Changing to NDT

[Kel8]

My private Endo suggested I change from 70mcg T3 only to NDT to see if it made any difference to my Atrial Fibrillation.

I started on 2 grains Nature Thyroid (1 in morning and 1 at 1pm). The switch over has been fine but three weeks on I am feeling extremely hypo. The lower body joint pain is horrendous (exactly as it used to be on Levo), my hair is falling out and I am exhausted and freezing. I am due a blood test in 3 weeks and then need to go back and see him.

I don't think I can wait three weeks though whilst feeling like this. Should I just go back to T3 only as switching to NDT hasn't helped my palpitations anyway? Or should I stick it out or increase my dose?

I don't really want to pay out for more NDT if it's not going to be for me and I don't want to get so much worse that it takes me months to recover but I know I may need to give it more time.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Clutter]

Kel8,

2 grains NDT is equivalent to 50mcg T3 so you may be under medicated and palpitations can be due to under medication as well as over medication.

I would increase to 3 grains NDT but wait until you've been on 3 grains for 6 weeks before ordering a blood test.

[Kel8 in reply to Clutter]

That makes sense. Thank you Clutter

[Smotv80 in reply to Clutter]

I thought there was approx 9mcg of T3 per grain? Have I read it wrong?

[Kel8 in reply to Smotv80]

I think Clutter's calculation includes the T3 you would get via the conversion from the T4 in the NDT

[Smotv80 in reply to Kel8]

Ah I see! I got worried then! Thank you 😊

[Clutter in reply to Smotv80]

Smotv80,

1 grain contains 38mcg T4 + 9mcg T3.

[shaws Administrator]

When we switch to NDT, we increase the dose by a small amount (1/4 or 1/2 tablet) about every two weeks until we are symptom free. I will give you a link which I hope is helpful. Also take pulse/temp as a guideline. Sometimes we feel very hot but temp will be the same etc.

web.archive.org/web/2010112...

[Kel8 in reply to shaws]

That is a really interesting article so thank you for that. I will increase slowly.

[Glynisrose]

Start low and build up over a few weeks DON'T do a direct swap I am sure doctors say this so they can say the ruled it out!

[Kel8 in reply to Glynisrose]

Yes, I was told just to swap straight over. Have done 3 weeks on 2 grains so may as well carry on now but build up slowly from there.

Misled by docs as usual!