Where to buy t3 online?

[woofa27]

Hi there, I'm new here, and would be really grateful if anyone could tell me a reliable source of t3 and/or dessicated thyroid extract (without prescription).

Thank you

[greygoose]

Hi, welcome to the forum.

I think people might be more inclined to share their precious sources if you introduced yourself and told us more about you. There's no information on your profile. We don't like sharing that information with just anybody. I'm sure you understand.

[woofa27 in reply to greygoose]

Oh, sorry!!! Of course!!!! I was trying to be brief, which has never been my speciality! You might live to regret having asked for more details though!!! (Apologies if I've gone to the other extreme and also that I don't have my finger on the pulse as far as precision of blood test results).

Thank you in advance for your time and for basically just being there. Sometimes I feel pretty desperate.

I'm from the uk and was diagnosed with sub clinical hypothyroidism in my 20's after being diagnosed with PCOS and have been on various doses of levothyroxine for years, but have always had hypo symptoms - most notably brain fog, low mood and low energy and exercise intolerance. (Before diagnosis and commencement of treatment I used to swim and do aerobics most days). I am now in my early 50's.

The doctors always seem to want to lower my dose when I'm just starting to feel vaguely normal and recently have changed my dose so many times I couldn't begin to tell you. I've always struggled on levothyroxine and until recently didn't realise there were alternatives and that the symptoms I was experiencing weren't just me being rubbish.

I have also just learned that I have thyroid antibodies (somewhere in the 200's), so I guess I have hashimoto's and am currently taking 125 mcg levothyroxine per day and still have major hypo symptoms - weight gain (thought it was sertraline, but it continues to sky rocket despite discontinuation); low mood; joint pain, like everywhere; my body seems to have swelled up, even my finger joints hurt; freezing hands most of the time, even in height of summer; constipation. Tight shoulders, tight hips, painful knees. During recent colder days, my temp has been known to drop as low as 33.8, though usually around 35.8-36.

When I tried sertraline for low mood, it just brought with it many more undesirable symptoms, I merrily, or not so merrily put on nearly 3 stone in as many months. Have been off that for 9 weeks now though. (F**k that for a game of soldiers!!!)

I saw an NHS endochronologist who checked for menopause, but my levels were all normal-I'm still having regular periods. She then delayed 3 months after I saw her, before writing and simply saying - I see your results are within range and that you are now on sertraline and so I will be discharging you from my care - gee, thanks, that was worthwhile!

At that point results were (dose 112.5mcg):

TSH: 2.00

FT4: 18

FT3: 3.5ish

Since then, the doctors have checked for rheumatoid arthritis, but I'm clear (I think 10)

And they've checked for diabetes, also clear

My vitamin d levels were low normal (sorry don't know levels) so I've been taking vitamin d for about 5 months on doctor's advice

Iron was also low, so have also been taking 420mg iron per day for 5 months. Last time checked it was 80.

Latest blood tests on 125 mcg were:

TSH: 1.75

FT4: 19

FT3: 4ish

Currently I've been told to wait 6 months and test again then. But I've now cleared the sertraline out of my system and still feel terrible most of the time and would like to try replacing some of the t4 with a tiny bit of t3 or dessicated thyroid to see if that helps me out.

But, of course, any advice about how to improve my symptoms with vitamins etc would also be welcomed,

Thank you!

🙂

[greygoose in reply to woofa27]

Thank you. No detail is ever too much because it helps us get an over-all picture - something doctors fail to do! But, to be fair, doctors don't get much education in thyroid matters, so they really know s*d all about it!

In future, can you give ranges with your blood test results, please? Ranges vary from lab to lab so we need those that go with your results - the numbers in brackets after the result.

But, even without the ranges, it's quite clear that you have Hashi's, and - like many Hashi's people - poor conversion of T4 to T3. There are many causes of poor conversion, one of the main ones being nutritional deficiencies. Which is why we always suggest people get vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin tested, for starters. Unfortunately, optimising nutrients - whilst a good thing in itself - doesn't always improve conversion. Sometimes, just having Hashi's means you don't convert well, and there's nothing you can do about that.

But, having nutritional deficiencies will cause a whole host of symptoms in itself. Especially the B vits. They cause hypo-like symptoms when low. So, have you had your B12 and folate tested? If not, it's essential to get them tested.

How much vit D are you taking? And, are you taking its cofactors: vit K2-MK7 and magnesium? Vit D and magnesium both work together and taking vit D with out it will lower your - probably already very low - levels of magnesium. So, essential to take that. No need to get it tested.

And, are you taking vit C with your iron to help absorption and protect your stomach?

One important thing to note: both vit D and iron need to be taken at least four hours away from thyroid hormone. And, iron needs to be at least two hours away from everything else - except vit C.

[woofa27 in reply to greygoose]

That all sounds very useful info.

I've been taking 50mcg of vitamin d daily as per doctor's suggestion, but have just purchased some D3 and vitamin K2 drops (100mcg D3 + Vitamin K2 25mcg), as the doctor's recommended dose has done diddly squat and she says they don't retest as it's too expensive (ain't that just always the way).

I will add magnesium and vitamin c in

and was wondering if anyone has a view on curcumin for joint pain?

Thank you so much greygoose!!!

[greygoose in reply to woofa27]

Vitamin D should help with joint pain. But it's not something I've ever suffered with, so I can't comment. Best to ask that in a new question, because it probably won't get picked up on in the body of this thread.

Oh, and doctors know nothing about nutrients, either. They don't learn about them in med school so have no idea of the importance. Best to get your nutritional information on here.

[woofa27 in reply to greygoose]

I'm so glad you've never suffered from the joint pain issue greygoose. Yey! And I will pop that in another thread 'cos I hear exactly what you're saying. 😀

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to woofa27]

First step is to get vitamin testing done before considering adding T3 or NDT we must have GOOD vitamin levels

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

My vitamin d levels were low normal (sorry don't know levels) so I've been taking vitamin d for about 5 months on doctor's advice

Iron was also low, so have also been taking 420mg iron per day for 5 months. Last time checked it was 80.

You are legally entitled to copies of all your test results. You need to know how low vitamin D was before starting on supplements

How much vitamin D are you currently taking

Vitamin D needs retesting twice year when supplementing

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

Or test full thyroid and vitamins - see links for Medichecks or B H below

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally before 9am last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Is this how you do your tests

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

List of private testing options and money off codes

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

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

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

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s.

Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue with autoimmune thyroid disease. Over 80% of Hashimoto’s patients find strictly gluten free diet helps or is essential

If not already had coeliac blood test…….Request coeliac blood test BEFORE considering trial on strictly gluten free diet

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

List of hypothyroid symptoms

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...

[woofa27 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much for all the links SlowDragon.

Never even heard of Ord’s thyroiditis!

Forgot to mention they also tested for coeliac and the test came back negative.

I do blood tests before taking levothyroxine dose. Don't think I've had a b12 or folate test in living memory.

Are you saying iron and vitamin d levels affect my body's ability to convert t4 to t3 then?

Also, should I be adding in selenium and iodine or anything like that into my daily routine, in your opinion and if so, how much?

Sorry to overload with questions.

Thanks SlowDragon

🙂

[woofa27 in reply to woofa27]

Oops, sorry SlowDragon, just reread greygoose's info:

Unfortunately, optimising nutrients - whilst a good thing in itself - doesn't always improve conversion. Sometimes, just having Hashi's means you don't convert well, and there's nothing you can do about that.

and realise my question:

Are you saying iron and vitamin d levels affect my body's ability to convert t4 to t3 then?

has already been answered 🙃

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to woofa27]

Well we need optimal vitamin levels before starting T3 or NDT

Many, many people with Hashimoto’s have low B12, folate and vitamin D unless supplementing regularly

So first step is get vitamin levels tested

Examples of test results

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Come back with new post once you get results

[woofa27 in reply to SlowDragon]

Will do, thanks Reply to SlowDragon 👍😀

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to woofa27]

Meanwhile trialing strictly gluten free diet is ALWAYS worth doing

Hashimoto's frequently affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working

Poor gut function with Hashimoto’s can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten. Dairy is second most common.

According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but a further 80% find gluten free diet helps, sometimes significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal

As your coeliac result is negative can consider trialing strictly gluten free diet for 3-6 months. Likely to see benefits. Can take many months for brain fog to lift.

If no obvious improvement, reintroduce gluten see if symptoms get worse.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

amymyersmd.com/2018/04/3-re...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

Non Coeliac Gluten sensitivity (NCGS) and autoimmune disease

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/296...

The predominance of Hashimoto thyroiditis represents an interesting finding, since it has been indirectly confirmed by an Italian study, showing that autoimmune thyroid disease is a risk factor for the evolution towards NCGS in a group of patients with minimal duodenal inflammation. On these bases, an autoimmune stigma in NCGS is strongly supported

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/300...

The obtained results suggest that the gluten-free diet may bring clinical benefits to women with autoimmune thyroid disease

nuclmed.gr/wp/wp-content/up...

In summary, whereas it is not yet clear whether a gluten free diet can prevent autoimmune diseases, it is worth mentioning that HT patients with or without CD benefit from a diet low in gluten as far as the progression and the potential disease complications are concerned

restartmed.com/hashimotos-g...

Despite the fact that 5-10% of patients have Celiac disease, in my experience and in the experience of many other physicians, at least 80% + of patients with Hashimoto's who go gluten-free notice a reduction in their symptoms almost immediately.

You might be astonished at reduction in symptoms and improvements in brain fog

[woofa27 in reply to SlowDragon]

Wow, that's a lot of reading!!! Thank you for all your input SlowDragon. Sounds like gluten free has got to be worth a shot!!! I'm off to do some surfing now 🏄‍♂️... I may be some time!!!!

Thank you again for all your info and to everyone else who's responded to my post!

It's much appreciated!

👍😀

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to woofa27]

I was astonished to find I was severely gluten intolerant…more on my profile

Only made progress after joining the forum, seeing just how common low vitamins and gluten intolerance are with Hashimoto’s.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to woofa27]

Joint pain often gluten or (particularly) wheat intolerance

I find I can’t tolerate anything that is derived from wheat, including gluten free wheat based glucose syrup (in some marzipan and sweets)

[woofa27 in reply to SlowDragon]

Whoah! I'd never have thought there'd be gluten in glucose syrup! I've got A LOT to learn... 😮

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to woofa27]

Well there’s no gluten in glucose syrup …..so if only gluten intolerant that’s fine

I seem to be “wheat intolerant “ …..possibly gluten intolerant as well …..not put that to the test!

[humanbean in reply to woofa27]

woofa27

Iron was also low, so have also been taking 420mg iron per day for 5 months. Last time checked it was 80.

I hope that you were referring to your ferritin level having gone up to 80, and not your iron.

Ferritin is a measure of your iron stores.

Serum iron is a measure of the iron in your blood stream.

Iron/ferritin is complicated. Iron and ferritin can be high, "normal", or low, but they aren't necessarily both at the same level. People can have low iron and high ferritin, or high iron and low ferritin, for example. But different combinations tell you different things about your health. It is also essential when improving iron that people don't overdo it. Excess ferritin or excess iron can cause damage and the body has no natural means to get rid of it.

[woofa27 in reply to humanbean]

Hi humanbean, only just picked up your post - I'm afraid I'm not sure which, but I guess it must have been ferritin then, as it was the doctor who prescribed the iron tablets🤷

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment.😀