Synthetic Thyroid Meds just not suiting me - Thyroid UK

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Synthetic Thyroid Meds just not suiting me

IndigoPixie12 profile image
15 Replies

Hello all,

I used to take Thiroyd NDT from Thailand. I went to their headquarters in Bangkok in late 2019 and was told that due to an outbreak of swine flu in the region, they had to stop manufacturing Thiroyd NDT. I grabbed 600 pills of Thiroyd from the 50th pharmacy in Bangkok so that lasted me a few months and I ran out. I then tried Thyroid-S but that did not suit me.

My T3 is always on the lower end of the range when on T4 only. I travel to Turkey a lot, so I was able to source T3 from there. I just don't feel that great on synthetic hormones and I am 2 years in on them (was off T3 altogether for pregnancy and that was really difficult to deal with).

Has anyone tried private prescription NDT in the UK? What are the ballpark costs for consultation, script and meds?

Thanks in advance!

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15 Replies
RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator

IndigoPixie12, Your question may attract PMs from unscrupulous members telling you where you can buy NDT without prescription. Please read our post about this here, so that you are aware of how you can deal with this should it happen healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Sunflower64 profile image
Sunflower64

I cannot answer your question, but find it interesting that the manufacturer said they stopped production due to swine fever. I have read that both Thiroyd and TR were stopped because Thai authorities required NDT to be licensed (which is apparently costly). If it was due to swine fever, production could hopefully resume some day…

Paquita profile image
Paquita in reply to Sunflower64

I read that in 2018, FDA disallowed active ingredients from China, where all Thai manufacturers got their raw materials. And Thai manufacturers are bound to use only FDA approved active ingredients. Only Sriprasit got a new license, and that would mean they source their raw materials from elsewhere since then. The idea of disallowing Chinese sources was to keep production of active ingredients in the US. Would Sriprasit now import thyroid glands from the US? That would definitely make it more expensive for them, plus the licensing itself being costly.

Sunflower64 profile image
Sunflower64 in reply to Paquita

Interesting! I would imagine raw material from China is cheaper than US raw material, which could explain why the price went up…add to that a general shortage of raw material due to swine fever. So Chinese raw material was not disallowed due to health concerns but for economic reasons…?

I have been wondering where the Vietnamese source the raw material for their NDT.

Paquita profile image
Paquita in reply to Sunflower64

It would also explain why other Thai brands have not resumed production. Sriprasit may have added more cellulose and cut dextrose content to compensate for higher production costs. But why Armour would have done that in 2009 when no such thing was happening?

I'm still wondering if changing the source of raw materials or excipients is not a factor as well. It seemed to be with Erfa, when they went from Belgium to Spain. Assuming they did also change source of materials then.

I thought I had read somewhere that thyroid glands were imported from Europe, but cannot find it back and it doesn't match the FDA licensing theory.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Paquita

The FDA disallowed a specific Chinese supplier/product as linked below.

Westminster Pharmaceuticals, LLC. Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Levothyroxine and Liothyronine (Thyroid Tablets, USP) Due to Risk of Adulteration

fda.gov/safety/recalls-mark...

I am not clear what has happened with respect to Medisca.

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame

It sounds as if your T4 to T3 conversion is poor and you need to add some T3.Perhaps it's not that synthetic hormones don't suit you but that you weren't on the correct replacement hormones/ dose.

You haven't posted any lab results that give us an idea of what is going on....but the biggest clue in your post is "My T3 is always on the lower end of the range"

For good health every cell in the body needs to be flooded with T3 by way of an adequate and constant supply. This doesn't appear to be happening in your case.

Are you prescribed T4 on the NHS...if so an appointment with an endo to discuss poor T4 to T3 conversion may lead to a T3 prescription.

Also vital that you optimise vit D, vit B12, folate and ferritin to support thyroid function...these are very possibly low

Have they been tested recently?

Others may advise on private prescriptions but first, in your shoes, I'd want to explore T4/T3 combo treatment.

NDT provides 9mcg T3 and 38mcg T4 per grain. How many grains were you taking?

It may not be synthetic hormone that's wrong for you.... but the dose that is wrong.

Maybe not the info you hoped for but hopefully something might resonate.

HealthStarDust profile image
HealthStarDust

Try Roseway Labs for NDT.

Sunfish22 profile image
Sunfish22

Just read a comment up there that it might be considered not well to post where you can get prescription free NDT. It is my first reply here so if I have made a mistake let me know. I do check my hormone levels regularly with an endocrinologist. They are most of the times ok. T3 a bit higher than with T4 alone in the upper third of normal range, sometimes TSH suppressed. I do not support synthetic T4 at all. Get panic attacks and else. Was a torture for 9 years. Tried all kinds of doses and different T4 meds. NDT is not perfect either, but works better for me.

RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator in reply to Sunfish22

Sunfish22 'if I have made a mistake let me know'

Yes, I have deleted that comment as it's not permitted to post sources of prescription free medication on the public forum. You can share this information via the personal messaging (chat) system.

Sunfish22 profile image
Sunfish22 in reply to RedApple

Hello, thank you for the information that I am not allowed to share a web address for prescription free hormones. I am buying them for me in Europe for years. To my experience the company is trustworthy and the product high quality. [edited by admin]

I have never written pm in my life before. Will give it a try if someone wishes to know my source. But might take some time as I am not often here. Bye for now.

Sunfish22 profile image
Sunfish22

Also tried a synthetic combination of T4/T3 . Better but still panic attacks which I never had with NDT whether I was hypo or sometimes hyper… I have found a possible explanation for this. In NDT the hormones seem to be bound to proteins. In synthetic products hormones are delivered directly. Maybe for my system this is too much.

arTistapple profile image
arTistapple in reply to Sunfish22

Interesting observation about the protein binding. I ‘over react’ to both T4 and T3. I have avoided thinking about NDT because of sourcing issues. I will give this a bit of thought. Thank you for that info.

metamorphica profile image
metamorphica

I used to get on well with Thiroid but not Thyroid S as well.

and yeah im now on synthetic T4/T3 combo from my endo, but do not do as well on it. Wish i could afford private or hell, even self sourced NDT again (but options now available are limited. )

I wish you luck if you go the private prescription route.

I know one example of private costs given (and this was their personal experience)

Armour NDT -£150 a month, Levo £8 a month

appointments 2-3 times a year at £70 a time

Prescription cost each time -£40, each prescription is about 3-6 months worth, so 2-3 prescriptions a year.

Then adding in private medical blood tests depending on company.

PHappy profile image
PHappy

You could try Metavive III bovine from the natural choice. They legally produce and sell desiccated thyroid capsules in the EU UK thanks to a loophole; not mentioning the possible ammount of active hormone in the capsules. So one has to go by the feel. Their products are high quality. I used to rely on them but I, contrary to you, feel better on synthetic hormons T3 only. My source has dried up so I ask you; how recently did you buy from Turkey? Is it still possible? I have 1 month's supply of T3 left.

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