Advice please

[aliwt]

Hello everyone,

I posted for the first time last week and from that I learned that have been taking my Thyroxine wrongly for decades!

I used to take them every morning, with Ramipril and a big mug of milky tea!

I have now started to train myself to take them at night, with water.

I wonder if anyone can tell me if it’s ok to take Ramipril at the same time as I’m not sure? They are for BP.

I’m waiting to get an appointment privately, with an Endo as my GP wouldn’t refer me on NHS and has even told me, quite rudely, that they might not see me?

I have been on Thyroxine for 30 years and although it’s never made me feel any better, I have never complained until now! I feel I was treated like a troublemaker and I very seldom go to the doctor, in fact I have never actually met mine……we spoke on the phone last week!

I’m sick of being unable to lose the extra stone or two that I carry, despite eating hardly anything and only healthy food. I have all the other symptoms as well!

Can anyone recommend a good Endo in Devon/ Dorset?

Thanks

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

The big problem with levothyroxine is that so many substances affect it. We know some substances but it is next to impossible to check everything. It might not be the Ramipril itself but the the other ingredients, the excipients. Thus, even if one make of Ramipril were OK, another might affect absorption.

Much of the issue is simply a modest impact on absorption.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Levothyroxine must be taken on its own, no other medications or supplements within 2 hours minimum

Some like magnesium, iron, vitamin D, HRT, PPI at least 4 hours away

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Before considering booking any consultation with thyroid specialist endocrinologist you will need FULL thyroid and vitamin testing done

No point testing until been taking levothyroxine correctly for minimum of 6-8 weeks

Always test as early as possible in morning before eating or drinking anything other than water and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning and then post back via tracked postal service

Come back with new post once you get results

If vitamin D, folate, ferritin or B12 are low after next test you need to work on improving vitamin levels, then retest again in further 6-8 weeks

Email Thyroid UK for list of recommend thyroid specialist endocrinologists...NHS and Private

[e-mail]

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

[shaws Administrator]

I take thyroid hormones with one full glass of water and wait an hour before I eat. I always take it when I awake as stomach is empty.

If I had to take other medications, I'd either take them in the afternoon or evening.

[TaraJR]

Devon and Dorset are known for not being good if you need T3. Hope you can find someone helpful.

[aliwt in reply to TaraJR]

Thank you.

[TaraJR in reply to aliwt]

Are you on Facebook? ITT Improve Thyroid Treatment group have quite a lot of members from Devon and Dorset, who may be able to help you. Join us! There's also a specific Devon group.

[aliwt in reply to TaraJR]

Thanks Tara, yes I am on Facebook so I will immediately have a look and join up. I live in East Devon and it always seems that everything happens in London. Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Re your most recent post

Before considering booking any consultation with a thyroid specialist

You need to get FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing done 6-8 weeks after starting on taking levothyroxine correctly

Likely to need to improve low vitamin levels, get levothyroxine dose increase, trial absolutely strictly gluten free diet

But you can’t rush changes.

One step at a time

As per previous post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...