I got T3 on the NHS! But now what???

[c115]

I’m shaking. I just saw a new endocrinologist. My blood pressure at the intake was through the roof and he was an hour late, so I was left palpitating in the waiting room. This is a story of ups and downs, and lots of decisions to make...

He has given me T3!!! He willing to “trial” me for +/- 6 months and he said I must then source & pay it myself with my prescription after that. At this point, I don’t care! I’m so relieved, yay! But he’s only starting me at 10mcg until my next blood test in 2 months. 😞 Previously I was briefly on 20mcg of T3 but I wasn’t on it long enough nor was I knowledgeable enough at the time to establish my T3 prescription “sweetspot” when my former Endocrinologist (the male version of Nurse Ratched 😡) took my T3 prescription away from me 5 years ago.

This new doctor also made me promise not to conceive during this trial because of the unknown effects of figuring out my T3. 🥴 I’m 40 y/o but I’d rather wait until my thyroid is stable as I’ve already had 3 miscarriages.

I had already started NDT 7 weeks ago (self sourced Thiroyd S). I didn’t tell this doctor that! As of last week, all my levels were off (tsh too high and t3/t4 too low). I wasn’t taking enough NDT to adjust my levels because of a slow introduction period but had since raised my dose. But to be honest, I was afraid to take NDT because my cortisol tested quite low and I know NDT isn’t optimal with adrenal problems are present. I tried NDT many years ago and suffered because of the existing adrenal problems but felt I had no choice after feeling awful in T4. So I guess my options are:

*go back to Levothyroxine now that I can add T3. Probably the most predictable and easiest

*Or continue my NDT and add this new T3

And obviously test myself every month.

What would you do?

[Tia-]

Follow your instincts, don't worry about the blood test results as they're really guess results anyway. It's your symptoms that will really tell you how well or not your doing as a former advisor on TUK said (Dr Lowe) he helped his wife Tammy to make a full recovery on NDT after thyroid cancer & a full thyroidectomy. It might be worth checking out their website "natural thyroid solutions dot com' to read their full story. Dr Lowe was a highly respected member of Thyroid UK.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If you want NHS help with TTC and possibly even continuing T3 during pregnancy then Levo plus T3 is the obvious answer

Especially as you already know it suits you

[RedApple Administrator]

RFU, please remember that what members of your family favour isn't necessarily the right choice for someone else. NDT does not suit everyone. Lots of people do just fine on T4/T3 combo once they have established their own personal ratio.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

She's only been on NDT six weeks

Previously on T3

Wanting TTC

So needs medics on her side for any possible pregnancy

[c115 in reply to SlowDragon]

Exactly this, thank you

[c115]

I know ndt isn’t my optimal because of my low cortisol, adrenal fatigue issues. I’ve worked hard to try and correct them but I’m positive they originate from PTSD and emotional trauma from my youth and I don’t know if I’ll ever not be in fight or flight mode. I did somehow get successfully pregnant once on T4 meds only. So I’m erring to switching to T4&T3, especially as I try to eventually get pregnant again and be monitored for it.

[MissGrace]

What kind of a trial is it when after 6 months you’ll have to source and pay for it yourself? Surely the trial is to establish if you will do better on combination meds - so if you do - how can that then be removed so you have to get them yourself? I understand your initial euphoria and I’m pleased you have this opportunity - but his approach makes FA sense to me!

This whole T3 NHS thing gets more contradictory and nonsensical the longer it goes on. 🤸🏿‍♀️🥛

[c115]

Agreed and I don’t even know what it means. For now I’m just grateful to finally get it on prescription.