How long does it take NDT to work

[Nini87]

Hi everyone , hope you are keeping well.

I started NDT a week ago. Dosage is small 15mg

I’m just wondering if anyone knows how long it’s takes to feel the effects and also how does one really judge what dose one should be on?

Thank you

Niamh

[Hidden]

A bit confused. 15 mg NDT is a quarter of a grain. That’s a tiny amount. About 2 mcg T3 and 9.5 mcg T4.

If you post your blood results with ranges and some information about your thyroid journey, people will be glad to help.

[Nini87 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your reply. Sorry it’s 15 mcg . 3.75mcg of T3 .

I will add my blood work to this . Thank you

[Hidden in reply to Nini87]

Still far too low. Look forward to seeing your results

[Nini87 in reply to Hidden]

Blood results 1

Bloods

[Nini87 in reply to Hidden]

Blood results 2

Bloods

[Nini87 in reply to Hidden]

Bloods 3

Bloods

[Hidden in reply to Nini87]

Your blood levels and TSH indicate that you are hypothyroid and undermedicated.

Did a doctor prescribe this dose of NDT or did you try to figure it out yourself?

What are your symptoms Nina?

[Nini87 in reply to Hidden]

My doctor prescribed this amount and said it was middle of the road as was just testing me out . What dosage do you reckon I should be on?

[Hidden in reply to Nini87]

I see from the first page of results that you’ve had a thyroidectomy. Is this correct? Your thyroglobulin antibodies are very high

Edit

Have you had thyroid cancer? Who is looking after you? Oncologist or GP?

[Nini87 in reply to Hidden]

No I haven’t at all. But yes antibodies high

[Nini87 in reply to Nini87]

I wasn’t able to tolerate some of the medication but have one that suits , I’d just like to know dosage as I’mWondering how long it takes to feel

Effects of medication .

Sorry for capitals . I’m outside and it’s cold

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Nini87

Which NDT are you using?

60mg = 1 grain which usually contains 38mcg T4 and 9mcg T3

So 15mg = 1/4 grain = 9.5mcg T4 and 2.25mcg T3

If the brand is Erfa then 1 grain contains 35 mcg of T4 and 8 mcg of T3 so 1/4 grain contains 8.75m g T4 and 2mcg T3.

[Nini87 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Hi . I am taking thyreogland.

[greygoose]

it’s 15 mcg . 3.75mcg of T3 .

That is a rediculously low starting dose. That's like 30 mcg T4 only, when the normal starting dose is 50 mcg on T4 only.

I think your doctor is being overly cautious, and that low dose is unlikely to make you feel much better at all. How long did he say to stay on that dose before you increase?

how does one really judge what dose one should be on?

It's not something one can judge in advance. With hormones - any hormones - one has to start low and work up slowly. With NDT, you can increase by 1/4 grain every two weeks until you reach one full grain, and then hold for six weeks, retest and see how you feel. And, you repeat this process until your symptoms have all gone and you feel completely well.

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[Nini87 in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for your message . I may contact my Dr tomorrow and discuss this as I was thinking alright it’s a very low dose . What medication are you taking?

[greygoose in reply to Nini87]

I can only take T3. Levo and NDT disagree with me alarmingly.

[Nini87 in reply to greygoose]

Perhaps it’s the same thing with me . I’ve taken NDT before and I had terrible side effects but I thought it was the fillers so this had less fillers. I felt ok up until today and that’s a week on meds so hmmmm!!! What T3 do you take?

[greygoose in reply to Nini87]

Whatever I can get! It's not easy because I self-treat. Doctors don't like giving T3 only.

But, it's too soon to conclude that T4 doesn't suit you. You aren't taking enough of it to know. I'd been on it for years, and tried all sorts of doses, and several different brands, with and without T3. Then, NDT for several years. So, then I tried T3 only, and noticed such a difference! It was pretty clear by that time that it was the T4 my problem, not the fillers.

[Nini87 in reply to greygoose]

Interesting. Il have to persist and see how I go and see what happens . Thank you for you info . I’m glad you figured stuff out.

☺️☺️

[greygoose in reply to Nini87]

You're welcome.

[Nini87 in reply to greygoose]

Hey Greygoose, I have another question. I had to stop taking the medication because my eyes got so bad. So the thing is , I have the symptoms of Graves’ disease yet my bloods indicate hypothyroid . When I took the hormone my eyes went crazy bad , bulging more and a lot of pain. So now I’m wondering is it possible for your bloods to come back as hypo but did the meds trigger me to go into a hyper state ? I’m very confused as to what to do . My doctor wants me to increase medication looking at my antibodies etc but if I’m reacting in a hyper way would it not be a good thing to stop medication for hypo?

[greygoose in reply to Nini87]

What do you call 'symptoms of Grave's disease'? A lot of symptoms can indicate both hypo and hyper. But, if your bloods indicate hypo, then you are hypo.

It's rare but it is possible to suffer from what is called 'Grave's Eye Disease' when you have Hashi's. Have you seen an eye doctor? Forget what they're called.

No, it's not possible for the 'meds' - thyroid hormones - to trigger you into a hyper state. Especially not as you've had your thyroid removed. You could be over-medicated but that is highly unlikely on the dose you're taking.

Looking at your antibodies is not a good reason to increase dose, though. He should be looking at your FT3 to begin with. Do you know what that is now?

Besides, what does he think the antibodies are doing if you don't have a thyroid?

[Nini87 in reply to greygoose]

Oh ok. Cheers for that. I do have my thyroid .

Well the thyroid eyes disease is what I would suggest to be graves . When I started the medication my eyes got so much bigger and more painful.

Why do you think that is ? That’s the part where I am puzzled and why I stopped medication.

Hashimotos is what he is saying that I have .

My bloods that I posted are my recent bloods so they are the ones I am

Going by.

[greygoose in reply to Nini87]

Sorry, I thought you said above that you'd had a TT. My mistake.

But, yes, you do most definitely have Hashi's. Both antibodies are elevated, so there's no doubt about that. And you are hypo, your Frees are too low.

But, as I said, it is possible - though rare - to have Thyroid Eye Disease with Hashi's, not just with Grave's.

But, I'm afraid I don't know a lot about it, so have no idea why it would get worse when starting thyroid hormone replacement. Perhaps it's because the dose is too small. But, it's really not a good idea to stop the thyroid hormone.

[Nini87 in reply to greygoose]

Is it normal to feel worse before you start to feelBetter? Feel like today I’m having a bit of a flare . My eyes seem worse and mood . Hmmmm!!

[Hidden in reply to Nini87]

I was in 150mcg levo when my consultant started me on NDT. Dropped by levo to 75mcg and introduced 1/2 grain NDT. 2 weeks later I was much worse and asked to increase. Now on 75mcg levo and 3/4 grain NDT. Been on this dose for 3 weeks and feel better than I have in years.

[Nini87 in reply to Hidden]

Ohhh wow so a lot of testing to see what suits. Interesting you are taking both. What NDT are you taking?

[Hidden in reply to Nini87]

Erfa.

I'm still not quite 'there' I don't think but the difference has been astonishing!

[Nini87 in reply to Hidden]

So do you feel like you were worse because the dose was too small? Could that be a thing that my dose is too small?

[greygoose in reply to Nini87]

Yes, it often happens. Especially if the starting dose is too low.

[serenfach]

I went from straight Levo (and felt rubbish) to Levo + Lio and felt much better, but just not right. I got fed up with the GP trying to take the Lio away, so went straight on to NDT, equal dose, and felt better within a week. I think how quickly you see the results depends on how much your body was crying out for help.

I adjust the dose depending on how bad my tinitus is and how long a nap I need mid afternoon - not very scientific, but it works for me!

[Nini87 in reply to serenfach]

Thank you for your reply. I wasn’t on any medication for years because of how I reacted to it but I tried a new NDT thinking it would be different but my symptoms seemed to have flared which is very disheartening.

I didn’t mind waiting but if I’m feeling worse after a week , I have my doubts. It’s hard know what to do .

☺️☺️

[Nini87]

Thank you so much for your reply. I will deffoCheck that book out. I was off all meds for a number of years but with my antibodies being so high etc I started back last week and I just find it so strange that my thyroid eye situation has completely flared and I feel

So strange in my head . It’s mad how something that is supposed to

Help makes you feel so bad . I don’t know if I should stop taking it or what.

Your wife seems to have gone through it. What NDT is she taking do you mind me

Asking?

Sometimes I wonder is there a way other than medication .

[LAHs]

My two cents worth. I went cold turkey off Levothyroxine, the following morning I took 1 and 1/2 grains of NDT (Armour) and it took 20 minutes to feel great.

[Nini87 in reply to LAHs]

That’s very encouraging to hear . I’m glad you are feeling well ☺️☺️☺️

[Chicken26]

hi. i take an NDT..NP Throid...half of 15 mg in a.m. and full 15mg at 2pm so i split as to not run out of energy. also i take it sublingually as to bypass digestive tract and also can eat or drink right away. it too...it took few weeks til i noticed the effect but i see a great endo who ran every test possible and the dose that keeps my numbers good and my tsh close to 1 which is best. good luck!

[Nini87 in reply to Chicken26]

Thank you so much, it’s good to have someone on your side that really helps . I’m still trying to figure things out my side . It’s hard

[Nini87]

Hi Jonathan , thank you so much for all the info. Yourself and your wife have been on some journey by the sounds of it. I seem to reactive when I take stuff. I’ve tried the vinegar and the sauerkraut but I have a histamine issue so react badly to probiotics. And I also have symptoms of hypo , I’m under weight and have bulging eyes where as my bloods tell a differnt story but when I took the meds My eyes seemed to get worse so I’m unsure if the meds are the right thing for me .

I will deffo check out the recommendations . You are very helpful so thank you . ☺️☺️