NDT

[Maggiet]

Dear Administrators if any of this question is not allowed, please feel free to edit it. Thank you.

Hi, I'm looking for some help, please! I was on Levothyroxine for 12 years and was not feeling any better so I decided to take the plunge and switch to NDT. A friend gave me some of her tablets from Thailand, but when I tried to get some more there was a problem with the international banking payment so I purchased something similar from the USA. I'm getting quite bad side effects: sweating more, flatulence, having to go to the loo more often (and not for a wee, sorry, tmi) low mood and nausea. My B12 is high, I'm taking iron supplements and my adrenals were tested last year and were fine. I'm looking for any advice as to which is the best to take from other people's experiences. Please DM me if you can help. Thank you very much x

[RedApple]

Hi Maggiet, Your post is fine and doesn't need editing

Please tell us what brand of NDT you are taking, and most importantly, how much you are taking.

[Maggiet in reply to RedApple]

Oh, thank you. I was taking Thiroid from Thailand, but I'm now taking WP Thyroid from the states. I'm taking 1 grain in the morning (65mgms) and 1 grain in the afternoon. I did build up to this very slowly from 1/2 grain once a day, to twice a day and so on only increasing by 1/2 tablet at a time. The Thiroid tablets were 60 mgms. Thank you x

[pennyannie in reply to Maggiet]

Hello Maggiet

Without seeing any actual bloods test and ranges for the T3 and T4 it reads as though you are now over medicated or built up your dose too quickly.

I don't know how these two brands " sit together " with regards to the T3 and T4 ratio and contents - I'm still with " L " plates on and self medicating with Thyroid S from Thailand and doing ok.

Would suggest in the short term, drop back down half a grain in the afternoon to where you were before experiencing these symptoms of over medication.

[Maggiet in reply to pennyannie]

Yes, that was my thought as well. I had bloods done by medichecks prior to taking NDT and my T3 was low and my T4 was mid range. My TSH was suppressed. I don't want to give up before I've even got going, but those issues along with weight gain are sorely tempting me! On the plus side, I do feel that I have more energy and want to do things rather than be slumped in a chair!

[pennyannie in reply to Maggiet]

Oh I know, totally understand - my TSH is suppressed as I have Graves Disease. I'm not interested in this measurement, it's never done me any favours, in fact, it has restricted me in getting better and being allowed dose increases of Levothyroxine and being offered anti depressants instead. !!!

I'm not sure there are even any mainstream Nhs medical understanding of and or guidelines for Graves Disease.

The blood tests and this TSH reading were all part of the package to introduce Levothyroxine as " the treatment for thyroid hormone replacement " when launched back in the 1960's and strived for market saturation.

This TSH test was original designed as a diagnostic tool to identify hypothyroidism but sadly it now seems to be the only test done, whether on medication or not.

It means diddlysquat on it's own, and both T3 and T4 are the measures we should be looking at for proper consideration.

NDT had been used successfully for over 100 years. There were no blood tests nor tick box exercises, patients were trusted to dose to relieve their symptoms, and NDT did the trick and people were happy.

There is a lot of trial and error when self medicating, just try to start listening to your body and trusting yourself.

I've ended up on NDT having also trialled T3 - I find NDT softer on my body and a whole lot less stressful than seeing the doctor.

[ThyroidThora]

Hiya,

I was on WP thyroid taking 2 grains per day in the morning. I was okay on it but was much better on Armour thyroid until my endo took the NHS prescription off me. I bought my own WP from the US until RLC labs discontinued production in October 2017. I've since tried ERFA thyroid and this didn't make me feel better. I still had hypo symptoms on WP and ERFA and now I'm back on Armour I'm slowly increasing my dose. I'm still hypo with weight gain etc (I wasn't hypo and was more myself when on the Armour thyroid first time and the weight dropped off). However, I'm back to being hypo again (second time on Armour) and the weight isn't budging but I'm mentally better with less brain fog and more energy. Perhaps you need to try a different brand of NDT?

I also note that you are taking iron supplements, what time of day do you take them? You should not take iron or calcium supplements four hours either side of your thyroid meds because it prevents your absorbing the active ingredients. Plus, you might be better taking your WP thyroid in one dose in the morning for maximum absorption, and on an empty stomach.

I hope this helps.

TT x.

[Maggiet in reply to ThyroidThora]

Thank you for the info. I'm getting the feelings sometimes of being a bit 'high' so I wondered if I was best to split my dosage to morning, lunchtime and mid afternoon. The full tablet in the morning seems to make me high and then I go into a slump at lunchtime and need a sleep. I'm taking the iron outside the 4 hour limit. I know it's all trial and error, so I think I'm being too impatient!

[ThyroidThora in reply to Maggiet]

Oh dear! I'm sure you'll get there in the end and just seems to take lots of time. Perhaps you need to try a different brand of NDT.