Buying T3 meds

[Adiecharlotte]

Hello new to this.. I have had an under active thyroid diagnosed for 3 years, with TSH being unreadable many times on blood test as it’s so high. I gain ridiculous amounts of weight on t4 only meds, where can I buy t3 meds online? (Gp won’t help)

[Judithdalston]

Can you post your full thyroid results with ranges and T4 dosing, plus have you had Vit D, B12, folate and ferritin levels checked? The latter have to be good before embarking on T3. Members like to know some history of thyroid health/ meds before recommending T3!

[Adiecharlotte in reply to Judithdalston]

My doctors surgery is reluctant to give out results, the only result I have is that my TSH levels are 18 which I was told over the phone. I’ve had my vitamins etc checked and they’ve all been within the ranges, b12 was slightly low but not low enough to treat. I’ve been on levothyroxine for 3/4 years but have taken myself off Levo (at least for now) to prevent anymore weight gain as im overweight to begin with

[shaws Administrator in reply to Adiecharlotte]

Drop a note to your doctor and tell him/her that it is against the LAW (if in UK) not to permit the patient to get a print-out of their results with the ranges. My surgery charges 30p per sheet and you will report to your MP.

If you have stopped taking levothyroxine and not taken a replacement, your brain and heart will suffer as both need the most T3 and we have millions of T3 receptor cells in our body. Levothyroxine, is inactive hormone and has to convert to T3, so we need to effectively be able to convert levo into T3. So that is why (and I don't understand why it isn't included) both Free T4 and Free T3 in the blood test we get.

Levothyroxine is an inactive hormone and it has to convert to T3. If you are on insufficient dose, i.e. a Free T4 and Free T3 in the optimum level, weight will be gained. Hypo causes our metabolism to slow right down i.e. weight gain and if we don't have sufficient levo to convert to T3, we gain weight - we also have a slow pulse.

What you need is a Full Thyroid Function Test which GPs wont do but you can get a private 'home test' through one of our two labs who do pin-prick blood tests. Make sure you are well-hydrated a few days before blood test. It should be at the very earliest and fasting. I will give you a link just in case your GP wont do all of the ones below (I doubt he will).

TSH, T4, T3, Free T4, Free T3 and thyroid antibodies.

Blue Horizon and Medichecks are the labs. Medichecks have some sort of 'offer' every Thursday.

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

GP should test B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate. Everything has to be optimal.

If GP wont prescribe T3, you can source your own. Put up a fresh post asking where to source it (tell your GP you will do so ). Your post will then be closed for comments and you will get private messages if someone has knowledge.

[Hidden in reply to Adiecharlotte]

Your surgery has to provide your results. If they will not print them make a Data subject access request under the new data act. There is no charge and the surgery has to provide the information in a month. If they fail to comply you can report them to the ICO. Good luck.

[jimh111]

What dose of levothyroxine were you taking when you got the TSH 18 result? This result indicates you are substantially under medicated. What did your doctor propose when they saw the TSH 18 result? Taking too little levothyroxine will make you put on weight.

[Adiecharlotte in reply to jimh111]

225mcg - I gain weight regardless of whether my levels are optimum or not even though my diet and exercise levels are good. If I stop taking the levo, the weight gain stops

[jimh111 in reply to Adiecharlotte]

Your doctors need to measure TSH, fT3 and fT4 whilst you are taking 225 mcg levothyroxine, to confirm you are absorbing it and the T4 is converting to T3. If you have a TSH of 18.0 on this dose (and are taking it) then they need to find out why your TSH is remaining high. You must not take medications such as iron tablets, calicium or coffee at the same time as levothyroxine. What other medcines / supplements are you taking?

[Adiecharlotte in reply to jimh111]

None, just my levo in the morning. They are doing a repeat test on Tuesday to measure t3 as they previously haven’t. They do not test reverse t3 but I am almost certain that is high and is the cause of my problem

[Judithdalston in reply to Adiecharlotte]

Reverse T3 is a bit pointless, will they do TSH, FT4 and FT3 from one blood draw next Tuesday - else it's difficult to make any comparison? You take your levothyroxin on an empty stomach with only water, and no food for an hour after? Do you know if you have Hashimoto's, characterised by poor gut absorption? Unfortunately being told your vitamins/ minerals are 'within range' or 'normal', or B12 is 'slightly low' probably means your Vit D, B12, folate and ferritin are way below the levels needed for good thyroid health and T4 to T3 conversion. Doctor's surgeries can't be reluctant to give out results...by law you are entitled to them, so ask for a print out for your last results and those coming up!

[Adiecharlotte in reply to Judithdalston]

Levi on an empty stomach with water, I do have Hashimotos. I will obtain results on Tuesday when I am at the doctors x

[EbonyEvans]

👋🏾 just thought I’d mention to not take your T4 morning of the blood test. Fast overnight (water only) take your Ts straight after as usual. Make sure the blood draw is as early as possible 6.45 -9am is great. Literally the first slot. You probably need some vitamins like Selenium Vit d, b12 etc. You are legally entitled to print out of your results. Which are now free as of 31/5/18. Please don’t let them fob you off with they’ll write it down. As they may do it incorrectly. Not over the phone. Good luck on Tuesday and let us know what happened.