Like the OP I also live in Europe and there is a conspiracy of care which sets out to restrict all hypothyroid patients to t4 medication only in the EU. They make no distinction between those who are hypo without antibodies and those with Hashimoto's for whom many wider world medics agree t3 supplementation in some form straight or combination gives best relief. BTW Natural thyroid products are a definite NO. Very occasionally one may find someone who will go out on a limb and treat according to symptoms most often this person will be a private practitioner, not covered by a nations own health service. A Medic within the Health Services may compromise their licence to practice were they to follow their instincts. Most who did/do so were trained in the days of Natural Thyroid Treatment only, pre tsh etc.

This t4 only conspiracy is reinforced by restrictions on which tests are permitted. If hypo thyroid issues are most likely to be an issue, not borderline, then tsh, t4 are permitted. If you are very fortunate t3 and antibodies are tested but support is not always available. Private healthcare is not an option for many who have to contribute first to the healthcare supplied by their countries out of their taxation. Private = privilege.

I think most of us particularly with Hashi's would like to have had access to tests for, TSH, T4, FT4 FT3, reverse T3, adrenal stress, cortisol, DHEA, SigA, nutritional elements, Vit D, b12, Ferritin, anemia profile, then from the Immunological aspect the most up to date tests for "food allergies" measuring the cellular reactions to both Ige and non-Ige mediated reactions, and possible underlying inflammation from digestive imbalances and yeasts, as extras appropriate gender profile, including life stage relevance for females. Then to have access to someone who could point out how we can address our personal issues and our regain or maintain what good health we have. To incorporate all these tests the costs would be about, £2000 UK pounds per person at private prices. (a well funded hospital lab could provide better value) From a National perspective I see this as a reasonable up front cost to ensure every patient can go on to maintain an active, productive part in everyday society, improving the individuals sense of well-being-self-worth. Future costs of physical and mental disability will be radically reduced. European short shortsightedness. Penny wise Pound foolish. Oh! for the day when we can stop banging our heads against brick walls.

Needless to say I would also ban all metal dental fillings. The dental profession know the problems but some countries bind them to silence in the name of price. Silver, tin another metals form a large part of metal fillings, Mercury forms the greatest part at apx 50% of each filling and off gasses fumes when you breath, chew, drink, clench or grind your teeth. The more filling you have the worse the problem. You do not need to be allergic to experience problems. Strict protocols need to be in place to remove to replace the things too.

Why do doctors bother to see us? Because they have to! But many know they are bound by ridiculous constraints and hide behind endo's who grew up with the glories of tsh. Others who know better become stymied by those self same endo's.