How best to take NDT? Dissolve under tongue/sw... - Thyroid UK
How best to take NDT? Dissolve under tongue/swallow normally with water....or does it matter?
I think it's personal choice really. Some swallow the pill whole, some chew them before swallowing (I do) and others think dissolving under tongue works better. Might at least partly depend on whether you mind the taste - some people don't like it!
I think only Erfa can be taken sublingually these days. The recommendation on STTm for the others is to chew them I believe. I do this with my Armour, but I don't mind the taste either. If you don't chew though it I think you might end up needing a slightly higher dose. Xx
If you crunch it up it's absorbed quicker than if you swallow it whole - in the same way a soluble aspirin will work quicker than a tablet. With thyroid meds I don't think it makes much difference to the overall effectiveness of the meds whereas with an aspirin you might want a quick fix for a headache. But, I do think, if you're absorbing it quicker you don't need to leave so long before eating/drinking. Not sure if you actually absorb anything under the tongue but swallowing an already dissolved tablet would have the same effect as crunching.
Hi I have lots of thyroid bloods,done, 2 to 6 weekly because of my heart. So, I am well able to evaluate the difference. I have always found on Erfa or armour, how and when taken it does not make any difference, so long as I do not take thyroid drugs or Beta Blockers before a test..
Best wishes,
Jackie
I recently spoke with Forest Pharmaceuticals because of a problem with a batch of Armour. I told them for one thing they were crunchier than previously. They told me NOT to chew them. I also thought there was a potency problem and they are checking them at the moment and sent me a new bottle.