Can't seem to tolerate NDT: This is the third... - Thyroid UK

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Can't seem to tolerate NDT

Jmariabrunt profile image
16 Replies

This is the third time I've endeavoured to switch to NDT from 20yrs on synthetic (thyroxine in Australia ) I actually feel worse on NDT , i can go for about 7 days before it all starts to slide downhill with spun out feelings, palpitations and sleeplessness. I've started on a dose of half grain am and half grain pm. I seriously think I do better on synthetic only ( no problems with it, just wondered what all the fuss is about with NDT ) does anybody else have the same problem?

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Jmariabrunt profile image
Jmariabrunt
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16 Replies
greygoose profile image
greygoose

I couldn't tolerate NDT, either, and I tried for years! I put on so much weight, totally out of control although I hardly had any appetite. I'm better off on synthetic T3 only.

But it's like everything else : great for some people, not so good for others, because we're all different. And we waste our lives trying to force ourselves into the same little box as everyone else. Take what suits you best, that's my advice, and Don't worry about what other people do. :)

Jmariabrunt profile image
Jmariabrunt in reply togreygoose

Totally agree !

Clutter profile image
Clutter

Jmariabrunt, how much Levothyroxine were you taking? 1 grain NDT is bioactively equivalent to 75-100mcg Levothyroxine.

Jmariabrunt profile image
Jmariabrunt in reply toClutter

200mg thyroxine for 20 yrs have tried NDT 3 times over past 18months this time is the longest I've ever gone (10days) but feeling dreadful started on one grain per day raised yesterdY to 1.5 but had to tKe to my bed !

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply toJmariabrunt

Jmariabrunt, if you'd reduced thyroxine as you introduced and raised NDT you'd have spared yourself a hypo period. If you're tolerating 1.5 grains ok raise to 2 grains after a week and then to 2.5 grains two weeks later.

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I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.

Jmariabrunt profile image
Jmariabrunt in reply toClutter

My endo ( and sttm) protocol said to stop thyroxine one day and start NDT the next ! Feeling so awful today on second day of raising to 1.5 grains it's so tempting to stop !

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply toJmariabrunt

Jmariabrunt, the protocol's fine if you are able to switch from an equivalent Levothyroxine dose to equivalent NDT dose but you're bound to become hypothyroid when you stop 200mcg Levothyroxine and replace it with 1 grain which is equivalent to only 75-100mcg. At this stage it must be hard to determine whether you are hypothyroid, not tolerating NDT, or both.

galathea profile image
galathea

Which brand? Some suit people more than others... All brands of ndt are not the same.

Jmariabrunt profile image
Jmariabrunt in reply togalathea

Pharmacy compounded

teenarocks profile image
teenarocks

I also was so anxious to try NDT and was sadly disappointed. Now I take Levoxyl and Cytomel and I'm doing much better.

Jacquid profile image
Jacquid

Jmariabrunt, clearly, as Clutter has pointed out, you aren't supplementing the right amount of NDT but I don't think you've given it enough time either. Personally I think it can take a while for the body to get used to the T3 and I had to do this very slowly in baby baby steps, or you might be better on a combination of NDT and synthetic to give a more accurate ratio of T4 to T3 in humans.

Jmariabrunt profile image
Jmariabrunt in reply toJacquid

Didn't think you could mix synthetic and NDT ?

Nickinoo1 profile image
Nickinoo1 in reply toJmariabrunt

I do personally and it works well for me. I take 100mcg T4 and 1 grain NDT. The NDT gives me the T3 element as my T3 level was low.

Jmariabrunt profile image
Jmariabrunt

Now I don't know what to do , continue on NDT and hope things improve or go back to thyroxine where I didn't ever really have any problems !

jacrjacr profile image
jacrjacr

it does take time and being on the right dosage and being with a dr that doesn't pay much attention to tsh to feel right on ndt. many drs still look at tsh and keep the dose too low...and don't test ft3.....but for me it takes PATIENCE........BEC it does take the body a while to get used to getting t3 and balance out all the systems in the body.....But on a nother note...many article written that state that people with adrenal fatigue will have problems on ndt.......or they will never feel optimal on t4 with still having hypo symptoms......vitamin c and b vitamins important to adrenals....sleeping 8 hours, and staying off sugar and caffeine.....

Beverleyb profile image
Beverleyb

I changed from Armour, to Nature Thyroid both NDT, what a difference feel great on Nature Thyroid, it must be the different fillers they use. Like a lot of others I felt terrible on Thyroxine.

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