First timer needing answers

[LittleBrownDog]

Hi all, I found you by searching for why NDT might not work. I have been on it for approximately 6 months and my bloods are just about the same as before I took it. My B12 is at the low end of range but my Vitamin D is really low at 25. Could this actually be stopping the NDT doing it's job? I can post all the figures if needed?

Thanks

[Luna1390]

Are you 100% dairy-free? Izabella Wentz has an article that says dairy can block the absorption of NDT in those who are (and some may not know it) dairy-intolerant. Also, are you waiting one hour to eat or drink anything besides water after you take your NDT?

[Luna1390 in reply to Luna1390]

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Here is the link to her article!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Vitamins need to be optimal for any thyroid hormones to work well

Important to regularly retest vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Are you in the UK ? Is this vitamin D result 25nmol?

If so your GP should prescribe loading dose vitamin D. That's 300,000iu over 6-8 weeks. They should also test calcium and parathyroid levels after 2-3 weeks on high dose vitamin D

Local CCG guidelines

clinox.info/clinical-suppor...

GP will only prescribe vitamin D to get levels up to 50nmol.

You will eventually need to self supplement. Aiming to improve vitamin D to at least 80nmol and around 100nmol may be better .

Vitamin D mouth spray by Better You is good as avoids poor gut function. It's trial and error what dose each person needs.

Once you Improve level, very likely you will need on going maintenance dose to keep it there.

Retesting twice yearly via vitamindtest.org.uk

Important to test folate as well as B12, they work together

How low was B12

Is GP testing for Pernicious Anaemia before starting you on B12 injections?

Ferritin needs testing

Have you had both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested?

[LittleBrownDog in reply to SlowDragon]

I am in UK yes. GP tests for nothing except TSH once a year. My B12 is currently 330 and TPO <9 range <34, TG 68 range <115.

Folate 25.60 (8.83-60.8)

ferretin 79.9 (13-150) I take an iron supplement daily, last thing at nght

I take 2 Nutri Adrenal extra (NAX) and 2 grains NDT first thing and I don't eat or drink for between 1-2 hours, I take the same again around lunchtime and try to leave an hour, but sometimes 45mins before eating.

Current results

TSH <0.005 (0.27-4.20)

Total T4 56.3 (66-181)

Free T4 13 (12-22)

Free T3 6.98 (3.1-6.8)

These results are almost the same as before I took NDT except the Free T3 is a little lower although still over range. I though that was due to pooling because my adrenals were still struggling on 3 NAX but that has been fixed by increasing to 4. I try to be gluten dairy and sugar free but I don't always manage to avoid them and I've been a veggie for about 30 years.

[LittleBrownDog in reply to LittleBrownDog]

And sorry, yes it is 25 nmol, thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to LittleBrownDog]

See GP for loading dose of vitamin D

Improving vitamin D may increase your need for B vitamins

drgominak.com/vitamin-d/

B12 and folate on the low side. Supplementing a good quality daily vitamin B complex, one with folate in not folic acid may be beneficial.

chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...

B vitamins best taken in the morning after breakfast

Recommended brands on here are Igennus Super B complex. (Often only need one tablet per day, not two. Certainly only start with one tablet per day after breakfast. Retesting levels in 6-8 weeks ).

Or Jarrow B-right is popular choice, but is large capsule

If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 7 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results

endo.confex.com/endo/2016en...

endocrinenews.endocrine.org...

[LittleBrownDog in reply to SlowDragon]

I didn’t know that. The NAX contain b vits so I’d have to be careful taking anything containing the whole range of b vits

[shaws Administrator in reply to LittleBrownDog]

One of our Advisers (deceased) only took one blood test for the initial diagnosis. He'd only prescribe NDT (Never levo) or T3 for those patients who were thyroid hormone resistant. The concentration was all about clinical symptoms and their relief.

I shall give you a link which he wrote.

naturalthyroidsolutions.com...

[LittleBrownDog in reply to shaws]

Thank you, I shall read this

[Judithdalston in reply to LittleBrownDog]

I am not sure why you think the NDT isn’t working...you are slightly overmedicated on these results. Once you take any T3, which is part of the NDT combo, then your FT4 will go down as well as the TSH and total T4, only the FT3 should rise , and yours has now gone above the top of the range. What were you on before NDT when your bloods were about the same, perhaps you didn’t need the NDT. Using T3 by itself is not easy, I’d reduce the NDT slightly (or go back to levo), but get my vit D and B12 sorted as priority.

[SilverAvocado]

If also like to hear more detail about what isn't working. Are you still having symptoms?

The vitamin situation gives a lot to work on, which can be good because it means you will get improvement in symptoms as you raise them. Also very important for adrenals, as all these things are interconnected and support each other.