Hello, I'm new (just found this group) so this is my first post. I have posted on another site and was reliably informed I have Hashimoto's (see blood results attached).
My brief story;- I have had IBS (stress trigger I think and genetic), hair loss, low iron for 6 plus years, ferritin was 17 (taking Heme iron supplements) Been trying so hard to find out what is wrong and get better so this blood result is good in a way. I have a Dr's appoint 21/4 but have no real faith in them.
I have been advised to try Armour and selenium. I have read and read since getting my results and realize I am very unlikely to get Armour on the NHS so I would love to know where I can purchase from please? I understand you will have to private message me, please do. I am Exeter, Devon based if that makes a difference.
Also, appreciate any other thoughts/advice. I currently take;
Active B complex, Vit D, magnesium and K2. Just started a liver zeolite detox, been off gluten for 3 years and dairy for 1 year and have now just stopped eating soya. Thanks for reading.
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CaroMarylion
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Caro, levothyroxine works for many so I would start with that. It is easily obtained on the NHS. Folks on levo are just getting on with their lives so you never hear about them on these sites.
Only once you have given levo a fair go and if you still had symptoms then look for alternatives.
Thanks for replying. I would just prefer not to take it if I can avoid. I am very worried about the side effect of hair loss as this runs in my family and not sure why really. I understand it must work for many but if there is a more natural option I would always chose over a synthetic option. I just don't do any kind of medication if I can avoid it, I fear they all have side effects so I will no doubt feel better but then worry about it creating another issue down the line. From what I have read too it has to convert T4 to T3 which is not ideal/natural for the body long term? I am of course no expert so happy to hear lots of people's opinions and I really appreciate your response.
From what I have read too it has to convert T4 to T3 which is not ideal/natural for the body long term?
On the basis that the body makes considerably more T4 than T3, and then converts it, that seems very natural to me.
(There are various opinions on quite how much T4 and T3 are made in a healthy thyroid. Certainly, most of it is T4.)
I do agree that T4 monotherapy is not "natural". But I also agree with Lalatoot that many do pretty well on it. (I do.)
I think you could argue that trying to survive with inadequate thyroid hormone, whatever its source, is very often the worst possible choice.
Many find the cost of desiccated thyroid unsupportable - year in and year out. Not a good basis for a decision but, unfortunately, a necessary one to take into account. Currently, one source is charging £136.53 for 100 tablets of one grain (60 milligrams). Many need two or more grains a day. (And there are additional costs - VAT, carriage, customs clearance.)
I am glad you are taking heme supplements. Did you know that you can also take one of the more usual iron supplements - such as ferrous sulphate or fumarate - alongside heme? They are absorbed by different pathways. But, as always, make sure you are tested regularly. Too much iron can be worse than too little.
Thanks Helvella, I guess I was being optimistic...in changing my diet too and looking into selenium (and maybe even iodine although I know that is controversial with Hashimoto's) and attempting to reverse my inflammation before I kill my thyroid...I wonder how many people are able to report doing this and then coming off any thyroid support? I am thinking my thyroid still works but the inflammation is the problem. Yikes re cost though! I wonder if getting it shipped from the USA, via a friend, might be a cheaper doable option? Anyone do this I wonder?
The friend might find it difficult to obtain unless they have a prescription. But if they can, it might be feasible. Remember, the VAT and customs clearance apply regardless how it gets here.
If you are thinking about iodine, get tested first!
I am somewhat sceptical of the stories about recovering from autoimmune thyroid disease. Not saying it can't happen, ever. But there is an awful lot of persuasion for you to buy multiple products in the attempt. And the biggest winners are usually those who sell them.
I've written this on the assumption that you are taking T4 Levothyroxine, is that correct ?
The accepted conversion ratio when taking T4 monotherapy is said to be 1 / 3.50 - 4.50 - T3/T4 with most people feeling at their best when their conversion of T4 into T3 comes in at around 4 or under.
So to find how well you are converting T4 into T3 you simply divide your T3 into your T4 and I'm getting yours coming in at around 3.98 showing good conversion.
You'll likely feel better if you can build up your ferritin to at least 70 and I feel at my best at around 100 : a folate at around 20 : active B12 75 ++ and vitamin D at around 100 :
If supplementing vitamin D and B12 I'd adjust down and can't see a folate result, and is there an inflammation reading there probably shown as CRP :
Did you have an iron panel run when your ferritin was originally found so low and were you given the all clear to supplement ? Low iron and hair loss is well documented.
If you go into the Thyroid UK website - thyroidorg.uk you can read more fully around all things thyroid and many people recommend the research work of Dr. Izabella Wentz who has Hashimoto's AI thyroid disease. :
Natural Desiccated Thyroid of which Armour is the most well known brand was used successfully for over 100 years to treat hypothyroidism and on the back of which Big Pharma launched it's own T3 and T4 thyroid hormone replacement medications.
NDT is made of pig thyroid dried and ground down into tablets referred to as grains, with each grain containing all the same known hormones as that of the human gland, namely trace elements of T1. T2 and calcitonin plus a measure of T3 and a measure of T4 at around a 1/4 ratio T3/T4.
Armour is the brand that is meant to be able to be prescribed on a " named patient only " NHS prescription but finding a doctor prepared to support your request will be the problem.
Many of us on this forum self medicate and have to sort ourselves out as currently the NHS seems to believe T4 is the most appropriate medication and it does work very well for around 85 % of those who take it.
Having an AI thyroid disease means that over time your thyroid will become further damaged and disabled and as the gland dies you will become more reliant on more thyroid hormone replacement and that is when you may find the benefits of taking a T3/T4 combo more appropriate.
Hi Pennyannie, thanks for the info. I am not taking anything for my thyroid as yet, I am just trying to get my head around it all as it was a shock tbh finding this out. I did a private blood test on the advice of a naturopath friend as I had been feeling unwell for years. The last test I did for full iron readings was with my Dr in 2018! I just did the ferritin test recently to see if my iron ferritin had improved from 17 and it has. My Dr told me I didn't need to supplement at 17 so as you can imagine he is hopeless. I will get a full iron panel at some point soon. Surely if I can put various things into place such as optimal iron etc this will help to bring the inflammation down? All feels very frustrating.
Building up your core strength vitamins and minerals is essential for good health and will stand you in good stead for whatever happens.
Stress is a whole other issue and likely a trigger and these AI thyroid diseases, both Graves and Hashimoto's tend to raise their ugly heads at either puberty, child birth or menopause.
Read up and become your own best advocate as I'm afraid your doctor is more the rule than the exception :
However your doctor must refer you to hospital for further investigations into your continued low ferritin and iron stores. An endoscopy and colonoscopy will likely be arranged to rule out any internal issues and give the assurance that supplementing is safe and the right thing to then be doing.
I read about it not working for some and found what I read. My iron is low so it is a concern for me as this is mentioned here. stopthethyroidmadness.com/n...
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