endo on NHS (Hashimotos), ultrasounds and increasing Levo doses

[otherdsc]

Just a quick question, if I push hard for an endo visit via my GP, is it possible to see one soonish? I've had Hashimoto's for over 10yrs, never seen an endo (seen one privately in Poland, where it's normal to see an endo 1/2 a year to monitor things), now got diagnosed with auto-immune gastritis (often linked with Hashimoto's) and I have a feeling some of the levo dose doesn't get ingested. Had bloods done and my TSH is 12 and been high for a year now, the GP just keeps upping the dose and nothing else is being done. Also as Hasimoto's is a constant inflammation of the thyriod, I should have ultrasounds regularly and I always do them privately in Poland, never ever had one done in the UK.

Anyone here had endo / ultrasounds in a similar situation via NHS, or do you also go privately?

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

I believe wait times to see an Endo are pretty long. Also, most of them are diabetes specialists and dont know how to make hypo people well.

How much Levo are you taking and how do you take it?

How much do you weigh in kilos approx.

Levo is a very fussy hormone and has to be taken on its own, on an empty stomach, with nothing other than water for an hour afterwards. Never take other medicines with Levo.

Have you also had an FT3 & Ft4 test done?

Have you tested and now supplementing key vitamin levels to optimal - ferritin, folate, B12 & D3?

What supplements do you take?

[otherdsc in reply to Jaydee1507]

Hmm, so kind of pointless seeing an endo anyway...I'll see if I can book myself to see one in Poland then.

I'm on 175 now, they bumped me to 200, I take it on an empty stomach and wait with food intake, but recently might've been a bit crap with this routine, so perhaps that affected it.

I'm 83kg, no other meds, I do take b12 / d3, actually b12 is pretty good (mid range) considering gastritis and damaged lining which stops b12 intake. ft3 / ft4 I've done privately in Poland (they were close to lower limits, 2.47 and 1.01) as NHS doesn't do them here...don't get me started on that.

I'm guessing no one ever does ultrasounds of your thyroid in the UK to monitor for lumps etc?

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to otherdsc]

Could you try taking Levo at bedtime? Many find that works well for absorption.

If you change how you taake Levo now you might go a bit over replaced so beaware of that.

By weight you would bneed an estimated amount of 133mcgs Levo.

1.6 x 83 = guide final dose 133mcgs

Some people might need a little more, some a little less.

Do you also take anything with folate? Usually recommended to take a good methyl B complex to keep all the B vits in balance.

B complex suggestions: Slightly cheaper options with inactive B6:

amazon.co.uk/Liposomal-Soft...

Contains B6 as P5P an active form:

bigvits.co.uk/thorne-resear...

healf.com/products/basic-b-...

Explanation about the different forms of B6:

helvella.blogspot.com/p/hel...

B complex comparison spreadsheet:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[tattybogle in reply to otherdsc]

I'm guessing no one ever does ultrasounds of your thyroid in the UK to monitor for lumps etc?

Correct .... if you found a palpable lump in it , then i'm pretty sure they would send you for ultrasound ... but other than that .. we are unlikely to ever have one on NHS .....

[SlowDragon Administrator]

what’s your iron and ferritin levels

As you have Hashimoto’s are you on or tried gluten free diet and/or dairy free diet

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

[otherdsc in reply to SlowDragon]

Last time I did them (probably 6months ago) they were fine, ie within normal levels.

Not tried gluten free, but did some tests previously re gluten intolerance and it came back negative. I do have helicobacter pylori so need to get that treated asap.

Re brands, I've looked at it before and had a feeling some brands are shite in terms of intake / digestion, but forgot which ones were the "good" ones. I've now ordered Euthyrox for the next 6 months as I've had good results with it and will stick to taking a dose before bed and then do bloods again in a month.