Hashi Patients - Can Use NDT or Not?

[ASkepticalConsumer]

Greetings dear folks!

I have read that NDT should not be used by Hashi people - as it is very close to our own thyroid and the autoimmune system will attack the NDT thinking it is our thyroid.

Q - Is this true?

My Hashi (confirmed by ultrasound and past blood tests) is progressing and I am feeling worse. So need to start something. I think my free T4 and T3 are too low.

TSH - 1.23 (0.35-5.00)

Free T4 - 15 (11-23)

Free T3 - 4.2 (3.4-5.9)

Thyroid Binding Globulin (TBG) 340 (260-575)

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies 17 (<35) - They have in the past been 60

B12 - 996 (>220)

Ferritin - 188 (12-289)

Vit D - 124 (76-250)

_____________________________

I have NDT in my possession, I just want to make sure it does not cause a problem if I take it.

Thanks for your advice.

Keep happy and well.

[Jazzw]

I think it’s a theoretical possibility more than a definite “will cause issues” thing. You may simply have to try it and see, as we all react differently.

Personally, I don’t think it’s something I’d worry about too much. If you already have autoimmune thyroiditis the damage has already been done (and will continue, whether you take NDT or don’t!).

All I would say is, if you’re going to take NDT, make sure it’s something you’re ready to commit to taking. It’s expensive and not always easy to get hold of, plus doctors often hate that we’re taking it (and therefore aren’t as supportive as we might wish them to be). Your TSH will likely become suppressed which freaks them out a bit (even though it’s not really a problem so long as FT4 and FT3 aren’t over-range).

[Anthea55]

Which NDT do you have? There are different brands which affect people differently. Are you in the UK?

Are you already taking thyroid medication? If so what?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you currently on levothyroxine….or still trying to get diagnosed

Your Ft3 is improving from last year

Ft4 and ft3 both 33% through range

Last year Ft4 39% and Ft3 16%

Helpful calculator for working out percentage through range

chorobytarczycy.eu/kalkulator

Are you now on strictly gluten free diet

Apparently some Hashimoto’s patients find antibodies rise on NDT

The only way to know is to try it ….retest in 6-8 weeks including antibodies

Obviously NDT will drop TSH significantly

[ASkepticalConsumer]

Greetings dear folks!

Thanks for the responses and the public service that you dear Administrators perform - helping people from around the world, may blessings flow your way.

It is nearing sleep time in the UK!

I am in Ontario, Canada - no supply issues for thyroid meds here. The NDT is usually ERF and not too expensive at all. I get all at a compounding pharmacy.

I am not currently on any thyroid meds and I am 99% gluten free (I truly do fall off the wagon with pain au chocolate, can not help myself) - I recently had blood work and I am not Celiac etc.

I can get Synthroid, Cytomel and NDT - I am wondering what is the best one to take given my blood work.

I am very tired, sleepy all day, sore muscles and joints, eyebrows disappearing, brain fog OMG, hard to breathe, irritable bowel, dry itchy skin etc.

Thanks for your help dear loved ones ie extended family!

[tattybogle in reply to ASkepticalConsumer]

It is nearing sleep time in the UK! Not quite , 7.10pm . but the Sun's gone to bed already

[lisabax]

I have hashis and have done better since on NDT (Erfa) than on T4 alone or T4 and T3 combined. So it could be a case of try it and see

[JAmanda]

Why don’t you simply have an increase in levothyroxine? It will raise both T3 and t4 in your case, wait 6-8 weeks then test again and if not over range, and symptoms persist, have another increase.

[Lynneypin]

I have hashis and have been on ndt for years. I do well on it. My antibodies have dropped right down to under range (which they may have naturally done anyway); definitely didn’t make them worse.

[ASkepticalConsumer]

Thanks to you all who have posted. I will start with NDT for the recommended 6-8 weeks and then review how I feel and adjust medication amount.

I can get NDT far easier via my Naturopath doctor, family doctors are simply not available here, sigh.

Hugs!