How long does NDT take to work?

[alfsly]

Hi! I was recently diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and early stage Hashimotos. Exactly 1 week ago I was put on Erfa NDT 1g (60mg) once a day. I was also put on supplements for adrenal fatigue (Adrenavive I and Eleuthro Plus).

I still feel horribly tired, weak, depressed, anxious and with lots of brain fog. My blood pressure is still low averaging 105/60s.

Any idea on when I should start feeling better? Thank you very much guys.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

alfsly

Unfortunately, treating hypothyroidism isn't like taking a painkiller so we can't expect to feel immediate improvement, it can take months to reach the right dose of hormone replacement - that's what the treatment is, replacing a hormone we're not producing enough of ourselves, and that takes time.

Normal protocol when starting NDT is to start with 1/4 of a grain morning and 1/4 grain afternoon for a week, if no adverse effects then add an extra 1/2 a grain, so split dose and take 1/2 grain morning and 1/2 grain afternoon (total 1 grain). Stay on that dose for 3 weeks.

Then add an extra 1/2 grain so 1 grain morning, 1/2 grain afternoon. Stay on this dose for 3 weeks.

Next step is to add another 1/2 grain, so 1 grain morning and 1 grain afternoon. Stay on this dose for 3 weeks.

You should, of course, go by symptoms but also test so that you know you don't overshoot with FT3 result.

After than increases are by 1/4 grain only at a time so that you don't miss your sweet spot.

Have your nutrient levels been tested? These need to be optimal so you need results for

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

[alfsly in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for getting back to me, Susie! The doctor, a Practical Physician here in London, told me to take 1grain of 60mg first thing in the morning for the next few weeks. Does this sound like too much to start?

Vitamin D - 59 nmol/L (I know it is relatively low, I've been taking Vit D3 for over a year now)

B12 - 865 pg/mL (above range)

Folate - 8.7 ng/mL

Iron - 18.2 umol/L

Ferritin - 408 ng/mL (above range)

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to alfsly]

Does this sound like too much to start?

Well, it doesn't follow the protocol but if you've had no adverse reaction you could stay on 1 grain for 3 weeks then increase following the protocol.

Vitamin D - 59 nmol/L (I know it is relatively low, I've been taking Vit D3 for over a year now)

How much D3 are you taking?

The Vit D Council recommends a level of 125nmol/L (50ng/ml) and the Vit D Society recommends a level of 100-150nmol/L (40-60ng/ml).

For your level of 59nmol/L (23.6ng/ml) the Vit D Council suggests taking 3,700iu daily (nearest is 4,000iu).

Are you taking a tablet, softgel, oral spray, oil based liquid?

Are you also taking magnesium which is needed for the body to use D3, it converts it into the active form?

Are you also taking Vit K2-MK7? 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.

Are you taking your D3 4 hours away from your thyroid meds?

Folate - 8.7 ng/mL

What is the range?

Iron - 18.2 umol/L

What is the range?

Ferritin - 408 ng/mL (above range)

Does the range go up to 400, which is normal for males. Has the doctor said anything? Ferritin can be raised when there is infection or inflammation.

Eleuthro Plus - this is an adaptogen (siberian ginseng) and although they are said to be balancing, it can in fact lower cortisol.

Adrenavive 1 - this is usually used to raise low cortisol.

You seem to have two opposing cortisol supplements here.

Have you had a 24 hour saliva adrenal test?