NDT & Blood testing

[1dolly]

Hi all,

I started NDT in January and am currently on 1 grain am and 1 and a half in the evening. I'm sending off for my first tests tomorrow to ascertain how things are going. How long do I need to leave NDT and supplements out to get accurate reading please? Thanks I really appreciate this group, it's such a lonely journey and it's so great to have this support through it.

[JS33]

I use NDT . I dose a couple of times a day and try to make sure its as long as possible after last dose before having blood taken . I don't stop taking anything , I just take it into account when interpreting the results . I don't go by bloods alone anyhow . If the bloods say good but I feel like crap I wait and retest or ignore and raise a little and test again . Usually finding the previous results to be not reflective.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

When taking NDT you should leave 12 hours between last dose and blood draw. Any longer and you get a false low FT3.

As for supplements, if taking a B Complex containing Biotin, or Biotin as a separate supplement, then leave that off for about 5 days as if biotin is used in the testing then your results will be skewed. Otherwise, there's no need to stop other supplements but take after the blood draw.

If you are having iron tested then leave off iron tablets for a week.

[1dolly]

Thanks everyone - I am trying to go by symptoms just want to try to see if I'm on the right track. I seem to be very breathless and my partner is moaning because my breathing is very loud at night (pardon me for breathing!) I wonder if there was some deficiency that is causing this or I am under medicated? Hopefully the tests will give me a clue and obviously I will be bothering you lovely lot again with my results!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to 1dolly]

Low Ferritin can cause breathlessness.

[1dolly in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks, I think that may be the problem. I've been trying to eat liver a couple of times a week - have to mince it up and 'hide it' in my food as not a huge fan! I've got a beef stew cooking in a cast iron pan to try to get more in!

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to 1dolly]

Google "lucky iron fish" and pop it in your cooking pots, that is supposed to help

[1dolly in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks Susie, never heard of this - one is now swimming to my house!

[shaws Administrator]

Blood tests only let us know where they are in a range they don't tell us anything about relief of clinical symptoms. I agree with Hidden that relief of symptoms should be the priority.

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

[1dolly in reply to shaws]

I would just like to know that I've got 'all my ducks in a row' with regards to vitamin/iron levels

[shaws Administrator in reply to 1dolly]

You're correct - in that all vits/minerals have to be optimal but many doctors are happy if they are within a range.

[Hidden]

Also gathering info re starting NDT-on levothyroxine over 30 year, still don't feel 'right'. And from what I've learned here "Treat on symptoms will be my guide rather than just labs!