What is the best selling point for asking for NDT please ?

[Bigsi]

I am seeing my doctor next week, after getting latest blood results showing hypo, but want to insist on script for NDT,

What would be my best way of explaining the advantages ? All the info I have searched on the net suggests that this produces the best results in majority of people . . . .any article you know of that I could show them ?

Any advice greatly appreciated, thanks,

James

[shaws Administrator]

If you are an NHS patient it's doubtful if your GP will prescribe NDT due to the guidelines laid down. If you were a private patient, it may be easier. Some members who, I believe, are NHS patients have been prescribed something other than levothyroxine by an Endocrinologist.

Dr Peatfield and Dr Skinner are two private doctors who prescribed NDTs or according to the clinical symptoms and were hounded by the GMC. Dr Skinner especially so, as he stuck by how he was taught as a medical student. After umpteen appearances in front of the GMC he died a couple of months ago of a stroke. Many of us think due to the enormous strain. Dr P couldn't take the strain and resigned his medical licence. Doctor's don't want to appear in front of the GMC.

This is a link I read last week:-

stopthethyroidmadness.com/2...

[Bigsi in reply to shaws]

I have read so many horror stories about levo making people feel worse, at the moment I dont feel that bad, just over sleeping, and low mood !

James

[HarryE in reply to Bigsi]

I agree it looks to be the best treatment, but the chances of you getting it without having tried Levo first seem pretty slim.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Bigsi]

James, there are millions in the UK with hypo and many of them do perfectly well on levothyroxine, maybe their GP's give them enough so that they have an optimum level for them to feel well and don't insist on keeping them 'within range'. You may be lucky just make sure you have enough meds. Most of us need a very low and some need a suppressed TSH to feel well. Maybe your GP would consider adding some T3 to your T4 later on.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Bigsi]

I take levothyroxine. While doing fine on it I have no intention of going down the desiccated thyroid and/or T3 routes - despite both being available to me within seconds should I decide otherwise.

Indeed, it is probably people who are relatively unscathed that are more likely to do OK on levothyroxine alone.

Rod

[Bigsi]

I have read so many horror stories about levo making people feel worse, at the moment I dont feel that bad, just over sleeping, and low mood !

James

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Bigsi]

Don't forget that most people who do well on levo will probably get on with their lives and have no interest in a thyroid forum.

What are your antibody levels like? My doc said that ndt can be affected by antibodies; the theory is that if you take it when your antibodies are high it won't do you much good. I think this is a somewhat contentious issue and I have no evidence for this viewpoint (I've taken the doc's word for it), but I thought I'd mention it.

[Bigsi in reply to puncturedbicycle]

My TPA was 546 L/mL 28 - 60

[Hidden in reply to Bigsi]

I just read (somewhere) 10% of the (female) population have TPO antibodies! found it...

autoimmune.pathology.jhmi.e...

Agree Levo is supposed to work for 75% or so - most aren't here (except Rod!)

This link may help - someone else posted it - sorry I would credit them if I remembered!

from 2007 but a Birmingham hospital J

endocrine-abstracts.org/ea/...

[Bigsi in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, just looked an article on the STTM website -

AVOIDING NDT BECAUSE YOU HAVE HASHIMOTO’S Sadly, some doctors will state that those with Hashimoto’s should avoid NDT because it can increase the attack. It’s true that at first, antibodies raise, say patients. But the higher they raise, the lower antibodies become, as reported by many, probably due to a better immune system due to the T3! A large body of Hashi’s patients need to avoid gluten to get those antibodies down. Others use 200 – 400 mcg selenium to lower antibodies, while more difficult cases may need Low Dose Naltrexone. Many even report that their iodine use lowered their antibodies.Overall, Hashi’s patients have soared with NDT if they do it right,