No thyroid and Natural Dessicated Thyroid: Dr Willis, Dr Sharma or any other Doctors that you recommend?

[Beaconwalker]

Hello All

I have just joined on behalf of a dear friend who has no computer nor smartphone etc. She has had a thyroidectomy and is not tolerating T4 or T3 and is feeling so unwell and struggling. She is very interested in going onto NDT of some sort, but feels very daunted at the prospect of picking her way through this process/transition. Can anyone PM me to give any feedback on experiences of working with Dr Bernard Willis or Dr Rajendra Sharma? Or give any feedback re other Doctors they have found/think would be competent and skillful in this situation?

Also - where does one source the NDT from/How does one ensure a regular supply..?

Thank you so much for any help. Much appreciated.

[Nanaedake]

I cannot help with NDT as I don't take it but could your friend authorise posting her thyroid blood test results here along with laboratory ranges so we can help? Please could you also ask your friend to have her vitamin levels tested.

B12

Vit D

folate

ferritin.

Thyroid patients are often deficient in these and doctors generally do not check them, even after a thyroidectomy. A patient will never feel well on thyroid meds unless all of these critical vitamins are optimal. They all need to be mid-range and B12 needs to be top of range.

We often find on this forum, that people who cannot tolerate thyroid meds have vitamin deficiencies. Even one deficiency can cause a problem.

Doctors often tell patients their vitamin levels are fine. When they post them on this forum we can see they are only bumping along the bottom of the NHS range which means they are not going to get rickets or keel over immediately but it won't make a person feel well, especially when hypothyroid.

[Beaconwalker in reply to Nanaedake]

Dear Nanaedake, thanks so much for your helpful and quick reply. Another part of the picture is that my friend has got papillary cancer and so trying to achieve a suppressed TSH. Bear with me, we may get back to you with those thyroid blood test results and laboratory ranges when we can - and/or do another more comprehensive post of her overall health status. Thanks again.

[Nanaedake in reply to Beaconwalker]

I live with a suppressed TSH. I found docs did not know what to advise. They contradicted each other. Losing thyroid is a big adjustment. Adrenal glands need good vitamin levels to function well. New research shows people with thyroid cancer are often vit.D deficient. Docs should have checked vit D levels before surgery as it makes for quicker recovery from thyroidectomy if they are good. Get doc to check calcium levels too because of possible disturbance to Parathyroid. She could contact Butterfly Thyroid Cancer if in UK. They may be able to offer advice.

Once living without a thyroid, it can affect stomach function. Taking Levothyroxine orally may also affect small intestines bacterial balance which may affect how we absorb nutrients. Try probiotics and control any reflux by taking a desertspoon of organic apple cider vinegar with a glassful of water before meals. This may improve stomach function overall and prevent doc prescribing more drugs with attendant side effects.

If struggling with anxiety, good vitamin levels will help. Also try hypnotherapy from a registered hypnotherapist for relaxation while recovering gut function and nutritional levels. I think docs underestimate the shock our body receives from losing thyroid.

[dfran]

Please do not jump into taking different medications. They all take several months to get used to. Even different brands of Levothyroxine take time to get used to. I agree with Nanaedake about her getting her vitamins and iron levels tested.

Also it takes time to find the correct levels. So she should increase her medication until she finds the right level. I had the iodine treatment and would fall asleep during a conversation as I was undermedicated straight after that.

[Beaconwalker]

Thank you both for your kind help. (Excuse delayed reply.) Yes, we're looking into vitamin and mineral level checks.

I think NDT is the way she wants to go. (She's been on the T4 and T3 for a while, but can't tolerate the levels needed to suppress TSH.) And additionally she wants help on sorting out her hormones - interested in bio-identical ones - so I think will probably try and go to a doctor experienced in all of this. (We've had one kind soul who's given feedback on their experience of one doctor, so I think I'll repost to see if I can encourage anyone else.) We've been really thrilled with the help from this forum - it gives you hope said my pal and that you're not on your own.

(Nanaedake - yes, she said she would totally agree with you re losing the thyroid - it feels like a life-changing thing.) Thank you for the Butterfly Thyroid Cancer info and apple cider vinegar recommendation.)