Thyroid S

[Hills]

Good morning all.

Someone kindly sent me info on Thyroid S.

I have been incredibly lucky to obtain some but I need the conversion. I cannot find the original message so if anyone has the conversion table I would really grateful.

Thanks

Hills.

[HarryE]

I'm not really sure what you mean by conversion info, but each tablet is 1 grain. This link has some useful info stopthethyroidmadness.com/a...

[helvella Administrator]

This is the conversion table produced by RLC (makers of Nature-Throid):

getrealthyroid.com/the-real...

But, please, be 100% aware that Thyroid S is NOT Nature-Throid. Although quite a number of people seem happy on Thyroid S, the opinion overall seems to be that it is slightly less potent than the north American desiccated thyroid products.

Please also be aware that thyroid treatment simply does not work by numbers. At best the numbers give to an idea, a best guess, a direction. But we are all individuals and what seems sensible and works for some may not work the same for you.

I'll also add that many people who post here prefer to think of one grain of desiccated thyroid being closer to 75 micrograms of levothyroxine than the 100 micrograms in the table linked above.

Rod

[Hills in reply to helvella]

Thanks Rod,

Exactly what I was looking for, just a base guide then I can work from there, we will see how I get on with it. Massive difference in cost although I am picking up my Armour in the week thankfully.

Hills.

[Hidden in reply to helvella]

trying to find that conversion chart - but the link now seems broken.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

thank you for fixing the link, Rod - very helpful.

[Ruthi]

I don't have a table, but when I started on Thyroid S I did the sums and worked out that one tablet is roughly equivalent to 50mcg of Levo or ten of T3.

Of course, the chances are that you are switching to Thyroid S because Levo doesn't work for you, so you need to be a bit careful. Change slowly and watch your symptoms. And once you are at a stage where you feel well a blood test will do no harm. At least then you have the information and can decide where you want to go.

I was switching from 150 of levo that did nothing for me, and now generally take 2.5 to 3 tablets in summer, 3 to 3.5 in winter daily. For me at optimum I am at, or slightly above, the upper end of the reference ranges for free T3 and T4 to feel well. TSH is suppressed, of course, and that will get the docs worried. But my decision has been that I will risk any unfortunate side effects in order to feel well - maybe a shorter life, but at least one worth living. I am NOT encouraging anyone else to make this choice, just explaining my decision making process.

[humanbean in reply to Ruthi]

I totally agree with you, Ruthi. As far as levo is concerned, and hypothyroidism treatment in general is concerned, as far as I can see GPs and endos base their treatment on the "pay now, live later scheme". My feeling is I'd rather live now, and if my life does end up shorter than it would have been untreated (because I have no diagnosis from the NHS, only a diagnosis from Dr Skinner which my GP has dismissed) then that is my choice.

Somehow though, I really don't believe that I'll live a shorter time because I'm treating myself despite what the doctors claim.

[Ruthi in reply to humanbean]

Bean, to be fair to them, they live in a world where people litigate first. I had friends who are doctors, and when they started working almost 40 years ago, their integrity and care for their patients was a given. Of course some were lazy or disrespectful, but I think the majority go into medicine to help people. By the time they were 20 years onto their career they lived in terror of a complaint being made against them. A complaint against a GP means something like a year of a sword hanging over you, no work, no income, and a hell of a job to get it all back if you are lucky enough to be let off. All because some patient is disgruntled and expected more than was humanly possible.

So its no surprise really, that they err on the safe side, and stay within the comfort of the blood test results. They tend to underestimate the damage done by being left untreated. They don't have to live a life not worth the effort. So that feels safer than than risking all the effects that are known of leaving patients hyper. Add to that the power of the drug companies..... Its amazing, isn't it, that although thyroxine is dirt cheap, its the biggest single cost to the NHS.

Of course I blame them for being morally weak, while understanding how they get that way. But it teaches me that if I want to be well, it is up to me and no-one else. Thank goodness for the internet and that I could find the information and NDT I need to make me well.

HOWEVER there are lots of people, probably the majority of thyroid patients, who aren't quite as naturally stroppy as I am. Who fear going against what the doctor says. Who believe what is put about regarding the lack of safety of NDT obtained from questionable sources on the other side of the world. Who accept what they are told about their blood results without question. Who am I to tell them to go against what feels safe in order to (hopefully) feel better? The whole thing is a moral nightmare!

Maybe I should write to 'The Moral Maze'?

[TSH110]

The Thyroid Patient Advocacy NDT dosing advice:

tpauk.com/main/?page_id=686

Was what I used very successfully to swap from 125/120mcg Levo 5/2days per week to 1.25 grains ThyroidS a day, on which I feel very much improved. I did not fancy a straight swap just in case it did not suit me so went gradually from one to the other.

[Hills]

Thank you.

[Hidden]

I swapped from 100 levo to Thyroid S last June. I now take 2.5 tablets per day 1.5 in the morning and 1 in the afternoon this suits me fine. I have no Thyroid and weigh approx 132lbs. I changed from 100 levo one day to 1 grain NDT the next with no bad reactions.

It take a few weeks/months to increase the dose to suit yourself. Good luck.