NDT and Thyroxine

[sylus_911]

Is it ok to take a bit of thyroxine with the NDT as my t4 levels have been low with the last two blood tests I've had.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Many people combine NDT with some Levo. Give it a try, see if it helps. But don't just go by numbers, take into account how you feel.

What are your latest results?

Bear in mind that taking some Levo may also raise your FT3.

[sylus_911 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi seasidesusie. January my results were..T4.4.14(0.34.5.60)T4.8.2(7.9.20.0)T3.4.8(4.00.6.60)...I upped my NDT a small amount then had another test in April.Tsh.0.169(0.27.4.2)T3.4.42(3.1.6.8)T4.11.4(12.22).

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to sylus_911]

Sylus911

Not easy to read the way you have written them.

January

T4: 4.14 (0.34.5.60) - Is this actually T4 (total T4) or do you mean TSH?

T4: 8.2 (7.9.20.0) = 2.4% through range

T3: 4.8 (4.00.6.60) = 30.77% through range

April.

Tsh: 0.169(0.27.4.2)

T4: 11.4(12.22). = minus 6%

T3: 4.42(3.1.6.8) = 35.68% through range

Were both tests done under the same circumstances, i.e.

* Test done at the same time of day and no later than 9am

* Nothing to eat or drink before test other than water before test

* Last dose of NDT 8-12 hours before test

* No B Complex or Biotin for 7 days before the test

and

* How much NDT were you taking before the January test and how much did you increase your NDT by after that test?

Do you have Hashi's?

[sylus_911 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi seasidesusie, sorry it was the TSH that was 4.14. Both test were taken at 8 am I did,nt take my NDT at 4.15pm .I was taking 67.1/2 mcg in the morning and 15.1/2 afternoon then raised it twice slightly over 4 weeks so I am now on 90mcg.Yes I do have Hashi's.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to sylus_911]

sylus911

So if I've understood correctly, your last dose of NDT before both tests was the morning before the test? So probably close to 24 hours? That is giving false low FT4/FT3 results. Last dose should be 8-12 hours before test so that would mean you wouldn't leave off your 4.15pm dose but take it later, between 8pm and midnight so that the test result would give a measure of your normal circulating hormone.

How long had you been on 90mg NDT before your April test? 6-8 weeks for levels to stabilise before retesting?

Did you have anything to eat or drink, other than water, before the tests? This can affect TSH?

No B complex or biotin?

How do you actually feel (ignoring the numbers)?

[sylus_911 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi seaside Susie,I thought it was 24 hrs before test,I will bear that in mind next time to take my last dose later.I was on 90mcg at the end of February so it was 6 weeks by the time I had my test done on the 16th of April.Nothing to eat or drink before tests and no B complex or Biotin.I actually feel ok at the moment.So I will see how I go over the next few weeks or whenever and if need be just add a small amount of thyroxine.I just was,nt sure if I could do that.Thank you for your help.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to sylus_911]

sylus911

24 hours if for Levo only, if on NDT or T3 then it's 8-12 hours because of the short half life of T3.

If you feel OK then a low FT4 might be fine for you, some people on NDT or Levo/T3 combination need FT4 higher in range, it's very individual. Your FT4, even taking into account your last dose wasn't at the proper time, is very low and there is plenty of room to increase it by adding some Levo. Of course, your Hashi's complicates things due to the fluctuations it causes with symptoms and results.

Out of interest, the test done on 16th April, is that with your GP or one of the private labs? It's an amazingly quick return of results in the current circumstances.

[sylus_911 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi seasidesusie I get my tests done by medichecks.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to sylus_911]

Wow! You got your results back really quickly. Did they send you one of those tracked return labels or did you send it back Special Delivery?

[sylus_911 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi seasidesusie, I posted on Thursday and paid next day delivery as I was,nt sure it would get there the next day due to the situation.Got my results this morning. I must say I was surprised. Just one more question I have had really bad thrush on my tongue for 2 years now been back and forth to Docs he put me on Fluconazole that did,nt work so he referred me to a maximum facial consultant who gave me the same tablets,still the same it has,nt cleared it up.I,ve had all my teeth cleaned use non fluoride toothpaste,eat yoghurt with live cultures.So my question is could it be anything to do with the gut or my immune system.It really is nasty,more so in the morning.Any ideas that might help.?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to sylus_911]

Sorry sylus, gut issues I'm not familiar with (I'm very lucky in that department). Maybe put a new post up, very likely there's someone else who has had experience of this.

I'm impressed with Medichecks, that's really good returning results so quickly in the current circumstances.

I normally send mine back Special Delivery and have a kit here waiting to be done but because of my lung disease I can't go and queue at our tiny post office to hand it over at the counter. I contacted Medichecks yesterday as I know they're currently sending out a "tracked" return label which they say will get samples back in good time, they're sending me one of these so that I can return my sample by just popping the envelope into the post box round the corner.

[sylus_911 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi seasidesusie I'm sure you have to be extremely careful with your condition,luckily there was only 1 person in front of me in the post office and it was quite early.Well thank you so much,keep well and stay Safe.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to sylus_911]

Candida and being hypothyroid are often linked

verywellhealth.com/candidia...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

Noticed in previous posts you use to be on propranolol...presumably managed to get off it completely? It can badly affect conversion/uptake of thyroid hormones

[sylus_911 in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi Slowdragon,Yes,I stopped taking propranolol a long time ago.Im still on Amlodipine for high blood pressure 5mg,since then I have been put on Clopidogrel blood thinner as I have a narrowing artery in my leg.I have wondered wether thi s candida has anything to do with my medication. I will look into the links.thank you.

[Peanut31 in reply to sylus_911]

Hi

Thought I would reply as I take NDT and levo combination, and it works for me.

I can’t take any more than two grains of NDT otherwise it sends my T3 results too high and I feel anxious and can’t think straight.

It’s been a very long process trying to find a balance with the medication but I’ve finally turned a corner, I’ve tried all sorts of thyroid medication and this is the most successful combination.

I make sure I take my vitamins to also support my thyroid as well.

I saw a nutritionist as suffered terribly with my gut. Lots of test showed up I was suffering internally, I adjusted my diet according including Gluten free and have been for many years now. I have Hashimotos too.

I use to get thrush really bad just before my time of month, but since cutting out sugars it’s a lot better.

I also follow a low carbohydrate eating plan as well, and I feel so much better.

It’s a case of ruling things out and keeping a diary.

Best wishes & good luck.

Peanut31

[sylus_911 in reply to Peanut31]

Hi Peanut,lts been a while for me too coming up to 5 years now,theres been times where I,ve felt well for weeks then really bad,so I've realised I can put my meds up slowly and perhaps add a little thyroxine as my t4 is always low.I'm starting to understand more now.I,ve been Gluten free for about 3 years that's helped so I'm just starting to now look into the Hashi's .So Glad to hear you,ve finally got there,as I hope I will soon as it's been a bit of a struggle .Thank you so much for your reply,take care.