When to increase my initial NDT dose?

[patez]

Hi.

I have just started taking 1/4 grain Thyroid-S, for possible central hypothyroidism, and noticed quite a big improvement in my symptoms after 7 days.

But! The initial treatment seems to have "slowed", with BP returning to pre treatment levels, and symptoms returning?

I have been advised to increase very slowly, increasing the dose by 1/4 grain every 2 weeks.

May I ask if increasing dosage weekly is acceptable/advisable, given that the initial response has been very positive, but now seemingly "slowed down"?

[shaws Administrator]

The advice you've been given is correct. As our body absorbs the hormones we may initially get a 'lift' but unfortunately one dose doesn't mean that we have reached an optimum. You've to keep and eye on palpitations and/or temp when increasing and if either increases too much, reduce to previous dose.

[patez in reply to shaws]

Thanks for such a quick reply!

I have been keeping a very careful eye on temps and BP.

Temps have remained usual. BP had reduced initially, which I was very happy to see, but now back to pre NDT levels.

That suggests that I need an increase?

No palpitations.

I do know that it takes time to reach to reach the optimum, but my question was actually how quickly I can increase my dosage?

[greygoose in reply to patez]

Best to stick to two-weekly increases. It's very easy to over-shoot your sweet-spot with NDT.

[Peanut31]

Hi

Just a word of advice when you get to maybe 2 grains increase slower than 2 weeks.

I say this as I’m currently taking NDT and was increasing every 2 weeks by 1/4 grain, however the other week I felt awful and I think I’ve been increasing too fast now.

I dropped back down and feel better, not perfect though.

I’m going to increase again in 6 weeks, as I don’t want to miss my sweet spot and although they say when on NDT blood test are not necessary I’m going to do a blood test.

I’m currently taking 1 & 1/4 grains at 6am & 1 & 1/4 grains at 2pm.

Best Wishes

Peanut31

[Hidden]

I started with half and raised ever 10 days.

[patez in reply to Hidden]

Hi.

May I ask how you felt with the high starting dose of 1/2 grain, and a fast increase?

I am anxious to get well asap, but I also don't want to "overdo" things.

Are you stable on 2 grains?

I know that everyone is different, but I do see that 2 grains seems to be about the "normal" dosage.

May I also ask which make NDT you take?

I am trying Thyroid-S, which is the more expensive one, so I wonder if it is "stronger" than others?

Thank you for any info.

Patez

[Hidden in reply to patez]

I had my thyroid removed in Oct 2015 before this I wasn't on any medication, I had never been overweight or suffered any aches and pains of any kind.

I was then put onto Levo various doses for about 8 months. I ended on 100 mcg.

This made me put on weight and I had huge pains in my legs.

I then joined this site and started to self medicate with Thyroid s. I felt much better immediately on NDT 1/2 grain and kept on increasing every 10 days until I was on 2 grains. I then slowly increased to 2.5 and then 3 grains. On three grains my heart was racing, I was losing to much weight and my FT3 was to high over the top range.

I am now back to 2 grains and feel well, at last.

It takes time and effort but it's worth it, everyone is different some people also have other health issues which cloud the thinking. Good Luck.

[Hidden]

I forgot to say I take two grains. The first one at 6am and the other one at 2pm. This suits me but it depends on you.