How long like this....

[ter1461]

Hi. I'm kinda new here and have hashis. Started on one grain of NDT back in October and felt better but four weeks ago after taking bloods ft4/3 where well below range. Was told I should have been increasing by half every two weeks but felt good so thought it was right to stick at one grain. Anyway a month before doing my bloods I went down hill and I'm now for weeks into being on two grains.

Just asking how long can it take to get back to a good place as I don't feel great with mainly brain fog, irritability and low mood?

[greygoose]

Impossible to say. We're all individuals and recover at different rates. But, if you post your blood test results, we'll be able to give you a clue as to how you're doing. Obviously, with Frees under-range, you're going to feel awful. And the worse it got, the longer it's going to take you to recover. But, without seeing the labs, we're just guessing.

How come you stopped increasing at two grains?

[ter1461 in reply to greygoose]

Ft4 9.65 (12-22)

Ft3 2.54 (3.10-6.80)

TSh 0.667 (0.27-4.20)

Was advised to up at two then test on a group

[greygoose in reply to ter1461]

And this is on two grains?

Very weird tests, because as you said, your Frees are well below range, but your TSH is also low. Do you have your results from when you were diagnosed? Do you have Central hypo?

Was advised to up at two then test on a group

Sorry, I don't know what you mean, there? Test on a group?

How do you take your hormone? Do you take it on an empty stomach and leave an hour before eating and drinking? Do you take any other medication at the same time?

[ter1461 in reply to greygoose]

No that was on one grain. I was on a Facebook group and was advised to up to two grains for a few weeks and then retest

[greygoose in reply to ter1461]

Well, that was pretty stupid advice, for a start! That's much too much to increase by in one go. Increases should actually be done by 1/4 grain every two weeks. And increasing by so much in one go could be one of the reasons you don't feel well, now. Plus, you need to wait six weeks before testing, to get the full impact. The T4 in NDT will only just have started converting after just one week.

So, now you're on two grains, you might as well stay there, and wait it out for six weeks to test. Then, you'll have a better idea what's going on.

[ter1461 in reply to greygoose]

Thanks I will 🙂

[greygoose in reply to ter1461]

Good.

[Aurealis in reply to ter1461]

FT3 and fT4 are both too low. If this test is on two grains for several weeks then maybe a higher dose of NDT would be helpful.

[ter1461 in reply to Aurealis]

No this test was on one grain I'm on two now

[Aurealis in reply to ter1461]

Did you have a test on 1.5 grains? Do you think you’re taking too much or not enough? A test on 2 grains might be helpful.

[ter1461 in reply to Aurealis]

No the test results I've given was on one grain which I started on back in October. I've now been on two grains for past four weeks. I was told I've been undermedicated for too long and I've gone on a backward loop which can happen if undermedicated to long and why I feel bad

[Aurealis]

Have you increased from one grain straight up to two grains?

[Greybeard]

When you are taking ndt it is usual for tsh and ft4 to be low. Ft3 needs to in the upper part of its range. If you need to increase after the 6 week test do it slowly as advised.

[silverfox7]

I wasadvised to stop Levo then work up but 1/2 grains every 10-14 days to 2 grain then increase in 1/4s after that but unfortunately I missed my sweet spot which was1.75! I was up to 3 grains and feeling terrible but had Endo appointment and he told me to cut down to 1.75 and he was right! Being slightly over felt the same as slightly under so now if I'm unsure I always drop down firstcto see if that makes me feel better or worse.

[ter1461 in reply to silverfox7]

I've been almost four weeks on 2 now so will just wait till six then do bloods again. Unfortunately I'm doing this without doctors.

Can I ask what your symptoms were when you felt awful?

[silverfox7]

Gosh long time ago now but confusingly some feeling hypo and some hyper-tired and lethargic and increased heart rate spring to mind but tend to think increased HR due to panic but nevertheless still means feeling rough!