Switching to NDT

[Print1972]

Hi. Because of ever increasing achilles,foot & leg pain, I'm considering switching to NDT. Can people advise on a safe brand, and what is 100mg of Levo, in NDT? I really have no idea on the relative dose, and the most effective way to change. Any advice would be much appreciated.

[Hidden]

I think it's generally said that 1 grain of NDT = +/- 75 mcg of T4, but I never found that to be true for me. It's highly individual how much you need. I read recently that, unlike synthetic thyroid drugs, most of the hormones in NDT are bound to protein and thus not free (available to the body). That makes sense to me, as I need to take quite a lot of NDT compared to thyroxine. But I'm doing so much better on NDT...!

Are you planning to get a prescription for NDT, or ordering it yourself? There are several prescription brands and they all have their fans. Some still like Armour although it was reformulated a few years back to have more cellulose added (cellulose is said to bind thyroid hormone). Some solve this problem by chewing the pills up before swallowing and it works for them. However, Armour also tripled in price a year or so ago and may not be the most cost-effective option...other brands with good reviews are NP Thyroid, WP Thyroid, and Naturethroid. There is also the Canadian brand Erfa, but it has been reported to be problematic after production was moved from Belgium to Spain a few years ago.

Many order NDT from Thailand. There are three brands: Thyroid-S, Thiroyd, and TR TMan. They all seem to work well and are available at the fraction of the cost of prescription NDT from the US. Some are concerned about the safety and efficacy of such drugs, but I have been on Thyroid-S for the past two years with absolutely no problems. Most reviews online are positive, and there are several suppliers.

[Sherriscribbles in reply to Hidden]

Hi - just seen your post. I am suffering from painful foot and achilles tendon in both feet and am up for trying NDT - would appreciate a PM letting me know the names of reputable Thailand suppliers.

[issyisabelle in reply to Sherriscribbles]

Did NDT help either of you with Achilles pain?

[Print1972 in reply to issyisabelle]

Hi. Yes, after a couple of weeks (the time it takes for levothyroxine to leave your system), the pain completely disappeared. I'm on 3½ grains per day. 2 in the morning & 1½ mid afternoon. I'm a 6ft man & now I'm only 12 stone. NDT has been great for me.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Reading your previous posts - you only had Levo increased to 100mcg about 3 weeks ago? With last blood test TSH of 26

Your body will still be adjusting to dose increase. You probably need to wait longer. And also likely to need further increase.

Ask receptionist at GP for printed copies of recent tests and post full results on here, including ranges

Do you have Hashimoto's? (High antibodies)

Have you had vitamin D, B12, Folate & ferritin levels checked (as advised in previous post) and got actual results. Very common to be low in these and they need to be optimal, not just in range. Vitamin D can cause leg pain.

If GP not helpful, private tests via

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

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. Same tests, just different companies. £99, but both often have money off offers.

Test 6 weeks after last dose increase, not before. Blood test should be early morning, fasting and no Levo in 24 hours prior, take it straight after

Once you have results come back here with new post

Once you know your vitamin levels, and improve if necessary then could look at option of adding T3

Why not ask for referral to endo, NHS or private and request addition of T3. You might even get T3 on NHS prescription (though unlikely at moment, due to current extortionate cost, but this may be resolved in the future)

[Print1972 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi. The blood test was over 5 weeks ago. However, the first tendon and muscle problems started after 3 weeks on Levo, which was early February. I started on 50, and with every increase the pain and lack of mobility has got worse.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Print1972]

Recommend you get full vitamin, antibodies and thyroid tests after 6 weeks on new higher dose.

Changing to NDT doesn't suit everyone, is expensive and takes you out of NHS option as they will not consider it and may not even agree to monitor you.

T3 is however NHS option.

Either option require you have good vitamin levels first. T3 can only be prescribed by endo. Ask for referral (can take months on NHS) and meanwhile suggest you get full private blood test

Thyroid UK have list of recommended thyroid specialists if you email

[Print1972 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks for the information. I'll speak with my doctor. She's pretty good and does listen.

[shaws Administrator]

NDT is measured in grains and 1 grain is approx 100mcg of levothyroxine. You can switch straight over by replacing dose of levo to equivalent of NDT.

I shall give you a link and the doctor (deceased) also developed an NDT which doesn't require a prescription. I shall give you a link and his widow deals with orders or questions/queries. She is called Tammy and will answer any questions you have.

naturalthyroidsolutions.com/

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

[Print1972 in reply to shaws]

Thank you. That's great.

[steviecat]

I take 150mg of Thyro-Gold. This was formulated by the late, great Dr John Lowe, world renowned expert in thyroid complaints. Yep, it is a bit expensive - £95 including postage from the States, or thereabouts for 6 month's worth. I don't take it because I have a problem with Levo; I take it because I like the fact that it's a natural product with one hundred years of proven efficacy. I also take it because I like the idea of sticking it to my quack, who is the most dismally uninformed useless piece of beach detritus you could ever turn into a pointless mural to decorate a rabbit hutch.

[Print1972 in reply to steviecat]

Thanks for the information. I can see you're on the fence regarding your GP!

[steviecat in reply to Print1972]

LoL!!!!!!

[Ann-Simpson in reply to steviecat]

Am very interested in you post describing your thyrogold. I am on 125mcgs thyroxine and was on 25mcgs T3. Would thyroid gold work instead? Mt problems only started when they removed the T3 a year help would be welcome Ann

[steviecat in reply to Ann-Simpson]

Hi, Ann. You say you were on 25mcgs of T3... Was it stopped? Thyro-Gold may well work for you, but we're all different. All I can suggest is, if you are intrigued by the possibility, maybe try some and see how you get on.

[Ann-Simpson in reply to steviecat]

The T3 was withdrawn due to the NHS withdrawing it from everyone. What exactly is Thyrogold? I am taking 125mcg of T4 but as missing the T3 very much, and was just wondering if the thyrogold would cover the two medications that I have been triving on. Will look it up on the internet. Thank you for replying. Ann

[RedApple Administrator in reply to Ann-Simpson]

Ann-Simpson, See here naturalthyroidsolutions.com

[steviecat in reply to Ann-Simpson]

Ann. See Red's post