I have been on NDT since mid-December 2018. Diagnosis Grave's disease, total thyroidectomy in December 2017. Was on 100mg levothyroxine but did not feel well on it. In December 2018 started Thyrogold but afterwards switched toTHYROID( I am feeling better on Thyroid than Thyrogold.)Now I am taking 2 grains of NDT. Still feel a little bit dizzy but I can see 90% improvement compared to levothyroxine. I need help with interpretation of medichecks lab results of blood test as I think I need to increase my NDT? I think maybe I need to increase it by half a grain. Could someone please advise me? I am currently taking iron supplements-Bluebonnet Chelated Iron 27 mg-6 capsuls a day with Lactoferrin and Vitamin C.
CRP HS-0.6-NORMAL (<5)
Ferritin-40 (13-150)
Folate- >19.8 (>3.89)
Vitamin B12 active-91.5 (37.5-188)
Vitamin D-76.5 (50-175)
TSH-3.08 (0.27-4.2)
Free T3-5.06 (3.1-6.8)
Free Thyroxine-13.9 (12-22)
Thyroglobulin antibodies-13.1 (<115)
Thyroid peroxidase antibodies-<9 (<34)
Blood test was taken on an empty stomach, previous dose of NDT was taken 24 hours before the test
Written by
NataliAAA
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
previous dose of NDT was taken 24 hours before the test
Last dose of NDT should be 8-12 hours before the test, this is because of the T3 element and T3 begins to leave the blood after 12 hours. As FT3 is the most important test when on NDT then FT4 is not so important as FT3 result.
So because of the 24 hour gap, your FT3 is showing lower than the normal circulating hormone.
TSH is high for someone on NDT, it tends to be lower when taking NDT (as does FT4).
If those were my results I would increase dose of NDT but only by 1/4 grain at a time now that you've reached 2 grains, otherwise you may miss your sweet spot.
Ferritin-40 (13-150)
This is low. It's said that for thyroid hormone to work properly (that's our own as well as replacement hormone) ferritin needs to be at least 70, preferably half way through range.
You can help raise your level by eating liver regularly, maximum 200g per week due to it's high Vit A content, also liver pate, black pudding, and including lots of iron rich foods in your diet
An oil based softgel (eg Doctor's best) or oil based subligual liquid (eg Vitabay Organics or Natures Answer) is better than tablets or capsules.
When you've reached the recommende level then you'll need a maintenance dose to keep it there, which may be 2000iu daily, maybe more or less, maybe less in summer than winter, it's trial and error so it's recommended to retest once or twice a year to keep within the recommended range. You can do this with a private fingerprick blood spot test with an NHS lab which offers this test to the general public:
Your GP won't know, because they're not taught much about nutrients, but there are important cofactors needed when taking D3 as recommended by the Vit D Council -
D3 aids absorption of calcium from food and K2-MK7 directs the calcium to bones and teeth where it is needed and away from arteries and soft tissues where it can be deposited and cause problems such as hardening of the arteries, kidney stones, etc.
D3 and K2 are fat soluble so should be taken with the fattiest meal of the day, D3 four hours away from thyroid meds if taking tablets/capsules/softgels, no necessity if using an oral spray
Magnesium helps D3 to work. We need Magnesium so that the body utilises D3, it's required to convert Vit D into it's active form. So it's important we ensure we take magnesium when supplementing with D3.
Magnesium comes in different forms, check to see which would suit you best and as it's calming it's best taken in the evening, four hours away from thyroid meds if taking tablets/capsules, no necessity if using topical forms of magnesium.
Results are read differently on any form of T3. If on the correct dose your TSH should be suppressed, FT4 can fall in its range but FT3 should be high in its range but never over. So agree with SSS that you are slightly undermedicated and could benefit with adding a quarter grain and retest after 6 weeks.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.