's an Endocrinologist or Endo (not Endro).

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your previous post shows you have Hashimoto's also called autoimmune thyroid disease

Low vitamin levels are extremely common and malabsorption

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3.

Plus very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Vitamins must be optimal before starting T3

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or all vitamins

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. If on Levothyroxine, don't take 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)

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

Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's.

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)

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

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

[humanbean]

Can I just point out...

The doctors who specialise in hormones are called endocrinologists or endos, not endros.

[thewebwitch1]

apologies for my ignorance