Introduction and help navigating our NHS for Thyroid hormone replacement. Tips and support needed as it's a very tricky business.

[Curlywurly70]

Hi everyone. Been on my autoimmune thyroid journey for a few years now, was on 125mcg teva for a while, this dose almost suppressed the tsh, lowest was 0.003, it did however rise to 0.03. Gp reduced dose to 100mcg and TSH has now risen to 2.1. However (my bio gives loads of symptoms) I'm feeling steadily worse since that reduction and want to increase it. Perhaps by 12.5mcg? Let the battle commence! 2 GP's and many tears later I'm still trying. They've reluctantly agreed to test T3 this time!!! Hoping to get somewhere but I don't know where to he honest. Will I get an endo referral? Will it take aeons? Will an NHS endo care about these ranges? (all in the normal range) or will I have to find a private endo? I've changed HRT from estrogel to sandrena which has alleviated some sleep issues and hot night sweats. Trying to heal the gut by eating well and taking very good supplements (following previous posts on here). Trying to reduce symptoms and get diagnosis for musculoskeletal issues (in the bio), which in my mind leaves pure thyroid symptoms to deal with and get proper medication for. Hope that makes sense.

1st post

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Welcome to the group and thank you for the helpful profile.

Free T4 (fT4) 17.6 pmol/L (12 - 22) 56.0%

Free T3 (fT3) 3.7 pmol/L (3.1 - 6.8) 16.2%

It may be that you had low vitamin levels and by raising them it has in turn raised your TSH. members in this group have found that can happen.

Your FT4 is showing plenty of room for you to increase and your conversion is poor. Probably many of your remaining symptoms are related to your low FT3. People need FT3 at 60% minimum to feel OK.

I believe there are many months long wait lists to see an Endo and those that do get to see one are often disappointed. Most are diabetes specialists and dont know how to make us well.

If private is an option then email [e-mail] for a list of T3 friendly Endos. There are also pharmacies with a prescribing service that are a bit cheaper.

Exactly what supplements are you taking, brand and dose? Have you had vitamin levels tested?

[Curlywurly70 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Hello and thanks so much for your reply.I currently take,

Igennus super B- complex 2 capsules

Curcumin 500mg 1 tab

Igennus Calcium 443mg nd magnesium 223mg 2 tabs

Ashwaganda 605mg weightworld 1 tab

Gingko Biloba 6600mg weightworld 1tab

Omega 3 660mg epa and 440mg dha weightworld 2 capsules

NAC 600mg weightworld 1 capsule

Vitamin D3 with K2 3000iu Nature Provides, 2 x 5 drops

Live cultures 25 million CFU Igennus 1 tab

Just finished vit tabs which contain Selenium, zinc, A,C,E,Copper and started 1 which only has selenium. Will cycle between the two types as I have lots.

I've also done a full female hormone blood test with medichecks but the oestradiol

Number is skewed as I didn't wait long enough for the estrogel on my hands to not contaminate sample(1 month) I think I was short of that by a week. Raised prolactin level was also brought to my attention, which may be as a result of hypothyroid.

Female hormones

[Curlywurly70 in reply to Jaydee1507]

Most recent vitamin levels

Vitamins

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Curlywurly70]

Vitamins look great, well done. I dont know enough about hormone levels to comment on those.

So that just leaves you trying to get an increase. Try not to be beaten down and fobbed off. Keep going back, ask for it as a trial etc

There are other options I have aready mentioned.