Couldnt tolerate levothyroxine so took just quarter tablet of Nutri Thyroid daily. Worked fine for 4 years or so until Nutri changed something. I noticed because I always took it suspended in water and instead of dispersing it floated. Put this down to minor changes to ingredients list. However there was gradual but steady decline in health from starting new formula in October 2016,which resulted in physical collapse in March 2017 when I lost use of my legs. Went in to hospital reluctantly in April and was treated with levothyroxine and steroids,which stabilised thyroid function, but after surviving hospital acquired pneumonia and kidney damage due to dehydration I suffered a stroke resulting in epilepsy. I am still bedridden now after two years.
I read about FDA investigations into the US manufacturer regarding use of hormones, but can't find any conclusion on line. Has anyone else had similar experience?
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I'm not sure which investigations you are referring to regarding hormones, but am I not correct in saying that Nutri Thyroid is marketed as "a hormone-free glandular extract providing 140mg of thyroid concentrate from a bovine source. Nutri Thyroid tablets do not contain any hormones"?
These are the glandulars that Dr P used to recommend along side T4 mono therapy, when there were conversion issues.
There are ongoing debates as to the amount of hormone, as although they are sold as a food supplement & not meant to contain any, the fact that many people have found them so powerful speaks volumes.
I tried them under Dr P’s guidance. They made me extremely ill, presumably due to an unknown build-up of RT3. I can vouch they are powerful.
However, I agree they are not a substitute for thyroid hormone replacement meds.
radd Yes I'm aware of their use, but I was responding to the OP's last para in which she seems to be inferring that there might be a case to be answered regarding the ineffectiveness of nutrithroid which may or may not have triggered her downward spiral, based on the FDA's investigation into products containing hormones. I was pointing out that in fact the product is marketed quite explicitly as NOT containing hormones ie you can't argue a legal case that a product contained an insufficiency of hormones, or too much, or an uncontrolled and varying amount, when it's already been told to you that it contained none.
I’m so sorry to read about all your troubles and what your life has been reduced to. Been there done that. I was wondering what you meant by you List the use of your legs. My legs are very shaky and it’s hard to get around. That and my light head and fatigue are only a few of my symptoms but the ones that really bother me and impact my life.
Also I am questioning if the Synthroid is the cause of all my problems. What were your symptoms on it that led you to say you couldn’t tolerate it.
Sorry to butt in as can't really contribute anything but have a question:
How can a thyroid preparation NOT contain thyroid hormones???
And if it doesn't, what useful things DOES it contain?
Jnetti, preparations like Nutri thyroid, Metavive, ThyroGold, are discussed quite often on the forum.
These are products that are sold over the counter, and are not defined as medicines. This means that they aren't able to make any claim about containing thyroid hormone. But because they contain dessicated thyroid, clearly they must contain hormone. Its even possible (maybe probable) that they contain a tightly controlled amount of hormone that is measured out on similar equipment to NDT products. But that is shrouded in mystery to keep them over the counter !
Several of the doctors who are loved on the forum are associated with these products. Dr Lowe developed Thyro Gold, I believe intending it to be the ideal thyroid treatment, Dr Peatfield advised on Metavive and Nutri thyroid.
People posting on the forum who use them have found them to be quite comparable to NDT. Its possible to find out what dose they are thought to contain.
It gets extra-confusing when some explicitly state that they contain no hormones. Or, as I saw recently, claim to have reduced thyroxine content. Many say "nothing removed" or words to that effect.
I have not come across a technique for removing T4 and T3 from desiccated thyroid. It might be possible, I wouldn't know.
Nutri thyroid doesn't contain any thyroid hormones, so I'd say you'd just been lucky in the past - if you have Hashis you go through periods of hyper, normal and hypo. So you've probably just hit a hypo stage. You really need to take your replacement hormones or risk further health deterioration. You could try NDT if you are not keen to use levo again
I was going on a triering holiday a few years ago now where I highercthan normal temperature was expected. So I built them up a little before I left and they worked well for me! Yes I was sensible, sat in the shade a lot, well hydrated etc and thoroughly enjoyed my holiday. I was the driver so needed to stay on top of my game. They did what I wanted and I slowly dropped them down once home but I feel that they aren't for long term use. I'm now back on NDT as was given it when fist diagnosed and feel more confident with that.
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