Hello, new and advice about NDT please :)

[P_Sparkal]

hello everyone

Im Hannah and recently diagnosed with underactive thyroid, have tsh of 10 and 'antibodies' of 460, i have no idea what this means as the dr refused to explain it and also refuses to give me a prescription to order some armour for myself

I have been prescribed levothyroxine as the only option, which is giving me terrible headaches and the most awful nightmares

I would really appreciate some advice about where to buy a good NDT. I have searched the net and I cant see any on on-line auction/seller sites as some older posts seem to suggest, I am currently living on esa so my funds are limited too but need to prioritise my health

many thanks

[Clutter]

Welcome to the forum, P_Sparkal.

How long have you been taking Levothyroxine and what dose are you taking?

[P_Sparkal in reply to Clutter]

Hello,

Its now 2.3O am and I'm on here as can't get to sleep again and have jitters and anxiety

around a week, and 50mcg I think daily

thanks

[Clutter in reply to P_Sparkal]

P-Sparkal,

It's not uncommon to have adverse effects when you first start taking Levothyroxine or NDT. Adverse symptoms will usually subside within 2 weeks.

For maximum absorption Levothyroxine should be taken with water 1 hour before, or 2 hours after, food and drink, 2 hours away from other medication and supplements, and 4 hours away from calcium, iron, vitamin D supplements, magnesium and oestrogen.

It takes 7-10 days for Levothyroxine to be absorbed before it starts working and it will take up to six weeks to feel the full impact of the dose. Symptoms may lag behind good biochemistry by several months.

You should have a follow up thyroid test 6-8 weeks after starting Levothyroxine. Arrange an early morning and fasting (water only) blood draw when TSH is highest, and take Levothyroxine after your blood draw.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Thyroid peroxidase antibodies are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Treatment is for the low thyroid levels it causes. Many people have found that 100% gluten-free diet is helpful in reducing Hashi flares, symptoms and eventually antibodies.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[P_Sparkal]

Hello,

thank-you for your thorough reply but I just don't think I can live like this

i was signed off work 2 years ago with depression, I had fatigue too but nothing like I have been feeling since starting levothyroxine, I ache on and off all over, have permanent pain in my throat, I'm completely exhausted to the point where I cant move from bed a lot of days, my muscles have ceased up and now I'm having really bad lower back pain, on top of the insominia, twitching and nightmares

what if I'm just not able to convert the synthetic T4?

how long should I keep going on like this?

I am due another blood test for tsh and antibodies again but my drs refuse to look at anything else, they think NDT is a herbal supplement that is full of 'bad stuff'

i cannot choose my blood tests, unfortunately

I am already following the AIP diet of no gluten/grains at all no dairy, no sugar, seeds/nuts

(I have worked on the depression and anxiety separately with therapists and also take antidepressants, I feel like my good work has been undone by this lowpoint in my health)

thanks