Life after RAI with hypothyroidism-NDT not working- please help.

[0ller00]

Started on NDT three months ago in a bid to cure how wretched I felt. Bloods taken show no improvement. Tsh has gone up from 1.58 to 4.55. T4 down from 14.7 to 8.0. I don't feel well and can't understand why it isn't working for me.  

My history is as follows, diagnosed with Graves' disease 16 years ago, treat self with thyroid suppressant drugs then decided to have RAI in 2004. Following treatment, I gradually developed hypothyroidism. I have not felt well for a long time, especially since having children. 

I have been reading all sorts of posts and gradually getting more confused and despondent. Does anybody have hypothyroidism since RAI and can anybody give me any information as to how Graves' disease presents itself after nuking the thyroid. 

Never posted a thread of any kind in my life so this is a measure of how desperate I am.

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, Oller00.

You are undermedicated and need to increase your NDT dose.  Most people on NDT will feel well with TSH <0.1 and FT3 in the top third of range.

You can increase dose by half a grain (30mg) and another half grain in two weeks.  Hold that dose for 6-8 weeks and have a thyroid test including FT3 before increasing further.

RAI ablatement destroys the thyroid gland preventing hyperthyroidism but doesn't get rid of Graves antibodies which can go on to attack other organs, particularly the eyes.  I've not seen posts from members reporting Graves damage other than thyroid eye disease which most of them had prior to RAI.

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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.

[0ller00 in reply to Clutter]

Thank you for your reply. The Dr that advised my to give the NDT a whirl, (not nhs, obviously), said that graves antibodies often went on to attack the adrenals after the thyroid was removed. I have been taking a supplement called 'Nutri Adrenal' which was supposed to have helped to build up my adrenal glands prior to taking the NDT. 

[0ller00 in reply to 0ller00]

😊 I was trying to correct some grammar in the last post and it locked me out, 😊As I was saying, the same Dr also said that weak adrenals can stop NDT working properly so I'm wondering if I should pay for an adrenal stress test. I have increased my NDT and am now on two tablets (armour thyroid). Today, I felt so bad, I also took 25mcg of levothyroxine to keep me going. 

[Clutter in reply to 0ller00]

Oller00,

When you want to edit your posts click on the v down arrow underneath the post and select Edit.

Graves can go on to attack any organ so I don't dispute what your specialist has said.  However, undermedication can impact on adrenal function and I think that is a more likely explanation for low adrenal function than Graves. Adrenal function will usually improve when optimally medicated on thyroid replacement.  I'd wait until your TSH has been  <1.0 for a couple of months and see whether symptoms have improved before ordering an adrenal stress test.  It may be helpful to supplement Nutri Adrenal but make sure you take it 2 hours away from NDT.

What strength are your Armour tablets and what dose Levothyroxine were you taking before you switched to Armour? 

Taking 25mcg Levothyroxine will not work as an instant  pick-me-up.  It takes 7-10 days for it to be absorbed and start working.  Increasing Armour dose will work quicker because the T3 in it starts working within 3 days.

______________________________________________________________

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.

[hose1975 in reply to Clutter]

If Graves can go on to attack any organ, is the same true for Ord's / Hashimoto's?

[Clutter in reply to hose1975]

Hose1975,

No, once their is no thyroid function left  Ord's/Hashimoto's will die off.

______________________________________________________

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.

[0ller00]

In answer to your question clutter, I am taking 2, 60mg tablets of armour, (1.5 before latest bloods). I used to be on 150 - 175mcg of levothyroxine. 🌾🌾