Looking for the best way to start taking NDT. I have heard varying recommendations from different websites and figured those who are successfully utilizing NDT here might be able to share their experiences, suggestions and warnings. Thank you for your time!
PS I do have a current thyroid panel (fasting, early morning blood draw) to compare progress against in the future. I am not drastically off but definitely outside of optimal at this time. Positive for Hashi's and Pernicious Anaemia. All other vitamins and hormones now within reasonable ranges, nothing drastically off.
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EllieMayNot
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You start on a dose equal (roughly) to the dose of levo you were taking. If you were taking 100mcg of levo one grain of NDT is approx equal 'in its effect'. You may find the following helpful and it was by one of Thyroiduk's Advisers. He only took one blood test for the initital diagnosis and thereafter concentrated on small increases until symptoms were relieved.
I started off on 1/2 grain of NDT in the morning and after 2 weeks took another 1/2 in the afternoon, and continued this until I reached 2 grains. I stayed on this dose for six weeks and then tested via medichecks. I was over medicated on this dose so then decreased by 1/4 grain every two weeks until I got to 1& 1/2 grains held for six weeks and then retested. This was the dose that works best for me. I was originally on 100 mcg Levothyroxine. It is a bit of a faff and need to be patient but worth it to feel really well.
Thats sounds about right if 1 grain equivalent to 60mg you would have over medicated by taking 2 full grains...why did you do that? .glad you've found your dose for you x
This is the suggested protocol to follow when starting out on NDT. Start on a low dose and increase slowly upto 2 grains, then test to see where you are within the ranges. You can then increase/decrease the dose depending on what you need to do.
I stopped the 100mcg Levo then next day started with just 1/2 grain of NDT, kept with this dose for about 2 weeks, then took another half in the afternoon. Then just carried on increasing every 2 weeks by 1/2 grain. When I reached 2 grains I held with this dose for 6 weeks and then tested. I was over medicated on this dose so dropped by 1/4 grain for 2 weeks (still felt over medicated) so dropped by another 1/4 grain, held for 6 weeks then retested. This was the right dose for me. I now take it all in one dose in the morning to avoid all the faff around taking vits and food. It may seem a bit long winded but it is best not to rush things. I finally feel really well.
Thanks siddooo. Were you under a Dr while doing this or did you just go for it on your own? Very brave if so. It’s really scary and I want to do this the right way.
All suggestions above are good and probably correct. I would like to give you some info from the other end of the spectrum. One day I look Levo and the next I took 1 and a 1/2 grains of NDT. and never looked back i.e. I went cold turkey. Nothing bad happened and the results were spectacular.
I didn't do this as an experiment or thinking I was OK for a risk, I didn't know any better. I knew Levo was making me ill so things couldn't get worse. The Levo had to stop and something else had to work for me, and it did.
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