Thyroid S - how should I dose?

[hankpym]

so my Thyroid S arrived today and I will start taking it today.

How should I dose? I am currently on 25mcg Levo for 5 days a week and 50mcg two days a week. Strange dose I know and I have been on Levo for 4 months now and it has barely budged and of my markers. TSH is down a bit but still over 4 and T4 is just over the lower range with T3 mid range. NHS a waste of space and refuse to up medication or properly monitor. I don't think Levo is for me though as I have been suffering joint pain ever since I started taking it. NDT is a last resort.

I was thinking half a grain for a week to judge tolerance and then go to one grain if no ill effects?

[shaws Administrator]

I would start on 1/2 grain of NDT and increase by 1/4 grain every two weeks, always taking note of your symptoms and are they being relieved. Dose should be taken once daily with one full glass of water and keep an eye on your pulse/temp and if either goes too high drop to previous dose. (i.e. 1 grain is said to have the 'effect' of 100mcg of levo).

Because NDT contains more than T4 and blood tests were introduced for levothyroxine alone, symptoms relief is the priority as blood tests wont correlate.

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[SlowDragon Administrator]

As you have been very under medicated and very poorly treated by several GP's it's highly likely you have low vitamin levels

Suggest you either get these tested now, or include them in full private testing in 6-8 weeks after getting established on steady dose of NDT

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, 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

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

If also on T3, or NDT make sure to take last dose exactly 12 hours prior to test

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I would start on half a grain for 14 days and then increase by 1/4 every two weeks to see how you feel. It's advisable to take the same dose every day.

Your body has not been used to T3 so it's wise to start slowly. You are taking approx 32 of Levo if spaced out every day. One half of NDT is about 20mcg Levo and 4.5 T3.

[hankpym]

I have only had 2 days of half a grain and I am sure I can already feel the T3. It is a strange sensation but I just feel revved up deep in my chest. It actually feels quite good. No difference to heart rate or temperature though.

[hankpym]

One sensation I am feeling is that although I still go to sleep fine I am waking up an hour earlier than usual with absolutely no way of getting back to sleep - I feel very alert and skittish - is this usual?