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Breakspear Medical in the UK

Valentijn

Senior Member
Messages
15,786
They have decided to do more testing which I am pleased about as I felt that the extent of my sensitivities was not being acknowledged and has now been shown since I have reacted badly to most of the supplements I was prescribed. B12 is a problem for me due to my MTHFR but I am managing to take small amounts.
Do you have full 23andMe results? If so, you can check to see if your GSTT1 or GSTM1 genes are missing. They can badly impair our ability to detox various substances, which does include pharmaceuticals and might include some supplements as well. Anyhow, it might help to narrow down why you aren't able to tolerate certain things.
 

brenda

Senior Member
Messages
2,270
Location
UK
Do you have full 23andMe results? If so, you can check to see if your GSTT1 or GSTM1 genes are missing. They can badly impair our ability to detox various substances, which does include pharmaceuticals and might include some supplements as well. Anyhow, it might help to narrow down why you aren't able to tolerate certain things.

Thanks Valentijn I am

GSTTI rs 11550606 AA
GSTMI rs 4147567 AA
GSTMI rs 2239892 AA

Does this mean I am hypersensitive?
 

Valentijn

Senior Member
Messages
15,786
Thanks Valentijn I am

GSTTI rs 11550606 AA
GSTMI rs 4147567 AA
GSTMI rs 2239892 AA

Does this mean I am hypersensitive?
If a panel is showing results, then you probably aren't missing the genes. But you can browse your raw data as well, then "find" an RS number from each gene, and make sure there's not a bunch of "--" results very close to it.

If you have any results, that's a very good indication, for those genes. 15% of Europeans are missing GSTT1 entirely :p
 

brenda

Senior Member
Messages
2,270
Location
UK
If a panel is showing results, then you probably aren't missing the genes. But you can browse your raw data as well, then "find" an RS number from each gene, and make sure there's not a bunch of "--" results very close to it.

If you have any results, that's a very good indication, for those genes. 15% of Europeans are missing GSTT1 entirely :p

Thanks again. For the GSTTI there are only two 'calls' one AA and the other TT. 14 snp's on that one and 7 on GSTMI.
 

Little Bluestem

All Good Things Must Come to an End
Messages
4,930
brenda, I started with just one for a few days, then went to two.

If you read on the internet, you will find that many people work up to higher doses. When I saw my doctor a month after starting, I was ready to increase the dose. She said that since my thyroid tests had improved on that dose, I should stay with it. Two month later it was looking still better, so I'm still on the same dose.
 

brenda

Senior Member
Messages
2,270
Location
UK
Little Bluestem

Wow a result! I lost a full pound in weight yesterday when my weight loss has been stuck for 6 weeks due to my thyroid I think - well know now. I might not get my bloods taken for a couple of weeks yet, my two doctors have to sort out a whole pile of tests the specialist wants done, so I wonder whether I can take bits of T3 till say a week before the thyroid test? How long does it take for the effects of T3 to clear? My last GP said it takes 9 months for thyroid to get back to untreated state when she insisted that I came off dessicated hormone last time I was on it.

No other noticeable effects.
 

Little Bluestem

All Good Things Must Come to an End
Messages
4,930
brenda, IIRC T3 clears fairly quickly (like in hours) since it is the active form. The best thing to do would be to call your doctor and ask how soon you should quit taking the T3 before the tests. Again, IIRC, my doctor usually has people skip their morning dose for a first-thing-in-the-morning blood draw. Since I have a 1.5 hr drive and am NOT a morning person, she let me come in later for the blood draw and said to go ahead and take the morning dose.

I do not think I am feeling any better since starting the T3. There is so much going on in my life and I frequently change supplements, so it is difficult to say for sure. All the other ME related problems may be masking any improvement in thyroid function, as well. My tests are looking better. I figure it has got to be better for my body to have better thyroid function, even if I can't feel it. Fixing the other things probably wouldn't help much as long as the thyroid wasn't functioning well. So, 1 down, ??? to go.
 

brenda

Senior Member
Messages
2,270
Location
UK
Little Bluestem

I knew my thyroid was down because my BP and cholesterol went up, my skin got dryer, hair was dropping and my weight loss stopped (low calorie low fat). It was due to iodine in seaweed raising my anti- thyroid antibodies. I think weight monitoring is a good guide for thyroid. Good that your tests are improving. I agree that thyroid function is critical. Good idea to ask my doc though she will blow a fuse with me taking T3 without 'permission' :rolleyes:
 

brenda

Senior Member
Messages
2,270
Location
UK
2 lbs weight loss yesterday. Wow! I was struggling to lose 2 lbs a month before this and then it stopped 6 weeks ago. Whatever my labs are I am treating my thyroid but this time will do as you suggest and take a tiny dose for a month then get my TSH done. Many thanks Little Bluestem
 

Little Bluestem

All Good Things Must Come to an End
Messages
4,930
brenda, I am glad the T3 is helping your weight. Mine has gone up to an all-time high while I have been taking it, but then I have not been struggling (or even trying very hard) to lose.

I think you need to get more than TSH tested when taking T3. I think you also need to test the T3 and maybe the reverse T3. The last time, my doctor did Total T3 and Free T3 (and Reverse T3 and Free T4 and TSH).

TSH is actually the least useful. It is made by the pituitary gland. If pituitary gland is not functioning correctly, TSH can be normal when T4 is low.
 

brenda

Senior Member
Messages
2,270
Location
UK
Little Bluestem

I asked the GP yesterday to do a complete thyroid profile including TSH, anti-bodies, free T3 freeT4 but they do not do reverse T3.

If my TSH is within normal range, my own GP (who was away) will not give me hormones. I will have to pay for further tests myself. So I thought that TSH would be a quick way to know what is going on after a month but perhaps I will have to shell out on the extra tests. I also need to find non lactose T3 as I have gone dairy free. Thanks again.
 

brenda

Senior Member
Messages
2,270
Location
UK
I am sorry but I have lost track of the thread asking for a neurologist in the UK and info about Breakspear feedback, so here is a thread for you. Yes there is a neurologist at BS though I have not consulted with him. I am under Dr M.
 

maryb

iherb code TAK122
Messages
3,602
Location
UK
Dr Julu is a neurophysiologist - don't know what the difference is between a neurologist and that field......