My new Thyroid-s have arrived today and I plan to start them tomorrow, I am given to understand that i swallow them but should they be with food or on an empty stomach. I also have to take half a tablet later in the day, same for this?
Any advice would be gratefully received. Thank you
chloe30uk,
All thyroid medication should be taken on an empty stomach, leaving one hour before or two hours after eating. It's the same regime no matter what time of day you're taking it.
ok perfect thank you, changing from levothyroxine to Thyroid-s
Hmm, I'm no expert on this, but you might want to take it a little more slowly for a few days. Desiccated thyroid contains T3, whereas levothyroxine is T4 only. Your body might need time to adjust to the different hormone levels in Thyroid-s.
Instead of 1.5 tablets a day, maybe just one tablet split into two doses (morning and afternoon). Try that for a few days and if no adverse effects increase the morning dose to the full tablet.
ok, found today, whilst trying to do the split doses that I am struggling to take Vit D and iron 4 hours away. So am I better off taking all my vitamins at night and the split NDT morning and afternoon?
Chloe, If it was me, I would be wary of taking iron at night. Perhaps you could fit that in mid-morning? e.g. something like first thyroid dose at 7am, iron at 11am and second thyroid dose at 3pm. Or, you could take it with your evening meal e.g. thyroid dose at 2.30pm and evening meal plus iron at or after 6.30.
I believe Vit D can be taken with any meal (no need to panic about it being four hours away from thyroid med).
Hmmm might struggle with those timings. So I can take B, C and D whenever, just keep the iron away from thyroid? I prefer to take Iron and C together. Big learning curve. Don't eat at set times which makes it harder.
and still trying to decide on chewing, swallowing or dissolving!
ok thanks, I have split some of the tablets for the half dosages. Doing a straight swaap from Levothyroxine to Thyroid S
Empty stomach.
I would say also start on a low dose and build up over a few weeks.
Hi,
I switched from Levo to Thyroid-s almost 6 weeks ago. I've found taking the full dose first thing, at least an hour before eating works best for me. When I tried split dosing I don't think it worked as well, I think because my stomach was only truly empty when I first woke up in the morning.
I agree with the start slowly advice. I'm following the Stop the Thyroid Madness approach - stop the Levo, start with one grain, monitor how you feel, your waking temp and heart rate and increase by half a grain every 10-14 days. I went up every 10 days and have stopped at 2 grains until I have a blood test in early Feb, but I think I'll might need to go up a little bit more (I was on 125mg of Levo but thought that too low).
When I first started with 2 grains my heart felt a little odd, but that has gone after a couple of weeks now my body is more used to it, and I feel a lot better than I did on Levo, so I would advise sticking with it even if you have wobbles / doubts it's working initially.
I've also been supplementing iron, Vit B 12 & B complex, D3 + K2, sellenium and magnesium as from what I've read these need to be optimum to have the best chance of desiccated thyroid working. I had been tested and was low on Iron and B12 so had been supplementing a few months before starting Thyroid-s.
Good luck!
Hi Thank you, I started this morning with one full grain, and just had a quarter grain this evening, feeling a bit anxious and headachy now though. So will try just dosing in morning. I was on 125 mcg levo and thought that was low.
Started supplementing with high vit c, D3, Iron, CoQ-10, K2, B Complex and b12 two weeks ago and already take magnesium and zin, Need folate but seeing doctor for that on 23rd. I have a blood test booked for the 16th to see doc and consultant on 24th so not expecting anything to show up much on that test, but hoping they will tell me what I'm low on, vitamin wise. So you think best to increase by half grain every 10 days or so?
Sounds intriguing. Hope all works out for you. Really, I do.
26 years I suffered hypothyroidism. Managed on thyroxine then 10 years ago, levothyroxine ?cheaper to prescribe. Over 10 years health symptoms worsened.
Last year also diagnosed sjogrens syndrome now taking hydroxychloriquine as well.
Now, health symptoms dreadful. Almost a recluse. No confidence in me or GP. GP will not refer me endocrinologist never seen one. Anxiety number one to hundred and one on my notes whenever I see medical professionals.
Im in despair. After coming to this fabulous site I got my blood results first time of asking. GP Practice not happy! Im beyond caring what they think. Im not happy! Want energy, to feel well, no aches, pains, fatigue, low mood...... I get no support other than here.
My TSH last year 0.29 (I phoned hospital lab and persuaded them tell me please).
Last year, GP reduced levothroxine from 125mcg (on for last 10 yr plus), to 75mcg after I was seen repeatedly by dermatologist due to increasing skin allergies appearing and very dry skin. I had to really push for the reduction as dermatologist not authorised change prescription but felt I was overprescribed.
Now my TSH is around 2.45 (havent got detail in front of me and no energy to get from upstairs, but around that figure). GP wont test for anything else.
Rheumatologist I see for sjogrens tested for vit d. I was 49 vit d. Very very reluctantly GP gave me 800iu meds for that.
I just wonder how you manage to know what you need and how you get prescribed?
I paid for reflexology see if helps. Reflexologist told me she felt my body was shutting down. Told me I needed sellenium and magnesium.
I am at my wits end. My husband of 45 yrs! Has told me he didnt sign up for this. Wants house sold. Wants new life without me.
I know stress does not help but then neither does medical profession.
That's sad to hear, I had a private blood test as gp not helpful, ended up seeing a private Endo. Posted bloods on here and everyone has been great, I pay for my own Thyroid-s and all the vitamins as gp will only give me very low dose vit D3. So decided I was going to sort it out myself as fed up of feeling rubbish, wishing you every sucess x
webar4780 If you start your own thread members will make suggestions. Your post won't be seen hidden in another member's thread.
Your 800iu Vit D won't help a sunburnt flea 
Put as much info as possible and ask the questions you want answered. I'll look out for it.
Thank you SeasideSusie. Trouble is, I dont know how to start my own thread. I will ask my son for help with that. Maybe I can get further knowledge and support.
Chloe30UK. Thank you. Your advice and experience are what I need to hear. Unless we been there we cant always help. I am closer to asking for private endocrinologist.
Helvella thank you for clarity and correcting my assumption. I did wonder if levo and thyroxine were one and the same. Now I know. One thing is for sure a fact though. The providing pharmaceutical company changed at that time. In fact, even nowadays, I get 50mcg from one provider and 25mcg from another. I understand that additives vary? If this is so, it is also ? Possible that additives may not suit some people.
Of course, it could be that I have had worsening symptoms because I suffered a serious work related injury ten years ago.
Whatever the reason for my debilitating symptoms -lack of support breaks my heart. But, my broken heart experience helps me to empathise with people suffering.
When viewing a single post, there is a green button at the top - on the banner - Write a post - click on that. The rest is straightforward. The same green button appears on many screens but its position will vary depending on whether you are using a phone/tablet/PC/etc.
webar4780 Just go to the top of this page where the Thyroid UK heading is and some pictures. The green button that says Write a Post is what you want. Click on that, make a heading in the correct box, then underneath that is a box to write your message 
Thank you SeasideSusie, that is so kind of you.
webar4780,
For clarity, regarding your statement:
Managed on thyroxine then 10 years ago, levothyroxine ?cheaper to prescribe.
Thyroxine was simply given the prefix "levo" in order to be absolutely clear that it was one particular form of thyroxine rather than another. There was absolutely no change whatsover in the product because the name changed (slightly). It is neither cheaper nor more expensive to prescribe because it is the exact same product.
Levothyroxine may not work for you. I know that's a crazy thing to say after 25 years on it but I was on it for 10 years with no idea that it was slowly 'poisoning' me. I hit rock bottom and stopped taking it. I had an immediate improvement in feeling better and went on from there to get t3 treatment which has saved me. Try writing down a timeline of when you were first treated with what/what were symptoms - did the treatment actually help. I also used to respond differently to different brands.
I've been off levothyroxine for 9 days now and on Thyroid -s, starting to feel human again! But will be fun with blood test tomorrow!
Thank you loueldhen, I hadn't considered levothyroxine may not work for me. interestingly, I did keep telling my husband that I was being poisoned by prescription meds at the time I collapsed. in fact I told the GP the same and asked her to take them away. I was unable to walk, my muscles ceased working, no appetite, body rash, weight loss, diarrhoea, dreadful fatigue, and confusion... multiple random allergies, numerous skin rashes, fluctuating temperatures, severe palpitations, chronic cough especially at night, exhaustion ... our bed had to be brought downstairs.. my GP coerced me to continue levothyroxine and BP meds bisoprolol. I would not agree to continue taking cholesterol lowering meds or gabapentin for sciatica.( I had been prescribed bisoprolol and atorvastatin as GP told me I was at risk heart attack within 10 years according to computer stats hypothyroidism), atorvastatin replaced earlier simvastatin that caused muscle weakness! Annoyingly, once I made the decision to stop atorvastain the neurologist I saw when collapsed sent my GP letter (copy to me), saying I was not deemed at risk heart attack! Since then I have attempted to stop bisoprolol. I am currently being monitored by care worker at surgery regarding BP checks with the sole intention of stopping bisoprolol. I absoloutely believe bisoprolol side effects mean they have never suited me! I look forward to trial without. My new problem is huge loss of confidence in my own gut instinct and research, have developed anxiety but sites like this are bring ME back to ME. I lost my autonomy for far too long. Could you possibly tell me what symptoms you got and or help in recognising you were suffering prescription poisioning? I appreciate everyone who shares and or takes the time to respond to problems otherwise felt in isolation. God bless everyone.
I had been on levo for about 10 years. With hindsight I didn't notice anything positive when I first started taking it. I was prescribed it from a routine blood test not because I went to the GP with any symptoms. Who isn't knackered in middle age? The last 2-3 years of taking it I suffered increasing loss of muscle strength, weakness, fatigue and had pain with the slightest knock. If I had to go back upstairs because I forgot something I would almost cry with the effort. Frankly wanted to die, I was 56. I was outpaced by my 86 year old mother in law. I had been on levo for so long I didn't equate my health problems as possible side effects. At this point the GP said it must be rheumatoid arthritis and referred me. I was on a meat fish veg water clean diet and still felt rubbish. When the GP said RA a light bulb went off and I realised I was repeating my mother's life. She died at 56. Took levo for years, was then told she had RA, was prescribed Opren which triggered aplastic anaemia which killed her. I stopped taking the levo and felt improved within a couple of days. I felt like the poison had been removed. Over the next few weeks my hypo symptoms kicked in. Now I take T3 and have slowly returned to something that feels like 'normal'. Clearly levo does not suit everybody. As I followed the same path as my mother I guess there is a genetic component. Keep searching.
Thank you loueldhen. I am treading very cautiously, reading all advice and suggestions this site and getting armed with lots of information. I had 18 months of very poor health, over 12 months what is best described as acute symptoms... very scary, very frightening especially when some medics treated me with no compassion and got hung on telling me anxiety was the problem. By the time I collapsed covered in complete body rash I was the one saying I SUFFER WITH ANXIETY, thinking let's get that out the way! before telling the presenting symptoms. I was so shocked when a GP and nurses showed me compassion and care with the words my goodness 'my dear, how long has this been going on? what is your GP/consultant doing for you?'. These lovely people were assessing my body so acutely covered in rash open oozing wound on ankle temp muscle weakness loss weight nausea and more.... I had never met these people before, I was on holiday in Wales. GP there asked to photograph my back promptly gave me antibiotics and advised I see my registered GP for skin biopsy.. I had seen my own GP day before that holiday no prescription given... needless to say she refused biopsy too! Since then I research research once I get confident (nearly there), I shall contact blue horizon, then I will go GP no mistake! we are in the process of selling our house otherwise my GP would be history! I have drawn a line! No longer will I put prescription in my mouth without a full explanation of why and may even get second opinions always. I am not out of woods yet awaiting immunology screening but I am better than I was
Sorry. I meant to say, I was very moved about the death of your dear Mom. I am sorry that you had to go through that and that your poor Mom suffered. I think she would be very proud of you for managing your health your way and that she may well be the driving force of you getting better? I realise now that my Mom suffered many symptoms that I have but she never got diagnosed. I don't think she was even tested for autoimmune disease probably just told all in her head... We are the stronger for being their daughter's... they served us well and we fight for us and in their memory. may they r.I.p.
Yes, 1/2 grain increases seems to be the standard guidance. The first morning I took thyroid-s I felt a but of a rush - I'm guessing that was the T3.
Don't forget you will have a store of T4 from taking the Levo. That's the reason to start low sobthat your body can get used to the T3 but also not to overload with the remainder of the Levo so as your grains increase your store of T4 is depleting.
Thank you, I guessed that, but Endo was insistant I start full dose as I do not have a thyroid.
Oh dear! Yes I worked that out when I started! I was more cautious when I started so did experience a bit of a dip! Bit of a worry that he must have been hitting patients with a high dose of T3!
well I have started more slowly and definately noticing a dip. I don't appear to have been converting to t3 well, so I'm hoping that the NDT will work much better for me...
Well I'm very pleased though been a bit of a rocky ride at times. Found it very difficult at first to work out whether just over or under but got used to understanding my bodies reaction in time. I did get up to 3 grains at first but now mostly 1.75 with a 2 thrown in but mostly I think a lot of that as was listening to my body more and generally being more sensible and lost weight then without really trying. I've recently had my highest FT3 result and still in range but then dropped it slightly as mobility became a problem and that worked but also getting times without tinnitus which I've had continuously for about 30 years so juggling things a little to get best of both worlds. But nothing is getting worse, just trying a bit of fine tuning and I think succeeding!
Have you had folate, ferritin, B12 and Vit D checked. That was a huge help for me. They are very important to thyroidchralth but need to be optimum, not just in range so I added them to the things I already was taking and although I must rattle it really works very well. If you aren't converting it really needs to be addressed however you are treating yourself or you could end up taking excessive amounts.
Struggling to get doc to check everything, early days yet, feeling rough.... they wont test for t3 either so will have to get that blood test myself. costing me a small fortune currently, so will test after a couple of months for t3
oh, my endo or gp will not test my T3, so they will be still looking at THS and T4.
That's interesting. I have been on Thyroid s for a while, and there have been definite signs of improvement, but I'm not optimal. I take one grain in summer and one and a half in winter. When I try to raise that dose I get a bit of a racing heart....actually I become toally obsessed with my pulse rate! So then I bottle out and drop the dose back. Maybe I should try to go on with the higher dose a bit longer. I think I've got most of the supplements you mentioned covered.
I strongly advise you to go slowly.
Its many years ago, but I followed the STTM protocol, but failed to realise that even though I was taking 300mcg of levothyroxine, I couldn't convert it. I do seem able to convert the T4 in NDT - and as a result as the natural T4 built up in my system I sailed over!
Hello, I think I'm right in saying that you should not drink coffee within an hour of taking NDT, and you should also avoid any calcium supplementation within four hours. Correct me if I'm wrong someone.
Chloe30uk have you accessed the Thyroid U.K. sure? They run this forum but loads of useful info on there re does and donts. That may help you.
Yes I have, thank you
Hi I am new to this and I was wanting to see if I can get some information. I have been on Levothyroxine for 10 years. But never seem to feel great. I work for a Acupuncturist and he recommended Thyroid S. He said it would be better for me. Could anyone give me any information on it and if they had switched and if they felt the difference. And also a good place to order it from I don't want to order the wrong thing. Any help is greatly appreciated.
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