Who do we turn to in lieu of Dr P

[Noelnoel]

Dr P set me on the road to better health but I managed to see him only the once before he retired recently. I'm still working out how to get to my optimal thyroid and adrenal function and need a little help. I rather liked Dr P's bedside manner and would love to find someone who has similar experience and knowledge of a more natural approach to thyroid health with regard to Hashimoto's

I've taken a lot of advice from this wonderful forum but I'm in a bit of muddle and would like a professional to guide me through what tests to re-take and also supplementation to ditch or start. The Adrenavive and Metavive have helped enormously and although I feel well, I'm plagued wth sinus infections due to candida and stuck at 10st 10lbs due to goodness only knows what because I eat well, exercise frequently and avoid dairy and gluten. I can only imagine that my freeT3 is low but not being an expert I'm sure it could be many other things too. I live in north Hertfordshire but I'm willing to travel

Please pm (private message) me with your thoughts or recommendations

Thank you all

[SlowDragon Administrator]

First step is to get full thyroid and vitamin testing

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

Do you have Hashimoto’s?

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

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

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, or NDT make sure to take last 1/2 or 1/3rd of daily 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

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

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

come back with new post once you get results, members can advise on next step

[Noelnoel in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you SlowDragon

According to Dr P I have Hashimoto's. Dr Kaplan signed me off because all my levels including TPO were within the normal range, although FreeT3 was in the lower range of normal

All the tests you've suggested, I've had done on various occasions and they were fluctuating until the last time about a year ago, when they were all normal. This is when the endo Dr Kaplan, discharged me. My GP is very good and tests me whenever I ask but her knowledge of endocrinology is limited, hence the referral to above Dr after I'd seen Dr P. I did this because I wanted to be sure that what Dr P had advised, was working. And it was, because although all levels were fluctuating, they were generally going in the right direction

I don't take any conventional medication. All my levels are controlled by Adrenavive and Metavive as prescribed by Dr P. I also take the following

Ferritin

Vit C (acerola) in fairly high dose

Selenomethionine and also Brazil nuts

Vit D3

B12 (methyl cobalamin)

A drop of 2% Lugol's iodine here and there

Yam based progesterone and oestradiol

All I want to do is start at the beginning. I want to stop taking everything then take an extensive blood test to find my base and then re-commence whatever's necessary. I need a professional to guide me through this, hence my request for recommendation of doctors with Dr P's aporoach because the trouble is, since he retired I've been playing around with quantities and I now need help with sorting it out. So, if you have any recommendations, I'd appreciate it

[Marz in reply to Noelnoel]

I suggested the testing below 🤔

[Marz]

Blue Horizon have 50% off private testing at the mo' ... posted here yesterday by Louise ...

EDIT - now down to 40%

[BadHare]

Follow all the admins advice, & keep reading what’s on the forum. I was doing well, but adding B12 (sublingual then injecting) gave me an additional boost, enough to reduce thyroid meds. There could be one tiny micronutrient deficiency that’s scuppering your well-being.

[BadHare in reply to BadHare]

ps Try using a Sterimar spray 3-4 times a day to reduce or prevent sinusitis. I’ve suffered this for 40 years, & now only use it once a day as a preventative measure. It’s easier & as effective as using a neti pot.