Thyroid blood test results on NDT

[franniebabes]

Evening,

I've been taking NDT - Erfa Thyroid for over a year now. My GP is not happy about this and doesn't seem to understand how to interpret blood results for those with an underactive thyroid.

My Holistic Doctor (from whom I'm getting the NDT) says that blood tests don't give an accurate reading of thyroid function and they're pointless. However, my GP has just called me back in for a 3rd blood test to test my thyroid function because of 'unusual results'. Annoyingly, I can't get access to my results because she is away so I don't now what's so unusual about them. (My GP surgery won't allow you to have test results without a GP's say so).

My question is are blood test results very different when taking NDT as opposed to test results when taking Levothyroxine?

I've a vague recollection of my Holistic Doctor saying that it makes the TSH level lower, but I can't remember for certain so I wanted to check before I go back to my GP surgery.

Thank you for your help.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Yes, NDT can lower TSH, and FT4 can be lower too.

[shaws Administrator]

Your holistic doctor is right. The blood tests don't correspond. They were invented along with levothyroxine (makes more money) whereas before the introduction of levo we were diagnosed upon clinical symptoms alone and given NDT until we were symptom-free.

Levothyroxine is T4 alone. T4 has to convert to T3 - the only active thyroid hormone - it has to enter our cells in order to relieve symptoms and make us well.

NDT contains T4, T3, T2, T1 and calcitonin. So blood tests cannot be compared. It should all be down to 'how the patient feels'. If well they're on sufficient meds and symptom-free.

[radd]

franniebabes,

Any thyroid medication that contains T3 (such as NDT) will suppress TSH levels, as the direct T3 in the blood is sensed by the hypothalamus/pituitary and the body determines that no additional thyroid hormone is needed, so no TSH is released.

Many members require a certain low or suppressed TSH in order for thyroid hormones to raise, no matter how much meds they take.

Also be aware of taking NDT just before a GP’s test as T3 will peak, creating a false impression that you are medicating too much. T3 (taken on an empty stomach) is rapidly absorbed and reaches peak circulating concentration in about two to three hours after ingestion but blood serum concentrations may remain elevated for six - eight hours.

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thyroidscience.com/hypothes...