Problems starting Thyroid-S

[hypoplexed]

I have been on Synthroid 125mg for 8 yrs. Just switched to Thyroid-S 5 days ago. I take one half of a 65mg pill in the morning and again in the afternoon, about 6-8 hours apart. I've never had much energy all these yrs, but I get a little boost of energy after taking half of the Thyroid-S, but seems I feel a crash and burn effect before my next dose, feel that I need a nap, or I just fall asleep in my chair. I'm sleeping real hard at night, and much longer than I used to while on Synthroid. I'm wondering...Am I not taking enough of the Thyroid-S to start with? Is it too soon to raise it a bit?

[shaws Administrator]

Maybe you need a little more Thyroid-S. I always took my doses of NDT, T4/T3 or T3 once daily. T3 is needed to saturate our receptor cells. I do know that some do split doses but it's not really necessary. Also your stomach has to be empty so its usually best a.m. with a glass of water and wait about an hour before eating. You are taking the equivalent of approx 75-100mcg of levo.

The usual method is a straight switchover from levo to NDT. NDT is made to be digested in the stomach so I don't see the benefit of splitting doses although I know some websites suggest it. T3 is the active hormone which has to saturate our receptor cells in order for us to function. The effect of T3, if sufficient, is to work for between 1 and 3 days.

You stick to the same dose for two weeks and dependent upon how you feel either increase slightly (maybe 1/4 or 1/2 dose) or reduce if you feel overstimulated.

[hypoplexed in reply to shaws]

So it would probably be better for me to take 1 1/2 65mg in the am instead, and go from that point? What has me confused (which isn't difficult) is...when I started on Synthroid yrs ago, my Rx bottle said 125mcg. I recently noticed that it says 0.125mg now. I asked the pharmacist about it, but he wasn't able to explain it to me in terms that I could understand. (I do have alot of difficulty understanding even simple things). I'm assuming that the dosage didn't change...just the wording of it.

[Clutter in reply to hypoplexed]

Hypoplexed, 1mg = 1,000mcg. 0.125mg = 125mcg. The dosage is the same, just expressed differently.

It's trial and error to see whether one x daily dosing or split dosing suits best. Splitting dose is helpful if you feel a peak of the T3 in one dose and may lessen afternoon/evening slumps while T3 levels are improving.

______________________________________________________________________

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.

[hypoplexed in reply to Clutter]

Thank you for clearing that up for me.

[Hidden]

I think you are currently under medicated. One grain of Thyroid-S only contains 38 mcg of T4, and 9 mcg of T3. Even if T3 is said to be four times as potent as T4, that still does not equal 125 mcg of T4 daily.

Could you try adding half a grain, and see if you notice any difference?

[hypoplexed in reply to Hidden]

Ok. Thank you.

[Clutter]

Hypoplexed, 1 grain is bioactively equivalent to 75-100mcg Levothyroxine so you'll need more now the Synthroid is washing out. NDT is usually increased in 1/2 grain increments at 2 week intervals but it probably won't hurt to increase to 1.5 grains sooner.

thyrophoenix.com/adjusting_...

_______________________________________________________________________________

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.

[hypoplexed]

Thanks so much for all your responses. I didn't think I was taking enough, but was afraid to take too much too soon, and end up with more problems. This is a learning process for me and I appreciate all those that help me through.

[Glynisrose]

I hope you didn't directly swap to NDT? Its not a good idea, I started on 1/4 tablet then increased over a couple of months. I kept increasing till the symptoms disappeared. You can always stop and lower your dose if you don't feel its working. Please give it a few weeks before you give up!

[jacrjacr]

some say one grain is more like 75mcg of t4 so you are on a low dosage...2nd make sure you are not taking with vitamins , iron or milk products and haven't eaten recently on 2nd dose.....you probably need a grain am and half in 4-6 hours...