Starting NDT

[Jeni-M]

Hi I'm about to start on NDT and would like to know if I take a quarter of a grain of a 125mg tablet of NDT would I cut out the same on T4, I would also like to know please what blood tests I would need to have done so that I can keep tabs on it, so any help and advice would be much appreciated. Jeni-M

[RedApple Administrator]

Jeni-M, In order for anyone to comment usefully, some clarification is needed here Are you planning to take a quarter of a grain (which is usually about 65mg) or a quarter of a 125mg tablet (which is equivalent to 2 grains)?

Also, please give some details about your current thyroid medication, most recent thyroid blood test results, and whether or not your GP going to monitor you with this change to desiccated thyroid medication.

[Lilian15 in reply to RedApple]

One is not the equivallent of the other, and it is more complicated than just a straight swap.

[Jeni-M in reply to Lilian15]

Yes I do realise that I am an ex nurse so do know a little but am tired and getting brain fog which I find confusing but thank you for your comment, Jeni

[Jeni-M in reply to RedApple]

Hello RedApple, sorry am tired and have brain fog at present which doesn't help. I am on Thyroxin 100mcg T4 only, my tests were ( T4. 16.3 ) and my

(TSH. 2.49) I have Erfa Thyroxin Tabs 125 so I was wondering if I took a quarter of one how much if any T4 would I cut out, hope that's more helpful, Jeni.

[sueoathall]

What is NDT ?

[Glynisrose]

NDT is Natural Dessicated Thyroxine, usualy from pigs as they are the closest to our own physiology. Personally I dropped the levo for two weeks before starting NDT as it is T4 alone and can stay in the system for 7 weeks or more.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK in reply to Glynisrose]

There were quite a number of reasons for pigs becoming the standard source of desiccated thyroid.

One of them is the lower variation in thyroid hormone levels through the seasons than other animals such as bovids and ovids. This was an issue identified within the first decade of desiccated thyroid being produced. The wider the variation, the more difficult it is to standardise potency.

I and others have regularly suggested that your seven week claim has no scientific basis whatsoever.