Underactive thyroid and menopause

[SALT]

Dear all

I wondered if after years of taking self prescribed NDT I could stop using it and start taking Levo again? Simply because, it is becoming more and more expensive to buy. What would this mean for my body after taking NDT for about 6 years now. Has anyone done this and how was it for you. I do feel a bit apprehensive about doing this after all of this time. Or would there be a better option like T3 and levo if this is possible to do in the UK.

I am also going through the menopause so sometimes I don't know which way is up and whether some symptoms I have is down to menopause or thyroid.

I take 1 and a half NDT per night and I take 75 patch for menopause and 2 progesterone tabs per cycle (every 15 days for 12 days). I know this is not a menopause forum, I just thought I would give all details, if it helps.

My last blood test for thyroid last year (November) was:-

TSH 2.67 ref ranges 0.35 - 5.5

Free 4 - 9.2 ref ranges 10.5 - 21

T3 - 4.5 ref ranges 3.5 - 6.5

My doctor would not check any other option for me on the blood test on NHS as she said it costs too much.

I have ordered a blood test and will be taking that next week. I will post the new tests here but wondered if anyone had any thoughts.

Thank you in advance.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

your results suggest possibly under medicated

Yes loads of members get T3 prescribed often privately initially

Increasingly possible to get T3 prescribed alongside Levo on NHS

Over 67,000 prescriptions for T3 on NHS in England in last year

openprescribing.net/analyse...

BEFORE booking a consultation get FULL thyroid and vitamin testing

Here’s link for how to request Thyroid U.K.list of private Doctors emailed to you, but within the email a link to download list of recommended thyroid specialist endocrinologists who will prescribe T3

Ideally choose an endocrinologist to see privately initially and who also does NHS consultations so that might eventually transfer to getting T3 on NHS

thyroiduk.org/contact-us/ge...

what vitamin supplements are you taking

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)

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

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...

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

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

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

[SALT]

SlowDragon thank you very very much for your detailed reply.

I take the following supplements;

Vitamin D3 4000iu

Vitamin K 200

Vitamin B12 10ug

Iron 17mg

I take these once per day the vitamin K is within the D3 vitamin. I had heard that taking a vitamin C supplement could help with absorption of other vitamins but I had a bad reaction taking vitamin C and ended up throwing them in the bin.

The test that I had ordered which should be here next week is a bronze blue horizon thyroid test. I will post the results once they are in.

Thanks again for all of your help, it's really appreciated.

Best wishes