Finally good news on desiccated thyroid (my doctor thinks I might be able to get it on NHS)

[Aligoth]

Just want to share something positive for once: by accident instead of my usual endocrinologist another consultant in the local NHS hospital called me for the update appointment: I was honest about not responding to the last prescription after 6 weeks (my t3 was lower than before starting medication, even on 49mcg liothyronine) so going back to desiccated thyroid, the equivalent being 4 grains. He just actually listened, proposed I do 2 blood works, once to establish if issues of malasorbtion are present, he considered the fact I have high estrogen as an issue (my other doctor has known for over a year and just dismissed it) and since I track bbt and heart rate suggested I increase to 6 grains (something I didn't even know it was possible, but even on 4 grains my t3 just went from 2s to 4.6, much less than optimal). I cannot believe this man listened and accepted to still monitor me, even said that if this works he can try to get me desiccated thyroid on the NHS, I can't believe i was finally listened to and have proactive advice given to me. This gave me so much hope. (Talking about <a doctor> in Cardiff btw, he's truly amazing, he actually co-authored the paper on the DIO1 polymorphism issue that reduces t3 conversion)

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

We can't identify individual doctors by name on the forum. I'm sure we understand why you want to!

I have redacted the name from your post.

[Aligoth in reply to helvella]

Thank you, apologies about that

[tattybogle]

good heavens what a novel idea , listening to your patients and making positive suggestions.. i do hope it catches on....

[Aligoth in reply to tattybogle]

I know right? How sad it has to sound like a revolution

[tattybogle in reply to Aligoth]

Viva la revolution !

[pennyannie in reply to Aligoth]

This is good news and do not worry about the final dose of NDT you may need.

Most NDT contains around 9mcg T3 + 38 mcg T4 plus of course the trace elements of T1, T2 and calcitonin.

So if with poor conversion and likely absorption issues as detailed above you will likely only be able to utilise well the T3 content of the NDT.

So if we understand the average person needs to find / convert around 50 T3 daily just to function, 6 grains ( 54 mcg T3 ) isn't unreasonable and just a ball park suggestion.

Financially however, it's likely cheaper to prescribe T3 - Liothyronine as the first option.

No thyroid hormone replacement works well until ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D are up and maintained at optimal levels, and conversion can also be compromised by any physiological stress ( emotional or physical ) inflammation, dieting, depression and ageing.

So, some things we can try and help ourselves with and now I'm looking at ways to stop the clock.

I'm self medicating with NDT as refused both T3 and NDT through my surgery and hospital :