How to decide whether to try NDT or T4+T3 combination therapy?

[Zazbag]

Can anyone offer advice on how to know which is likely to provide better outcomes? Or is it literally a case of trial and error? If so, which one is best to try first? My instincts tell me adding T3 to T4 is the most straightforward way to add T3 and that it gives you more control over the ratio, but my private endocrinologist has suggested I try Armour Thyroid. I have another appt with her on Tuesday and I'd like to go with a clear idea in my head of what I want to try first. As I've only had one short appt with her so far I don't trust her yet and so the fact she recommended Armour doesn't mean much to me at this point. I'm also concerned that NDT might be harder to obtain consistently than liothyronine. Thanks in advance!

[pennyannie]

Hello Zazbag

Well, yes, it is all a bit of trial and error, but seeing as your are under an endocrinologist I guess you will be swayed by her recommendation.

Sourcing both Liothyronine and NDT can be difficult and expensive, so possibly a question for your consultant as to her procurement options.

I'm self medicating and have tried both adding T3 to my T4 and NDT.

They both worked and adding T3 was like a light being turned on in my brain.

Many people prefer to independantly adjust both T3 and T4 to find their best level of wellness :

With NDT you have a fixed ratio of roughly a 1/4 breakdown T3 to T4. and have read of people adding back into their NDT a little T3 or T4 if this fixed ratio doesn't quite " do it " for them.

I was well on both treatment options and have settled on NDT as I haven't a thyroid after RAI thyroid ablation for Graves in 2005 and I believe NDT seems " softer " on my body.

[Lalatoot]

Pennyannie has put it so well I have nothing to say for once!

[fuchsia-pink]

Didn't you ask the same thing a few days ago? As I recall you were planning on going to Jordan, and weren't sure if NDT was allowed there , being a pig product ....

[Batty1]

I have been on both combo of T4/T3 and Armour Thyroid .... from my perspective I liked AT because its one pill vs. 2 pills but I like splitting my doses so Im a fan of the combo.

[Zazbag in reply to Batty1]

Thanks for your reply, did you notice a difference in how they made you feel?

[Batty1 in reply to Zazbag]

Nope.

[Zazbag in reply to Batty1]

Ah ok cool! Why did you change from one to the other? How did you obtain them and was one easier to get/cheaper than the other one?

[Batty1 in reply to Zazbag]

It wasn’t a cost choice for my switch at the time unbeknownst to me AT was interacting with the Anti-depressant I was on (Cymbalta) and it was causing me to have major hand shaking so decided to switch to the combo of T4/T3 which had slightly more T4 and lesser T3 then AT and have been fine.