Things are not right should I change to NDT ?

[beaton]

I've been on T3 only for some years now, have seen five endos. who all want me to take T4 only to which I have have issues, high blood pressure and balance issues.

Last visit to GP, asking if I had gut issues as I have low saliva, reflux and heartburn. So was this and lack of improvement due to absorption problems. Raft of blood tests and ultrasound on my liver followed. Now told nothing is wrong so stick to healthy eating drink plenty of water and try and exercise.

Well my GP is obviously overwhelmed with my lack of improvement, so it's carry on as usual.

I don't think this is good enough as things are not going to improve on their own so I am thinking of getting some NDT but no sure on dosage. At present I am taking 2 x 40mcg T3 a day. I tried diving into 4 doses but felt terrible, all previous blood tests have come back with T3 under range but of course GP is only interested in TSH.

I have to do something for myself by myself.

[Clutter]

Beaton,

T3 has been under range on 80mcg T3? How long were you leaving between last dose and blood draw?

80mcg T3 is equivalent to just over 3 grains of NDT but if you are under medicated on 80mcg T3 you will be under medicated on 3 grains.

[beaton in reply to Clutter]

Hi Clutter, all bloods show T3 under range, usually leave morning dose until after bloods if morning. Last time had dose at 2pm bloods about 3.30pm so should be quite high.

Thought as I can't tolerate T4 and T3 is on the low side with a high dose, maybe worth tring NDT to see if there is any improvement.

[Clutter in reply to beaton]

Beaton,

If you take T3 within an hour of a blood test I would expect the FT3 to be very high and over range. Even if you are leaving 24 hours between last dose and blood draw you are undermedicated to have FT3 under range. Why don't you increase T3 dose instead of switching to NDT?

[beaton in reply to Clutter]

Hi Clutter, I keep being told how "bad" T3 is for me so bit scarred of increasing dose. How high could I go?

[Clutter in reply to beaton]

Beaton,

There's no point in not taking sufficient dose of T3 or NDT. You go as high as it takes as long as FT3 remains within range.

There are two observational studies here showing long term T3 safety:

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/resear...

[beaton in reply to Clutter]

Thanks Clutter. xx

[mischa]

Reflux and heartburn could be signs of low stomach acid. Apple cider vinegar or Betain HCL would remedy this. Low stomach acid would prevent thyroid meds from being absorbed.

[beaton in reply to mischa]

Thanks Mischa, will try this. This is the answer I wanted from my GP, but never got. xx

[endomad in reply to mischa]

i agree i had what i thought was acid but it turned out to be low acid, i drank half a lemon squeezed into water twice a day....havent had acid since, low acid same symptoms as high.

The test to see if t3 is getting into your cells rather than just blood is SHBG it should be between 70-90 any lower and you are not yet optimally medicated.

Some people are more resistant to t3 than others. You would know if you are over medicated so maybe you need a small increase. I take 75-100mcg t3 daily and my SHBG is still under 70 after 16 months so i still have a way to go. My gastric/digestive stuff finally got better on t3

T3 doesnt work for everyone, this is a real trial and error illness the drs are often just guessing x

[beaton in reply to endomad]

Thanks endomad, will look into it. x

[greygoose]

I wouldn't expect a GP to know anything about low stomach acid. But, do you take your T3 on an empty stomach, with a large glass of water, and wait an hour before eating or drinking anything other than water? And at least two hours before taking any other medication or supplements?

[beaton in reply to greygoose]

Yes Greygoose, I do . x

[greygoose in reply to beaton]

OK, so best to investigate your stomach acid then :

scdlifestyle.com/2012/03/3-...

Are you getting enough salt? Because low salt will lower stomach acid production.

[beaton in reply to greygoose]

Thanks Greygoose, will read. xx

[shaws Administrator in reply to beaton]

Many of us supplement meals with products that provide stomach acid taking Betaine/ pepsin tablet during meals. Some take apple cider vinegar mixed with juice or water.

[beaton in reply to shaws]

Thanks Shaws. x

[amala57 in reply to beaton]

I take my T3 sublingually I Suck it. Then you can eat and drink after 20 mins. I've Been on t3 only for a little while but have just changed to ndt as personally I believe the body needs t4 also. But I can't tolerate synthetic t4.

[beaton in reply to amala57]

Hi amala, yes I can't tolerate T4 either. I do think we need all the Ts so going to add a little see if it helps. x

[amala57 in reply to beaton]

Aparently t4 in ndt is tolerated better than synthetic t4. Good luck.😊

[beaton in reply to amala57]

Thanks. x

[SlowDragon Administrator]

What about levels of vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12. Have they been tested recently?

Do you have Hashimoto's (high antibodies) if so are you on strictly gluten free diet

[beaton in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi SlowDragon, Yes Hashimoto's, gluten free and vegetarian. All bloods tested in August, all "fine" Stopped B12 sups for 3 months came back nearly 700, so added sups back. x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to beaton]

Good vitamin B complex too is good idea if taking B12

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

[beaton in reply to SlowDragon]

Thanks, xx