Functional medicine doctor

[Heyhop]

Hi there,

Looking for recommendations for a functional medicine doctor to help with my underactive thyroid, while pregnant.

Many thanks

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Welcome to the forum Heyhop. So members can offer better advice and support it would be helpful if you could add some information to your profile &/ or tell us a little more on this post about your thyroid condition, current medication and any test results:

TSH

FT3

FT4

Plus any antibody tests or tests for key thyroid vitamins (ferritin, folate, B12 and vit D).

It may be possible to optimise the above before seeking out a specialist practitioner.

Do you take any supplements at all?

[Heyhop in reply to Buddy195]

Hi,

I have an underactive thyroid since many years. I also have a history of high prolactin levels.

I’m on 150 levothyroxine a day. I’m 7 weeks pregnant and my THS is 0.8.

CRP -  normal

FBC - normal

Folate - normal 20.0

Ferritin - normal

Vitamin D - 83

I’m looking for a functional medicine doctor who can run a full thyroid panel and prescribe possibly what the NHS won’t prescribe. I also need them to monitor my progesterone levels, I’m using 2 pessaries a day due to old maternal age.

Many thanks!

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Heyhop]

Congratulations on your pregnancy Heyhop! 👍

Can you supply the exact readings and reference ranges (in brackets) for your blood tests as ranges often vary between laboratories? When doctors say that results are normal and within range, this is often not the same as ‘optimal’.

[Heyhop in reply to Buddy195]

Thanks!

I only have the full details for the THS for now (0.27 - 4.20). My THS was 0.8

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Heyhop]

Do you have the full readings and ranges for your vitamins? Do ask your GP for a print out - you are legally entitled to copies of all tests.

Do you only have a TSH result for your thyroid? To have a better picture of your thyroid health it’s advisable to also have

FT3

FT4

Plus antibody tests (to determine if your condition is auto immune, aka Hashimotos). If your GP is reluctant/ unable to test these (a very common dilemma on this forum) I would certainly look to do this privately.

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

[Heyhop in reply to Buddy195]

Thanks, going to collect print outs for vitamins. Only have THS for Thyroid as this was done on the NHS, hence I’m now looking to go private for a full panel test. 👍

Thanks!

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Heyhop]

I’d definitely get full thyroid panel, key vitamins and antibodies tested. I usually use Medichecks, which are sometimes discounted on Thursdays, so maybe worth a look.

I wouldn’t look to see a private consultant until you’ve had these tests. Remember to post any results on the forum, as members here have a wealth of knowledge & experience to advise.

SlowDragon has great advice on optimal timings of tests, so will copy her in.

[Heyhop in reply to Buddy195]

Thank you for all this, most useful!

Does Medicheck also test Revers T3?

Thanks

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Heyhop]

This isn’t something I’ve requested, so I’m unsure if they still offer this. There customer service team always seem helpful when I’ve contacted them.

I’m sure SlowDragon will know more about reverse t3 tests, so will tag

[Heyhop in reply to Buddy195]

Thanks, I think reverse t3 is important to get if you’re going for a full overview. Thanks, will start looking for a test!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

Congratulations on your pregnancy

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Was dose levothyroxine increase when pregnancy was confirmed

Do you know if you have autoimmune thyroid disease.

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested ever

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

It’s very important always to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least annually. With pregnancy levels are especially important

Recommended on here that 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 

[Heyhop in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much for all that testing info!

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking = Accord

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription = Yes (apart from the odd change)

Was dose levothyroxine increase when pregnancy was confirmed = No

Do you know if you have autoimmune thyroid disease = No I don’t

Have you had thyroid antibodies tested ever = not sure, will try and get these done.

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking = Pregnacare Max

Many thanks!

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Heyhop]

Suggest you get full thyroid and vitamin testing done ASAP

Remember to stop taking any supplement that contains biotin 3-5 days before blood test as biotin can falsely affect test results

[Heyhop in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks, yes will start shopping around for a full panel test , is this what to look for ? Thanks again.

THS

Free T4

T3

Free T4

Reverse T3

Antibodies 

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Heyhop]

No point testing Reverse T3

Extremely expensive test, send to USA for processing

Doesn’t tell you anything useful

you must include vitamin levels too

I gave you links to cheapest and most recommended options above in previous reply

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...

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

I think reverse t3 is useful, it’s a marker of inflammation that’s helpful isn’t it?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

detailed reply by SeasideSusie on why it’s not recommended on here

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

i see, so it is a marker of inflammation but maybe HU doesn’t think it’s worth the money?

I’d also add restrictive diets and ketosis to that list, they drive reverse t3 up.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Hidden]

if someone has got all vitamins optimal and addressed all food intolerances and Ft4 was over range and Ft3 rock bottom…..it might be worth considering…but it’s extremely expensive and takes 2-3 weeks to get results

Reverse T3 Test doesn’t include testing vitamins or CRP …..so would have to order two separate tests to cover vitamins and inflammation

[Hidden in reply to SlowDragon]

yes that makes sense

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for the link SD; useful information!

[Heyhop in reply to SlowDragon]

ok, thanks, will check with the functional medicine doctor who I’ll be seeing soon hopefully and see what they say regarding revers t3.