Hi, I am new here and have learned so much reading the forum discussions. I am looking into self medicating.
Please can someone knowledgeable, pm me to let me know where I can obtain a reasonably priced, reliable source of Levothryroxine in the UK without a prescription.
Many thanks
Do you have recent blood test results and ranges you can add
You really should get GP to prescribe Levothyroxine.
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
Low vitamins are extremely common and often need supplementing to improve as first step
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or 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. This gives highest TSH 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. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...
Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...
List of hypothyroid symptoms
MrsWoo
As Levo is a prescription only medication, it is not available in the UK without one. Anyone who did supply it in the UK would be breaking the law.
Members will be happy to help if you post results of the tests that SlowDragon has suggested when you have them.
Hi there. Thanks for the replies so far. Here are my results so far.
My first tests were carried out privately by Blue Horizons in June 2015. Results:
TSH 2.8 (ref range 0.27 - 4.2)
T4 13.1 (ref range 12 - 22)
T3 also within range and negative antibodies
Tests this year done by NHS.
April 2018 Results (test done 11am on empty stomach)
TSH 4.87 (ref range 0.40 - 4.50)
T4 8.6 (ref range 7.0 - 17.0)
Vit D low so being treated with monthly loading doses
b12in range
Will ask for exact numbers next week
GP interpreted as these April 18 results as possible subclinical hypothyroidism so ordered repeat tests for Oct 18.
9 Oct 18 Results (test done at 2.30pm on empty stomach. Fasted since night before)
TSH 4.47 (ref range 0.40 - 4.50)
T4 6.8 (ref range 7.0 - 17.0)
GP refused to treat as TSH within ref range!!! Despite it being out of range in April and now T4 is out of range.
Well, I burst into tears and begged her just to let me have a trial of Levo. In the end she agreed to retesting next week, after I told her that my last test was done in the afternoon and I know my TSH would have dropped by then. I told her the April and Oct tests were not a fair comparison. She also agreed to ring an endo at our local hosptial for advice and to see whether he would agree a trial. She said she was bound by the guidelines, which she showed me in her file. She promised to ring me back about it within a week.
So...my next blood test is at 9.40am on 7 Nov. I am also being tested for antibodies. i had these tested in June 2015 privately and they negative compared to the ramges given. Could it be possible some more antibodies are now present?
I will again fast before my 7 Nov morning test and hope that my TSH is raised.
I am suffering all the classic symptoms of hypo and was diagnosed with fibro in 2012. Things have got gradually worse since then. I have no quality of life due to fatigue, pain and muscle aches.
What do you think of my results so far? Do you have any tips on what to say to gp at my next appt? I have no hope that an endo at hospital will agree to treatment as I still fall into the ref range for T4, albeit only just.
I am desperate to try levo to see if things improve. That is why I was asking about obtaining it without a UK prescription. I won’t pursue it until I have had my next blood test and met with GP.
These boards are wonderful. Thanks in advance for any advice you can give me.
Mrs Woo
Hello
I’m sorry you’re feeling rubbish. I’m certainly not qualified to comment on whether you’re hypo or not but my PM TSH came back at the top of the normal range when I first went for tests, but was 6.4 when I insisted on a repeat test done at 9am. I had to push hard for a trial of levo. Be prepared to stand your ground and print off the NICE guidelines for treating sub clinical hypothyroidism and take them in with you. They state you can have a trial of levo if your TSH is elevated and T4 in range if you have symptoms. They should start you on 50mcg and retest in 8 weeks to review and adjust the dose until you feel well. When medicated your TSH will probably need to be under 1 to feel well.
If all else fails, Levo can be purchased over the counter in Spanish pharmacies. It’s about 3 euros for 100 tablets.
How in range is your b12? Low b12 (even when in range) can cause very similar symptoms as HT and you won’t do yourself a mischief by experimenting with high doses of b12. Make sure you take a B vitamin spectrum supplement in addition to the b12 to keep a balance.
Good luck X
I will find out what my B12 results were. Thank you so much for your reply. Do you have a link to the NICE guidlelines to treating sub hypo? I feel I will have a battle on my hands to get treatment so I need all the back up I can get. I hope my TSH comes back above 5 when I am tested in the morning next week.
Also, do you have any links to recommended b12 and B spectrum vitamin supplements. I like to buy off Amazon for convenience if possible. Thank you for all your help x
Can you just go into a Spanish pharmacy and buy it? No prescription?Wow!
Yes!
I will find out what my B12 results were. Thank you so much for your reply. Do you have a link to the NICE guidlelines to treating sub hypo? I feel I will have a battle on my hands to get treatment so I need all the back up I can get. I hope my TSH comes back above 5 when I am tested in the morning next week. X
Hi MrsWoo
For anyone to receive notification and know that you have replied to them, you have to reply directly to their post by clicking on the blue REPLY immediately below their message (between the thumbs up sign and the word MORE. Your replies so far appear to have been put in the box at the bottom of the thread, and that effectively replies to the opening post in the thread, ie yourself.
Commenting on the replies you have made, we always advise here that when booking thyroid tests, always book the very first appointment of the morning and fast overnight (water allowed). This gives the highest possible TSH which is needed when looking for a diagnosis, an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction. TSH is highest early morning and lowers throughout the day. It can also lower after eating and coffee also affects TSH. Also, take your Levo after the blood draw because if you take it before then your FT4 will reflect this and show higher than what is normally circulating. We usually advise 24 hours between last dose of Levo and blood draw so if you take your Levo in the morning then delay until after the test, or if you take it at night then delay that dose until after the test. These are patient to patient tips which we don't discuss with doctors or phlebotomists.
9 Oct 18 Results (test done at 2.30pm on empty stomach. Fasted since night before)
The test was done far too late in the day, when TSH is at it's lowest, and no-one should torture themselves by fasting that long.
TSH 4.47 (ref range 0.40 - 4.50)
T4 6.8 (ref range 7.0 - 17.0)
With those results, especially considering that you had an over range TSH before, your GP should have acted on your below range FT4.
It's possible, and I am not diagnosing here as I have no medical training, I am merely pointing out the possibility, that you could have Central Hypothyroidism. This is where the problem lies with the pituitary (Secondary Hypothyroidism) or the hypothalamus (Tertiary Hypothyroidism) rather than the thyroid. Central Hypothyroidism is diagnosed with a normal, low or slightly elevated TSH and a low FT4. Your TSH here is considered normal because it's in range, and your FT4 is low because it's below range.
Your GP can look at BMJ Best Practice for information - here is something you can read without needing to be subscribed bestpractice.bmj.com/topics...
and another article which explains it ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...
You could do some more research, print out anything that may help and show your GP.
As Central Hypothyroidism isn't as common as Primary Hypothyroidism it's likely that your GP hasn't come across it before. You may need to be referred to an endocrinologist. If so then please make absolutely sure that it is a thyroid specialist that you see. Most endos are diabetes specialists and know little about the thyroid gland (they like to think they do and very often end up making us much more unwell that we were before seeing them). You can email Dionne at
tukadmin@thyroiduk.org
for the list of thyroid friendly endos. Then ask on the forum for feedback on any that you can get to. Then if your GP refers you, make sure it is to one recommended here. It's no guarantee that they will understand Central Hypothyroidism but it's better than seeing a diabetes specialist. You could also ask on the forum if anyone has been successful in getting a diagnosis of Central Hypothyroidism, possibly in your area which you'll have to mention of course.
With the possibility of Central Hypothyroidism, you shouldn't self treat with Levo, that wont threat a problem with the pituitary or the hypothalamus.
The other possibility is, if you have your next thyroid function test under the advised conditions, then your TSH should be over range. If it is between 4 and 10 and you have symptoms it could be classed as Subclinical Hypothyroidism. Not many doctors would prescribe Levo at this stage, they may wish to wait until TSH reaches 10, but if antibodies were present then that sometimes can persuade an enlightened doctor to start prescribing. There is an article about this but best not jump the gun until we know your new results.
What was your Vit D level, what dose are you taking and are you taking D3's important cofactors Vit K2-MK7 and magnesium?
What is your B12 level? Saying "in range" doesn't tell us anything, you could very low in range and that might mean you have B12 deficiency if you are experiencing symptoms particular to that.
You mention you've had antibodies tested previously and they were "negative compared to the ranges given". Is that the ranges that came with the test or ranges you've seen elsewhere. You can only use ranges from the lab that did your test.
Could it be possible some more antibodies are now present?
It is possible, antibodies fluctuate.
So...my next blood test is at 9.40am on 7 Nov
Personally I would change that appointment. You need the highest possible TSH, you will get that with an appointment at 8-8.30am, certainly no later than 9am. Just make an excuse to cancel and rearrange it for an earlier time.
Mny thanks for your very detailed reply and for the tip on how to reply to someone. I hope I have done it right this time!
I am attempting to copy my Blue Horizons test results here from June 2015. This gives my antibodies and the ranges. Can you offer any insight into this and what I should be looking for in my next test on 7 Nov?
I will ring the gp and obtain my Vit D and B12 results and post back. My vit D supplements from the GP are two Hux D3 20,000 capsules every month. I am not taking anything else with them. Please can you advise what else I should be taking?
I have seen a B12 mouth spray recommended on Amazon. Would it be wise to supplement with this if my b12 result is low? Or a full vItB complex?
Sorry for all the questions. I am new and a bit overwhelemed and feel so poorly.
Regarding my next blood test at 9.40am. I really cannot get to the GP any earlier than this. I literally cannot get out of bed at that time and will have to get someone to get me up and drive me there (my dad hopefully). It is going to kill me to get there for 9.40 as it is.
Please can you tell me how I can attach results to a reply. Thank you
MrsWoo
Yes you replied correctly this time and I got notification 
and don't worry, we were all new once.
Don't worry about asking questions either, that's how we all learn.
Firstly, you can attach a picture to the opening post in a thread only, and only one picture. Here's how to do it
1) Click on down arrow below your original post V and click on EDIT
2) Scroll down and click on ADD A PHOTO
3) Upload your photo
4) Click on EDIT RESPONSE
The photo needs to be clear, large enough to read the numbers, and must not show your personal details - name, date of birth, etc, to protect you from identity theft. Sometimes, if there's not many results, it's just easier to type them in.
As for your Vit D, if you were deficiency, which I am sure you must have been to be prescribed "loading doses", this is where the level is less than 30 and the NICE treatment summary for Vit D deficiency:
cks.nice.org.uk/vitamin-d-d...
"Treat for Vitamin D deficiency if serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels are less than 30 nmol/L.
For the treatment of vitamin D deficiency, the recommended treatment is based on fixed loading doses of vitamin D (up to a total of about 300,000 international units [IU] given either as weekly or daily split doses, followed by lifelong maintenace treatment of about 800 IU a day. Higher doses of up to 2000IU a day, occasionally up to 4000 IU a day, may be used for certain groups of people, for example those with malabsorption disorders. Several treatment regims are available, including 50,000 IU once a week for 6 weeks (300,000 IU in total), 20,000 IU twice a week for 7 weeks (280,000 IU in total), or 4000 IU daily for 10 weeks (280,000 IU in total)."
Your dose of two Hux D3 20,000 capsules every month doesn't follow the guidance. As you can see it should be 20,000iu twice a week. Your dose averages 1,333iu a day which is barely a maintenance dose for someone with a decent level already.
Your doctor wont know, because they are not taught nutrition, but there are important cofactors needed when taking D3 as recommended by the Vit D Council -
vitamindcouncil.org/about-v...
D3 aids absorption of calcium from food and K2-MK7 directs the calcium to bones and teeth where it is needed and away from arteries and soft tissues where it can be deposited and cause problems such as hardening of the arteries, kidney stones, etc.
D3 and K2 are fat soluble so should be taken with the fattiest meal of the day, D3 four hours away from thyroid meds.
Magnesium helps D3 to work. We need Magnesium so that the body utilises D3, it's required to convert Vit D into it's active form. So it's important we ensure we take magnesium when supplementing with D3.
Magnesium comes in different forms, check to see which would suit you best and as it's calming it's best taken in the evening, four hours away from thyroid meds
naturalnews.com/046401_magn...
Check out the other cofactors too.
Wait and see what your B12 level is and then I will comment whether further investigation is necessary or whether it would be fine to self supplement.
Regarding my next blood test at 9.40am. I really cannot get to the GP any earlier than this. I literally cannot get out of bed at that time and will have to get someone to get me up and drive me there (my dad hopefully). It is going to kill me to get there for 9.40 as it is.
Sorry to say but that will very likely make the difference between an in range TSH and an over range TSH. Have a look at the first graph in this post
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
and you will see the difference in the TSH level at 9am and 10am - first and second points on the graph on the left hand side. You can see how much lower it is the closer to 10am you get.
Hello again!
Just been on to the GP and have managed to change my blood test to Fri 9 Nov at 8.50am. This was the earliest available.
Asked for my vitamin results from April 2018 and they are:
Vit D - 48.2 (50 - 250)
VitB12 - 294 (145 - 910)
I have ordered some 3000iu D3 and 100iu K2 MK7 so I will increase my VitD dose myself.
Any advice re my B12?
Thanks
Just been on to the GP and have managed to change my blood test to Fri 9 Nov at 8.50am. This was the earliest available.
That's better, you have a better chance of your TSH being over range at that time.
Vit D - 48.2 (50 - 250) I have ordered some 3000iu D3 and 100iu K2 MK7 so I will increase my VitD dose
The Vit D Council recommends a level of 125nmol/L and for your current level to reach the recommended level they advise 4,900iu daily, so you might want to start at a higher dose for 3 months then retest
VitB12 - 294 (145 - 910)
First of all, check to see if you have any signs of B12 deficiency here b12deficiency.info/signs-an... If you have, list then and ask your GP to test for B12 deficiency/pernicious anaemia. Some people who have a level in the 300s have been found to need B12 injections.
I have read (but not researched so don't have links) that BCSH, UKNEQAS and NICE guidelines recommend:
"In the presence of discordance between test results and strong clinical features of deficiency, treatment should not be delayed to avoid neurological impairment."
If no signs, then you can self supplement and I'd start with 5000mcg daily of sublingual methylcobalamin. When that bottle is finished, buy the 1000mcg dose and continue with that.
An extract from the book, "Could it be B12?" by Sally M. Pacholok:
"We believe that the 'normal' serum B12 threshold needs to be raised from 200 pg/ml to at least 450 pg/ml because deficiencies begin to appear in the cerebrospinal fluid below 550".
"For brain and nervous system health and prevention of disease in older adults, serum B12 levels should be maintained near or above 1000 pg/ml."
So if you're in the older age group like me you may want to keep your level at around the 1000 mark. Retesting whilst supplementing wont give you a baseline but will tell you if the dose you are supplementing is too much, and if so you can adjust accordingly.
When taking B12 we also need a good B Complex to balance all the B vitamins, eg Thorne Basic B or Igennus Super B. If you do have any signs of B12 deficiency, then don't start the B Complex until after injections/supplementation has been started as the methylfolate contained within the B Complex will mask signs of B12 deficiency.
Hi.
Just letting you know that I have ordered some 5000mcg daily sublingual methyl cobalamin from Amazon. Should be here Monday. Excellent reviews from what I have read. I’ll let you know how I get on with it.
OK, just the one bottle of that then go onto 1000mcg.
Will do! This bottle has 60 tablets so two months worth. They have the same brand in 1000mcg so I will change to that if they suit me ok.
PS I uploaded a photo of my antibodies test results from June 2015. I am being retested next Friday for these along with TSH and T4. Do my old results tell you anything I need to be aware of this time around? Thank you x
No, they were low so didn't indicate any autoimmune thyroid disease. However, antibodies fluctuate so it will be interesting to see what they're like when retested.
Thank you
I have an update....it is good news!!!!!!!!
Had my blood test on Fri at 8.50am and guess what?
TSH measured 7.2 (ref range 0.40 - 4.50)
T4 was 7.5 (ref range 7.0. - 17)
GP has just phoned me with the results and is issuing me with a prescription to start Levothyroxine 50mg.
I am booked in for a blood test at 8.50am on 28 Dec.
So pleased!!!!! Thank you so much for persuading me to go for my blood test before 9am. You were right! It has made so much difference and the results have now resulted in treatment.
So, to clarify, does this mean I have hypothyroidism? GP didn’t mention the antibodies results and I didn’t think to ask as I was so thrilled with my results. Do the antibodies matter now that I am getting treatment anyway?
Please can you advise me of the best time to take my Levo tablets.
Also, what should I expect to happen after my next blood test at the end of December? What if my TSH falls back into range? GP won’t stop the meds will she? What needs to happen for her to increase my dose to 100mg?
So many questions! Thank you so much.
Xxxx
Just rang surgery for antibodies.
Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies < 9.0 (ref 0 - 9.0)
Is this significant?
Thanks
MrsWoo
So pleased that you got your prescription
GP has just phoned me with the results and is issuing me with a prescription to start Levothyroxine 50mg.
That's a normal starting dose so that's good.
I am booked in for a blood test at 8.50am on 28 Dec.
Make sure that you leave off Levo for 24 hours before the test, and fast overnight - just have your normal evening meal/supper the night before the test, then water only until after the blood draw (delay breakfast until afterwards). This will give the highest possible TSH and lowest FT4, important when titrating dose.
So, to clarify, does this mean I have hypothyroidism?
Yes it does, your TSH was between 4-10 and your GP has acknowledged Subclinical Hypothyroidism. It would have eventually reached 10 at some point (but who knows when) and then you would have a diagnosis of Primary Hypothyroidism. But you've got your Levo now so it's all good.
GP didn’t mention the antibodies results and I didn’t think to ask as I was so thrilled with my results. Do the antibodies matter now that I am getting treatment anyway?
Don't worry about them, they were low before, most likely you don't have Hashi's.
Please can you advise me of the best time to take my Levo tablets.
Take your Levo on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after food, with a glass of water only, no tea, coffee, milk, etc, for an hour either side as absorption will be affected. Take any other medication and supplements 2 hours away from Levo, some need 4 hours.
Some people take their Levo on waking then wait for breakfast and a cup of tea/coffee. Some people prefer to take it at bedtime. I take mine in the middle of the night when I visit the bathroom - keeps it away from all food and drink (other than water) and other medication and supplements. Experiment and see which suits you best.
Also, what should I expect to happen after my next blood test at the end of December? What if my TSH falls back into range? GP won’t stop the meds will she? What needs to happen for her to increase my dose to 100mg?
When your TSH is back in range, the aim now is for TSH to reach 1 or below with FT4/FT3 in the upper part of their reference ranges - this is where most Hypo patients feel best.
After initial diagnosis and starting Levo, tests should be done every 6-8 weeks, with an increase of 25mcg Levo each time until your levels are where they need to be for you to feel well. Don't increase by more than 25mcg at a time.
If your GP doesn't want to increase your Levo once your TSH falls into range, but not low enough for you to feel well, refer to:
pathology.leedsth.nhs.uk/pa...
Thyroxine Replacement Therapy in Primary Hypothyroidism
TSH Level ........ This Indicates
0.2 - 2.0 miu/L ........ Sufficient Replacement
> 2.0 miu/L ........ Likely under Replacement
TSH is not a good indicator once we're on replacement hormone. It's used for diagnosis but it's not a thyroid hormone, it's a pituitary hormone. It's the thyroid hormones (FT4 and FT3) that tell us if we are adequately dosed.
Unfortunately too many doctors only dose by TSH so we sometimes have to fight to continue increases until our symptoms abate. We need to remind our doctors that we are not a number on a computer, we know how we feel, the TSH doesn't tell the doctor how we feel.
Any other questions, just shout
Thank you for your wonderful advice once more, SeasideSusie!
I shall follow all your advice and let you know how I am getting on.
Good to know what I need to look for in future test results.
Does this mean I will need to take Levo for the rest of my life?
I know that you cannot really answer this question as we are all different, but from your experience of reading these boards, how long does it take usually for people to feel better once on meds? I just want to be realistic about what I can expect. Do many people report side effects when they first start?
Finally, I have heard that you can get free prescriptions if you take Levo. Is it too soon for me to apply for this. Do I need to wait until after my next blood test? If not, is there a form I can get my GP to sign? Any guidance around this would be much appreciated.
Thank you once again for all your help. I have been ill for seven years and there is now a chink of light in the tunnel. You are doing a fantastic job on this forum x
MrsWoo
If your thyroid is failing, for whatever reason, then it can't produce the thyroid hormone your body needs, so it has to be replaced with synthetic hormone. A failing thyroid is unlikely to repair itself so for most of us taking replacement hormone is for life. I believe that sometimes it can be temporary but that's usually with pregnancy.
It can take months to "feel better" but you may find some improvement after a couples of months. Because we are taking hormones, it can't be rushed, we have to increase them gradually, hence just 25mcg increases every 6-8 weeks.
There are occasionally members who don't tolerate Levo but many, many people do well on it. As all tablets have fillers, and some people can be sensitive to them, we occasionally hear of some members who have side effects from one brand or another. The worst brand for side effects and the one we here most about on here is Teva.
I live in Wales and all prescriptions for everyone are free but I used to live in England and there is a form, I can't remember if you get it from the pharmacy or the surgery but fill it in and it's "myxodoema" that you have. Your GP needs to sign the form.
Thank you. I have found the relevant form online to apply for a prescription payment excemption cert. I need to fill it in, print off and then get my GP to sign it:
pdffiller.com/jsfiller-mob1...
My prescription has arrived. The brand I have been given is made by Mercury Pharma. Fingers crossed this will be ok for me. I am not usually sensitive to fillers.
It is not up to you to fill it in and get your GP to sign it.
It is the GP's job to do almost everything - including sending it off.
In the meantime, if you have any prescriptions request an FP57 refund receipt when you pay (you can’t get one later). See this link:
nhsbsa.nhs.uk/exemption-cer...
Thankfully, I already have a prepayment certificate so I only pay £10 odd per month for all my prescriptions.
I read the following advice on the NHS website:
How to apply for a medical exemption certificate
Ask your doctor for an FP92A form to apply for a medical exemption certificate. Your GP, hospital or service doctor will sign the form to confirm that your statement is correct. At your GP's discretion, a member of the practice who has access to your medical records can also sign the form.
I assumed from this that I was to fill it in and get the GP to sign it. I don’t mind filling it in as it is short and straightforward. What I will do, though, is ask the GP surgery to send it in for me once the GP has signed it. I figured it may be quicker to fill it in myself and just get GP to sign it.
Do you think the GP will sign it even though I have just been disgnosed as hypo and am only on my first prescription? Do you think she will want to wait until my next blood test? Hope not.
I believe you can get a refund on your prepayment certificate...
I think you should get an exemption however long you have been diagnosed.
Wow! That was a quick response! That is reassuring.
You don’t happen to know how I can get a refund on my prepayment cert do you? I assume, if and when I get the MedEx, I send in a copy to the NHSBSA along with proof of my levo prescription and ask them to refund what I may have paid since being diagnosed?
Thanks for your help. It is much appreciated. Any money I can save is a bonus, especially if it covers what I have paid for B12, D3 etc supplements!
Thanks for info in vit D. I shall check my most recent results and then go to GP armed with the NICE info to increase my prescription, if necessary. I already have high dose Magnesium Bisglycinate. I will order some vit K2 MK7 as I have had thise before.
Those graphs re blood testing are very interesting. I will ring nurse tomorrow and ask to be booked in for the earliest appointment. Lord help me getting up! However, it will be worth it if it tips my TSH above 5. The GP pretty much said she would allow a trial of levo if I went out of range again.
I’ll update again once I have spoke to GP tomorrow.
Oh, and I will add my antibodies results from 2015.
Thank you x
It's only one morning. You don't even need to wash. Just get some clothes on and out the door. You can come back afterwards and have your breakfast and a shower or even go back to bed if you need to. Just get there early.
I know, I will just drag myself there! I have managed to change my appointment to Fri 9 Nov at 8.50am. This was the earliest available so at least I will be in before 9am. Fingers crossed! I will feedback my results when I get them.
Underlines yet again .....that getting vitamins optimal and early morning testing help get more accurate Thyroid results
Keep us posted on your progress
Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after.
Many take early morning, on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime.
verywell.com/should-i-take-...
Other medication at least 2 hours away, some like HRT, iron, calcium, vitamin D or magnesium at least four hours away from Levothyroxine
Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.
Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.
Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients
Bloods will need retesting 6-8 weeks after each dose increase in Levothyroxine
All thyroid tests should 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)
Levothyroxine Prescription
UK T3 Source without prescription
Sourcing Levothyroxine in the UK
Prescription for Naturethroid in UK
Obtaining T3 without prescription (prefereable) or with a prescription if needs must.
