NDT/Metavive: Hello, a couple of questions... - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

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NDT/Metavive

38 Replies

Hello, a couple of questions: firstly, is Thai NDT available again? I was doing great on it (Thiroyd) but had to go back to Levo when it became unavailable. If you know of a reputable supplier please message me privately.

Secondly, I’m considering trying Metavive (as an alternative should I be unable to get hold of NDT). Does anyone know roughly the equivalent dosage in terms of Levothyroxine eg. How much Metavive equates to say 100mcg Levo?

As with many of us, I’m happier when taking control of my own treatment for Hashis and have over the years educated myself to the point where I feel better equipped than my GP to do this.

Thanks in advance.

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38 Replies
SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering

Littleisland

is Thai NDT available again?

Yes, it's been available for some time now.

Does anyone know roughly the equivalent dosage in terms of Levothyroxine eg. How much Metavive equates to say 100mcg Levo?

Impossible to say. There is no declared hormone content with Metavive.

in reply to SeasideSusie

Would I use the same supplier of NDT? Do you know supplier details if not?Many thanks for your quick reply, much appreciated.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to

I'm afraid I can't help with suppliers, I just know that it's available again but I believe the price has risen, as has all NDT. Maybe try your original supplier in the first instance.

in reply to SeasideSusie

OK, and hopefully someone will come along with a recommended supplier or two! I’m trawling the internet as my previous supplier’s website doesn’t look very up to date. It’s never straightforward!

Mlinde profile image
Mlinde in reply to SeasideSusie

Do you think you could let me know the source for this please (privately?)

in reply to Mlinde

Hi, I will but not had any suggestions for that yet 🤞

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Mlinde

Source for which?

in reply to SeasideSusie

Thai NDT. I’ve seen a supplier online, no idea if they’re reputable. I used to get Thiroyd but am aware Thiroyd S is the only one that’s currently available, and it’s £186 for 500. I’m willing to pay as long as I actually receive my product and it’s not iffy!

Mlinde profile image
Mlinde in reply to SeasideSusie

Well I've found a source of NDT that looks affordable (NDT is my preferred treatment, once I've figured out dose, currently I'm on 100mcg of Levo but it doesn't work and never has!):

the-natural-choice.co.uk/

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to Mlinde

What you have linked to is Metavive which, as I explained above, is not NDT, it is a thyroid glandular with no declared hormone content, it works for some but does nothing for others.

As for a source of NDT then I'm afraid the Admin team can't give information about where to source any UK prescription only medication without prescription, wherever in the world it is from.

Hidden for your information also.

in reply to SeasideSusie

Hi, no - ideally the plan is to source NDT first but if all else fails I can try Metavive bought online, it seems pretty easy to get hold of. Maybe it would help, maybe not.

Otherwise it’s back to being woefully under medicated by my GP (on Levo, and I’d rather decide how much medication I need based on symptoms and not numbers). I’ve been doing this long enough to feel confident in self treating.

Mlinde profile image
Mlinde in reply to

I'm in exactly the same situation, 13 years on Levo that has NEVER worked and now it seems I have full-blown Hashimoto's! I still can't believe how the NHS can neglect a condition that is so prevalent! It's shameful.

JustAnAmericanGirl profile image
JustAnAmericanGirl in reply to Mlinde

Hi! Hope you are well. I just wanted to ask what is NDT? I have Hashimoto thyroiditis and it's not regulated so my body is going through hell for the past few years. No reliable Endocrinologist in my area. I am currently on Armour thyroid medication 60mg. I am basically tweaking meds out on my own. I feel no end in sight.

Mlinde profile image
Mlinde in reply to JustAnAmericanGirl

Natural Dessicated Thyroid, taken from a pig's thyroid (hopefully organically and free range?). It was the first medicine for the thyroid, back in the 1890s. And ditto on the Endos. I just got an appointment for next JUNE!

Yeah Armour is an NDT, my preferred but NHS won't prescribe it and it's too expensive.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Mlinde

I don't think there is any reason whatsoever to suggest they might be organically grown.

They are collected from the ordinary pigs raised for food. Unless there were a high proportion of organic pigs in the USA, it seems unlikely they would be organically grown. (Though, even then, some might be.)

Mlinde profile image
Mlinde in reply to helvella

Agreed but I can but wish. I worry that it's loaded with Glyphosate and other nasties.

in reply to Mlinde

I doubt that the pigs´ glands used in NDT comes from organic farming. As far as I know, the Thai manufacturers get the raw material from China and, for some reason, I doubt organic farming is a top priority there...

jjf255 profile image
jjf255 in reply to JustAnAmericanGirl

Armour is a NDT...Natural Dessicated Thyroid. I am also in U S. My husband takes Armour after being prescribed other NDT over the years. Armour has worked the best for him , but his Dr. has increased his dose to 135mg over a 2 year period. You really do not need an Endo to get you to your right dose. What you need is a Dr. who is open to the fact that NDT can be the best thyroid med for a number of people. If you google Doctors who prescribe Armour in "your area" you may find a few. The other way is to ask your pharmacist for the names of doctors in your area who prescribe it. I'm just curious and you can private message me with the answer...where are you getting Armour without a Drs script? The reason I ask...it's so costly, I'd love to find a source for my husband that is more reasonable.

jjf255 profile image
jjf255 in reply to SeasideSusie

I think Littleisland mentioned Thiroyd as the Thai NDT they were looking for. Is this one available? I thought only Thyroid S was available right now.

SeasideSusie profile image
SeasideSusieRemembering in reply to jjf255

jjf255

Thiroyd ceased production a couple of years ago, as did TR Man. The only remaining Thai NDT is Thyroid-S.

Alanna012 profile image
Alanna012

Is Thai NDT the same as Thyroid S?

Gingernut44 profile image
Gingernut44 in reply to Alanna012

In a word, yes. Thyroid S is a Thai NDT 😊

Alanna012 profile image
Alanna012 in reply to Gingernut44

Thanks! I wondered if it was a different one from Thailand.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Alanna012

The original post mentioned Thiroyd - which is a different Thai NDT - and is no longer available.

Alanna012 profile image
Alanna012 in reply to helvella

Thiroyd is different then to TS, but they both were/are made in Thailand then?

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Alanna012

Yes - there were three at one point. Thyroid S, Thiroyd and TR Mann. Made by different companies within Thailand.

Now only Thyroid S remains it is, in practical terms, "Thai NDT".

helvella - Thyroid Hormone Medicines

I have created, and try to maintain, a document containing details of all thyroid hormone medicines in the UK and, in less detail, many others around the world.

From Dropbox:

dropbox.com/s/shcwdwpedzr93...

From Google Drive:

drive.google.com/file/d/12N...

Alanna012 profile image
Alanna012 in reply to helvella

Helvella thanks! It's really useful. You have every glandular down, wow. I didn't know there were so very many brands of levothyroxine either. You sure have a knack for creating documents. The efficiency and detail. Goodness. If my brain was so ordered I'd be further along in life than I am now, like far, really far😄

I notice you have Tru Thyroid and Real Thyroid down as a glandulars, I thought they were both promoting themselves as proper assayed NDTs?

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Alanna012

They might claim that, but the information has been so questionable I don't trust it. Therefore, I regard them as unproven content glandulars - unless and until someone provides good evidence.

You are right to question that - and everything else in the document. There are bound to be mistakes in it.

Alanna012 profile image
Alanna012 in reply to helvella

Oh interesting.

Thus far I guess I see anything in compacted pill form declaring a set ratio T4/T3 as an NDT

Anything in powered capsule form can say what it likes but is usually a glandular.

Not a very scientific way of distinguishing them

But then I've just realised I have an old bottle of Nutrithyroid in the cupboard and that's a pill form but is definitely a glandular.

So as you say you have to examine the evidence carefully.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Alanna012

A very reasonable starting point. :-)

in reply to Alanna012

Real Thyroid is NDT. The hormone content is specified on the manufacturer´s website. However, it contains seaweed and potassium iodide which may not be the best thing, especially if you have Hashimoto´s. They say they had to add those ingredients in order to have it classified as a supplement (thyroid support product), its legal status in Vietnam where it is made. Also, it has not received great reviews so far.

Gingernut44 profile image
Gingernut44 in reply to helvella

Helvella, I have to send huge thanks for your thorough and extensive document. I spent a great deal of time going through the Liothyronine producers and, more importantly, the excipients. Thanks for including the hard capsule brands as mentioned in a thread a couple of days ago, you have set me on another quest to find a dispenser 😊

PS, I have details of yet another “glandular”. Would you be interested in the info?

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Gingernut44

The hard capsules are supposedly going to be available in the last quarter of 2021 - and we are past half-way through that.

Definitely worth asking - if nothing else, it might have a tiny effect in raising awareness.

Cost currently unknown. :-(

Gingernut44 profile image
Gingernut44 in reply to helvella

Thanks for the heads up, I’ll let you know if I come up with any helpful/or not info.

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministratorThyroid UK in reply to Gingernut44

Always - please send me a Private Message. :-)

New information and mistakes or suggestions - let me know!

Gingernut44 profile image
Gingernut44 in reply to helvella

Will do, thanks

Gingernut44 profile image
Gingernut44 in reply to Alanna012

I’m not really sure but I think it’s the only Thai NDT currently being produced. I’m sure someone will put me right if I’m wrong.

Just to say thank you to everyone who has replied to my question. I've had a lot of help and private messages so should be able to move forward and sort myself out.This group is great - thanks again to those who replied and the administrators who do a wonderful job

☺️

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