ERFA for hypothyroidism

[aliwt]

Does anyone here have any experience of taking ERFA?

I saw an Endocrinologist yesterday who seemed very helpful and is going to put me on a 6 month trial of ERFA.

I’m prepared to try anything for my hypothyroidism after 30 years of not feeling better on Levothyroxine.

I’m going to gradually cut down on the Levothyroxine and add in ERFA which of course I have to pay for! Really hoping it will help.

Thanks in advance

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Erfa Thyroid has been discussed in numerous previous posts. Many will not be relevant (e.g. they just mention the name), and quite a few will have been missed because they are mistyped (often as "efra").

The link below takes you to a search for "erfa":

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[shaws Administrator]

I would just switch over from levothyroxine to Erfa. If you gradually cut down on levo you might have symptoms of withdrawal. Levo is T4 alone and should convert to T3.

Erfa contains all of the hormones a healthy thyroid gland would do.

This is a link re Erfa and I think you will benefit from it as it is an NDT (natural dessicated thyroid hormone) and contains all of the hormones a healthy gland would do:-

ERFA thyroid, which contains desiccated thyroid, is used as thyroid replacement hormone for patients with hypothyroidism and myxedema. Hypothyroidism is ten times more common in women than men and it often occurs between 40-50 years of age, when women are experiencing menopause.

History of thyroid hormone replacement therapy

In 1891 Dr George Redmayne Murray published the first paper on the success of using sheep thyroid extract (injected subcutaneously) and within months, there was evidence that oral formulations were also effective. However, it wasn't until 1927 that the chemical thyroxine was identified as the benefactory compound. In 1950, Hart and Maclagan invested in the use of L-thyroxine. Although L-thyroxine was available since 1930, it had not been widely used due to its high cost (familiar story, different century). Meanwhile, desiccated thyroid was used for many years and was popular until 1970’s where increased evidence of safety, and decreased price, of L-thyroxine made desiccated thyroid fall out of favor of patients and doctors alike.

canadacloudpharmacy.com/pro...

I am not medically qualified but have had a long journey from being given levo and then consulting with the last of two doctors who would have prescribed NDTs to many of their patients. Both are now deceased due to age.

I must also state I'm not medically qualified but due to hypo I think we all have to learn more, especially when symptoms may not have resolved.

[shaws Administrator]

It's good news to know that an Endocrinologist is prescribing Erfa for you.

You don't need to cut down - you can switch straight over onto Erfa. Take it as you would with levothyroxine, i.e. take with one full glass of water and wait an hour before you eat.

[aliwt in reply to shaws]

Thank you. I’m told to take my Levothyroxine, reduced dose in the morning and take the Erfa at night. Fingers crossed that it helps. Thanks

[shaws Administrator in reply to aliwt]

I wish you success.

[shaws Administrator in reply to shaws]

Take note of any symptoms that may occur to show to the Endo at your next appointment. I doubt if they have been taught about the kind of symptoms that could occur.

nhs.uk/conditions/underacti...

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Hope they also recommended you improve folate deficiency by taking daily vitamin B complex

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Vitamin D also needs improving