Hi All, I've been taking 1 3/4 grains of NDT for a few months and have felt pretty well. The only symptoms I really had were dry hands and random hot flushes (both of which could be related to something else).
My most recent blood test results were:
TSH 0.28 (0.27-4.2
T4 11.3 (12-22)
T3 4.7 (3.1-6.8)
As my T4 and T3 were a bit low, my doctor has increase my dose to 2 grains on four days and 1 3/4 grains on three days.
It's been 9 days and I feel rubbish! I've been fatigued every day and I've had brain fog and mild migraines (as well as the symptoms I was having before). I've also been really emotional.
My question is: could these symptoms be due to the increase dose or it it likely to be a coincidence and caused by something else?
Thanks in advance!
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Flossiewestie2020
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Hello Flossiewestie, Please can you say which NDT you are taking - that may be helpful.
From my experience the side effects of Armour are different from side effects of Erfa, due to what they call "inactive ingredients" needed to make up the tablets. Unfortunately some of us react to these inactive ingredients.
Flossie you can't take different amounts of ndt on different days. Anything containing T3 needs to be taken at the same dose daily. This is the way the body likes and needs t3.
If you were OK on the lower dose, why rock the boat? Regardless of what your practioner says, go back to your previous dose and tell her you feel better on that than the increased dose.
Your numbers don’t look particularly high so an increase is perhaps needed. However, a number of things can impact a dose increase eg cortisol and iron in particular. These things not being optimal could cause issues when trying to raise NDT.
Thanks for this. I’ve tried 2 grains before and found it too much. My iron is still fairly low and I have gut issues, so maybe I’ll stay on 1 3/4 grains and work on other areas. That’ll save me a bit of money too!
Firstly I would suggest you ignore your doctor and try 2 weeks of taking two grains everyday at the same time because, as has been said you cannot vary dosages by days. I have a private GP and he told me to be consistent always.
Secondly, NDT has quite an effect in stimulating cortisol especially when adjusting a dose. If you have been quite ill, brain fog, exhaustion, chronic fatigue, pain etc then your metabolism is rubbish, but it feels normal because it has been winding down for ages. So when you start 'dialling it up' the body isn't used to it and you may get a bit of a 'resistance' stick with it.
I have found it quite normal to feel initially a resurgence of symptoms, especially anxiousness for a little until it settles again. Actually I came to see it as a good sign that the medicine is potent and doing something. If it is the opposite way round - initially does nothing, you feel fine, then after several weeks taking it you start feeling rubbish - that is sign either that you need an increase or the batch is subpotent.
NDT can be a challenge to take. You have to persist through any weird symptoms for a while before discounting. Eventually you should get to a place where you feel great.
I take Armour. Need to increase dose very slowly. 1/4 grain extra may take some adjustment - if it were me I’d chop the tablet and take a bit extra for a week or two until you’ve worked up to where you want to be. But I’m no expert.
Thanks for this. I was on 2 grains a day before and didn’t feel well on it at all. I was mega-anxious, fatigued, sweating, heart palpitations… I felt much better than that on 1 3/4 grains.
I think 💭 palpitations come when the T3 is higher. Particularly noticeable at night and according to the circadian thing T3 is produced at night so I take my NDT in the morning always otherwise I’m too active to sleep (but I do sleep badly anyway). I tried to up my dose as my levels were all a bit low but it’s very tricky - hence chopping pills (also cheaper if you have to buy your own as I do now - larger pill, cheaper to buy). Make sure your B12 is up to scratch. Just my experience and I’m learning.
An increase in NDT...mainly the increase in the T3 that NDT contains, can take 2 to 3 weeks to get use to. I agree with most on here that you should take the same amount every day. One thing that may help with your dose is to split it. Take one grain 1st thing in AM and the second in the afternoon, away from food . Doing it this way, you get a more even dose of T3 throughout the day. Even if you feel better about staying with the dosage your Dr. recommends...try to split them.
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