Advice on specific NDT brand such as Thyrogold

[giselajames]

I went to see an Endocrinologist recently because I was feeling extremely unwell. The endocrinologist was not too concerned about my hypothyroidism, because he thinks there is another underlying cause for my malaise.

I am currently taking Nutri Meds Bovine Thyroid desiccated Glandular Concentrate and on a very low dosis my heart rate is 100 beats pr minute. When I questioned my Endo if all NDT’s were the same, he said yes.

Is there anybody who could comment on whether all NDT’s contain T3 and T4, as I am wondering if T3 could be the reason why I have tachycardia and if there is a NDT with only T4. The tachycardia bothers me greatly and I stick to a minimum dose. I am undermedicated, as at the last blood test my TSH was 6.5. My GP did not test anything else.

Can anyone recommend a specific brand such as Thyrogold or any other make.

Thank you so much for your help.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

We don 't usually call "Nutri Meds Bovine Thyroid desiccated Glandular Concentrate" a desiccated thyroid medicine because they do not tell us the T4 and T3 content. Also, the proportions of T4 and T3 are likely different in any bovine product to any porcine product.

The official, prescription-quality desiccated thyroid products all state their T4 and T3 content.

So far as I am aware, there is no recognised technique for removing T3 from desiccated thyroid. The only control the manufacturers have is to blend the various batches of desiccated thyroid powder, and to add a diluent, in order to get a consistent product.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Giselajames

All NDTs contain both T4 and T3, they are made from animal's thyroid glands which contain both hormones.

If you want T4 only, it would have to be one of the synthetic Levothyroxine brands.

[Angel_of_the_North]

Well, all NDTs might be the same (apart from the fillers/excipients, which make a great deal of difference to many people) but Nutri-meds is an over-the-counter supplement (as is Thyrogold and Metavive) not an NDT, so quite different from NDT (and might or might not contain hormone as they are not allowed to specify as it is non- prescription,

[Maddy1956]

After 10 miserable years on Levothyroxine I've been taking Thyro-Gold for just over a year and once I got the dose right it has been life-changing. It does contain all the hormones but, as Angel_of_the_North correctly says, it does not state how many of each on the bottle - it just says 'Bovine thyroid powder', so it's a case of trialing the dosage. It may not work for everyone but it certainly has for me. My hair has grown back, I've lost three-quarters of a stone and finally have a life.

[Avidreader in reply to Maddy1956]

Wonderful - well done - there’s hope for us all 👏👍