under medicated

[Poppyred300]

hi

I am a 63 year old lady. I was diagnosed with over active thyroid at 18. Ended up having radioactive treatment at 24 then at 28 a complete thyroidectomy. Have been on thyroxine since then - at one point was prescribed the expensive one ( can’t remember the name ) my gp stopped that as too expensive and since last summer has been reducing my levothyroxine from 195 mcg to now 125 mcg.

now all I do is sleep. I feel my life is passing me by.

my bloods please see pictures. Seems I cam only add one picture.

I feel he isn’t understanding I need the levothyroxine to be more. Am I right ?

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

You had some great responses to your post a year ago which are still relevant now.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Sounds like you need to find a new Endo who can prescribe T3. If you email [e-mail] they will send you a list of Endo's that you could see either privately or on the NHS.

Your GP should reinstate your T3 as only an Endocrinologist can stop that treatment.

You do also need more levo. Insist GP puts your dose back up. You can take responsibilty for having a lower level of TSH.

The first paragraph in the NICE (NHS) Thyroid Disease, Assessment and Management guidelines says :

nice.org.uk/guidance/ng145

"Your responsibility”

The recommendations in this guideline represent the view of NICE, arrived at after careful consideration of the evidence available. When exercising their judgement, professionals and practitioners are expected to take this guideline fully into account, alongside the individual needs, preferences and values of their patients or the people using their service. It is not mandatory to apply the recommendations, and the guideline does not override the responsibility to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual, in consultation with them and their families and carers or guardian. "

When hypo we get low stomach acid which means we cannot absorb vitamins well from our food, regardless of a great diet. For thyroid hormone to work well we need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins. Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

There is also a new company offering walk in & mail order blood tests in Crawley, Hove and Reigate areas. onedaytests.com/products/ul...

[PurpleNails Administrator]

TSH isn’t reliable you need FT4 & FT3 tested. 

Levothyroxine replaces the T4 & if circumstances are good eg nutrients optimal most can covert what’s the body needs to FT3.

If you were once put on  liothyronine you may not be converting to FT3 . 

Usually an endocrinologist can start a trial of lio but the GP shouldn’t have been allowed to stop it because of cost.  

Did you feel better on lio / higher dose of Levo? 

The cost of lio is lower now, your GP may say lio isn’t necessary but ask for a referral back endocrinologist, say you want to be well again. 

You may have felt better when TSH under range because it means FT4 was high in range which meant FT3 might have been higher.

At beginning of year your TSH rose to 2.74 and most feel would be under replaced.  

Most feel best when around 1 or lowest part of range & FT4 in top third of range, FT3 at least half way. 

Re reading your replies to your previous post might help you as there’s lists of information which could help. 

[SlowDragon Administrator]

BEFORE booking any consultation with endocrinologist get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing

Likely vitamin levels have dropped when T3 was inappropriately withdrawn

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

What vitamin supplements do you use

Recommended 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...

Monitor My Health also now offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65 

(Doesn’t include thyroid antibodies) 

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

10% off code here 

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

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. 

Link about thyroid blood tests

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

Email Thyroid U.K. for list of thyroid specialist endocrinologists and doctors who will prescribe T3

[e-mail]

[pennyannie]

Hello again ;

i replied to you fully on your previous post :