Where to get NDT

[Debimoje]

Hi i recently had bloods done. My TSH was 1.2, TT4 106.9, FT4 18.27 and FT3 3.74

I have been on 75mcg levo for about 2 years and my TSH is creeping back up and i feel rubbish again. No energy, cant lose weight, hair loss. My T3 is low end of normal despite my T4 being at a reasonable level. I feel like i would maybe benefit from switching to NDT but know my doctor wont prescribe it. I wondered if anyone knows where i can buy it online without a prescription? Thanks, Deb

[marram]

As per guideline #23, please do not post information on where to obtain prescription-only meds without prescription. PM please.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Before you leap ......If they have not been done ......Suggest you ask GP to check levels of vitamin d, b12, folate and ferratin. These all need to at good (not just average) levels for thyroid hormones (our own or replacement ones including NDT) to work in our cells

Also have you had thyroid antibodies checked? There are two sorts TPO Ab and TG Ab. (Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin) Both need checking, if either, or both are high this means autoimmune thyroid - called Hashimoto's the most common cause in UK of being hypo.

(NHS rarely checks TPO and almost never checks TG. NHS believes it is impossible to have negative TPO and raised TG. It's rare, but not impossible, there are a few members on here that have this.)

ALWAYS Make sure you get the actual figures from tests (including ranges - figures in brackets). You are entitled to copies of your own results. Some surgeries make nominal charge for printing out. Alternatively you can now ask for online access to your own medical records. Though not all surgeries can do this yet, or may not have blood test results available yet online.

When you get results suggest you make a new post on here and members can offer advice on any vitamin supplements needed

If you can not get GP to do these tests, then like many of us, you can get them done privately

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Blue Horizon - Thyroid plus eleven tests all these.£99

This is an easy to do fingerprick test you do at home, post back and they email results to you couple of days later.

Usual advice on ALL thyroid tests, (home one or on NHSu) is to do early in morning, ideally before 9am. No food or drink beforehand (other than water) If you are taking Levo, then don't take it in 24 hours before (take straight after). This way your tests are always consistent, and it will show highest TSH, and as this is mainly all the medics decide dose on, best idea is to keep result as high as possible

If you have Hashimoto's then you may find adopting 100% gluten free diet can help reduce symptoms, and lower antibodies too.

You do not need to have ANY obvious gut issues, to still have poor nutrient absorption or low stomach acid or gluten intolerance

Best advice is to read as much as you can. Vitamin and minerals levels are very important, but standard NHS thinking, doesn't at the moment seem to recognise this. You will see, time and time again on here lots of information and advice about importance of good levels of B12, folate, ferritin and vitamin D, low stomach acid, leaky gut and gluten connection to autoimmune Hashimoto's (& Grave's) too.,

hypothyroidmom.com/92-of-ha...

vitamindcouncil.org/tag/aut...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

[Debimoje in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks i already took the blue horizon test and i am low in ferritin, folate and vit d.

[Debimoje]

Oh also my thyroid antibodies were within normal ranges.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

If you get ferritin, folate and vit D levels up, conversion might/should improve.

You really need the ranges to know how near top of range T4 is. If it is not right at top of range, then could try small increase in Levo.

Assume you know to take Levo on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after (improves uptake)

Also taking at bedtime can improve conversion for some.

verywell.com/should-i-take-...

archinte.jamanetwork.com/ar...

Long research article - final conclusion paragraph below

"In conclusion, bedtime intake of levothyroxine in our study significantly improved thyroid hormone levels. This may be explained by better gastrointestinal bioavailability at night or by less uptake interference by food or medications. As shown in this study, bedtime administration is more convenient for many patients. Clinicians should inform their patients about the possibility of taking levothyroxine at bedtime. A prolonged period of bedtime levothyroxine therapy may be required for a change in QOL to occur."