Which NDT is better for someone with High Blood Pressure.

[Michy1]

I am still here battling to get off Levo due to all the side effects and muscle pain I get. I wanted to try Armour or another NDT, but was told that they will give me heart palpitations. Can someone advise me please as I'm at my wits end. I also need to get a good source for the tablets in UK.

[SmallBlueThing]

I had palpitations for three or four weeks after an increase from 100 mcg to 125 mcg Levo after four weeks instead of eight, combined with starting a new antihypertensive at double the recommended starting dose and a seven day course of antibiotics.

I then reduced the Levo to 50 mcg (which was a bad idea) and increased by 25 mcg every other day every two months until I was taking 150 mcg every day.

I then added T3 until I was taking 25 mcg plus 150 mcg Levo daily, before trying 4, then 4.5 and then 5 grains of Thiroyd NDT (currently taking 4 grains). NDT allows for easier tailoring of the amount of T3 (compared with splitting 25 mcg tablets), and those new to T3 should perhaps proceed cautiously and start with a low dose. In my case, I quickly knew that 25 to 50 mcg per day were required, and there has been no recurrence of palpitations since the first episode, when Levo was my only thyroid treatment.

You haven't said whether you've already had palpitations, but my experience is that a gradual dose increase helps avoid problems, and other drugs may be to blame. Although I now tolerate the same antihypertensive at a higher dose, it is known to cause palpitations!

If you plan to source NDT without a prescription, it would have to come from overseas.

[Michy1 in reply to SmallBlueThing]

Thank you for that.

[radd]

Michy,

Different NDT's suit different people better and it is a case of trying. I suffered palpation's and big heart jumps for over four years, when medicating only T4 and these stopped the day after I added a little T3.

WP Thyroid NDT has the least fillers but is also the most expensive, as is Armour. Armour is available on a"named patient basis" on the National Health but is difficult to get prescribed, much like synthetic T3.

NDT can only be bought from abroad without a prescription and many members buy from Thailand.

Palpitations can be caused by over or under thyroid hormone medication. If Levo doesn't suit, it can be difficult to take enough without side effects and the chances are, you are under medicated (no matter what dose you take).

NDT can be difficult to tolerate if you have iron or cortisol issues, (common in people still symptomatic on Levo). Have you thought of adding a little synthetic T3 ? ? (also bought from abroad). When initially medicating T3 (either synthetic or NDT), it is important to start low & slow to allow your body to get used to it.

[Michy1 in reply to radd]

I am now on 150 mcg Levo, as the do not want me to go on other tablets. But the weight and side effects is to much. It was the endo that said I have to be careful, as the other tablets give palpitations. I am on 5 mg of amlodipine.

[humanbean in reply to Michy1]

Your endo is talking rubbish. Any kind of thyroid hormone treatment can give palpitations if taken to excess. What he is trying to scare you away from is taking anything that contains T3. Doctors know nothing about it and are scared of it, despite the fact they themselves have T3 in their bodies (if they didn't they'd be dead). Too much T3 may cause palpitations and/or a fast heart rate. But too little T3 can do the same.

I take NDT and a tiny dose of T3. I actually know I'm overdue for my next dose if my heart speeds up and I get palpitations. The heart needs T3. Low T3 is a known problem for those with heart disease, for example.

circ.ahajournals.org/conten...

[Michy1 in reply to humanbean]

Thank you for that.

[LAHs in reply to humanbean]

I agree with your post 100% HB.

[Glynisrose]

Firstly they do not give you heart problems. Secondly you cannot buy NDT in the UK. Will pm you a connection where you can buy but please remember that Armour is the most expensive of the NDT family.

[Michy1 in reply to Glynisrose]

I don't really mind about the price, it is which is the best for me as I had Thyroid Cancer and had the glands removed. I just need to get back feeling normal again and not like a obet weight zombie.

[jenz in reply to Glynisrose]

hi Glynisrose could you please PM me your connection for buying NDT and also do you have any connections for buying liothyronine sodium T3? Any advise would be helpful

[jamesal0]

I only ever had high blood pressure and a racing heart on Levo. On NDT (Slow Release) if you don't take enough you will get low heart beat / pressure. With NDT-SR use your temperature as you no .1 guide to daily dosage. (keep getting blood tests and remember to smile at the Doc when they tell you off).

Start on 1 grain, and over 6 - 8 weeks slowly add 1/2 grain per week until you get to about 2 1/2 -3 grains. You will know when you are feeling right and have a stable temp. Your daily requirements will change a little - cold days you need more, if you weight train, jog so swim you need 1/2 grain more that day. I carry a little synthetic T3 with me for when I get caught out.

Daily I take approx 1 grain at @7am, 2pm, 10pm and then 1/2 grain 3am.

regards

[Michy1 in reply to jamesal0]

Thanks for that.

[LAHs]

He Michy1, the problem is not trying to find out where you can buy NDT, the problem is finding a doc who will write you a prescription. Once you have the 'script you can call or e-mail the manufacture for a list of reputable places where you can buy NDT. It may not be in the UK, the US would be your best bet and you can do it via the Internet.

Oh, and NDT will not give you palpitations unless you take too much (like anything else). The secret is to start low (1/2 grain) and increase slowly (by 1/4 grains) until you feel well. If you exceed what your body requires you will feel jittery and hyper, if or when this happens, cut back to your previous dose.

[Michy1 in reply to LAHs]

Thank you.

[jamesal0 in reply to LAHs]

Completely agree with @LAHs re dosing. Re script I called what we Australians call compounding pharmacies and asked which doctors write NDT scripts. Not sure where you live.

Also you must get your D3, B Complex, B12 and Iron's all up there too. Or you will crash and burn with Adrenal issues. NDT T4 conversion cannot work without good Adrenals. Get lots of quality sleep, drink water and de-stress a little if you can.

Read every thing you can on the Stop Thyroid Madness site. It wont make complete sense the first time but you will recognize your symptoms over the next 18 months. Thyroid disease is a never ending fight - it causes many other issues and you need to keep trimming the helm as you navigate the rest of your life. Do not sit back and let a GP/Endo make the decisions. They will screw you up and then put you on medications for BP, migraines, Anemia, flat feet etc etc.

You will stuff it up, but the body is amazing resilient so as long as you keep tweaking dose and supplements you'll be fine.

good luck

[Michy1 in reply to jamesal0]

I am taking Vitamin D, B Complex & Magnesium supplements.

Thanks for that though.