GP removed my T3 what now?

[Otto11]

Hi I know others have mentioned this previously but I have just gone to order a repeat prescription to find that my T3 is missing from the list. I'm currently taking 75mcg Thyroxine too & noticed they have removed the 50's leaving me with 25mcg only which is ok I guess but expect its a cheaper brand. Can they really do this?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Who initially prescribed T3……presumably an endocrinologist

GP should not alter prescription

You should be referred back to endocrinologist

How much T3 are you taking

T3 should only ever be charged very very SLOWLY

What were most recent thyroid and vitamin results

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

T3 ….day before test split T3 as 2 or 3 smaller doses spread through the day, with last dose approximately 8-12 hours before test

Post all about what time of day to test

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus BOTH TPO and TG antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

support.medichecks.com/hc/e...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

[Otto11 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you. I'm still under Endocrinology who prescribed my T3 & due my next blood test on Wednesday. I will contact them either tomorrow or after my bloods. I was just so upset yesterday. My last bloods were 1st March TSH 0.03 (0.27-4.2) T3 4.5 (3.1-6.8) & T4 14 (11-22) I'm currently on 10mcg Lio x 2 daily. I know its our GP's budget they are concerned about as they tried to take my Salbutamol inhaler off me too at my Asthma review last week. I stood my ground though & kept it for now at least. Why is everything such a hassel!

[Lily905 in reply to Otto11]

It's so dreadful GP's Budget is more of a priority than your health. As SlowDragon says Endo Px T3 should Not be changed by GP. So contacting Endo to get your T3 back is the way forward. I've stopped my Salbutamol inhaler which I was prescribed for allergies. I now use local honey instead. I've had a fight for many years to keep my T3 & that's one of the reasons I stopped my inhaler because my GP could complain less about the cost of my Px. We are in a crazy situation. They removed all of my thyroid, T4 makes me very ill, I need T3 to continue living & they have got a problem with how much it costs to keep us alive!

[damehypo]

I hear you. I sympathise. My GP is trying his absolute best to get me off my T3, without which I know I'd languish on that dreadful t4 alone and suffer everything I did before coming over to t4 AND t3.

I have been asked to go for another review of my T3.... I am in Scotland, and they hardly ever prescribe it here, and then, you are monitored like mad whilst on it. It is the cost. I dont care what they say. I am wondering if there is any way to PREVENT them from taking me of a much needed medicine, Just like yourself.

[Otto11 in reply to damehypo]

I'm pretty new to all this so the answer is I don't know. I'm sorry you are having to go through similar. I'm certainly a lot better since starting T3 so will have to stand my ground if at all possible.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

I don’t really have much of an appetite at all these days. Nothing interests me lately.

Have you lost your appetite since starting T3

[Otto11 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi I have been loosing weight since starting T3 but have been really unwell from flu followed by Pneumonia for past 2 months as have not felt like eating much at all being in bed for 2 weeks just eating jelly porridge & toast really. I had a course of steroids a few weeks ago & my appetite has definitely increased again. I was at hospital last week & they weighed me & I had put on a kilo so going in the right direction. I never put weight on being hypo from so many years at least the past 7 years by results but had virtually all the other symptoms. It was the only thing that I had changed so thought it might be down to T3. Thanks.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Otto11]

My last bloods were 1st March

TSH 0.03 (0.27-4.2)

Free T4 (fT4) 14 pmol/L (11 - 22) 27.3%

Free T3 (fT3) 4.5 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 37.8%

was test as recommended, early morning, last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test, and last 5mcg T3 at approximately 8-12 hours before test

I had a course of steroids a few weeks ago

Was this before or after the test results above?

tell endo you have been on steroids

This will have quite likely lowered TSH

[Otto11 in reply to SlowDragon]

thanks. Yes test as per protocol. It was on 1st March & my 7 days of steroids were middle of April. So last bloods were before the steroids. I will tell the nurse about the steroids thank you I didn't know that.

[TopBiscuit]

I would tell your GP that you are under the care of an endocrinologist and they are the ones responsible for your thyroid medication - so hands off (politely, of course)! If you're under specialist care they absolutely should not be interfering.

I have had several similar conversations with my GPs over the years. It always works.

[Otto11 in reply to TopBiscuit]

Thanks yes I will do. I will call tomorrow or after I've spoken to the Endocrine Nurse at the end of the week. I'm sorry you have had similar.

[AKatieD]

Apart from anything your free T3 and free t4 are already low, so reducing anything is not a good thing to do.

[Otto11 in reply to AKatieD]

Ok thanks. My T3 is much better than it was. It was 2.9 in 2022 & GP ignored it. I had a real battle to get a referral to Endocrine. My T4 has often been over range. I have my first follow up with an Endocrinologist after starting T3 but not till July.

[serenfach]

Your GP reacted to your low TSH and nothing else. He/she was trained this way and knows nothing about thyroid, or they would have looked at what is actually circulating in your body and seen you are too low.

I hope the Endo helps and you can get back to normal (with a small increase).

[Otto11]

Thanks. That could be it but they havnt discussed it with me. It’s just missing from my repeat. Do you think I need an increase in T3 or T4?