GP reducing levo: GP wants to reduce levo... - Thyroid UK

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GP reducing levo

Geegee777 profile image
16 Replies

GP wants to reduce levo, because my tsh was 0.008.I've increased my levo to 125 daily and still taking t3 5mcg in 3 doses. GP thinks I'm still on 75mcg.....I've sorted myself out using this forum and private blood tests and feel much better for it.

My issue is, how do I explain this to my GP

and would he stop prescribing levo because of my being proactive?

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Geegee777 profile image
Geegee777
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16 Replies
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator

Are you still seeing the private Endo and would they back you up for your current dose?

GPs often dont understand about a low TSH when taking T3 so sometimes the T3 prescriber can OK your test results.

Geegee777 profile image
Geegee777 in reply to Jaydee1507

Hi, no private endo referred me back to gp, then gp referred me to nhs endo, both haven't got a clue and want to decrease levo

TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMe in reply to Geegee777

Your frees are the same as mine (TSH 0.05) and I now have an agreement with my NHS Endo that we work with frees and not TSH 'at my own risk' as she says "We won't discuss TSH as we disagree" 😁

It's hard to know what to do as they are supposed to be able to have an intelligent conversation about this and you are the only one that knows what you are talking about 😟

Self source T4 whilst you train them up?

Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator in reply to Geegee777

You have a few options.

- decrease Levo and become more unwell.

- find a different prescriber privately who understands how T3 reduces TSH and will pacify your GP.

-self medicate.

serenfach profile image
serenfach

My Endo put me up to 350 levo and refused T3. My lovely GP (now long retired) said that that was ridiculous, and dropped me slowly to 150 levo and 20 Lio. Within weeks I began to feel better. After he retired they took the T3 away so I quietly moved to NDT. I told them and it is in my notes, but they dont read them. My TSH is now 0.002 and they want to reduce my levo, but I just tell them my TSH has been like that for years and that is just how I am. They leave me alone then.

jgelliss profile image
jgelliss in reply to serenfach

From my thyroid journey been there and done that. Don't allow any Dr play with your thyroid dose. If you feel your Best with 150mcg T4 and 20mcg T3 hold on to this dose. You need what you need. Most Dr's are not well informed how to dose thyroid patients. Very few are "out of the Box"and respect how the patient feels.Trust yourself and be your own Best Advocate.

Best wishes.

Sparklingsunshine profile image
Sparklingsunshine in reply to serenfach

Its all about them protecting their arses and professional reputations. They couldn't care less about patient wellbeing.

serenfach profile image
serenfach

Meant to add this - thyroidpatients.ca/2019/03/...

May be worth printing and leaving at your surgery!

I'm in the same boat, my GP thinks I'm on 200mcg Levo and I was until December but since then I'm taking self sourced T3/ T4 combi. The " conversation" hasnt materialised yet but it will.

However due to not taking as much Levo as they prescribe I'm ensuring a nice surplus. So if they threaten to reduce my Levo I'll have a cushion.

As Jaydee says you can 'fess up to GP and see what they say, I really dont know about your rights regarding ongoing Levo prescriptions. You can accept a reduced Levo prescription and hope you dont suffer healthwise, find a private practitioner or ask for a referral to NHS Endo, preferably a T3 friendly one.

Or self source T3 and extra T4. Its a pain, an expense and obviously you are at the mercy of supply chains, but on the other hand having complete autonomy over your thyroid health can reduce a lot of potential stress.

Newmummy82 profile image
Newmummy82

I would write my GP a letter stating that dosing by TSH is no longer recommended and you are not over medicated as your T4 and T3 are in range, so you are refusing the reduction in dose as you feel well. My husband works for NHS and you are within your rights to refuse a change in your dose. It’s up to you if you want to bring up the self sourcing T3, I haven’t told my doctor as it could open a can of worms. You could also write to refuse further NHS testing telling them you do your own privately so don’t need theirs - that way you avoid this inconvenience in the future.

Geegee777 profile image
Geegee777 in reply to Newmummy82

Hi, thanks for that,I was so angry, scared and frustrated, I couldn't think clearly, as going back to feeling rubbish isn't an option.Yes, when and hopefully very soon. (As I'm running out of levo) I hear from my endo or endo secretary who very hopefully will give gp request to increase my levo. Then I shall write. My gp stated. As you're under your endo, who wants to decrease your levo too. I shall not prescribe an increase until he is aware of the dosage increase....what a bloody mess. What gets me is, gp stated if my tsh is low, then my levo should decrease🤥

Lisalisajay profile image
Lisalisajay

Having the same issue.GP diagnosed Graves because TSH low

Won't believe me I'm symptom free

Now expect me to see another private specialist or they'll stop my meds completely.

Angry

Fed up

Symptom free for 4 years and they've screwed everything up by reducing my 125 to 75mcg overnight

Geegee777 profile image
Geegee777 in reply to Lisalisajay

It's bonkers isn't it. I'm waiting to hear from my endo as gp said he won't do anything until endo advises him. Endo also on tsh route too.If no joy from my endo. Private it is, can't afford it but also can't afford to be off work, unable to care for my 2 brothers as well as run my own family....surely saved government probably tens of thousands of pounds being unpaid carer, up till now. Also no one has the right to control my health.

We know that we're on the right path and we also know we have to do what's right fir ourselves. I'm bloody furious

Lisalisajay profile image
Lisalisajay in reply to Geegee777

NHS basically refuse any other View except TSH

This is my issue

Told yesterday that my information is one of many wrong opinions on the internet even though info was from doctor.

Private appointment awaiting confirmation but trust me I will be seeking legal advice

Geegee777 profile image
Geegee777 in reply to Lisalisajay

I'm sure everyone on this forum have been through the mill, it's an issue which needs to be on tv, the nhs needs to brought to account for people's needless suffering.....for many years. My mother was one, thinking back she suffered in silence like many others. Good luck on your thyroid journey 🌸🌸

Lisalisajay profile image
Lisalisajay in reply to Geegee777

We should all get together and form an action group.

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