Blood tests on NDT

[Flossiewestie2020]

Hi All,

I’ve just had my first blood test results since starting NDT and I’m absolutely baffled by the results! I’ve been taking 1 grain a day for about two months. My results look much worse than they’ve ever looked but I’ve been feeling pretty well! Any thoughts? 🤷‍♀️

[Hidden]

You need an increase. 1 grain of NDT is small for most people. I take almost 3 grains of NDT.

[Flossiewestie2020 in reply to Hidden]

Ok thanks. I feel ok though!

[Hidden in reply to Flossiewestie2020]

If you do feel well you don't need to change anything. Symptoms always lag behind results, so then you will have to wait and see or you can increase NDT to see if you can feel any better, your choice of course.

[pennyannie]

Hey there ;

Why did you decide to stop at 1 grain :

What symptoms were you experiencing ?

Your antibodies are high and presume you have Hashimoto's and likely had a " swing " in your symptoms, which may have stopped you from continuing to increase the NDT ?

Generally speaking when optimally medicated on NDT your TSH will be low suppressed and your T4 likely lower but your T3 should be higher than when on monotherapy with T4 only.

Did you take bench mark readings of your T3 and T4 before you started this trial of NDT ?

[Flossiewestie2020 in reply to pennyannie]

I stopped at one grain as I felt ok and was advised to have blood tests then arrange a follow up.

Since taking NDT I’ve had fewer episodes of fatigue/brain fog and my energy levels are fairly consistent. I haven’t felt like my illness has held me back from living my life, whereas it did before! I’m also feeling less anxious. I feel like from these results I should feel awful but I don’t!😂

Yes, my last readings on 100mcg of Levo in July were TSH 0.58; T4 17.6 and T3 4.

[pennyannie in reply to Flossiewestie2020]

Well I would think you need to reconsider building up your NDT dose :

Yes, I'm sure the T3 is helping you but don't think that you are currently on the right dose for you as explained above.

With NDT you dose to the relief of symptoms and not a blood test, but I do think you need to look at this again, when and if your symptoms of hypothyroidism creep up on you again,

[Flossiewestie2020 in reply to pennyannie]

Thank you! I’m sure my doctor will say to increase based on the results anyway!