Buying T3 and seeing an Endocrinologist in Europe - Thyroid UK

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Buying T3 and seeing an Endocrinologist in Europe

Jasc29 profile image
12 Replies

Hello,

I live in the UK and I've been given a private prescription for t3. I got this from the chemist and had to pay £495 for three months tablets.

Does anyone recommend any countries in Europe where its cheaper to see an endocrinologist and buy T3 more affordably? If you could send me a private message that would be great.

Many thanks,

Jenn

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Jasc29
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12 Replies
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

What dose tablets?

cheapest option by far is Thybon Henning 20mcg tablets at 50p or 60p per tablet……sold in boxes of 100 usually

So most members on private prescription get that …..and cut into 10mcg or 5mcg dose

Use a sharp craft scalpel or pill cutter

Thybon Henning not licensed in U.K. - so private prescription only

specialist pharmacies

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-hy...

U.K. prices that NHS currently pays for U.K. licensed brands discussed on this post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Jasc29 profile image
Jasc29 in reply to SlowDragon

My starting dose is 10 micrograms at the moment per day.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Jasc29

Advice on here is to initially start T3 very SLOWLY….only adding 5mcg in morning for first few days

Assuming that is ok after a week add 2nd 5mcg dose approximately 10-12 hours later

Wait 6-8 weeks then retest thyroid and vitamin levels

Day before test make sure last 5mcg dose is approximately 8-12 hours before test

Test early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Frequently it’s not necessary to reduce levothyroxine when adding T3

eg

Assuming range on Ft4 is 12-22

If Ft4 at 21-22 or higher …..reducing dose by 25mcg 3-4 days before starting on 5mcg T3

if Ft4 at 17-19 ie mid range…..Levo probably doesn’t need reducing

If Ft4 below 17 …..try increasing levothyroxine by 25mcg per day before considering adding T3…..

retest after 6-8 weeks

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Looking at previous post from 4 years ago

Are you still only on 75mcg levothyroxine

What are your most recent thyroid and vitamin results

Important all four vitamins are at good levels

And need to know where in range Ft4 and Ft3 are before starting T3

Always test thyroid levels early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

Jasc29 profile image
Jasc29

The T3 has been prescribed by a private endocrinologist to see if my symptoms improve while still taking the 75mcg Levothyroxine (still the same dose), I was told to alternate taking the Levo 50mcg and 75mcg. They didn't test my vitamins. My most recent results on the 19th April were (symtoms freezing cold and super tired): TSH 1.25 mIU/L, free T4 16.35 pmol/L, free T3 3.3 pmol/L

FSH 4.1 mIU/ml, LH 11.8 units/L, prolactin 410 mIU/L, testosterone 1.48 nmol/L

SHBG 71 nmol/L (free androgen index 2.085%), cortisol (9am) 375 nmol/L

Coeliac screen negative

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Jasc29

What are ranges on Ft4 and Ft3

Was test done early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Obviously essential to test vitamin levels ideally BEFORE starting T3

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels 

Low vitamin levels affect Thyroid hormone working 

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

When were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

List of private testing options and money off codes

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

Important to test vitamin levels at least annually

Ideally vitamin D twice a year

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...

Food intolerances

With Hashimoto’s poor gut function can frequently lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances.

Most common by far is gluten.

Dairy is second most common. 

So coeliac test was negative

A trial of strictly gluten free diet is always worth doing

 

Only 5% of Hashimoto’s patients test positive for coeliac but a further 81% of Hashimoto’s patients who try gluten free diet find noticeable or significant improvement or find it’s essential

Similarly few months later consider trying dairy free too. Approx 50-60% find dairy free beneficial

Jasc29 profile image
Jasc29

What are ranges on Ft4 and Ft3 - no idea. I wasn't give this.

Was test done early morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test - yes 9am with no medication the day before.

I don't eat gluten, I found its most beneficial to avoid this. I'll have to carry out the vitamin testing on my own.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Jasc29

You need to ask. Without reference intervals (ranges), the results are just numbers.

Whether done privately or via NHS, you have every right to this information.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Jasc29

which brand of levothyroxine are you taking

Teva brand is only one that makes 75mcg tablets

Teva brand upsets many people

you’re legally entitled to test results and ranges

If you can’t get ranges on thyroid results recommend you retest

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 and includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies -£29 

randoxhealth.com/at-home/Th...

Just vitamin and mineral testing 

randoxhealth.com/Vitamin-an...

Jasc29 profile image
Jasc29 in reply to SlowDragon

Thanks so much for all your help. I will get the full test results, I just need to remind the medical secretary to share them with me.

Currently I'm taking the below daily, but I'll get a Vitamins test sorted also.

Vit D 4000iu, K2 2000ug, Vit B12 86.5ug, Iron 20mg, Turmeric Ginger and Black pepper 2280mg, Vit C 1000mg, and Magnesium 500mg.

The brands I have for the Levo are Accord and Teva UK. I get 50mcg and 25mcg.

Gingernut44 profile image
Gingernut44

You say you had the test at 9 am with no medication the day before. Exactly how many hours was it from your last dose of Levo to the blood draw?

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