Help with T3

[lindabron]

Struggling with reduced T3 dose

[shaws Administrator]

Why was your T3 reduced? Probably if your TSH was low..

If so it is because the endocrinologist or doctor seem to believe - or have been told - that the patient might have a heart attack if TSH is too low but that isn't true.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Lindabron

Welcome to the forum.

Without seeing your current test results and having more information we have nothing to go on to be able to comment.

Can you tell us what thyroid meds you were taking before the reduction.

Why was the reduction made?

What were the actual test results that prompted the reduction - we need to see results plus reference ranges for

TSH

FT4

FT3

If you don't have them, do you have online access to your results - some surgeries offer this. If not ring the surgery and ask the receptionist (not the doctor) for a print out of your results.

What thyroid meds are you taking now?

[lindabron in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi Seaside Susie I was in hospital last year. My TSH then was0.1 T4 less than 1 and T3 5.56 The Endo decided to reduce my T3 only from 80mcg daily to 40 mcg daily. My TSH now is 2.62 T4 still less than 1 and T3 is 4.19.I have told the GP and Endo that I feel ill and that I need my T3 increasing again but they will not increase. I feel the reduction is because NICE want people off T3!!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to lindabron]

Was your FT3 of 5.56 within range?

What reason did the endo give for reducing your dose?

[lindabron in reply to SeasideSusie]

The top of Range is 6.8! He gave no reason but insistef on reduction.I have asked him and GP to at least increase it. I had been on 80mcg since 2017. The reason I was in hospital was side effects of new blood pressure medication. Once they changed the BP med I recovered and was allowed home

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to lindabron]

So your endo prescribes T3 but has no idea how it works and how to interpret results. I have no idea how you deal with ignorant idiot doctors like this.

I am very close to your age and mindful of the fact that I have a lot fewer years left than I have lived. In your shoes I would be saying that there was no need to reduce my dose because my FT3 was well within range and I felt well, and with the reduction all they have achieved is to give me hypothyroid results (low FT3), a return of hypothyroid symptoms and reduced my quality of life, and that I refuse to have these coming years ruined by ill health that they are forcing on me and in these circumstances if they aren't willing to increase my dose again then I have no alternative but to source my own T3.

You could, of course, see a private endo and obtain a private prescription. You would have to choose the endo carefully. You can send for the list of thyroid friendly endos from ThyroidUK :

[e-mail]

The office reopens on 4th January.

The alternative is to buy without prescription from overseas.

[lindabron in reply to SeasideSusie]

thank you SeaSideSusie . I am at my wits end. I will get the list of Endos from TUK. I will also talk again to Endo. I have tried to source T3 from abroad but since we left the EU nobody has responded. x

[Hidden]

When you see your doctor, be sure to ask what is the benefit of a high TSH, and benefit of prescribing T4 if you’re a poor converter. Either up the dose of T3 or claim it’s malpractice. If you need to sign a waiver so be it. Doctors are so filthy and skiddish when it comes to T3 it’s very tiring already.

[lindabron in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for that. I will do it x

[LincsLady]

My local pharmacy (Independent not a chain) saw my diagnosis print out of Hashimoto and said he would prescribe T3 for me at the same level I currently get via Roseway Labs who offer a prescription service. The price he quoted was reasonable so worth looking in your local area for an independent pharmacy. Mine is within the same building as my GP and I get my prescription for Levothyroxine which is NHS prescribed from there too. I still have to get my own bloods done as my GP only does TSH now and I am on a waiting list for Endo (1 year already).

[Kandahar]

I source my t3 from overseas at around £11 for 100x25mcg. Message me for supplier if you’re interested. Lynn

[lindabron]

Please message me with supplier. Thank you