NDT v Levothyroxine

[Huddy1234]

Hi all,

I've just increased my Levo from 25 to 50 - and wether it's a coincidence or not I'm now getting hot flushes like never before since the increase....... due to see a nurse next week and been reading up on NDT.

What are the main differences between the 2 please? Do you get NDT on prescription like Levo?

I've literally dropped down to 25 again this morning and so far no hot flushes as yet (does Levo work as quick as this??)

My increase was about 6 weeks ago.

Many thanks for any info I can take to the doctors when I discuss.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Huddy1234

What are the main differences between the 2 please? Do you get NDT on prescription like Levo?

Levo contains the pro-hormone T4. It has to convert to T3 in your body and T3 is the active hormone that every cell in our bodies need. NDT contains T4 and T3.

NDT is unlicensed in the UK so it's very difficult to get on prescription. Any doctor prescribing it must take personal responsibility and not many are willing to do that.

It's normal to give Levo a good shot, usually a few months, to see how well we do on it (most people get on very well with it), then if our test results show we don't convert T4 to T3 very well (shown by FT4 and FT3 results) then considering adding T3 to Levo or changing to NDT is an option. T3 is also almost impossible to get on prescription now.

I've literally dropped down to 25 again this morning and so far no hot flushes as yet (does Levo work as quick as this??)

Due to the long half life of Levo, it's about 7 days before it gets into the cells, so it's unlikely you'll feel a difference immediately. However, it could be the fillers in the tablet you are reacting to. What brand are you taking? You could try a different brand. You could also try increasing in smaller increments as you may be very sensitive to it. Try halving, or even cutting into quarters, your tablet so that you take 37.5mcg or even 31.25mcg.

[Huddy1234 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you SeasideSusie - How do you have so much knowledge on this, it's great?

I've actually been on Levo since late 2015 and it was at my request to increase back in June as quite fed up with the fatigue, tiredness etc etc...... didn't really have any side affects but like you say I maybe sensitive to increase.

I was on MercuryPharma on my 25's then when I got the increase it changed brand to Actavis (I posted on here about the hot sweats and someone suggested I go back to MercuryPharma brand which I have but take 50's).

This has obviously all coincided with the lovely hot weather and I'm also 46 so menopausal symptoms maybe involved too??

I did have bloods done in Jan this year and they've been posted on here before - I am going to have them re done next week hopefully after seeing the nurse.

So NDT a last option do you think?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Huddy1234]

Huddy1234

How do you have so much knowledge on this, it's great?

43 years of being diagnosed/treated hypo and the last 20 years being mis-treated by doctors who know nothing so learning and self help has been the only way.

Have you ever been on a higher dose and felt OK? If so what dose and what brand?

Menopause could be involved, thyroid, adrenals, sex hormones, all connected.

So NDT a last option do you think?

I think, wait and see what your new results are like. What you really need, and probably wont get them all done with GP, is up to date results for:

TSH

FT4

FT3

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

and Thyroid Antibodies if not done before or tested and they were low/negative.

That gives a complete picture.

If GP can't do all those tests, then I strongly suggest you do a private one with Medichecks and their Thyroid Check UltraVit includes all those for the currently discounted price of £79

medichecks.com/thyroid-func...

[Huddy1234 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you..... it's so disheartening that you cannot go to your doctor and get the correct information you need to deal with this - people think I'm just getting boring but in reality I am just so tired and fatigued all the time I just have no energy (I work full time 5 days a week and out the house 12 hours each day).

Have never been on a higher dose of Levo - only increase is my recent one and the hot sweats has kind of made me reluctant to keep the increase up!

I will ask for a full blood count which hopefully covers the above.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Huddy1234]

Huddy

A full blood count will not cover the above.

You need to ask for those specific tests, they are not included in a full blood count.

[Huddy1234 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Oh OK, what's the betting they don't allow for them all - but I will try my best - don't see why I should pay for them!

Many thanks for your help.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Huddy1234]

Are you aware that blood tests for thyroid hormones have to be at the earliest and fasting. Also a gap of 24 hours between last dose and blood test?

[Huddy1234 in reply to shaws]

I always have them done first thing - can you drink water though?

So if my blood test was a Thursday morning do I take my last dose on the Wednesday morning?

[shaws Administrator in reply to Huddy1234]

Yes, that's correct - last dose Wednesday a.m. and you can drink water on morning of test. This helps TSH to be at its highest and may prevent doctor adjusting our dose down. A link - just in case you haven't read it:-

hormonerestoration.com/

hormonerestoration.com/Thyr...

[Huddy1234 in reply to shaws]

Thank you for your advice......