Using thyroid S with T4 please advise - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

141,182 members166,424 posts

Using thyroid S with T4 please advise

cbraffe profile image
16 Replies

Advice needed on how to use thyroid S with Synthetic T4 together. I would like to slowly move to self medicating and have bought throid S . How do I use the 2 together? Can I take both at the same time. I am on 125mg thyroxine. I have started with half tab thyroid S in place of 25mg thyroxine and 100mg T4. I am doing the right thing .

Amy advice will be much appreciated

Written by
cbraffe profile image
cbraffe
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
16 Replies

What you are doing is very common; that is, slowly decrease levo by 25 mcg while adding 30 mg of NDT.

Are you sure you'll need both? Many do well on NDT only.

cbraffe profile image
cbraffe in reply to

Thank you for your advice. I plan to slowly move towards using thyroid S only in the future. I will reduce the T4 until I am only taking thyroid S. I forgot to mention I do not have a thyroid.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

cbraffe

I have started with half tab thyroid S in place of 25mg thyroxine and 100mg T4.

I just want to point out that "thyroxine" and "T4" are one and the same, you aren't taking 2 different things there.

cbraffe profile image
cbraffe in reply toSeasideSusie

I am taking thyroid S and Teva thyroxine. One is synthetic and the other is natural

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply tocbraffe

So, you're taking 1/2 grain NDT and 100 mcg levo? I'm afraid that's not at all clear. :)

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply tocbraffe

I am taking thyroid S and Teva thyroxine. One is synthetic and the other is natural

Yes, I read that you are taking Thyroid S with synthetic T4 and I understand what they are.

But you have stated that you are using "half a tab thyroidS in place of 25mcg thyroxine and 100mcg T4" - what I am pointing out is that thyroxine and T4 (two ways of saying synthetic T4) are the same and the way your original post reads is that you are taking the Thyroid S in place of 125mcg synthetic T4. It's just confusing the way you have written it for those who wish to respond.

cbraffe profile image
cbraffe in reply toSeasideSusie

Sorry about the mix up.

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply toSeasideSusie

I think cbraffe means

Has reduced Levothyroxine by 25mcg from 125mcg to now taking 100mcg Levothyroxine and added in half a tablet of thyroid s

cbraffe profile image
cbraffe in reply toSeasideSusie

Thanks for the quick response. I appreciate you advise so much. You truly helped when I was at my lowest

pennyannie profile image
pennyannie

Hey there cbraffe

I swopped directly from 125 levothyroxine - to Natural Desiccated Thyroid - Thyroid S. which I understand is slow release, and I dose once a day in the early morning.

I have Graves Disease diagnosed 2003 at age 56, RAI in 2005 and became very unwell about 8 years after this treatment, and now manage lingering Graves, thyroid eye disease and hypothyroidism.

I had trialled a T3 / T4 combo and knew it worked for me and experienced no ill effects.

I believe it takes about 6 weeks for Levothyroxine to fully leave your body.

I stopped Levothyroxine one day and started NDT the following morning.

Week 1 - I started on 1/2 a grain/tablet.

Week 2 - I increased to 3/4 -

Week 3 - I increased again bringing me up to 1 grain/tablet.

Week 4 - I was on 1+1/4

Week 5 - I was taking 1+ 1/2 grains.

Week 6 - I took 1 + 3/4 but woke up agitated -

So I dropped back down and have stayed on 1 + 1/2 grains and am feeling much improved.

I have tried introducing a little bit extra again, but it doesn't suit me and I've tried adding in a little in the afternoon, but that results in my wanting to eat everything in the fridge at midnight.

My total daily intake equates to 58 T4 + 13.5 T3 - I did try adding back in some T4 thinking this measure looked too low for someone with a burnt out, defunct thyroid, but found no benefits, and prefer to stay with just the one thyroid hormone replacement.

I don't think you can actually equate NDT measure to measure with the synthetic forms of T3 and T4 - you just need to take what you need, until you go a little over, and simply drop back down to the previous dose, which will be your most appropriate dose of NDT.

I have read that 1 grain / tablet of NDT is said to be about equal to 100 Levothyroxine :

I thought I would be on a much higher dose, but this seems to be my Goldilocks dosage.

I continue to maintain my vitamins and minerals at optimum levels and monitor myself.

My TSH is suppressed, but it was when on 125 Levothyroxine.

My T4 is low but in range, as to be expected, and my T3 came in at 7.8 over range by 1 after a blood test some 10 hours after medication.

I had absolutely no symptoms of over medication and have since read that this is perfectly ok, and should I need a blood test for a doctor's appointment I'll wait 24 hours and take my medication after the blood draw, and know that my T3 and T4 results will then be in range.

Since I'm self medicating I'm not concerned about the blood tests anyway, and simply did the test as a reference since I felt well, and was curious to know, where my T3 and T4 now sat.

The ranges were introduced along with the synthetic thyroid hormones, and the rules and guidelines that seem to have the effect of keeping many of us under medicated and on the wrong thyroid hormone replacement.

Good luck, and wishing you a smooth transition ;

cbraffe profile image
cbraffe in reply topennyannie

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. You have made it very clear for me. My journey is similar to yours. I also have Teds and had graves for 5 years maybe longer to be honest I was diagnosed 5 years ago but had symptoms since 2008. I had a total thyrodecotomy in July of this year. Since my surgery I have put on 2 stones in weight and though feeling much better, I still have symptoms such as racing heart rate, fatigue and sore muscles/joints. I would like to try the NDT as I have read so many positive stories about living without symptoms after switching to NDT.

chrisbuy63 profile image
chrisbuy63 in reply tocbraffe

I hope you will soon find your optimal dosing and feel much better, it is such a struggle especially with all the weight gain. It is all individual and trial and error and taking it slowly and monitoring how you feel each week before and after raising is the way to go.

cbraffe profile image
cbraffe in reply tochrisbuy63

Thank you.

pennyannie profile image
pennyannie in reply tocbraffe

Well, all you can do is give it a try, and you owe it to yourself to try, don't you.

Yes I forgot to mention that I used to monitor my temperature and blood pressure :

My temperature slowly went up from 35.8 to 36.6 - where it now remains :

and I never really saw much change with the blood pressure gizmo I purchased :

Maybe it was me, but since I've settled on being my own doctor I am less anxious,

and my overall health and well being improved.

cbraffe profile image
cbraffe

Thank you. I believe it is better. The doctors seem to be obsessed with TSH

LuluCops profile image
LuluCops

Hi, I’m interested to read your stories with regard to NDT. I’m currently on combined dosing, and while I certainly feel much better than when I was previously on mono T4 therapy, I’m still not quite right and unwell.

Would either of you be willing to message me where/ how you purchase your NDT please? I would appreciate it so much. Many thanks and I wish you both well on your health journeys xx

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Starting Thyroid S

Hi All you lovely people, Today I received my order of Thyroid S and am just a bit unsure as to...
JellyJac profile image

Changing to Thyroid S

Hello my condition is hypothyroidism and was diagnosed about a year ago So would like to ask...

Thyroid-S

Hi,I've been taking Thyroid- S for several years b4 most NDT went up 300% in the last few years....
Booblet profile image

ERFA vs Thyroid S

Hi Folks.Would people say that ERFA has higher percentages of T4 and T3 than in Thyroid S...

i need help with thyroid-s

good morning. (in australia) at last i got my order of thyrod-s it has taken exatly 4 weeks to...

Moderation team

See all
Jaydee1507 profile image
Jaydee1507Administrator
PurpleNails profile image
PurpleNailsAdministrator
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.