Hormone resistant test

[katherine107]

How do I test if I need T3 alone. I took thyroxine for a long time and always felt unwell on it. In 2012 was prescribed T3 only and felt so much better. My T3 has been stopped as I moved area. I feel awful and cannot funtion properly. I want test done to see if thyroxine does not work for me.also need someone to pm for supplier of T3 if gp will not reinstate T3.its just awful they can just stop a medication.

[greygoose]

I'm afraid there is no such test. You can find out if you need T3 - i.e. you have a conversion problem - by testing your FT4 and FT3 at the same time and comparing them. But there is no test to see how much gets into the cells - i.e. you have a hormone resistance problem.

Besides, having thyroid hormone resistance does not mean you need T3 only, it just means you need high levels of T3, whether it comes from conversion or a pill. So, what you need to concentrate on is your rate of conversion, which you do as I explained above.

[katherine107 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you . Can I ask you where can I get free T3 and free T4 done?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If T3 is withdrawn vitamin levels often crash down too as gut function is affected

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 you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

You will need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative or to test FT3

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose 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)

If/when also on T3, make sure to take last dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

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

Cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

For thyroid including antibodies and vitamins

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

Brighton CCG remains one of the worst for refusing to fund Liothyronine

Were you originally diagnosed as having clinical need for T3 by an NHS endocrinologist? If not you would need to see an NHS endocrinologist to continue getting T3 on NHS

GP should not alter T3 prescription - should refer to endocrinologist

pulsetoday.co.uk/news/clini...

GP could prescribe

thyroidtrust.org/a-gp-write...

New NHS England Liothyronine guidelines July 2019

Note that it says test should be in morning BEFORE taking Levo thyroxine

Also to test vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin

sps.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploa...

[katherine107 in reply to SlowDragon]

thankyou for this

[katherine107 in reply to SlowDragon]

Sorry for late reply. I am exhausted. Originally an endocrinologist said I would benefit from having T3 as I said I felt so unwell on levothyroxine. I had gone up to 50mcg. Used to see him annually and then he left and I moved. I really am going down hill.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to katherine107]

So you were on only T3 at 50mcg?

Or with some Levothyroxine as well?

Brighton CCG are very unlikely to allow even 20mcg

Email Dionne at Thyroid Uk for list of recommended thyroid specialists who will prescribe T3. A private prescription enables access to cheap T3 from Germany

[katherine107 in reply to SlowDragon]

I was not on thyroxine only T3. I haven't had thyroxine since 2012.