Thyroidectomy/Buying T3 in Turkey

[Hyperbee]

Hi everyone. I’m currently in hospital in Turkey awaiting a thyroidectomy due to carbimazole induced neutropenia. I’m taking Lugol’s iodine to bring my levels down, and as soon as it’s safe to do so I’ll be having surgery. If anyone has any tips or advice related to the surgery or recovery, it would be much appreciated!

I should also mention that after my neutropenia treatment, I tried taking PTU for 3 days. My neutrophils went straight down from 2.2 to 1.3! So it’s safe to say I can’t tolerate ANY anti thyroid drug, and surgery really is my only option. My only worry is that my voice will be damaged, but I still prefer surgery over ingesting a radioactive substance. Wish me luck!

Onto my next point, I plan on taking a combination of T4 and T3. I don’t want to place unnecessary stress on my body by depriving it of T3, and frankly our thyroid makes T3 for a reason! I’ve also done a lot of research, it seems everyone feels much better when taking T3.

I read it’s easier to get in Turkey, could anyone please message me details? I would like to stock up before I head home. Thank you in advance!

[pennyannie]

Hey there Hyperbee

Just to wish you well, and your philosophical approach will stand you in good stead.

I'm on NDT so have no leads for your shopping list :

Take good care, and keep in touch :

[Hyperbee in reply to pennyannie]

Thank you so much for all your advice and support, it’s much appreciated!

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Just go to a pharmacy and ask. I think I read a while ago that it had become prescription only in Turkey, but that's not confirmed, so you may be able to just buy it over the counter and you may have to give a couple of days' notice for them to order it in. The Turkish T3 is:

Tiromel Liothyronine Sodium 25mcg by Abdi Ibrahim

[Hyperbee in reply to SeasideSusie]

Typical! Maybe I can pass through Greece when I’m finally able to go home, or try my luck at ordering online if I can’t buy it OTC here. Thank you for your help

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Hyperbee]

I'm really not 100% sure. It was mentioned about needing a prescription but it was also said there was no problem buying it OTC, a bit like Greece, possibly hit and miss. You can but try and if the first pharmacy can't help then possibly the next one can