I have an Endo appt at Stockport NHS Trust on Weds pm. I fought quite hard for it for a long time (years), because I wanted a trial of T3, but now I'm not sure if I need it. I have sourced T3 and am currently trying it (for about 3-4 months). After a while on 6.25mcg daily I've been taking 12.5mcg in the mornings for about 3 months, and in the last few days I have added and extra 6.25mcg in the evenings. T3 has risen, the jury's out on whether it helps...
The Endo Dept have previously been concerned about me being over-medicated due to low TSH, expressing concern about my heart and my bones. They arranged a heart check and it was found to be fine, although the bone density appt never did materialise after Covid. My TSH is currently lower than it has ever been, and I think that they may have those concerns again and want to reduce my T4 or advise me to stop taking T3. I don't know the name of the Endo who I'll be seeing.
My recent results are:
TSH 0.04 mU/L (range 0.27 - 4.2), it's usually at the lower end, and it's been below range before, but never that low.
T3 5.5 pmol/L (range 3.1 - 6.8) 62% of range, in the past never more than a third through range.
T4 18.0 pmol/L (range 12 - 22) 60% of range, a bit lower than usual - usually between 19 and 22
Vits and so on all fine.
Tests done first thing, Levo 125mcg, always Mercury Pharma, I have Hashis (both sets of antibodies through the roof when diagnosed).
I'm not sure whether to go to the Endo appt. Does anyone know if any of the Endos in Stockport are at all sympathetic/unsympathetic? If you have experience of this Trust, could you please PM names of any helpful/ unhelpful Endos? I could then ring the clinic and ask who I'll be seeing.
Also, if the TSH being that low is a cause for concern?
Any thoughts very much appreciated, thank you!
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ThyroidCurious
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Suppressed TSH occurs on combination treatment and any (knowledgeable) medics understand this. As your FT3 and FT4 are well within range, there is certainly no need for concern about over medication.
I too would want to ensure the endo I’m seeking understands the above (and isn’t just a diabetes specialist).
Regarding requests for specific endocrinologists in Stockport, this does need to be by private message, as you requested (as forum guidelines do not allow for discussion of named practitioners).
hello ...my TSH has been around 0.02 for the last 20 years no problem ...to me ...except to one doctor who kept wanting to reduce my T4 to the point I was really hypo. How you feel and T3 results are much more important and most endos should agree.but docs who are only testing TSH get worried about your heart and bones. I wasn’t converting T4 properly plus I was on Omeprazole for years which prevents conversion too. Maybe read my previous posts about this. An Endo put me on small dose of T3 with my 100mcg T4 with really good effect ...TSH hasn’t budged!! Good luck!
Thank you Cateyes235 for sharing this. It seems GPs have a lot to learn and maybe should start listening to patients. I am on Levothyroxine 125mg and my GP had my on Omprazole for many years and my health went down hill. I stopped the Omprazole around last May, as I kept getting chest pain at times, lasting upto 3 days and nothing stopped it. I read on here that PPI can actually make reflux worse and indeed the pain cleared up after some days. I knew the thyroid tablets were also not addressing the symptoms of my underactive thyroid, but my GPs just wouldn't listen and each time a blood test was done, no attention needed the receptionist would say. Now I can see the Omprazole had a part in this. I am afraid I have lost all confidence in my medical practice for a lot of reasons. And I have changed to a new one.
I don’t expect GPs to know everything and I’d given up Omeprazole long before the GPs practice pharmacist (it’s a newish thing) changed my Omeprazole (which I get on a just in case basis and haven’t touched for 3 months!) to Lansaprozole which I probably will never need? Other antacids and meds can also effect conversion. Simple change of diet .. change to sourdough bread ...no antacids needed!
Hi SlowDragon, I am not gluten or dairy free. Those T3 results are much better (all previous results around a third of range, as recently as June). My latest test was Oct, and I've only just upped my T3 a bit, so will be testing again in about 8 weeks.
As Catseye says I would read all about omeprazole - I was prescribed it years ago - unlimited quantities for as long as I liked.
According to the instructions that come with it it is intended for short term use but that’s not how it happens nowadays. I know the theory is that they prescribe it to counteract the effects of other drugs that they are also prescribing.
In the end I cleaned up my diet, added in foods that helped my gut and eliminated anything that caused reflux and stopped taking the omeprazole. I admit though that not everyone can do that.
Then I discovered I had osteoporosis and found out that PPIs can be a contributory factor. No one mentioned that to me when it was prescribed.
Hi Fruitandnutcase, thank you for the info on diet. I've never take Omeprazole. I know I should "clean up my diet" as you put it, and have sometimes managed to do it for a while, but find it hard to stick at it.
Hi, if you think you are no better with T3 I'd consider cutting it out. From within an hour of my first dose I felt better (though I was at coma level at the time so perhaps that's not a fair assessment) and I go up and down though the day according to when I had my last dose. In other words it's very obvious that my body needs the T3. I do now though have bones thinner than they were and this has affected my life a great deal. I loved exercise, walking our dogs and playing with or riding horses. Now I don't ride and rather than jogging or running with the dogs I am cautious for fear of tripping or slipping and ending up with a bad break. That's why I'd cut out the T3 if I could, and I am still trying to. Best of luck with the endo.
Not sure I totally understand your thinking re:T3 and stopping it. Osteoporosis is very common in non hypothyroid people (therefore unlikely to have been taking T3). There has been research posted on this very forum refuting T3s negative involvement in both osteoporosis and heart problems.
Hi, I know there is all sorts of research posted however I am wary of all research that is not double-blinded and then peer-reviewed, and especially wary of research funded by the pharmaceutical company selling related drugs. (I used to work in this area - research, not pharma!). I just meant that if you are not sure the T3 is helping maybe you don't need it and life is much easier without it. I don't want to get into an argument about it, I don't have answers, I was just offering my thoughts based on my own experience. Best of luck.
Thank you, thyr01d, I'm upping my dose a little, as I'm two thirds in range, but if I don't see improvement I wouldn't take it for no reason. I would be concerned about my bones and if I am offered a bone density test I would take it. Perhaps that's a good reason to go, even though I'm not keen!
Thank you, SlowDragon, that is a really interesting article, as is the one on heart issues. I'm not really alert enough at this time of night to take it all in, but I will read it again tomorrow and follow the references. Thank you!
Hi serenfach, that made me smile! Unfortunately, not sure if I could carry that off, as I'm not reading the Lancet or Endochrinology Today either... and they might call my bluff!
Both available on line - and you can search for articles. You only need to quote one, but no medical professional has ever questioned me further. They just try to get you out of the room as fast as possible...
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