Whether to delay treatment for underactive thyroid

[Guest guest]

I'm in UK where TSH reference ranges are wider than in US.

Saliva tests showed my TSH through the roof with low-normal ft4 and

ft3. But TSH blood test was just in top of UK range and GP won't

prescribe or do further tests.

I feel sure my thyroid function is getting worse so it might be that

before long, when I can persuade GP to retest, he'll be willing to

treat me. I would much prefer to take this route i.e. being properly

diagnosed by him initially, even though he'd only prescribe thyroxine

so at some point I'd probably need to switch to Armour.

It will be very difficult to struggle on for months without treatment

(not only physically but also psychologically now I know what's

wrong), but it seems that is what we are expected to do here until

our blood TSH tests qualify us to be treated on the NHS.

MY QUESTION IS:

I imagine that if I started taking Armour now it would be difficult

to come off and to get my hormones back to their natural levels when

I want to be retested, so once on Armour I might never get properly

diagnosed by my GP, never get free prescriptions, etc.?

I hope someone else who's been in my position will give me the

benefit of their experience.