What to tell GP about getting private T3 meds and that I understand any risks of low TSH!

[Slowrunner1208]

Hi everyone,

After continuing to be symptomatic and increasingly exhausted I have gone down the private route to trial T3 for 3 months. I’ve just started so nothing to report on any difference made.

My gut feeling is that I want to let my GP know that I’m doing this. Wondering what others think?

I’d want write and let them know so it can be kept on record and because confidence dented when symptoms dismissed previously as ‘in my mind’. I want to say I understand the implications and risks esp around what I imagine will be a very low TSH. Not sure I do fully understand and wonder if anyone can help me get a better one. What should I be telling the GP?

Thanks for any replies and hope everyone is managing to keep as well and warm as possible!

[Lalatoot]

Slow runner, I think you are jumping the gun . You have just started the trial and don't know what the outcome will be.I would wait till the end of the trial if it is decided that you will continue on combo. Then you can write to the GP to have this added to your records. Maybe also enclose a letter from the prescribing endo.

[Slowrunner1208 in reply to Lalatoot]

Thanks Lalatoot good advice and will do 😊

[VSHchocolate]

Hi when I started taking NDT I wrote to my GP to tell them and my reasons for doing so. I also enclosed a copy of the notes from my private endo . I also have regular checks with NHS endocrinology and I have told them too. They agreed to keep me on checks while I decide what to do. I have a face to face appointment soon as I have requested T3 so that I can go on T3 /T4 medication instead of paying for NDT.

I suppose it depends on your GP surgery, mine is amazing.

[Slowrunner1208 in reply to VSHchocolate]

Thanks VSHchocolate Good luck with your upcoming appointment, hope it goes well!

[serenfach]

Tell him when your results come back with a low TSH and he wants to cut your thyroxine. But, doctor, we talked about this, remember? I said I was trying T3 which, as you know, drops the TSH. Isnt it in my notes?

They dont listen, they dont read notes, so use that.

[Gingernut44]

I agree with Lalatoot , wait until you’ve decided whether or not the T3 is working and what your private Endo says. I went private because I couldn’t get any help whatsoever from the NHS. My Endo writes to my GP telling him what dose of Levothyroxine he needs to prescribe and also what dose of T3 he (the Endo) is prescribing. I give my surgery a copy of my latest blood tests from MMH to put on my records (I’m not sure they bother tbh) My GP is more than happy with that arrangement as it absolves him of any responsibility re my thyroid meds.