Further update after GP appointment

[Pumpkin04]

So I posted a couple of weeks ago following another round of blood tests today. I've been back to the GP - he still won't prescribe me thyroxine however agreed I should be on it, so he has referred me to an endo. He said with my family history PCOS infertility issues hypertension it's all potentially linked and needs investigating. He said that he believes the endo will definitely advise the GP to prescribe Thyroxine and potentially a higher dose.

[Hidden]

I think that you need a higher dose because your TSH is too high and should be 1 or lower. Mine is 0.70 at the moment and feel well. I must add that I am not on any medication although I have taken both Levothyroxine and Thyroid S in the past. I have Graves' Disease and I am in remission at the moment. Usually you are started on 50mcg for 6 weeks and then have a blood test and if you still feel unwell and your t4 and t3 levels are not in the upper third of the range, you increase it to 75mcg and carry on increasing it until you feel well.

This makes me so cross when someone is suffering and you are made to wait to see yet another Doctor when you are clearly hypothyroid. Don't Doctors realize it will take months because of the delay before you can regain your health back?

[Pumpkin04 in reply to Hidden]

I know its disgusting really - we live in a claim culture so GP's are scared to actually treat symptoms anymore. He is sure that the Endo will advise prescribing Levo fingers crossed as I really cant afford to keep paying privately for the prescription!

[Hidden in reply to Pumpkin04]

I am trying to get my local MP to put our plight to the Health Minister but this general election has delayed things. After reading that Michael Gove's wife Sarah Vine gets NDT for her thyroid condition which is so unfair to the rest of us who have had to resort to buying it from places like Thailand like I did last year.

[Pumpkin04 in reply to Hidden]

Its not what you know its who you know!!!

[Hidden in reply to Pumpkin04]

Exactly!!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

You do realise that Levothyroxine is not that expensive don't you. Could you get your own from abroad?

[Pumpkin04 in reply to Hidden]

Really? Thanks I'll defo have a look into that x

[SlowDragon Ambassador]

Your antibodies test confirms you have Hashimoto's

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

See different GP and push for 25mcg dose increase in Levothyroxine

The aim of Levothyroxine is to increase the dose slowly in 25mcg steps upwards until TSH is under 2 (many need TSH significantly under one) and most important is that FT4 in top third of range and FT3 at least half way in range

NHS guidelines on Levothyroxine including that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine.

nhs.uk/medicines/levothyrox...

NICE guidelines

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

The initial recommended dose is:

For most people: 50–100 micrograms once daily, preferably taken at least 30 minutes before breakfast, caffeine-containing liquids (such as coffee or tea), or other drugs.

This should be adjusted in increments of 25–50 micrograms every 3–4 weeks according to response. The usual maintenance dose is 100–200 micrograms once daily.

Vitamin D was far too low

No folate test results

Are you on strictly gluten free diet?

Or tried it yet?

While still eating high gluten diet ask GP for coeliac blood test first or buy test online for under £20, just to rule it out first

Assuming test is negative you can immediately go on strictly gluten free diet




(If test is positive you will need to remain on high gluten diet until endoscopy, maximum 6 weeks wait officially)




Trying gluten free diet for 3-6 months. If no noticeable improvement then reintroduce gluten and see if symptoms get worse

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

[SlowDragon Ambassador in reply to SlowDragon]

Just saw your post re referral to endocrinologist

Have you had coeliac blood test yet (or bought one online)

Trying strictly gluten free diet and Getting vitamins tested and supplement to optimal ....BEFORE seeing endocrinologist ideally

[Pumpkin04 in reply to SlowDragon]

Great will do thanks!