My friend had a complete thyroidectomy 10 years ago. Since that time she has been on 200 mg of Levothyroxine. She continued to have debilitating symptoms such as weight gain and low energy levels so she researched the T3 route and decided that she wanted to try it.
When I asked her about her dosage she told me
"I take a natural thyroxine called Thyroxine Active I take one capsule that equals 130mg (2grains) If you are on 50grams-60 grams I would just half the tablet. They use to do smaller does but they don't anymore.
65mg == 1 grain
130mg = 2 grains
I was on 200grams of Levothyroxine and I have reduced it to 130mg natural thyroxine because my TSH level was low. I put on a lot of weight when my GP reduced it but I found that some of the large doses of Levothyroxine has some horrible stuff in it that's why they say you should take it on an empty stomach.
Natural Thyroxine is good. I probably should be on a slightly higher dose (Slow metabolism was very cold throughout the winter) but I haven't had another blood test yet to see what my TSH level is.
In addition I take:
Magnesium
Potassium
Zinc
Copper
Selenium
iodine
"
I am concerned that this dose of 130 mg of natural thyroxine is very high!
I don't believe she titrated up to this dose. She just transferred from 200 mg of Levothyroxine. She is still not symptom free and continues to struggle to lose weight.
Should I be concerned?
Written by
Galapagos
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There's no such thing as 'natural thyroxine'. Thyroxine would just be T4. NDTs like Armour contain T4 and T3. And a google search for Thyroxine Active came up with nothing. So, I've no idea what she could be taking.
If it's 2 grains of some sort of NDT, it isn't a high dose. That's pretty much what most people take, and it's less than 200 mcg levo. Which is probably why she's still struggling.
I think you should be more concerned about her list of supplements. Why is she taking iodine? Did she get tested for it, first? As she doesn't have a thyroid, her need for iodine is pretty low, and she will be getting some from the thyroid hormone replacement she's taking - whatever it is. I doubt she needs more. And, did she get tested for copper before taking it? Hypos are usually high in copper and low in zinc. Taking more copper is not a good idea. And potassium is a dicey thing to supplement without constant testing to make sure she doesn't over-dose. This all sounds very hap-hazard to me.
I would tend to agree with you regarding both iodine and potassium..Both were prescribed to me by the doctor (NOT endo) who put me on ndt... I didn't take the potassium as I read that it can affect the adrenals... turns out I was wise not to do that... When I did finally find an endo to sort out the mess (had been put on steroids too for 5 years... ) she told me to stop taking iodine as when you are hypo it is like adding extra fuel to the car..(that was her way of explaining it to me).. I must admit a full blood check is the best way to clinically know what's going on: sadly the first doctor I saw (who put me on tons of stuff) never bothered to do the synacthen test... and that's taking quite a few years to sort out things after that.. My feeling is your friend needs to get full blood tests of how her body is acting now, and then prescribe supplements etc when necessary.... but like everything a little bit of something good isn't always good for the body which I think is much more sensitive than a lot of people realise...good luck
For full Thyroid evaluation your friend needs TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.
All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. When on Levothyroxine, don't take in the 24 hours prior to test, and if on T3 or NDT make sure to take last dose 12 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after.
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)
As Greygoose says - iodine, potassium and copper, unless tested and found deficient are best avoided
Iodine was used in the past to treat overactive thyroid
Magnesium is fine, most hypo patients are low in magnesium
Ideally would test zinc level before supplementing
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