I am looking to change over to NDT - I am a bi... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

141,246 members166,490 posts

I am looking to change over to NDT - I am a bit scared to be honest just in case it all goes wrong,

Kitten-whiskers profile image
27 Replies

not sure which one to try yet. just wondering how it works, can I can it in one go or does it have to be divided up, what does a grain equate to in Levo or T3 Terms? Also can these be prescribed, from the site a I looked at they are expensive.

Thank you

Written by
Kitten-whiskers profile image
Kitten-whiskers
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
27 Replies
shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

Some links. 1 grain of NDT is equal to approx 100mcg :

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

I have always taken my dose in one go. T4, T4/T3/ T3 alone or several NDTs and have done well, except for levo alone.

stopthethyroidmadness.com/m...

Kitten-whiskers profile image
Kitten-whiskers in reply toshaws

Thank you very much Shaws, 1 grain is a lot, that isn't going to be good for me.

maybe I will just have to stop Thyroid Medication all together, I can't be any worse than I am now.

Best wishes

sat77 profile image
sat77 in reply toKitten-whiskers

I have thought of this for myself too. Can't we just stop it altogether ? What can go wrong ? What dosage have you been on so far ?

Kitten-whiskers profile image
Kitten-whiskers in reply tosat77

When I was finally Diagnosed I was put on 25mcg Daily of Levo, after being on that for a couple of months my life was turned upside down, the effects that had on me was unbelieveable. I then in desperation went and saw a private Doc who said I had adrenal fatique and gave me T3. I have been trying to take T3 for over two years, my most recent dose has just been 2 1/2 mcg daily of T3 and even that has gone wrong. It helps in some ways but causes awful symptoms as well.

I don't know what to do anymore and feel so miserable and keep crying, I have just had enough and don't know what else to do x

puncturedbicycle profile image
puncturedbicycle in reply toKitten-whiskers

I'm so sorry to hear this. I haven't got any solutions I'm afraid but I wanted to say I hear you and it is hard to go through this.

I too would like to go on ndt but I have a kind of magical thinking about it, where even though I know its nonsense I have an irrational hope that it will be the answer to all my problems and this is why I am systematically trying everything else because I know I'll be crushed if I can't make the ndt work for me. x

Kitten-whiskers profile image
Kitten-whiskers in reply topuncturedbicycle

Thank you for your advice. I think it's great that you have your thinking right. I hope NDT does work for you. My thinking is all wrong at the minute but I can't see a light at the end of the tunnel anymore. x

puncturedbicycle profile image
puncturedbicycle in reply toKitten-whiskers

When you're feeling awful it is impossible to be optimistic. Like everything else, it is still swings and roundabouts, which I can manage. I used to be very depressed and so I will take this up and down over pure down :-) but it's not easy when you're feeling ill and unhappy.

There is light at the end of the tunnel but you can't always see it. x

Kitten-whiskers profile image
Kitten-whiskers in reply topuncturedbicycle

THank You for your support, I am so glad you well x

puncturedbicycle profile image
puncturedbicycle in reply toKitten-whiskers

I wish you the same. :-)

PoppyRose profile image
PoppyRose in reply topuncturedbicycle

... in the same situation :(

Good Luck to each and everyone.

GentleOrange profile image
GentleOrange in reply toKitten-whiskers

My NDT tablets are 60mcg per grain. I will send you a PM.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply toGentleOrange

I thought that 1 grain equaled 60mcg or 65mcg levo too, but was wrong:-

wpthyroid.com/pharmacy/conv...

GentleOrange profile image
GentleOrange in reply toshaws

I take Thiroyd (not on that brand list) and the supplier says they are 60mcg.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toGentleOrange

GentleOrange,

Could it be that it says each grain is 60 milligrams of desiccated thyroid - rather than 60 micrograms of anything?

One of the things about the Thai products is that I have never, ever seen a list of ingredients.

Rod

GentleOrange profile image
GentleOrange in reply tohelvella

I got the information from the seller when I asked "These products are made in 1 grain dose only..industry standard 1

grain = approximately 60mg"

Does that sound right? It seems to feel about right for me anyway!

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply toGentleOrange

Yes, precisely so - the old grain measure is nowadays either 60 or 65 milligrams. Some makes of desiccated thyroid use 60 mg (e.g. Armour), others use 65 mg. That is the weight of the desiccated thyroid content.

In a very broad sense, as conversions of one grain into milligrams, 60 is common in the UK and 65 is common in the USA. That is why in the UK we get things like 300 mg Aspirin tablets whereas in the USA they get 325 mg tablets! (Both are based on five grains.)

However, the equivalent in thyroid hormone (usually in terms of T4) depends on the individual. The manufacturers usually suggest that one grain is equivalent to around 100 micrograms of T4. This is a very conservative, safe number to use. It would be extraordinarily unlikely for someone to overdose if the change to desiccated thyroid using that number. But many find the real equivalent nearer to 75 mcg.

Rod

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply toKitten-whiskers

If you've been diagnosed you cannot stop medication. It could have serious consequences. Many gradually increase whichever thyroid hormone they use by beginning on a lower dose. Armour for instance is available in:-

ARMOUR It’s made by Forest Pharmaceuticals. It is made in the following strengths: 1/4, 1/2, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4 and 5 grain tablets

Kitten-whiskers profile image
Kitten-whiskers in reply toshaws

Hello Shaws, The medication has serious consequences for me.

I have had terrible effects with the three different types I have tried, and I am scared to try ohters, its not like I can go to the Doc for help if It did go wrong because they are just not interested. I feel like giving up

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator

Armour says as below on their own website, the other companies say similar(but not identical) numbers.

They provide 38 mcg levothyroxine (T4) and 9 mcg liothyronine (T3) per grain of thyroid.

frx.com/pi/armourthyroid_pi...

But, as so often, the relevant information for several makes of desiccated thyroid is already on the main Thyroid UK website:

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/treatm...

Rod

Kitten-whiskers profile image
Kitten-whiskers in reply tohelvella

Thank you Rod

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply toKitten-whiskers

I can understand very well if you've had difficulties with medication. We are reluctant to take anything which may make us feel worse.

Naturethroid or WPure from the same company are hypoallergenic so may suit you as they have fewer fillers etc.

Kitten-whiskers profile image
Kitten-whiskers in reply toshaws

Thank you Shaws, I will have to try one of them

tDR1980 profile image
tDR1980 in reply toKitten-whiskers

Replied at the bottom by mistake - this should alert.

tDR1980 profile image
tDR1980

If you've been diagnosed with Adrenal issues and are finding you can't tolerate T3, it may be time to order a 24-hr Adrena Cortisol Saliva test from one of the providers listed on the ThyroidUK website - assuming your private doc didn't already do so.

Then if the results support the diagnosis, approach your GP about it and ask for help to 'fix' your Adrenals. I've read of 'Adrenal Cortex' and 'Hydrocortisone' mentioned as treatments.

If you do have evidence and go on one of the above treatments, it should then help you better tolerate the different Thyroid medications.

Cheers,

tDR.

Kitten-whiskers profile image
Kitten-whiskers in reply totDR1980

Hello,

I had the Saliva test done back in July 2012, which showed low adrenal reserve throughout. I have shown my GP's and they still claim I do not have an adrenal problem and got annoyed that I would go against what they are saying. I tried to explain that all I am trying to do is get well.

I did try to take Hydrocostisone but had reactions to that as well - I am just so ill and seem so sensitive to medications. I will be speaking with my Doc and requesting some help (you never know you luck)

Thank you

Heloise profile image
Heloise in reply toKitten-whiskers

Kitten, I have several good articles if you want to do some things on your own for your adrenals.

stopthethyroidmadness.com/s...

adrenalfatigue.org/program-...

drrind.com/therapies/Adrena...

Don't give up.

T3 is supposed to assist adrenals.

Kitten-whiskers profile image
Kitten-whiskers in reply toHeloise

Hello Heloise,

Thank you very much for these links.

I don't think T3 is for me, even a tiny amount makes me feel very ill, must be a reaction I guess.

Best wishes

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Scared to go to doctor in case he thinks I am a hypochondriac

Sorry for the long post. I went to see my GP just over a month ago because I was feeling so unwell...

Switched to NDT a month ago - no change, am I too impatient?

Hi, So the short version of the story is: I switched from Levothyroxine to Natural Desiccated...
davidlee72 profile image

Still desperately looking for good gynaecologist. I am on NDT and as it helps some women with their gyn. problems I am still in pain.

Can anybody recommend good gynaecologist within West/ East Midlands area, or maybe London.....

I am about to be fully rejuvenated! I am not just fatter due to being hypo thryoid - I may have to have my jaws surgically wired together!

Well, having huffed and puffed and moaned about how my physio perhaps is not working for the last...
MaryF profile image

Just found out I am hyperthyroid going to get it removed??

I wrote here a few weeks ago thinking I had hashimotos, but I just found out that my labs are are...
KateMD profile image