I was diagnosed with Hashimotos on 1989. Levothyroxin never really solved all my symptoms but I managed. About 10 years ago my health began to deteriorate but my GP and my endocrine consultant seemed to have no solution. I made to feel that I was a time waster. I also have psoriasis and I have adrenal deficiency.

My health got so bad I would go for weeks without leaving the house. Sometimes I was bed bound, pain throughout my body, hair falling out etc.

I set myself a task to ‘research’ my symptoms using my phone. Firstly I stopped eating gluten, this helped my gut slightly but no big change in my overall condition. I now eat gluten in moderation. Then I started self injecting B12 and this helps with my eyesight, noise in ears, pins and needles in feet, etc.

During the time I kept my GP fully informed and I asked to try T3 in combination with T4. Nearly a year ago the consultant directed my GP to prescribe for a six month trial but my GP wouldn’t do it.

I have high cholesterol, kidneys and liver are showing problems, gall stones, diverticula, inflammation in the blood. 18 months ago I had emergency surgery for a batholin cyst, also ignored by my GP until it was as big as an egg.

Last week I got enough strength to demand the T3 prescription and to day I took the first 10mgs dose alongside an adjusted T4 dose.

Wow! I felt alive again! It didn’t last all day and I haven’t been prescribed a second dose. I still have a long way to go to get the dose increased and prolonged beyond the 6 months. My GP is so uninterested he hasn’t requested blood tests for thyroid levels so he has no baseline. I asked for other tests such as foliate etc and he added a kidney function test but no thyroid tests. I didn’t request them because I know how I feel and test results may not reflect my condition.

I can’t change my GP because there is a shortage of GP services in our area.

My message to anyone reading this is to keep going, insist on getting the medication you need and most important don’t doubt yourself.