Finding comments and posts confusing

[DG0805]

I'm a newbee but reading through the posts I'm confused. As a UK support group there seem to be lots of products for treatment of thyroid conditions I've never heard of. Are these foreign treatment strategies and if so why aren't they available in the UK. I've had an underactive thyroid for over 22 years (diagnosed, probably a lot longer) and have never felt well ie constantly tired, weight problems, dry skin, hair loss.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Do you have any recent blood test results and ranges to add

How much Levothyroxine are you currently taking?

Far too often GP only tests TSH or TSH plus FT4

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all 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 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_...

Understanding Hashimoto's

hashimotoshealing.com/under...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

First step is FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing

Getting vitamins optimal can make good improvements

High antibodies are extremely common. Often gluten free diet helps or is essential

[MaisieGray]

In essence, there is only one treatment strategy for hypothyroidism: replace the missing endogenous hormones with exogenous hormones. However, you have a choice how you do that, which is by taking synthetic thyroxine, T4; synthetic liothyronine, T3; 'natural' dessicated pig or cow thyroid, NDT - or combinations thereof. Until the 1890's, there was no treatment, and people could ultimately end up in a lunatic asylum or dead. Then in the last few years of the 19th C a Dr had the idea to give animal thyroid to patients exhibiting symptoms of a failing thyroid, and lo, treatment began. Then in the earlier part of the 20th C synthetic hormones were developed and the natural approach largely went out of favour in the UK, but not in the US. Hence NDTs are licensed for use there, but not here. The 'gold standard' in the UK is considered by many in the medical profession and by NICE, to be treatment with synthetic thyroxine aka Levothyroxine, but many of us prefer to use it in combination with T3, or use mono-T3 in preference. Others do better with one of the NDTs. In addition, it's known that good nutrition is key to good health generally, but to thyroid functioning in particular, hence why testing levels of key vitamins and minerals and supplementing where necessary, is important alongside our use of exogenous thyroid hormones.

[MissGrace in reply to MaisieGray]

A really nice clear explanation for a newbie.

Don’t you find the expression ‘gold standard’ for T4 monotherapy sticks in your craw though? - I know it is the way it is seen and it is the favoured method in the UK - it’s not a positive spin you personally are giving this approach, but it’s such of a rusty old bucket for a sizeable minority on here! 🤸🏿‍♀️

[MaisieGray in reply to MissGrace]

I've added single quote marks and a few words, to add a slight edge of irony, and clarification, to the phrase.

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There are several different options but they are not available on the NHS so you dont here about them via the usual channels. I doubt that most doctors are happy about having to give such poor treatment and yours maybe happy to support you treating yourself in term sof blood and advice. Some can be difficault though.