Confused: Hi Please can you help me to understand... - Thyroid UK

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moleland profile image
6 Replies

Hi

Please can you help me to understand these results. I have been taking NDT for nearly 3 years. I was taking 2 and a half grains each day but felt a bit hypo.

After an annual blood check at the beginning of this year my GP called me in saying my result TSH 0.05 ( 0.27 - 4.2 ) was concerning. So I lowered my NDT to 2 and a quarter per day, this made me feel awful, tired, unmotivated, foggy, the usual hypo symptoms. So I did a thyroid monitoring private test 6 weeks later but I don’t know what to think of the results.

TSH 0.123. (0.27 -4.2)

FT3 4.55 (3.1 6.8)

Free Thyroxine 10.6 (12-22)

The report I got back from the private test GP says I am taking too much NDT and I will get osteoporosis. I don’t seem to be able to get a dose which suits me. Please any advice would be gratefully accepted.

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moleland
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6 Replies
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

On NDT or if taking any T3 then TSH is almost always suppressed. It doesn’t mean over treated, unless Ft3 is over range

Most standard medics don’t have a clue how to read blood test of anyone taking NDT or T3...that includes the medics at Medichecks

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

If/when also on NDT make sure to take last third or half dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

Is this how you do your tests?

when were vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 last tested

How to get TSH as high as possible

thyroidpatients.ca/2020/01/...

Canadian Thyroid association on Low TSH

thyroidpatients.ca/rational...

Osteoporosis

thyroidpatients.ca/2018/07/...

moleland profile image
moleland in reply toSlowDragon

Thank you so much for your time in replying to me.I always get tests done early. One thing I might have slipped up on was I took 2 and a quarter grains 13 hours before the test. I do my minerals and vitamins annually and they are due soon. It’s the difficulty getting the right dose between 2 and a quarter and 2 and a half. I must remember that if my T 3 is in range I am not overmedicated. I think what spooks me is the constant threat of heart problems and osteoporosis, at the age of 67 I’m trying not to cause medical problems. Thank you Slow Dragon for your support xx

pennyannie profile image
pennyannie

Hello Moleland

NDT was the treatment of choice for over 100 years and then you were dosed on the prevailing symptoms, and when there were no apparent symptoms that was then the dose that was right for you.

The blood tests and ranges were introduced along with Levothyroxine to supersede NDT.

NDT is not compatible to the guidelines doctors work to for treatment with Levothyroxine.

Any thyroid hormone supplement that contains T3 will suppress your TSH - that's a given :

T4 will be lower than when on Levothyroxine and that's a given :

If T3 is in range, and if you feel well on this dose, I would suggest you stay put :

I'm with Graves post RAI and in my second year of self medicating with NDT.

I'll take a yearly private blood test including the vitamins and minerals, just to see where my T3 and T4 now sit but I dose to the relief of symptoms which was how this thyroid hormone treatment was meant to be used.

moleland profile image
moleland in reply topennyannie

Thank you penniyannie, I just don’t want to cause myself medical problems at the age of 67 as I have done ok up to now apart from getting this condition about 16 years ago. It alarms me when doctors say I’m going to get osteoporosis or have heart problems if I continue as I am. Also getting the dose right is tricky. 2 and a half appears too much but 2 and a quarter is definitely insufficient. I will stick with the line of as long as your T3 is within range I’m ok. I too get annual bits and mins done, mine is due soon. Thanks for the reassurance x

pennyannie profile image
pennyannie in reply tomoleland

Well I am 73 this year and would prefer to live my life well now rather than live with the debilitating symptoms of hypothyroidism, where I was a few years ago.

Your body has served you well for 67 years and think it best to listen to yourself rather than a doctor who is sowing seeds of future fear and NHS dogma.

I don't believe there is any proof or clear reasoning behind the comments.

I'm only on 1+1/2 NDT and yes, it can be a bit tricky - as sometimes my 1/2 looks more like a 1/3rd - but I know I can't take 1+3/4 so be it :

moleland profile image
moleland in reply topennyannie

Yes it’s tricky cutting them with a cutter. Keep well.x

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