Results... and advice

[Abbychaya]

Hello. I haven't posted for a while but thought I'd pop in and ask you amazing people some advice.

I've taken NDT since 2016 and always felt better with a lower TSH. I recently stopped in May as I saw a private doc in London for HRT treatment and she wanted me to get my hormones in order before looking at thyroid stuff. So, gave it a go (without NDT) for a few months and found the folllowing

I feel very tired...

my hair has fallen out/thinned to the worst it has ever been (bald patches, and just like thin bits of straw) It's the worst its ever been and got drastically worse while on the HRT, which is odd as I thought HRT made hair loss better.

I have lost weight and sleep a bit better

But, I feel as if the hormones don't make me feel good and plus my results that I had recently don't make me feel good either!

TSH. 2.05 (035-3.5)

T4 14pmol (80-21)

T3 3.5 (3.8-6.0)

Thyroid antibodies <36.3 - 0.0-340)

It's clear my T3 is low and I have mildly raised antibodies. Previously they had ranged from <63 to <73 and then when on NDT they were nothing.

I know I have to go back on NDT so will be trying to get a prescription, or buying it again but can't really afford it..

Any thoughts?

[Jazzw]

Is that a typo - that your T4 is 14 with a range of 80 to 21??

Anyway... your TSH is barely elevated considering your FT3 is so low, so your pituitary gland isn’t shouting loudly enough at your thyroid to produce thyroid hormones.

I’m not sure what your private doctor was thinking in asking you to come off NDT. Not sure that would give me any confidence in her ability to help. You can’t just come off thyroid treatment - that never “gets your hormones in order” (quite the opposite).

What are your iron levels like? Vit B12, Vit D, folate? I’d lay money on them all being low, especially iron. Has your private doctor arranged for those to be tested? If not, I’d politely suggest she doesn’t have a clue about thyroid issues.

[Abbychaya in reply to Jazzw]

Sorry typo 8-21

[NatChap]

I second everything Jazzw says. Bonkers telling you to come off thyroid meds, dangerous in fact! Thai NDT is more affordable than most so maybe look into that but you need to get back on some sort of thyroid replacement a.s.a.p

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Your extremely lucky not to be dangerously unwell. Any doctor that suggests stopping thyroid hormones completely clearly hasn't a clue

Highly likely your vitamin levels have crashed. They may need supplementing to improve

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

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. This gives highest TSH and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)

[Abbychaya in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes, Im going to get a blue horizons kit.. and then get back on NDT.. I've had ok ferritin the last few years, before my hysterectomy and ovary removal it was terrible. B12 has always been ok, low but normal and D is fine but on low side of normal.. I'll get on to supplements as soon as i can, but on JSA right now, so difficult...

[Aurealis]

Agree with comments made above, I would be finding a new doctor.

[Abbychaya in reply to Aurealis]

my GP is really nice and I dont want to leave practice, she isn't at all interested in my antibodies or thyroid though, like so many GPS she obviously can't/won't.... I dont' want to find a new GP as she's been really supportive with other thigns

[MaisieGray]

"she wanted me to get my hormones in order before looking at thyroid stuff"

Is she not aware that the thyroid is one of glands of the endocrine system and therefore it secretes ....... "hormones".

To have you stop taking your replacement/supplemental thyroid hormones is irresponsible at best.

[Hidden in reply to MaisieGray]

Please change your GP straight away unless you want to become very ill indeed

[Abbychaya]

Just to cal self education. Gp refuses to acknowledge my thyroid is an issue..been buying NDT online but taking unsupervised...private doc suggested dealing with Hormones then lookiing at thyroid...

[xelatropwen in reply to Abbychaya]

Where do you buy NDT online? Trying with new GP first but would be useful to know. (TSH 4.26, hair falling out, cold, drooping eyelid, mental health effects, weight gain, dry skin etc)

Thanks! Alex

[Abbychaya in reply to xelatropwen]

I'll pm you

[Abbychaya]

Clarify... I've been self medicating