Hi, I've been taking Thyroid -S since March, and am currently taking 3.5 grains a day. I do not feel better on this. I also take B12, Vit D, and an Iron & iodine tincture my herbalist gave me. My average body temp is 36.
A blood test taken last week has my Dr worried that I am over medicated. My heart beat is 90 when it's usually around 80 at rest. I can't afford the US NDT, so feel a bit hopeless. My Dr has been useless and does not listen. She wants me to go back on Levo - as the safest thing.
Feeling weird on thyroid s
New Thyroid -S not as potent?
Problems starting Thyroid-S
Changing to Thyroid S
Changed thyroid S dosage
Levo isn't the safest thing but the best we've got in the UK, although some doctors can prescribe for a 'named patient' basis NDT. They wont though as looking after themselves in case the patient has an adverse affect.
How were you taking Thyroid-S (i.e. splitting or one daily dose). You are taking around the equivalence of 350mcg of levothyroxine so wonder if you reduced dose slightly whether you might benefit. For info this is a link of how best to use NDT.
web.archive.org/web/2010112...
Thanks very much for the info. I do find all the conflicting information somewhat confusing! For eg,in one post on here, somene was saying they were on 8 grains a day! So I thought being on 3 at that time wasnt enough - hey ho..
Some get confused as NDT is usually measured in grains or mg not mcgs as levo, so are unaware they may take larger doses than with levo.
Say for instance someone was taking 100mcg levo daily and wanted to swop to NDT then they could take an equivalent dose of NDT , i.e. 1gr or 60mg/65mcg which is around 100 levo (some might find it feels like a lower dose but that doesn't matter). After two weeks you increase by 1/4 tablet and so on until symptom free.
Blood tests are only a 'guide' they cannot inform us how the patient is 'feeling'. Sometimes in desperation we may increase more than our body can cope with. We have to allow a for gradual increases.
We all vary in our requirement and some people do need 8 grs but other might only be 1 or 1.5.
To try to get to a dose which makes us feel well is like a minefield and we don't quite know what to expect or when we will reach a level when we feel well.
I myself went through several combinations and alternatives to levo but, finally, am fine now.
I hope you are successful soon. i.e. do you take one daily dose or split doses?
Hi, thanks again. At the moment, I take it in the morning 1 hour before breakfast in one dose. Am I better off taking it in 2 doses?
I feel better for reducing the amount.
If you feel better stay on that dose for the minimum of two weeks. Then review your symptoms.
Hi - I'm not doing well on 2 grains - v v tired. Should I increase by half a grain or a whole grain, and how long should I stay on it? Thanks
when we start taking NDT we usually switch over from an equivalent dose of levo.
However, as you are on 2 grains you can increase by 1/4 about every one or two weeks until you are symptom free. Take your pulse/temp as guides as well, if either goes too high drop to previous dose. I'll also give you a link which might be helpful:
Thankyou I've been reading up that 1 grain of Thyroid S is equivalent to 75-100mg of Levo, I was on 150 mg of Levo before switching. How long should I stay on a higher dose - just keep testing temp etc?
Er you didn't attach link..
Sorry, here it is:-
web.archive.org/web/2010112...
Yes. you are right. It is thought that ThyroidS is around 75 to 100mcg of levo.
The particular dose doesn't really matter - it is how we 'feel' on a particular dose.
I just increased my dose until I felt well. If I felt too hot and took temp it was normal so kept to the same dose.
A dose is an individual amount which removes symptoms and makes the patient feel well.
When you feel well with no clinical symptoms just stay on that dose.
If symptoms return you should have a blood test. I only get a yearly test nowadays.