Hi all, I’m new to the site. Was diagnosed with low thyroid in my early twenties, I’m now 51 and for the past few years have had Fibro symptoms, joint pain and chronic fatigue. My D102 test has come back heterozygous showing I’m can only partíally convert my T4. I also have thyroid antibodies. I’m going to obtain my recent blood test results soon, but don’t have these presently. My 12 year daughter was diagnosed a few years ago with low thyroid and also has antibodies, although we haven’t done a gene test yet. I would really like to trial some T3, so I can assess if it approves my symptoms so that I could help my daughter in the futture. We both take leovethyroxine, but still have symptoms. Though I would start by trying to get to see an Endo. Any help would be most appreciated. Best wishes to everyone.
Endocrinologists in Bristol area willing to pre... - Thyroid UK
Endocrinologists in Bristol area willing to prescribe T3
Endos at Spire and BRI are anti T3.
Can you post your most recent blood test results and ranges for TSH, FT4 and FT3
As your antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all primary 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
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, often 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...
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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
tukadmin@thyroiduk.org
Suggest you also request the list of recommended thyroid specialists.
Professor Toft recent article saying, T3 may be necessary for many otherwise we need high FT4 and suppressed TSH in order to have high enough FT3
rcpe.ac.uk/sites/default/fi...
I will PM you too regarding T3 friendly endocrinologist
Thank you SlowDragon, this is very useful.
You could try a functional medicine doctor:
Or Thyroid UK has a list of private doctors on request. There maybe someone in your area on those lists that may help you.
T3 isn't always the answer. I have a faulty homozygous DIO2 gene and trialed all types of thyroid medication over the years and none have regained my health for me. Since seeing functional medicine doctors I've found out there's been more issues to my health than just thyroid alone.
Having faulty genes doesn't always mean we are doomed to always have this issue they can give us if they're switched on. I've since learned that through epigenetics, there are many factors that cause these faulty genes to switch on or off. Toxic metals and chemicals can be common causes for example and these days we're all exposed to toxins in our environment unfortunately.
Just passing on this info, so if you don't have any joy with the thyroid meds route, there are others to investigate. Best of luck 
Many thanks for your response, I didn’t realise that the genes may not be switched on. That’s really helpful to know and will look into it if thyroid med does not work.
Dr Ben Lynch has done lots of work on genes and has a book out called 'Dirty Genes' in it he talks bout how to avoid faulty genes expressing themselves and causing problems. It's an interesting topic. My issue I've found out so far has been toxic metals, blocking my energy production in my cells, blocking thyroid function and inhibiting the conversion of T4 to T3 and my guess is probably switching my faulty DIO2 gene on in the mix too I expect! The metal toxicity may explain why thyroid hormone replacement didn't work for me - time will tell, I'm still trying to heal.......
Do private testing firms use different protocols to NHS? Notable variance in results twice now. 
Hashimotos / ADHD
NDT- willing to try anything right now!
Confused
Thyroid tests
