A combination of synthetic Levothyroxine (T4) and Liothyronine (T3) together with ERFA (NDT) works best for me.

[JennyRay]

Thyroid UK and this site have been an enormous help to me. When I first started searching the sites many of the messages said either 'T3 only ' therapy worked best or Natural Desicated Thyroid (NDT) was the best treatment. There was a lot of advice about changing from one regime to another. The possibility of taking a combination of synthetic and NDT did not even occur to me. Through slow experimentation and careful record keeping I have discovered what is best for me. I take the synthetic medication in the morning and the NDT in the evening. The mcgs of T3 I take is equal to a quarter of the mcgs of T4.

I know we are all different and what works for one does not work for another. I just wanted to highlight what may be an answer for others, particularly people who are new to this site.

[Spanglysplash]

That's great news. I'm currently on T3 only, but I'd like to introduce NDT as although I have hugely improved on T3 only I'm far from optimal. I have also read plenty of data on the importance of the other thyroid hormones in the body. I couldn't tolerate NDT alone.

Do you find you NDT wakes you up at night at all?

[Spanglysplash in reply to Spanglysplash]

Oops just re read, you are on levothyroxine. Not T3! Doh. I'm unable to tolerate levothyroxine at all. 😕

[Treepie in reply to Spanglysplash]

Don't think she does take T4.

[JennyRay in reply to Spanglysplash]

Hi, I am on synthetic T3, plus Levo, plus NDT.

[JennyRay in reply to Spanglysplash]

Hi Spanlgysplash,

I take my NDT at night and usually sleep well.

[Spanglysplash]

From what I can read it looks like she takes a combination of t4, t3 and NDT. But I may be reading it wrong!

[Everdean]

I also find that I am better on NDT plus some T3.

[Klagh]

I have found the same thing! I take T3 with OTC bovine adrenal supplements. I think each person should do whatever helps them most. We SHOULD NOT be forced into a medicine regimen by someone (physician, naturopath, etc.) who insists, "THIS is the way you must be medicated. Period." If any "medical professional" tells you that, STOP seeing them.

[millefleur40 in reply to Klagh]

Klagh, can I ask how much t3 you are taking and do you split it during the day? Also do you find the bovine (im assuming its Nutri Thyroid) is ok, as it doesnt contain any actual hormone?

[JennyRay in reply to millefleur40]

Hi,

In the morning I take 50mcg Levothyroxine (T4) and

12.5mcg Liothyronine (T3).

In the evening I take 31.25 mg ERFA Porcine NDT which contains

17.5 mcg T4 and 4mcg T3.

[Panda_26]

I too am thinking of trying that option so that's interesting to me.

I've tried t4, t4 & t3 , t3 only and now ndt & t3 and still getting nowhere !

Was recently thinking that the only thing I haven't tried is a bit of all 3. How long did it take to adjust and which order did you do everything in ?

Thanks,

Amanda

[JennyRay in reply to Panda_26]

Hi,

It has been a long process. I gradually made small changes and kept records of temperature, blood pressure and any symptoms or improvements. Having moved entirely to ERFA NDT I realized that I had felt better when I was halfway through the change-over, when I was taking a mixture of all three.