Immediate improvement when switching from NDT to synthetic combo?

I have not been feeling so great on NDT lately and, after reading about other people feeling better on synthetics, I decided to order T3 myself (cannot get it where I live) and add to synthetic T4. I didn't really expect much improvement but, as of day 1 (now on day 3) I felt better, so the improvement was immediate. I feel more focused, no rapid heartbeat, I sleep better (when on NDT, I used to toss and turn before falling asleep and then wake up frequently), much more energy without feeling overstimulated...I was on 3.5 grains of NDT, now on 100 mcg of T4 and 25 mcg of T3 split in two daily doses.

I really wanted NDT to work as it's supposedly "natural" and therefore closer to what our own bodies produce, but synthetics seem to work so much better for me (T4 only, on the other hand, made me feel miserable, which is why I decided to take NDT in the first place. I spent years on 175 mcg of T4 only, had a so called normal TSH and FT4 levels but all symptoms of low metabolism remained).

Over the years, I've tried both prescription NDT (Armour) and Thai NDT, and they have all affected me the same way.

I have read that some people with Hashimoto's feel worse when on NDT as it can trigger autoimmune attacks.

Has anyone else felt immediate improvement when switched from NDT to synthetic combo?

[shaws]

Some of us have to trial quite a few variations when the present dose isn't doing what we expect, i.e. improve our condition and relieve symptoms.

The 3.5 grains of NDT equal around 350mcg of levothyroxine (in its effect).

Your present dose is around 200mcg of levo (in its effect), so maybe your NDT dose was a little on the high side. You don't need to split your dose of T3 because T3 has to saturate our millions of T3 receptor cells and then the work of that one dose lasts between one to three days. Also it gives us a 'freer' life in that we don't have to bother about our stomach being empty before and after taking the hormones. I think you will be aware that T4 is an inactive hormone and it has to convert to T3 (Active).

I will give you a link and it was by one of our Advisers (now deceased) which may be helpful whilst titrating doses.

nebula.wsimg.com/b822d36efe...

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

Shaws,

This is very interesting info indeed! I have always read that T3 needs to be taken at least twice, preferably three times, daily in order to achieve stable hormone levels? Some sources claim its effects will wear off in as little as 6-8 hours, hence the need for multi dosing.

I agree, being able to take it once a day makes our lives so much easier, plus you don't constantly need to be planning when to eat, have coffee, take your vitamin/iron supplement etc ...! But is it true for synthetic T3 also, or only NDT which, as far as I know, contains thyroglobulin which binds to the hormones in it, somehow causing their release to slow down (cannot remember if I read that on STTM or here or elsewhere...)?

[shaws in reply to Hidden]

I quoted from a Scientist/researcher (an Adviser to TUK) who was an expert in Thyroid Hormone Resistance and I don't think many endocrinologists are aware there is such a thing. He himself took 150mcg of T3 in the middle of the night, so that nothing at all interfered with the uptake of his T3. He also stated that T3 has to saturate all our T3 receptor cells, of which there are millions (I believe) and then the work of that one dose begins and sends out 'waves' which lasts between one to three days.

His patients were prescribed NDT or T3 alone and both were once daily. One dose avoids getting interference of food etc.

[Hidden in reply to shaws]

Dr. Lowe, right? Yes, I remember reading something about that, and it makes sense to me. US doctor A. Christenson, a proponent of NDT, also advocates taking it once daily:

drchristianson.com/the-top-...

[shaws in reply to Hidden]

Considering that we have to take thyroid hormones for the remainder of our lives, why make it more complicated and not prescribe us with options that can ease many sufferers' symptoms and let them enjoy life and keep their jobs.

Many people (who haven't been diagnosed as hypo as TSH hasn't reached a certain number) and/or who've been diagnosed with 'depression' - do they have their Free T4 and Free T3s tested as I'd imagine (and am not medically qualified) that - even if they don't have or haven't been diagnosed with a dysfunctional thyroid gland - their FT4 and FT3 might be very low and the brain needs T4/T3 to be at an optimum. Read page 3 on the following link:

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