Well I was lucky enough to get to see my NHS endo 2 days after I was referred. I was given "choose and book" details from my doctor and came home and made the appointment. First available appointment was the 4th November, so I emailed the endo's secretary asking to be put on a waiting list if any cancellations... Lucky me! She emailed the next morning for the following day!
So off i trot to see the endo... Firstly she's interested in me as a person. Asks me how I feel and what I'd like to get out of the appointment... She then asks why I think the symptoms are related to my thyroid... I give her a quick reason why...
she then takes a detailed history... when, where and how I was first diagnosed, and when did I last feel good? (I couldn't answer that one!). After some talking and her explaining that some symptoms could be from another cause and that due to my blood test results that in fact the symptoms could also be those of hyperthyroidism... I agree after all I've been hypo since the age of 9... so I'm over treated with T4 ( 200 mcg levothyroxine)...
She also knows that I will not reduce my dosage as the last time I did that I gained 40kg in about 9 months (and am still struggling to loose the weight albeit that I have a personal trainer and train 4 times a week ) so after some further discussion she says we'll try T3 and that the T4 will need to be reduced (YAY - Finally some hope)
so now I will be on 150 mcg Levo and 20 mcg of T3 (liothyronine) for the next few months when I'll need some more blood tests...
She's also testing for a range of other things just in-case my symptoms are from something else... although she did suggest that I talk to my doctor about antidepressant (fluoxetine) - which I must admit that I'm NOT very keen on going down that path... (any advice on this would be appreciated)
Also, for those on T3, how soon did you feel the difference and is it really "thyroid gold"??
Thanks for listening
xx
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Tracey76
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I've been on T3 -I noticed the effects really quickly -within a few days. Although I felt better on it than just the T4, for me it was changing across to Armour Thyroid that made me feel well again. Unfortunately the NHS are resistant to prescribing it -so I have to pay for it but I know of two people who don't! Hope you feel T3's benifits soon.
If your body has difficulty converting t4 to the active t3 you are going to feel the benifit very quickly. Armour thyroid has t4 t3 t2 and t1 in the same ratio that the body naturally makes it in so that is why a lot of people including myself feel heaps better on it. Be sure to take it in the morning and early afternoon, it lasts for about 8hrs so it is good to split your dose. If you take it too late it might keep you awake at night. It should make it a lot easier to loose weight too. good luck maggie
I can't remember which site I read it on, but psychiatrists had found that some patients who were low in T3 and were given T3 improved and didn't need anti-depressants. I'd hold out on the anti-depressants for now and see how you get on with the T3. All the best.
Not all endocrinologists are T3 friendly so that is good that you have been prescribed it. The dose seems high to start with, just my opinion.
I reduced my levothyroxine from 200mcg to 150mcg when I added 10mcg of T3 and within 4 days I crashed. I then took 175mcg of levo and 5mcg T3 but still struggled so I am taking 200mcg of levo now and 10mcg T3. I haven't noticed any improvement with T3 and my Endo is telling me that I am over replaced.
I know of one lady who takes T3 and her Endo actually increased her levo when she first added it.
There are many people who feel much better when adding T3 so I do hope that it works for you. I wouldn't touch anti-depressants, I was seriously depressed and now that I am fully replaced I am no longer depressed, good luck! let us know your last blood test results
Tracey, you are so lucky. My Doc won't refer me to the endo and when blood test went off with request for T3 level, the hospital wouldn't do it. Doc says in the UK they don't prescribe T3 but you have proved her wrong! I agree with Suze, don't even think of going there with anit-depressants. Diet can help - try the Patrick Holford website, I find him really good as he backs every recommendation up with clinical trial evidence, after all, we are what we eat. Keep smiling!
I agree with the people below in that you should give the T3 a shot, although I did this and for me it didn't help. (I have problems with my T4-T3 conversion). I posted a question earlier regarding fluoxetine (prozac) as after being completely against it I'm now on it and strangely my hypo symptoms have nearly all gone. (I'm not on any thyroid medicatoin). I'm very confused by this. Of course everyone reacts very differently to all medications so this wouldn't necessarily be the case for you but thought you may find the info interesting.
Thank you Charlie, my endo suggested that I take Fluoxetine too, I need to talk to my doc about that... I sometimes get the impression that they think I make it all up.. its hard to accept that though.
I guess I get myself highly strung because unlike my doctors and work colleagues, I'm solely reliant on myself! I don't have anyone to pick up the slack when I have bad days.. I have to push myself and cope! No option for anything else.
so sometimes I think that maybe a little "chemical" help is ok? (obviously ONLY prescribed chemicals)
This may sound a bit daft... does fluoxetine effect the sex drive? Does it slow the mental process down at all (I need all my wits for work)? Just so many questions about fluoxetine and would rather hear it from someone who has taken it that a doctor that just regurgitates it from the leaflet.
I think finding a doctor who is willing to listen is the first barrier to cross.. once you have spoken and they agree to send you to an endo then its pot luck and very lucky to get a "Good" one.
I always thought that the doctors were obliged too send you to an endo if you requested it??? Am I wrong?
I once wrote an old doctor a letter stating that he wasn't qualified to alter my meds and would rather he follow the advice of the private endo's I had seen. I did as I asked but it was an even colder relationship after that.
I know what you mean about the doctors (and other people) thinking you make it all up - I've had the same problem. I have been seeing a guy and he told me it's all in my head. Consequently this upset me greatly and has really affected the relationship which has pretty much gone to pot now!
With regards to the fluoxetine affecting your sex drive, well for me it has actually increased it. Before I was taking it my sex drive had completely diminished for about a year or so but once I started taking it, my sex drive increased! This isn't so for all people however, I have read about some people whose sex drive has gone on it. Ever person is different so it's impossible to say how it will affect you. The only thing is however that I can no longer orgasm since taking it! This is a very common side effect (about 50% apparently) but for me it's worth it as it makes me feel normal again.
I also haven't found that it slows down the mental process, I'd even go so far as to say the opposite. I have had other side effects however, such as muscle twitching and dry mouth, but these went after about 6 weeks. One of the main side effects I've had is early morning waking. I went through a period of waking at about 4am and not being able to get back to sleep for about two hours - very annoying! The doctor then prescribed me amitriptyline to help me sleep and to help my muscle aches (which I still have on fluoxetine) but it compeltely knocked me out, so I only took it for three days. It did however break the cycle of the early morning waking which is a lot better now. As for the muscle aches, I'm not sure what to do - I think I have fibromyalgia.
My advice would be to give it a go if that's what you feel you need if all else has failed. I keep a diary of how I'm feeling each day which is very useful to see how the different medications have effected me. Just be very aware of any small changes and note them down. You can then clearly assess if it is worth staying on (it took a good two months to settle for me).
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