T3 = how much NDT ?

[sulamaye]

Hi, I was on 60mcg of t3 only. Can someone tell me what the equivalent NDT is? I'm up to 3.5 grains now but hair falling out, temps low etc so trying to decide more NDT needed or am I not converting and need to go back on t3 only. Thanks

[Clutter]

Sulamaye, Based on T3 being 3 x stronger than T4, I estimate 3.5 grains is equivalent to 87.5 - 116.7mcg T3. The higher figure if you use the manufacturers estimate of 1 grain being bioactively equivalent to 100mcg T4, the lower figure if you think the manufacturer's figure is overstated and 1 grain is nearer 75mcg T4.

[sulamaye]

Hmm - yes I have m.e. I think that should be enough and the fact I'm still hypo means I'm going back to T3 - if I had to up to 5-6 grains to feel as well as I did on T3 (which was still housebound) it would simply be because I'd be on about 50-60 mcgs of NDT T3 - so that doesn't seem good.

Thanks for the input it's helped me make my mind up.

[Heloise in reply to sulamaye]

Hmmm, I went directly from one grain of Armour to 30 mcg. T3 which I felt were rather equal. That would make your 60 closer to 2 grain of NDT.

[sulamaye]

I really don't think m.e is nonsense - it's nonsense in that it is not a clear cut disease with a pathology but a collection of symptoms and pathology's that the medical profession sticks in a bag together, but as to being simply badly treated hypothyroidism that is simply not true. I wish it were true. A year ago I thought that kind of opinion might be correct and I started to readdress my hypothyroidism of twenty years, but sadly my health is just not that straightforward.

Despite now being on 4mgs of LDN, 20-35 mgs HC and 60 mcgs of T3 I was still bed ridden and housebound (and so far the T3 has given me the best improvement in energy, my energy was pretty good on it but other symptoms were not). Every now and again for no good reason my BP goes through the roof, on t3 or NDT, and I have a completely awful day or days or weeks for no good reason! I tingle and thrum on NDT, but had stopped on T3 only, I have headaches that last days on NDT, I sleep better on NDT and hot flushes have stopped. But there is no simple solution, I am not, sadly, simply a poorly treated hypo patient and it is wrong of you to make such dismissive comments.

I also know people, my partner included, who were ill with m.e for 16 years and made a total recovery with no thyroid meds at all, so that really does throw your theory out of the window doesn't it?

While I agree that T4 conversion problems etc are a possible cause for some people's illness and may well be triggered by whatever else has gone wrong in my body, it is irresponsible to simply dismiss m.e as hypothyroidism. I am so please if addressing it 'cures' some people's m.e but sadly there is something else going on in many people's bodies and unfortunately I am one of them!

[sulamaye]

the original name in the UK for chronic fatigue syndrome, but I don't like that name as it excludes the vast symptoms that make life hell!

[sulamaye]

I completely agree with your last comments and I certainly don't exclude the reality that many people labeled m.e f.m may well have compicated thyroid issues that need proper addressing, or just addressing full stop. However, that does not mean m.e does not exist as a completely baffling and awful affliction. I have and continue to do everything I can to recover, but sadly nothing is as simple for me as it has been for your relatives.

[Coastwalker in reply to sulamaye]

I wondered, same as rfu123, about 'PA', do you know what your last B12 blood result was ?

Do take a look at the you tube video rfu123 mentions about the Doctor with Penicious Anemia. Even his own Doctor friends did not work it out till almost too late.

Another you tube video 'Dr Chandy and B12 Deficiency.' is one all Doctors should watch themselves.

[sulamaye]

All my levels for ferritin, iron etc are good and I have been self injecting B12 since last September - I used to do it and magnesium when I was first diagnosed with m.e - doesn't make any difference.