I am facing a new brick wall - have been on combined T4/T3 medication for 10 years, sourcing my T3 privately (from Germany, with the help of my private endo). Recently the T3 menu has completely disappeared from my NHS surgery and my GP says it is not a test available in primary care anymore. Calling the NHS they say it's up to the surgery but the GP isn't helpful at all. I am feeling like it is yet another mountain to climb, it is already so hard for patients on the combined meds, sourcing and paying for it privately, but now the denial of T3 is going further rather than improving! There has been so much work done on awareness, the NICE guidelines have been updated, there is a motion in Parlament about this (parliament.scot/chamber-and...
and yet things appear to be further deteriorating. Has anyone else been in the same situation, and is there a way to redress it and convince my GP to do these tests? this is not just for me, obviously it means others would find it even harder than I did!
Thank you
#t3 #nhstests
Written by
HyHashi
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Or test thyroid and vitamins annually via Medichecks or Blue horizon
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 and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test
On T3 or NDT - day before test split daily dose into 3 smaller doses, spread through the day at approx 8 hour intervals, taking last 1/3rd of daily dose 8-12 hours before test
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins
thank you DippyDame, i purchase T3 privately (from Germany) after a private endo prescription. I am supporting thyroid.uk, and am aware of their long fight on this issue. Which is precisely why I won't let it go, especially with things going in the wrong direction, and my Surgery / GP offering even less support and understanding of the issue now than they did 8 months ago.
I have had the same problem after being prescribed T3 by a private Endocrinologist last year, and I am now under an NHS one. I had to do my own private blood test the first time, as the surgery messed up my blood test form. It was suggested to me by someone that I phone my local Hospital and ask the lab if they tested T3 and they said that they did and it was up to my GP to write it on the blood test form. I spoke to my GP and he was absolutely furious that the lab had told me that they did it and he tried to say that he couldn't write it on my blood test form. I even got sent a blood test label from my NHS Endocrinologist and my Surgery still said they couldn't use it. My GP eventually agreed to have it written on my blood test form and that if it came back and they hadn't tested it that someone at the surgery could phone the lab and ask for it to be done. Apparently the lab can keep your blood for up to 5 days. I told my GP that I was sick of being the patient stuck in the middle of him and the testing lab, while they argued between them about who was supposed to do it. I told him that my Endocrinologist needed all my thyroid test results so that they could change my doses if needed. Up to now I have finally had 2 full thyroid blood tests done for TSH, T4 and T3. I have still had to phone the surgery to make sure it has been done. GP's are very good at blaming other people for things that they can't be bothered to check out, and can actually do for you
I don’t understand why you can’t have blood test form given to you by the Endo thats treating you and just leave GP out of your thyroid issues completely .
I was sent a blood test form by my NHS Endocrinologist but still told by my Nurse doing the blood test at the surgery that they don't accept or use them. I chose to see an NHS Endocrinologist out of my area to get a better chance of them being a decent one. I am now allowed to have online appointments with her to save travelling, which means I won't get my blood test done at the hospital for my appointment. My GP still wouldn't take this into account. I am afraid that what is common sense to us doesn't seem to have been triggered in some GP's brains yet
Im sorry but if you see an Endo for thyroid issues and he gives you a lab test form and prescription can you fill the Endo’s prescription and get your labs done with Endo’s form or must you see your GP in order to get prescription filled and lab form approved?
I am new to this as my private Endocrinologist prescribed my trial of T3. I am now under an NHS Endocrinologist for the first time and am waiting for my next appointment to discuss who will be funding my T3. I was told by my GP that the hospital where my NHS Endo is should fund it, or it might be a shared care arrangement where my Endo pays half and my surgery pay half. In the meantime I have been having to have 6 weekly blood tests after my dosage changes. It has been very frustrating trying to get my full thyroid blood tests done. It is something I will be sorting out at my next Endocrinologist appointment
hi yes of course I can do that - will probably have to do that. But i still think i should fight for this and for a more general awareness - especially as my GP did the complete tests for me until 8 months ago!
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Gp refusing thyroid test
Daughter to trial T3 as Gp not sure what dose of NDT combination therapy, Can anyone help?
How long to stop T3 before blood test, so GP won't freak?
GP won't do T4 and T3 !
