I want to change from T3 Liothyronine to a NDT... any advice please????
I’m hypo and don’t convert, so been on and off Liothyronine for about 5 years ( I say off as tried ThyroGold last year but it sent me hyper so I had to go back on lio)
I’m on 20mcg twice a day, get splitting headaches, and generally don’t like it.
I’m about to be 40, exercise and have a healthy diet. I take iodine, selenium, magnesium and multi bits, yet still feel lousy and nothing changes my weight - I’m not huge but should be smaller.
Help and advice greatly received!
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Fibefm
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13/06/17 this was taken after I'd stopped natural thyroid..
Serum TSH 0.01 range 0.35-5.0
Serum free T4 11.2. range 7.0-20
Serum free T3 8.4. range 3.3-6.7
18/07/17
TSH 0.01. range 0.27-4.2
Free thyroxine 21.3. range 12.0-22.0
Free T3. range 3.1-6.8
Total thyroxine 105. range 59-154
Thyroglobulin Antibody 18.9, range 0-115
Thyroid peroxidase antibodies 226.6 range 0-34
( these tests were the ones I paid for..)
11/9/17
Serum TSH 0.16. Range 0.35-5
Serum Free T3. 7.8. Range 3.80-6.70
29/01/18
Hormone profile
Serum FSH 3.9
Serum oestradiol level 473
Serum TSH. 1.08. Range 0.35-5.0
Serum Free T4 < 3.2 Range 7.00-20.00
Serum Free T3 9.5. Range 3.80-6.70
I've been back on Liothyronine 20mg twice a day since end of July 2017 which is why T3 is high? But it gives me shit headaches!
My hair has improved ( it was falling out in clumps) but everything else is still rubbish..
Puffy face
Slow & sluggish
Brain fog
Dry skin
And weight...
I'm taking multi vits, selenium ( when I remember!), magnesium, probiotics and I also have adrenivive and take one mid morning most days ( I sometimes forget!)
I just feel like if I was on the right concoction, I'd feel better and the exercise would make a difference to my weight.
When I was on natural thyroid, my numbers were really high and I got told I'd gone from hypo to hyper.
You need to leave 8-12 hours between last dose and blood draw. Your FT3 level is very high because the T3 is peaking in your blood 2 hours after last dose. You may be a little undermedicated to have TSH 1.08. You could try increasing dose to 50mcg to see whether symptoms improve.
Thyroid peroxidase antibodies are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine treatment is for the low thyroid levels it causes. Many people have found that 100% gluten-free diet is helpful in reducing Hashi flares, symptoms and eventually antibodies.
Sorry for all the Q’s, but does that mean I shouldn’t take meds before blood test?? Even when I was in the Thyro Gold, my TSH would be low? And my other numbers were sky high...???
And are you suggesting I add in Levo? I was taken off that as I don’t convert..?
I’d really like to go NDT, but quite scared as so fed up of feeling shite.
You should leave 8-12 hours between last dose and blood draw. T3 has been high throughout your results because you took meds before the blood draw.
I didn't mention Levothyroxine. I suggested you increase T3 dose to 50mcg.
There was no reason to stop taking Levothyroxine because you were a poor converter. Adding some T3 to Levothyroxing would have overcome poor conversion.
40mcg T3 is equivalent to 2 grains NDT (120mg - 130mg).
Sorry I read it incorrectly as saw the comment about levo.
I just don’t know if I would feel better on NDT. I get my lio through my GP ( they have suggested adding in levo but I don’t understand how that will help) and because they say my numbers are normal, they won’t increase my lio - I also believe it’s the lio that gives me headaches which is why I stopped it before.. I’d love to try increasing the dose but scared about making my headaches worse... I’m a severe migraine sufferer, so try to avoid headaches!
Here are bloods from when I was on Thyro Gold at the end of 2016 beginning of 201717/11/2016
Serum free T4 4 range 7.0-20.0
Serum free T3. 8.2 range 3.80-6.00
Serum TSH. 0.4 range 0.35 -5
19/12/16
Free T3 12.6 range 3.8-6.7
Free T4. 25. range 7.0-20
TSH 0.03 range 0.35-5.0
21/03/17
Free T4. 23.2 range 7.0-20
Free T3. 13.2 range 3.3-6.7
TSH. <0.01 range 0.35-5.0
This is when the endo discharged me HYPER without telling me, as I was self medicating on Thyro Gold and he was annoyed telling me he couldn’t monitor it.
I then stopped Thyro Gold not long after as realised I was quite shaky and anxious, so I reduced then stopped. The results in June are having been off it a few weeks,
13/6
free T4 11.2 range 7.0-20
Free T3. 8.4. range 3.3-6.7
TSH. 0.01 range 0.35-5.0
( this test is with NO meds o any sorts for weeks from memory)
So I’m all over the place!!
When I first started taking TG I felt great, and lost weight, but then the weight loss stopped, and started going back on, they suggested I double the dose, made no difference other than anxious and heart constantly racing..
Liothyronine gives me shitty headaches, daily, which was why I came off it the first time.
What do I do??? I can’t live on taking pain relief drugs surely????
Oh and my antibodies - about 6 years ago were double! I’ve had 2 babies since then, and had to really push for the re test, the endo really didn’t care about the result..?
In the 80's, I was crawling down dead with hypo symptoms and my doctor who diagnosed me when no one else would put me on natural thyroid, he said use the temperature method and how you feel to judge the dosage and stop taking thyroid 72 hours before a blood test. I have adhered to this for over 30 years and have managed pretty well. Ignore TSH. It has become more difficult to do the temperature measures as no more basal Mercury thermometers, but some good digitalis are ok using mouth temp rather than underarm. Also Armour and ERFA have been very poor performers for the last 10 years or so when each changed their formula. I too do not convert.
I’ve never done the temperature thing, is it easy?
I’ve read poor reviews on armour and EFRA, although I’ve read good ones too... it’s all so confusing and I really don’t know how to choose any of it!!!
Not sure what kind of iodine you are taking or how much. Too much iodine can cause your tpo antibodies to elevate all your symptoms of hypothyroidism. Your tpo antibodies are optimal below 3. But if you can get them below 35 you will feel better. I take Nature Throid (T4 T3 NDT) and have had good results. I hope you are taking a multi vitamin and I would add 400 mcg of vitamin D. I couldn’t take iodine as it increased my tpo antibodies and I couldn’t get enough sleep. The only iodine I get is in my multi vitamin 150mcg. That I can handle.
You have to have a prescription from your doctor for this. Seriously read Isabella Wentz books. Her books and advice have helped me the most. I’m also on her Facebook site and she answers questions too.
Ok, so since starting this post, I've learnt that I have Hashimotos as well as hypo.It sucks, but explains A LOT!
I've started reading the Hashimoto's Protocol Book, 90 Day Plan, she sounds exactly the right person I need! Im only 48 pages in but I'm going to cut gluten, I've ditched my iodine sup, but I'm now making sure I take my others.
I'm going to make another appt with my GP and if I don't get anywhere with her, I'll go private, I cannot afford it, but need to find the right drug that works, be it medical or NDT.
All the different brands of NDT confuse the hell out of me, all have good and bad reviews and also cost a fortune - and all need shipping into he U.K., right?
I need to get my antibodies down, I need to get myself better. My brain fog devastates me as I genuinely cannot remember things, to do with my daughters being babies, they are only three and six now, that is so wrong. I forget people's names, all things that years ago would never have happened. I always used to be the one with the shit hot memory!
Keep replying folks, you guys have helped more than I can ever say, thank you x
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