After reading articles re T3 and feeling better with it! Would I benefit? I certainly have not felt well for a very long time! At 69 I feel pretty desperate to make something of my life, rarely do or go anywhere unless forced! What with thyroid IBS depression osteoporosis osteo arthritis hernias in my back encroaching into my spinal column! Not much hope is there? Living here in Fuerteventura Canaries I don’t think the Dr would prescribe it! Have so much trouble as already said on here just to get thyroxine dose sorted. Can I get T3 myself? To give it a try?
T3: After reading articles re T3 and feeling... - Thyroid UK
T3
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MissMc6
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SeasideSusieRemembering
MissMc6
You can only know if you would benefit from T3 if you know your T4 to T3 conversion is poor. To know this you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 all tested at the same time.
It's essential that it is FREE T3 (FT3) and FREE T4 (FT4) that are tested. Don't confuse this with Total T3 and Total T4 which are sometimes just referred to as T3 and T4. Total T3/T4 are no help in assessing how you convert.
I know in your other thread you have given these results
TSH. 0.01. (0.35. 4.94)
T3. 2.64. (1.71. 3.71)
T4. 1.22. ( 0.70. 1.48)
and they very much look like Total T3 and Total T4 to me. The clue is in the reference range, usually Free T4 has a range of something like 7-17, 9-19 or 12-22 (so the width of the range is usually about 10 or 11), and Free T3 has a range something like 3.1-6.8 or 3.5-6.5 (so the width of the range is usually around 3ish).
Taking T3 when you don't need it will take your FT3 over range and possibly lead to health problems.
Also, before taking T3, it's essential to know that your nutrient levels are optimal. So you'd need to test
Vit D
B12
Folate
Ferritin
Apologies as did not realise I should not name supplier!
SeasideSusieRemembering
Miss Mc6
I have deleted your post, please refer to forum guidelines.
#25. Do not post advertisements, links or information of any sort whatsoever, on where or how to obtain prescription only medications without precription. This includes online pharmacies who issue "prescriptions" on the basis of the completion of a simple health questionnaire.
Very sorry I do apologise it’s obvious really when you tell me!
there is no point to this group -I desperately need to know how I can get thyronine abroad with a prescription because I can't travel but they just rudely block everything - I need a group of people who actually will give advice -even to say "no you can't do it just give up" would be extremely helpful Elizabeth Shepherd
Usually we just close the post but it does not prevent members who source their own from responding to you, by a private message.
You must understand that we belong to Thyroiduk.org.uk who are trying desperately to change attitudes but unfortunately we cannot provide on the forum of where to source prescription medications.
Even though there is a blue line put through your post - due to the nature of it - members can still send a private message.
We have also to be very careful as there have been sources being sent by private message who are not authentic sellers and may take your money and not provide the goods, so to say. You have no come back. As you know some are greedy and not concerned that you get an authentic hormone replacement.
If you message me on face book I will tell you where I sent to
Lynn Noreen McNamara
thank you - noone messaged me before
elizabethshepherd
When you joined this forum you agreed to the forum guidelines, so you will know that #25 says:
Do not post advertisements, links or information of any sort whatsoever, on where or how to obtain UK prescription only medications without prescription. This includes online pharmacies who issue 'prescriptions' on the basis of the completion of a simple health questionnaire.
So any posts asking for supplier information is closed so that no information is posted on the open forum. No-one is stopping any other member from sending you information by Private Message, as was pointed out in replies to your posts requesting information about suppliers. It is not Admin "rudely blocking everything", Admin don't make the rules, they just follow them and it's not their fault if no-one has sent you any information by the message system, Admin can't block private messages between members.
This forum is very valuable. It's here to offer support and guidance to people who are struggling with the management of their thyroid disease, that's it's primary function, and you have not asked for any help in this respect, all you have asked for is information about how to obtain T3. Answers to those posts have been in accordance with the forum guideline.
Am I allowed to message privately?
I did ask if you thought I would benefit from T3
I did ask if you thought I would benefit from T3
And I replied that you can only know if you would benefit from T3 if you have FREE T3 and FREE T4 tested at the same time to know whether or not you convert T4 to T3 well enough. The results of those tests will tell you if you would benefit from T3. But I also mentioned that nutrient levels need to be optimal for thyroid hormone to work. If they're not optimal now, then Levo wont convert properly to T3, so optimising nutrient levels is the first step.
All that information is in my first reply to your opening post in this thread at the beginning of this thread.
Yes, you can message privately.
Can you forward me some info on getting the tests please
The tests with the private labs recommended by ThyroidUK can only really be done here in the UK. The blood has to be returned to the lab on the day the sample is taken and has to arrive at the lab the next day. You can't post from overseas as it takes too long.
If you come back to the UK on a visit, you can have the test kits sent to a UK address, either do a fingerprick test or arrange a venous blood draw, get the sample posted with Royal Mail's Guaranteed Next Day by 1pm delivery, and the results are usually available within 24-48 hours and emailed to you.
The two most popular labs are Medichecks and Blue Horizon.
If you want the full thyroid panel with vitamins then the appropriate tests are
Medichecks Thyroid Check ULTRAVIT medichecks.com/thyroid-func...
or
Blue Horizon Thyroid Check PLUS ELEVEN bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/t...
If you think you can manage a fingerprick test, then Blue Horizon requires 1 x 0.8ml of blood in 1 microtainer. Medichecks require 2 x microtainers each requiring 0.8ml of blood.
elizabethshepherd It has long been the case that in most, if not all, thyroid forum, patients' sources of thyroid meds have been protected by keeping them out of any discussion about them; to safeguard them as much as possible. It began in the "better" days when accessing one's own T3 or NDT was just an unneccessary nuisance. But particularly since the night of the long knives, when the NHS showed its' hand by originally including T3 in the 2017 list of over the counter treatments it wished to stop prescribing, and CCGs began flexing their formulary muscles, the need to protect personal sources has never been greater. Hence why any request for sourcing information is redirected to the private messaging option, and the public thread closed. It isn't rude and it isn't personal. Admittedly sometimes the fully explanation isn't provided, and it might be less confusing to have the same standard explanation each time. If a thread has been blocked in error, it can be queried and where appropriate, that decision overturned. Were you aware though, that if anyone carries out a search on the internet, even if they aren't a member of this forum, the search can still throw up links to posts in the forum, unless the appropriate change is made to the security status of the post?
Sorry I have to disagree...this wonderful group helps to improve people's lives, mine included, and I have never experienced rudeness from anyone....ever!
elizabethshepherd SeasideSusie MaisieGray
As elizabeth was a new member she didn't know the routine and only found out about Private Message when she was alerted to mine earlier and found that someone had responded to her earlier post.
Admittedly no posts until a few weeks ago but date joined March 25, 2015 and Humanbean did reply and explain why information needs to be in a private message.
I felt I was being rudely treated because noone replied except to bar replies to me on the board. I was getting very worried because I have seen a specialist and had all the tests and it runs in my family too (even my granddaughter) and also I saw Dr Skinner years ago who subscribed T3 to me and my daughter which worked wonders. I didn't see any pms until today and I felt much better after that so I apologise for being rude but fear the same thing may happen to other new people when they don't get a reply except to see a block on their message. It doesn't feel nice.
Thank you for replying
I understand your frustration regarding supply of T3 and I apologise if my reply upset you.
Your words "there is no point to this group" upset me, hence my perhaps unfair response.
It seems all is well now and hopefully the advice you receive will soon help you feel better......you have come to the right place for help. I was 72 and very ill before I found this forum, and the advice I needed to begin improvement, so that may help explain why I suggested there is every point to this group ....as I trust you are now discovering
You can do it....
Good luck
DD
First - we have 'pinned posts' on the right hand side particularly for those joining the forum but few new members seem to read them before posting a question, particularly the 'posting guidelines'. So members have to be very alert. Only Admins can edit posts.
We all try our best and new members are unaware of the rules if they don't read the posting guidelines, but the last thing we want is for the 'associations' to find that if information of where to source is freely on the open forum that could be an easy enough excuse to ban us altogether.
We do try to encourage members if not improving on T4 alone to ask for T3 to be added to T4 but that is impossible now due to the NHS withdrawing T3 without notice and leaving many in 'no mans land' who are also shocked by that decision and nowhere to turn except forums. The fact also that untruths have been made about NDT - in use since 1892 and saved lives way back then.
When NDT was withdrawn our Adviser (deceased now) wrote to the BTA every year for three years but they never did respond before his death.
thyroidscience.com/Criticis...
Thousands on this forum have recovered their health with NDT and it is shameful that false statements have been made about it by those who have never, ever used it.
I don’t want to do anything wrong just know how desperate I feel
Many, many members come on here feeling exactly the way you do right now. The suggestion is always the same:
Check hormone levels - Free T4 and Free T3 at the same time as TSH.
If not already checked - test Thyroid antibodies.
If not already checked - test nutrient levels.
It's amazing how many people are simply undermedicated and increasing their Levo has made a big difference. Similarly, finding out if nutrient levels are low or deficienc and optimising them. And agaim, finding out if conversion is poor or not.
Once the basics are checked, if there are still problems, then we start to look at other things like adrenals and maybe even sex hormones.
I do understand what you are saying and if still in UK I could deal with it
We lost our Dr due to pregnancy, may not come back, apparently here the job is held indefinitely for maternity leave? Anyway the Dr that took over although very nice speaks no English, I do a letter I suppose you could call it, translated, but have no English feed back, we lost our translator lady ! who we paid, making a Drs visit costly because you can sit for a long time waiting! if you don’t have an appointment the Spanish just stand at the door and push in! Three did that last time! Two nearly came to blows over it! one had an appointment one did not but pushed in!
It was 90 minutes after my appointment time when I finally saw the Dr!
She tells me to bring someone with me! I found someone arranged it all and she did not turn up! Which meant I had no letter to help either
It was a totally wasted visit! You go to reception and they say you are in Spain now speak Spanish! Makes you feel terrible! You wish you had not gone! In fact because I felt grim I did not keep last appointment at all! Last Tuesday! Tried to cancel could not! But managed to make a further appointment on my phone app for the 14th! So it’s all a nightmare really! To top of all that I cannot take my Frusemide because they have blocked off the toilets! They are extending upwards! So all sheeted up for safety! Sit there for two hours after taking a water tablet! Noooo! Same with a blood test I waited and waited and waited no seats available thought I would collapse, used to have a number pulled out of machine a bit like standing at the deli counter in UK they do it everywhere here even pharmacy! No machine at the moment you have to go as early as possible and wait! A crowd there three mornings
a week, you go at your designated day and time but it means nothing!
A Spanish man pushed in front sounded like he missed previous weeks appointment! went in front of me! You would not believe it honestly!
If only it was easy!
I am sorry your life is so turbulent and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. We have enough to contend with trying to get our hormone levels optimal - if only we can get the thyroid hormones that we desperately need.
Hello MissMc6, can you change which doctor you go to? My Spanish doctor was far, far better than the UK ones. Also, if you like I will help with translation, I speak Spanish and could translate a letter from you to the doctor into Spanish. I could probably translate on your behalf over the phone at the time but my knowledge of medical Spanish may not be sufficient.
in reply to MissMc6
Nearly all of us have or do feel desperate at some time with thyroid problems. People have been rude to me you have to learn and except people for who there are and move forward. This forum has brought my life back I had to be patient read everything and now self medicate and do a private blood test once a year. You will be able to do the same.
Oh dear I feel I have rocked the boat I did not want to do that! I am best keeping quiet I think many apologies! I did not mean to cause trouble
You have several problems
First
you need full Thyroid and vitamin testing. That's Thyroid antibodies as well as FT3 and FT4 plus TSH. Also vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 too
BEFORE considering T3
Difficult testing living abroad. Do you ever come back to UK? Private postal kits available and widely used
2nd
T3 is apparently illegal in Spain. Therefore no doctor will consider it
3rd
As soon as you take T3 your TSH will lower and Spanish doctor will want to reduce Levo dose further
I see what you are saying can you point me in direction of the private test kits?
MissMc6, I am not convinced about T3 being illegal in Spain and would recommend you 'chat up' your doctor, say as much as you can in Spanish, show willing and you'll find that in Spain there are all sorts of ways and means of getting round legislation. In my experience the Spanish are good-hearted people who help as much as they can but they are rightfully proud and can be easily insulted, especially by Brits who don't understand their customs, just as people in the UK from overseas don't understand some of ours.
As an example that is a family joke - in Spain when I lived there it was illegal to undress on the beach and my Uncle was fined for taking off his trousers on the beach even though he had on his swimming trunks underneath!
It may be that customs will not allow it in?
I am going to UK last week in January! But staying with my Mother who is 90 will not have any transport to get anywhere and it’s only a small town
You could order a DIY finger prick test kit to be sent to your mother's address so that it was there before you arrived
If you wanted to pay extra for private blood draw that would probably not be practical.....unless there happened to be private clinic near by
Majority of people manage perfectly well doing DIY test. Make sure to drink plenty of water the day before and on morning of test so not dehydrated. Make sure hands are warm....and allow yourself time to do it.
Important to do test as early as possible in morning and fasting and do not take Levo in 24 hours before test. If you usually take Levo first thing in morning, just delay taking until immediately after done blood test
Post the blood test back that morning. Results are emailed to you 2-3 days later
Essential to only test after 6-8 weeks on constant unchanging dose otherwise results are pretty meaningless
Are you currently taking any vitamin supplements?
If you are under medicated, an easier option may be to just buy Levothyroxine and increase your dose. Levothyroxine is possibly available over the counter in Spain?
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)."
Professor Toft spoke at recent London talk, and mentions this - saying trying increase in Levothyroxine is always first and easiest option.
Only if this doesn't improve symptoms would you consider adding a very very small dose of T3 (after Thyroid and vitamin testing first)
Link to video from his recent talk
mobile.twitter.com/hashtag/...
Blood Test link
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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random
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
in reply to MissMc6
If you are coming to the UK in January ask a family member or friend to have you blood test kit delivered and make arrangements. I did this for a couple of years when living in France. If you don't want a finger prick test order a nurse who will come to the house when you know the dates just make an appointment. Medichecks nurse will post off your kit for you.
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