Switch from t3 & t4 combo to NDT

[CBann]

Hi all (sorry me again),

I have been taking t3/t4 combo for just over a week now and I do feel quite a lot better. My Endo has recommended that if after 3 weeks of starting this dose that he would switch me to Armour. The 2 remaining symptom that are really getting to me and haven't got better are the aches and pains in my body and my hair falling out as well as a new one itchy dry scalp. I have thyroid s in cupboard at home and the hair loss is really stressing me out so I am tempted to do the switch a little early (impatient I know). Having looked at what NDT contains t3/t4 wise I am thinking of a starting dose of 2 grains, maybe 1 in the AM and 1 6 hours later. What do you guys think? I know I am being really impatient but I want to cry every time I wash my hair and everytime I brush it. My hair isn't exactly the thickest anyway. I am also going on holiday next Saturday and know I will have to wash my hair daily and I am worried that by the end of the holiday my hair will be really thin and I will be an emotional wreck. Is there any chance that NDT could help me with the hair loss problem? Any advice as always really appreciated

Thanks

CBann

[Clutter]

CBann,

T4+T3 isn't an instant fix so I'm surprised your endo will consider switching you to Armour after only 3 weeks. A trial of 2-3 months is more realistic.

What dose T4+T3 are you taking?

[CBann in reply to Clutter]

Hi I'm on 75mcg t4 and 25mcg t3. Why do you say a trail of 2-3months is more realistic, does t3 build up in your body. I have always been keen on trying NDT because it's natural and has other hormones in it.

[Clutter in reply to CBann]

CBann,

Yes, T3 levels build up and as T3 is building up it will metabolise and improve symptoms.

The T4 and T3 in NDT are derived from pig thyroid so they're natural but the other fillers in NDT are chemically synthesised.

75mcg T4 and 25mcg T3 is equivalent to 2 grains NDT if you want to switch over and it's a good idea to split the dose into 2 x 1 grain 6-12 hours apart.

If the synthetics are responsible for your hair loss it is likely to take a few weeks on NDT for the hair loss to stop.

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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.

[CBann in reply to Clutter]

Thanks Clutter, do you think it's likely that it's the fillers? My scalp gets a bit itchy- not all the time though. My hair has been falling out since I've been diagnosed and has got progressively worse but the scalp itching only started since t3.

I'm just getting a bit desperate, sorry.

[greygoose]

Before you do anything else, you need to get your vit d, vit B12, folate and ferritin tested.

Hypos often have low nutrients, because they have low stomach acid. If your ferritin is low, it could be the cause of your hair-loss, and low vit D could cause the aches and pains. Besides, they all need to be optimal for your body to be able use the hormone you're giving it - especially if that hormone is NDT.

[CBann in reply to greygoose]

Hi greygoose

I'm currently taking b12 1200 mcg spray and 5000 D3 as well as multi vit recommended by my GP. I think I have had both folate and ferritin tested, they should be on my previous posts but I can't seem to copy them on here. Do you think an iron supplement might be worth while? Are you able to reccomend anything in particular/dosage etc?

Thanks

Cbann

[greygoose in reply to CBann]

Oh dear! Two things in that first sentence ring alarm bells in my head. 'Multivit' and 'recommened by my doctor.

Doctors know nothing about nutrition, so you should never listen to your doctor on that subject! He obviously doesn't know that multi vits are not to be recommended. What's it called?

What was your B12 level? 1200 isn't a lot, it might not be enough.

I will have a look for you last post, but don't just take iron supplements without knowing if you need it. That's not a good idea.

[greygoose in reply to greygoose]

Well, it's a bit confusing, because there are two results and l don't know which is the latest.

The B12 was over 400, so 1200 mcg should be enough. But you should be taking a B complex with it, to keep the Bs balanced.

[CBann in reply to greygoose]

Yes sorry, I think the ferritin one is from 4 months ago and the serum iron about 2 months ago.

This is the recommendation from my consultant re: vitamins

1. Womens multi essentials once daily (makes the urine bright yellow).

2. Vitamin D3 5000 units one daily.

3. Advanced EPA Eskimo oil fish oil capsules one daily (fish oil).

4. UltraPotent C 1000 one tablet daily (vitamin C)

Lepicol original (you can either take the capsules or the powder form) friendly gut bacteria. Please follow instructions on the label.

Solgar brand resveratrol 250mg once daily – red wine extract; helps with inflammation.

So I am taking quite a lot of stuff. The multi vit has iron in it and I've been taking that since my first appointment with the consultant about 3 months ago

[CBann in reply to CBann]

Here is the link to the multi vit

nutriadvanced.co.uk/womens-...

[SilverAvocado]

I agree that 3 weeks is a very short trial. If you haven't taken that combination before you don't even have any idea if you're on the correct dose. So you might get poor results just because you're on too much or too little.

To answer the question earlier in the thread when you ask what takes some time, is that it just takes time for your body to settle down. These hormones are used by every cell, tissue and organ in your body, and some of the uses are quite far downstream. A lot of the hormone your body is using in any given moment will have been inside your body for a little while. The rule of thumb is to wait 6 weeks on a particular dose before you will get stable blood results. When I've been on new doses, sometimes I've even felt it's still settling several months later. Sometimes I've felt improvement within weeks, and other times I haven't felt noticeably any different.

Given all this, I think if you want to try out NDT as soon as you can, just go for it. You'll learn very little by waiting 2 more weeks. But make sure you give the NDT a proper trial, and stick with it for several months even if you don't see instant improvement. But it might still be that T3 + T4 is actually the best treatment for you, and you can keep it in your back pocket to trial properly another time if you need to.