NDT or T3

[amala57]

Hi all. I have been on levo for 18 months since RAI. I have persistent hair loss and don't feel quite well. I am wondering if I should try T3 or go straight to NDT. Obviously I am going to get full bloods done before I try anything. (Looks like this will have to be done privately ). Is there a benefit of trying T3 first? Thanks.

[Clutter]

Amala57,

If your FT3 is low you may benefit from adding some T3 to your Levothyroxine dose.

[Hidden]

Nobody can say what is the best option for her, NDT for example wasn't the right treatment for me.

[Jazzw]

It might be that you simply need more levothyroxine!

But you're right - blood tests first. You need a baseline to know what's going on. If you're going down the private blood test route - and many of us do! - get your B12, ferritin and Vit D tested too, as well as TSH, FT4 and FT3.

How much levothyroxine are you currently on? Unfortunately a lot of doctors don't seem to understand that it doesn't matter if TSH is suppressed - FT3 and FT4 are by far the most important readings, and FT3 more so than FT4.

[amala57 in reply to Jazzw]

Hi I'm on 125mg. I've tried 150 and get eye problems and feel jittery. 125 I'm constipated and have hair loss. Gp won't test my T3! I'm seeing gp next Fri will try again. If no joy will go private. Thanks!

[Jazzw in reply to Jazzw]

Ah right, have read yesterday's post and see you're on 125mcg of levo and that you're determined to try NDT.

Something to know before you start - if your ferritin levels are low in range (a doctor's version of "normal" means nothing - the ranges are stupid!), you will struggle on NDT or T3. It'll most likely make you feel worse not better.

I know you're desperate to feel better - many of us know exactly how that feels - but I would implore you to get blood tests done first, before you get cracking on NDT. Otherwise you're blind to what else might be the problem, e.g., low B12, low Vit D, low ferritin.

[amala57 in reply to Jazzw]

Thanks. I will get bloods done first of course.