What is the typical NDT dose???

[knackersyard]

I'm diagnosed Hypothyroid, but my T4 & T3 have always been just in range ("Sub-clinical").

.....so given that some on here have no Thyroid at all & mine nearly works... I assumed I would only need a small dose to put me right..

I'm currently on 3 grains of NDT. I've not blood tested yet, but my Basal Temp is still below 36.7

I'm planning to increase my dose soon. Is this normal?

PS. I'm a lifelong insomniac. The last few weeks on NDT, my sleep has been fantastic!!!

[BadHare]

That's a bit of a "how long is a piece of string" type of question, as the right dose is the one that works for you. Be careful not to increase too quickly, in case of unwanted side effects, as too much TH isn't better. Remember the T4 component takes a week or so to start converting to T3, so too much could create a reverse T3 issue, & counteract the benefits to your health.

My TH tests aren't even sub-clinical as I self-treat for secondary hypothyroidism. When I did the Barnes basal body temperature test for 4 months, prior to taking THs, my morning temperature before self-medicating with NDT was 35.1 degrees celcius, most days. It was occasionally as high as 35.3. Now my normal is usually 36.1-36.3, occasionaly higher, so I assume that's my normal, 36.7 being average. I'm producing body heat for the first time in 40 years, & don't look like Kenny from South Park all year round. I eat as much as 40% more without weight gain, as I'm producing body heat!!!

The next best relief THs provided, as you've noticed is better sleep as I woke up like clockwork at 3am every morning, & would get back to sleep just before I needed to get up for work. I also crashed daily at 4pm & had to sleep unless I was standing. One of the things I use to judge if my dose is too low is how I feel late afternoon, also recurrence of skin issues.

[knackersyard in reply to BadHare]

Thanks BadHare

Yes, of course I'm aware we're all different. I'm just interested to know what dose others are taking, as I'm surprised that I appear to need more than 3 grains.

[BadHare in reply to knackersyard]

You're welcome!

Perhaps the brand you take has a filler that affects you?

I ok with the equivalent of 2 grains of WP Thyroid in summer, 2 1/2 in winter, but am on my second summer of UniPharma T3 only which I seem to need a little more of. I'm expecting like last year, that I'll need NDT to stop my skin issues flaring up when the weather gets colder.

I've seen posts with people saying they take 5 grains. It's all personal, dependent on size, lifestyle, how much or whether the thyroid is functioning, etc.

A relative with no thyroid & feels bad on 70mcg of T4, & a friend's hubby who is twice my size, is prescribed only 140mcg od T4 that's even more ineffective due to being told to take it with breakfast which is coffee & yoghurt ~ aaargh!!!

[knackersyard in reply to BadHare]

Thanks again BH

[Clutter]

Knackersyard,

3-5 grains is supposedly the average dose, however, you need what you need.

[knackersyard in reply to Clutter]

Thanks Clutter

Good to know.

[jkozlow3]

Dr. Mark Starr MD - author of "Hypothyroidism Type 2":

"When patients remain symptomatic and show no evidence of side effects, their dosage is increased to 4 grains before waiting several months in advance of further increases. My patients require an average dosage of 3 to 3.5 grains, the same dosage the patients in the Hertoghe study required. Some adult patients may only need 2 grains while others need 5."

Dr. John A. Robinson, Naturopathic MD - author of "Thyrozone" and "The Hormone Zone" books:

"The average dose for NDT for my patients is from 2 to 4 grains (120 mg to 240 mg). This is the dose that the massive majority will improve symptomatically and functionally. This is consistent with past research and empirical evidence."

The late Dr. John Lowe (one of the great thyroid docs of our time):

"That optimal dosage range is highly individual, but historically, the typical patients therapeutic window has been somewhere between 120 to 240 mg (2 to 4 grains)."

"Researchers have studied the 95th percentile in which most hypothyroid patients safely got well before the TSH became problematic in the early 1970s. That 95th percentile was 2 to 4 grains of desiccated thyroid, or 120 to 240 mg"

[knackersyard in reply to jkozlow3]

That's useful, thanks!