T3 endocrinologist

[THYROIDsjm]

I have had hypothyroidism for over 20 years I am in my 50's now and feeling symptomatic again hair falling out, waking up in the night anxiety, cold hands and feet feeling weaker than I should . No motivation. In UK you have to ask GP to see endocrinologist this is my 1st battle then you have to convince endocrinologist 2nd battle has anyone tried T3 what can you report about it. Did it give you energy?

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Welcome to the forum THYROIDsjm

So we can offer better advice, can you tell us more about your thyroid condition, eg current medication & dosage, plus blood test results (with ranges in brackets) for:

TSH

FT3

FT4

Plus any antibody and key vitamin tests (ferritin, folate, vitamins D and B12)

If your GP is unable to complete all the above (eg if TSH is within range, some surgeries may not be able to access FT4 and FT3 tests), you could look to do this privately, as many forum members do, for a better picture of your thyroid health:

thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

[THYROIDsjm in reply to Buddy195]

You lot know your stuff I do not yet I am going to my GP this week I will ask not sure what I will find out but I post again.

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to THYROIDsjm]

You are legally entitled to copies of blood tests, so do ask for these and share results with us in a new post.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

First step is always to test FULL thyroid and vitamin levels to see exactly what is going on

What are your most recent thyroid and vitamin test results

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine

What vitamin supplements are you taking

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

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune

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

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG thyroid antibodies

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Lower vitamin levels more common as we get older

For good conversion of Ft4 (levothyroxine) to Ft3 (active hormone) we must maintain GOOD vitamin levels

What is reason for your hypothyroidism

Autoimmune?

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)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

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...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

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

[THYROIDsjm in reply to SlowDragon]

You lot know your stuff I do not yet I am going to my GP this week I will ask not sure what I will find out but I post again.

[RedApple Administrator]

THYROIDsjm, 'm in my 50's now and feeling symptomatic again'

What is your current dose of levothyroxine? Have you considered that your symptoms could be menopause related?

[THYROIDsjm in reply to RedApple]

125mg

[THYROIDsjm in reply to THYROIDsjm]

That was lowered this year

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to THYROIDsjm]

why was dose reduced

What was it reduced from

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

What vitamin supplements are you taking

Bloods should have been retested 8-10 weeks after a dose reduction

Make an appointment with GP

List return of symptoms since dose reduction

Request/politely insist on FULL thyroid and vitamin testing

TSH, Ft4 and Ft3 plus vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin

ESSENTIAL to test correctly

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)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

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...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

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

[THYROIDsjm]

I was not aware until recently how important my thyroid is and how it affects my while body

[helvella Administrator in reply to THYROIDsjm]

You are far from alone!

Indeed, I suspect that, other than those with family or close friends who also have thyroid issues, almost no-one realises until they find out the hard way.

[THYROIDsjm in reply to helvella]

Yes just found out today UK I have Hashimoto’s and my results are in healthy ranges as follows:-FT4 levels. 14.5

TSH 0.33

Folate 17

Ferritin 180

B12 750

Insulin HBA1C 36

Vitamin D 75

Adrenal 145

[helvella Administrator in reply to THYROIDsjm]

I'll call out to all the others who have already replied on this thread:

SlowDragon Buddy195 RedApple

Do you have the reference intervals, the ranges, for these? They do vary by lab - some vary a lot, like FT4.