Supraphysiological levels of T3: I read somewhere... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

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Supraphysiological levels of T3

15 Replies

I read somewhere about the work done many years ago which was mistakenly read and accepted universally by the "experts" as evidence that there is far too much T3 in natural porcine NDT to warrant its use for humans.

I forgot to read the referenced article and failed to take a note of it.

Can somebody please help.

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15 Replies
shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

Since 1892, patients diagnosed as hypothyroid were given NDT and it was in use and still is in some countries or private endocrinologists may prescribe.

Before 1892 people died a terrible death.

I believe levo (pharma companies saw that being hypothyroid could make them big profits) being T4 alone. Those who cannot improve on levo will have to have 'extra prescriptions' but may recover on NDT or T3/T4 or T3 alone.

Unfortunately if you're in the UK, they withdrew NDT due to their False Statements and then T3. Leaving levothyroxine alone to be prescribed.

It was withdrawn in the UK, due to False Statements made by the Association that you'd imagine knew better but we know they do not.

Thousands recover(ed) on NDT. Sometimes we might have to trial a couple before we find one that retores our health and of course dose is optimal.

One of Thyroiduk.org.uk's advisers wrote the following to the BTA ect and for three years he requested a response before he died but the never did.

thyroiduk.org/tuk/TUK_PDFs/...

Levothyroxine is T4 only and is inactive. It has to convert to T3. (Many do well but most on this forum don't).

NDT contains, T3, T4, T2, T1 and calcitonin and is made from animals' thyroid glands

in reply to shaws

That is not really what I meant. A post or article I have read somewhere, probably on this forum, states that the accusation that porcine NDT contains a supraphysiological quantity of T3 and is therefore unsuitable for use on humans as it will make them hyperthyroid is a deliberate manipulation of the results of some sort of trial or experiment from decades ago which drew a totally different conclusion.

As such it is equally as stupid to use that factor as an excuse not to use NDT as is the often quoted allegation that Natural NDT is made from synthetic chemicals.

I am trying to find details of the above evidence from decades ago. It is attributed to people with decidedly foreign names, Swedish perhaps.

in reply to

It's funny, I just read an article about that yesterday and I seem to recall one of the authors had an -ö- in his name so Swedish.

I cannot for the life of remember where I found it, but it did in essence say that NDT was used before it was discovered that it contained too much T3 for humans, that it's now considered outdated and levothyroxine provides more stable levels of T3 as it's slowly converted throughout the day rather than peaking a few hours after ingestion.

Is that what you were referring to?

I can try to find it again.

in reply to

That sounds like the one, it would be most useful to find it as I would like to be able to reliably contradict the fact to my CCG and to the Parliamentary Health Ombudsman. Please PM me if you find it.

wellness1 profile image
wellness1 in reply to

Hidden , I was also recently trying to find something I'd read about the supraphysiologic level of T3 . I came up with this.

thyroidpatients.ca/2019/10/...

I don't think that's what you're referring to. Hidden , I'd also be interested in the article you referenced, if you're able to find it. Thanks. :)

in reply to wellness1

No, this is not the article I was referring to. I don't know if I can find it but will try.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

Is this the link you refer to:-

hormonesdemystified.com/t3-...

As for me, in no way could I improve on levothyroxine alone. I was far more unwell on it than before I was diagnosed with a TSH of100.

I improved when T3 was added to T4, and recovered on T3 alone.

Murphysmum profile image
Murphysmum in reply to shaws

I just read that article, thanks shaws.

My question (and it is my question in reality!) is the author talks about the stimulant effect, and that if the effects of T3 wane over time that it’s due to the stimulant effect and not the T3.

He doesn’t state what happens then? Presumably the patient is removed from T3 as it’s not effective but what next?

I now have the fear! My endo now knows I’ve been taking much more than originally prescribed as I have titrated up. I was ready to talk thyroid resistance or something but now I’m panicking that she might remove it altogether.

Do we know what the alternatives are?

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to Murphysmum

Don't let your imagination run away :) Probably this link is better as Dr Lowe took 150mcg of T3, in the middle of the night, for years. He had thyroid hormone resistance too, which is the reason for his large dose of T3.

I take 25mcg plus 1/4 tablet and am fine. If T3 suits you, it has an instant effect Of course you have to titrate slowly. Start on the equivalent of what you take at present, i.e. if it is levo or whatever else.

Dr Lowe gives advise on the following link i.e. Safely Getting Well etc.

naturalthyroidsolutions.com...

Dr Lowe was scientist/doctor/genius. He resigned his Licence when the authorities in USA began to put their foot down about NDT or T3 so that they couldn't make him resign for not following what they state and deny him the chance to help people return to good health.

in reply to Murphysmum

I have seen quite a few admissions that those who are taking extra T3 or have switched to NDT have failed to inform heir doctor, sometimes out of fear.

I disagree totally and would highly recommend that the doctor is fully informed of the patient's seeking relief from using other products. Failure to inform allows the doctor to keep to the high ground and allow him to legitimately criticise the patient, perhaps even dismissing him from that surgery. Informing him gives exactly the opposite opportunities.

Currently I keep my doc fully informed but have told him that I am fully aware of his obligations under the GMC which is to fully inform the patient of any products which may give better results, provided he is aware of their existence, despite his not being able to prescribe them. My doc isfully aware of NDT, as is every other doctor who has read the recommendations provided relating to it, but never uttered a word of it to me except to say "i'ts not licensed". If he were to dismiss me, I'd take the matter straight to the GMC .

Hillwoman profile image
Hillwoman in reply to

Patients have been dropped from their GP's list because they informed the GP of their self-treatment. There have been a number of reports of this on the forum over the years. I'm not suggesting it's common, but it does happen.

in reply to Hillwoman

If that were to happen to me, having been told zilch by my GP about the facts he SHOULD HAVE been telling me over the years, I would not have hesitated o report him to the GMC for misconduct. There is NO DOUBT WHATEVER that he is 100% fully aware of the appointment of a hospital consultant to supply NDT on a private prescription so he is fully aware the reason why.

I now him at an advantage as he knows full well that one more wrong move and he may lose his licence.

I would advise anybody who may be in fear of being expelled, whose doctor has failed to keep him/her fully informed about the possible options re thyroid treatment, to read the instructions given to all doctors available on the GMC website - thay are extremely detailed and very interesting.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to

I understand that the majority of doctors know nothing more that to look at the TSH. We, the patients would never have thought that doctors would not know all about hypothyroidism and how best to treat patients - hypo being a very, very common condition.

Mine phoned to tell me that my TSH was 'too low', T3 was 'too high' and that T4 was 'too low.'

I said 'I know doctor and that's why I'm well.'. He said but T3 has to convert to T4 - I said, I'm sorry doctor, its the other way around. T4 converts to T3 or is supposed to do and I don't take T4 so that's why mine is low and why the TSH is very low and T3 higher.

in reply to shaws

No, that's not it but a lot closer than the first attempt. As ASanders says it's by a foreigner, possibly Swedish, certainly not John Lowe.

I read some of JL's article and found it very confusing, perhaps because he ws referring to Liothyronine alone, not the natural T3 contained within NDT which is presented to the ody in a totally different manner.

Many thanks to you if you can identify where I saw the article I'm really looking for.

I wish to make a waterproof complaint to my CCG and Parliamentary Health Ombudsman.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to

Dr Lowe did prescribe NDT but T3 to those who didn't recover and who had 'Thyroid Hormone Resistance' as that was what he was an expert in.

Unfortunately for us, when he died his familymembers removed his website so we don't have the ability to access it. I have copied/pasted some.

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