Guidance Needed prior thyroid blood testing -on Armour Thyroid (NDT) & Additional T3

[FunkyC]

Good morning,

Id really appreciate some guidance of dosing prior to my thyroid blood test please. I am dyslexic and find processes quite tricky so please bare with me.

I’m on Armour Thyroid 2.5 grains (NDT) & additional 15mcg T3 combination

Im a bit confused with meds taking prior to blood testing.

I understand I need to take my last T3 dose around 12 hours prior for the T3 reading.

My Armour Thyroid reads on the label for 1 x grain (60mg)

Levothyroxine 38mcg

Liothyronine 9mcg

I’ve read that if you take Levothyroxine that the last dose should be taken 24 hours prior so would this be the same for me with my NDT containing Levothyroxine ?

I usually spilt my dosage of both medications between Morning (7am) & Lunch (1pm ) and aim to take the test in a morning at approx 8am.

Many thanks in advance

[shaws Administrator]

I am not medically qualified but had to diagnose myself.

Blood tests for thyroid hormones were introduced when levothyroxine (T4 alone) was introduced.

NDT is the original thyroid hormone replacement from 1892 but was withdrawn in the UK a short time ago. 1 grain of NDT is equal (approx) in its affect to 100 mcg of levothyroxine but it contains all of the thyroid hormone a healthy gland would do.

There were no blood tests in 1892 , and patient had small increments in dose until they were symptom-free.

I think that all emphasis should be on how the patient 'feels' on their dose of thyroid hormones, i.e. 'feel well' 'no clnical symptoms or improving symptoms' and small adjustments in replacement dose (i.e. reduce slightly if patient feels it is a little too much or small increase).

[FunkyC in reply to shaws]

Thank you

[pennyannie]

Hello Funky :

I take NDT only and if I need a blood test to " please the doctor " I need to leave 24 hours between my last dose and the blood draw.

After 10 hours my T3 is usually hanging around at just over range, at around 110% but I have no symptoms of hyperanything.

For T3 alone, it is meant to peak and drop within an 8-12 hour time span -

So, I think your suggstions above logical : from one dyslexic to another :

More importantly is how are you feeling on this dose and are you maintaining optimal vitamins and minerals ?

[FunkyC in reply to pennyannie]

Thank you !

I’m a hypothyroid Hashimotos

My fantastic endo has retired and the new consultant wants me to revert back to Levo and T3 combination, which I am not planning to do !

I’ve been unsure the last year if I’m on the right dosage of NDT & T3 Im not feeling great and don’t ever feel I’ve been optimal in it (4 years ) but also have peri-meno stuff going on so hard to tell.

I’ve an appointment with a private doc soon from the Thyroid UK list for help with dosage and also if still needed as an addition I will need to source some T3 soon.

I had my bloods done recently via GP

vitamins, all optimal

full blood count and thyroid also done but even though listed the lab didn’t do T3 ! a regular occourance (so frustrating !) have ordered medichecks as private GP will need that result.

So this morning I took all my NDT in one dose 7am (then panicked hence post !) along with 5mcg T3

1pm -I’ll take a further 5mcg of T3

8pm -I’ll take my last 5mcg of T3

And then take my blood test at 8am tomorrow-that sound about right ?

Many thanks !

[pennyannie in reply to FunkyC]

Yes, I think that sounds about right - it's also being consistent with blood draws so you can draw comparisons.

I'm sorry you don't feel as well as you might - I think it must be a nightmare having Hashimoto's and experiencing these " hyper " type phases followed by a reduced erratic own thyroid hormone production as the thyroid gland becomes further disabled with reduced capacity leaving your with hypothyroid symptoms.

I think it essential to maintain your core strength vitamins and minerals at optimal levels and read of many people referring to the work of Dr Izabella Wentz as it does seem you need to consider healing your gut and looking into certain food intolerances that can act as drivers, triggering further auto immune thyroid attacks.

I also read of some people sensing an AI attack developing stopping their thyroid hormone replacement for a couple of day so to try and offset the severity of the impending attack.

I'm with Graves post RAI thyroid ablation and self medicate with NDT and am not too bothered where my T3 and T4 are, as I feel ok and much improved, and now just take a yearly full thyroid blood panal more to see more where my vitamins and minerals sit, rather than anything else.

[FunkyC in reply to pennyannie]

Thank you for your empathy and responses. This will be the first panel in a while including T3 so which ever way I dose my meds for tests this time round I will be sure to be consistent going forward. I have eliminated gluten and dairy from my diet due to guy issues. I also go by symptoms and hoping to establish a good report with the private GP going forward -thanks again 🙂

[shaws Administrator in reply to FunkyC]

If you are doing well on your thyroid hormone replacements do not be persuaded by the endocrinologist (which is due to the high cost of T3) to remove T3 from your prescription.

We have an autoimmune disease that needs thyroid hormone replacements and if we're well upon a dose do not be persuaded to switch.

Once you stop your preferred dose it will be impossible to have it restored (only due to cost).

Why cannot the NHS source T3 from elsewhere?

[FunkyC in reply to shaws]

Thank you. I had my T3 taken away previously by Local authority and endo agreed to prescribe but the new consultation has different ideas