Cn we?

[jules61]

Can we get T3 prescribed in the UK does anyone know?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Yes, with persistence

First you need to demonstrate poor conversion rate, despite optimal vitamin levels

Looking at previous post, you have Hashimoto’s

Have you had coeliac blood test done

Or are you already on strictly gluten free diet

High percentage of Hashimoto’s patients find strictly gluten free diet and/or dairy free diet helps, often significantly or is essential

First step is to get FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing done

Will your GP test ….TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 together and vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after any dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 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

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...

If you can get GP to test vitamins then 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/

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Watch out for postal strikes, probably want to pay for guaranteed 24 hours delivery 

Do you have any recent test results you can add?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

after sole NHS supplier increased price charged by 6000%, there are now increasing number of licensed suppliers

Price dropping further each month

Almost 60,000 prescriptions in England in last year

(up from 57,000 2-3 years ago)

That’s prescriptions, not patients

openprescribing.net/analyse...

you need all ducks in row first before considering T3

All four vitamins optimal and fine tuning dose and brand of levothyroxine. Frequently address food intolerances first

Email Thyroid U.K. for list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologist and doctors who will prescribe T3 if results and symptoms demonstrate you might benefit from trial

There are some that are private and NHS

[e-mail]

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

The answer is yes but you have two options.

1. NHS slow referral to Endocrinologist. Prove you need T3 and hope they are sympathetic/agree to trial of combo therapy. Hope they don't insist on keeping your TSH within the normal range (common).

2. Private option is faster and a lot less luck involved. Ask for a recommendation for a doctor.

I went with option 2.