Dosing NDT 3 Times A Day - HELP! : Does anyone... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

137,639 members161,421 posts

Dosing NDT 3 Times A Day - HELP!

Trina64 profile image
18 Replies

Does anyone take NDT three times a day? I increased 5 times ago and take 2 grains in the early morning and 3/4 grains very late morning. Since the increase (which I need) I have been shaking and sweating and out of sorts. It is like I am hyperthyroid, but I am sure I am not. Does anyone have any advise? Should I dose three times a day or reduce the 2 grains and add it to the 3/4 grains. My doctor is useless in helping me navigate this and I don't know what to do. I just want to feel better. PLEASE HELP!

Written by
Trina64 profile image
Trina64
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
18 Replies
shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

If you are in the UK, many doctors don't know much about NDT.

You can take your dose all at once but as you've been splitting, I'd suggest a gradual increase every week (about 1/4 tablet) until your feel much better and symptom-free.

Take your temp/pulse before you begin and also check it throughout the new method. If either goes too high drop back to previous dose.

By taking a once daily dose, you can then have a more normal life and not be subjected to having an empty stomach before taking each dose and waiting an hour before eating. It is difficult to take the same dose at the same time each day. The following is from a doctor who was an Adviser to TUK.

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

Trina64 profile image
Trina64 in reply to shaws

I am in the United States. I have been gradually increasing, but when I started taking 2 grains at once, I seem to be overstimulated for 3-4 hours afterwards. I don't think my system can handling taking it all at once right now.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to Trina64

Maybe your dose was too high. Two grains is around 200mcg of levothyroxine, in its effect.

Trina64 profile image
Trina64 in reply to shaws

When I was on 2 1/2 grains total for the day, I was still very hypo. Could it be that I just can't tolerate 2 grains with of t3 at once time right now. IDK. I hate trying to figure this out and feeling so awful.

Clutter profile image
Clutter

Trina64,

I increased 5 times ago What do you mean?

What were your thyroid results and ranges and what dose were you taking before you increased dose?

Trina64 profile image
Trina64 in reply to Clutter

I meant that I increased 5 days ago.

Here are my results when I was on 2 1/2 grains, but these are old results. I could not get NatureThroid for some time and had to try different things until it came back. I started back on Nov. 18 and have been gradually increasing by 1/4 grain at a time. When I was at 2 1/2 grains last week, I started getting depressed again and that is why I raised it to 2 3/4 grains. It just seems like the slam of 2 grains in the morning is too much for me right now.

Free T4 0.7 (0.9-1.7)

Free T3 2.8 (2.0-4.4)

TSH 0.399 (0.111-4.910)

Anti-TPO 12 (<34)

Reverse T3 11 (7-23)

Maggie0652 profile image
Maggie0652 in reply to Trina64

I have a similar reaction - I can’t take 2 grains at once without getting a racing heart. I now take 1 and 1/2 grains on waking and 1 grain late afternoon. I feel fine on that but when I try to increase beyond that I get racing heart and palpitations.

Trina64 profile image
Trina64 in reply to Maggie0652

Thanks! I think I will try to dose three times a day until my body gets use to it. I can't work and feel like I am jumping out of my skin all the time.

Hollygrail profile image
Hollygrail in reply to Maggie0652

Hi Maggie! Have you tried to address the root cause of your hypothyroid? Try gluten and dairy free for a week and you'll not need the meds. Just Google it!

Trina64 profile image
Trina64 in reply to Hollygrail

I am gluten free. I am not dairy free. I have tried both in the past and it didn't change anything for me.

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to Trina64

Trina64,

You were undermedicated then.

Try dividing dose into 3, say 1 grain morning, 1 grain afternoon and 3/4 grain bedtime. It will be a steadier delivery of T3 that way.

Trina64 profile image
Trina64 in reply to Clutter

Thanks! I think I will try that. I can't work and be jumping out of my skin. It makes me emotional too! I hope the late 3/4 grain helps me sleep. I wake up at 3:30 with a racing heart.

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to Trina64

Trina64,

Some people do find that T3 helps them sleep well.

Trina64 profile image
Trina64 in reply to Clutter

I would welcome that! Thanks! Trying to figure this out is mind numbing and I can't focus and concentrate as it is now!

dashi2208 profile image
dashi2208 in reply to Trina64

Hi, I too wake in the middle of the night with a racing heart . . . sweaty and anxious. I've experimented endlessly with dosage amounts and regimes. Have you managed to find an answer if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks, Richard

Hollygrail profile image
Hollygrail

Well, I'm hypothyroid. Was on ERFA Canada for a year since I couldn't tolerate Synthroid.

I took it till my body protested and went hyperthyroid! Still the root cause I did know about was not addressed and I was not "repaired". If you are constipated, bloated, feeling ill all the time try going gluten-free and dairy free. Google it! Copy recipes and prepare organic fresh or lacto-fermented veggies (non-goitrogenic ones!)

Start cooking your meals and get outside for a daily walk. Replace missing digestive enzymes with a good formula, add fish oil, vitamins A, C, E, and Se + Zn.

Get more fiber (flax seed or psyllium) in the menu, more water and sunshine, more movement and fresh air. It works!

Trina64 profile image
Trina64

I am gluten free. I don't have constipation or feel bloated anymore. I think I have enough NT in my system that those symptoms are gone. My main problem seems to be shaking when I take 2 grains at one time. I don't seem to have that problem with my 3/4 grain dose later in the day.

ramsfs10 profile image
ramsfs10 in reply to Trina64

curious any update?!

You may also like...

NDT Efra dosing and timing advice

throughout the day, I am experimenting with taking 3 doses. I currently take 1 grain in the...

Help with NDT dosing please

feel heaps better! I worked up to 3 grains and felt hyper symptoms so dropped back to 2 grains....

Taking Hydrocortisone with NDT - Timing of Hydrocortisone doses

prescription to take 10mg in the morning and 5mg at night. Does anyone else take Hydrocortisone...

Adrenal cortex and Ndt dose times

I need to take ACE and Ndt at split intervals during the day, and due to not wanting to take both...

NDT dosing. Nearly there, but is 3 grains too much?

doesn't matter a hoot on NDT, with a TSH of 0.58 on 2 grains maybe this is a better level and wont...