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]

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

[shaws Administrator]

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 in reply to shaws]

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 in reply to Kitten-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 in reply to sat77]

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 in reply to Kitten-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 in reply to puncturedbicycle]

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 in reply to Kitten-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 in reply to puncturedbicycle]

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

[puncturedbicycle in reply to Kitten-whiskers]

I wish you the same.

[PoppyRose in reply to puncturedbicycle]

... in the same situation

Good Luck to each and everyone.

[GentleOrange in reply to Kitten-whiskers]

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

[shaws Administrator in reply to GentleOrange]

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

wpthyroid.com/pharmacy/conv...

[GentleOrange in reply to shaws]

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

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to GentleOrange]

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 in reply to helvella]

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 Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to GentleOrange]

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 Administrator in reply to Kitten-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 in reply to shaws]

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 Administrator Thyroid UK]

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 in reply to helvella]

Thank you Rod

[shaws Administrator in reply to Kitten-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 in reply to shaws]

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

[tDR1980 in reply to Kitten-whiskers]

Replied at the bottom by mistake - this should alert.

[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 in reply to tDR1980]

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 in reply to Kitten-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 in reply to Heloise]

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