NDT

[teenarocks]

I switched from Synthroid to WP Thyroid about three weeks ago. I was given what's supposed to be an equivalent dose but I am beginning to have symptoms again: fatigue that's not cured by rest, muscle aches. Does anyone know if NDT requires higher dosage that the comparable synthetic thyroid hormone?

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

It really would help if you said what doses you are talking about!

If you need more desiccated thyroid then I am not sure the dosages are comparable! Though, of course, it might well have been put to you that they are.

Rod

[teenarocks in reply to helvella]

I was taking 112 mcg Synthroid and am now taking 60 mg WP Thyroid. And in both cases she told me to take it only six days a week. I'll have another blood test on Nov. 2nd so I'll see if my TSH went up. But even if it didn't I know I don't feel as well and need more of the NDT.

[teenarocks in reply to teenarocks]

Sorry I meant to say 65 mg WP Thyroid by Nature-Throid.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to teenarocks]

I'd have expected a more reasonable conversion to be one and a half grains of WP thyroid. Though we have seen some people suggest that WP seems a touch less potent than, say, its sister product Nature-Throid.

Rod

[teenarocks in reply to helvella]

Thank you. That gives me some knowledge for when I contact the doctor about my dose. You are validating what I am feeling.

[Hidden in reply to helvella]

I would agree with that statement. I have found WP Thyroid to be less potent than Naturethroid.

[teenarocks in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. That seems to be what I'm feeling. I hope my doc will agree with me.

[Hidden in reply to teenarocks]

Why have you been advised to take your meds on only 6 days per week?

[teenarocks in reply to Hidden]

I think because the doctor considered the dose just a little too much. But since it only comes in certain increments she couldn't give me exactly what she thought I should have. So cut out a day to bring the dose down slightly.

[Hidden in reply to teenarocks]

I wonder if missing a day's meds on a regular basis is creating or exacerbating your symptoms, especially on NDT, given the short half life of the T3 contained within it. I think some GPs try to make prescribing a mathematical exercise, which doesn't seem to help. If it were me, I would take the meds daily, and only if or when I needed to, because I felt overmedicated, would I miss a dose. This may improve the symptoms you are experiencing.

[teenarocks in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for your reply. I agree with you. I decided I would do this her way for one month when I will have blood tests drawn. Hopefully they will show that my TSH is up. In any case, after they draw the blood I will take the NDT every day and request a higher dose if I still have symptoms. From this forum I have determined that NDT sometimes requires a higher dose than is recommended. If she will not give it to me, I will look for a doctor who treats symptoms and not numbers. This site arms with knowledge and courage!

[Clutter]

Teenarock, no it doesn't. The manufacturers claim 1 grain is equivalent to 100mcg T4 but many feel that is an overly optimistic and safe equivalence and 1 grain is probably nearer to 75mcg T4.

[teenarocks in reply to Clutter]

Thank you. I think you are right about it being nearer to 75.

[shaws Administrator in reply to teenarocks]

I think the best way to judge is by how you feel as the aim is to be well, All of us usually don't take identical doses. If we take a little too much it is easy just to drop down slightly next day so we don't have any overstimulation.

[teenarocks in reply to shaws]

Thank you for replying. I hope I will be able to do it that way.

[Glynisrose]

I bet your doctor told you it was OK to just swap the levo for NDT, I'm sure they do this so they can say well we tried it and it doesn't work!! Start on a low dose and build it up over a few weeks, NEVER just swap!!

[teenarocks in reply to Glynisrose]

I wonder about that too. I'll see what happens at my next appointment. Thanks for responding.

[Schenks in reply to Glynisrose]

Found THAT one out the hard way!