combination NDT and levo

[Ajva]

I am just wondering how many people are on a combination of NDT and levo? I have added in levo due to low t4.

I am on 1 grain armour and 50mg of t4 (tirisont).

Does this seem like a really high dose of thyroid meds?

[greygoose]

Sounds like a rather low dose, to me. Most people take at least three grains of Armour.

[Ajva in reply to greygoose]

Ah yes I know the NDT is a low dose but wondering if the tirisont 50mg is a lot. As that puts me on nearly 93mg all together with t3 and t4

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Ajva]

50mcg (not 50mg) is a starter dose levothyroxine

Retest bloods 6-8 weeks after adding levothyroxine

Test early morning, last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Ideally day before test, split armour into 2 smaller doses and last dose approx 8-12 hours before test

Important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 too

[Ajva in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes good idea. Isn’t tirosint stronger due to the 100 % absorption? That’s why I was thinking 1 grain of armour plus the 50mg is alot? Will retest in 6 weeks though.

I tend to split armour am pm then evening so I spread meds out throughout the day.

Thank you!

[greygoose in reply to Ajva]

Well, of cours, you're in the US, where doctors tend to keep doses of levo rediculously low. But in the rest of the world people can take up to 200 mcg levo and beyond. You need what you need, and if that's what you need, that's what you should take.

[Ajva in reply to greygoose]

This is true, I am in the uk! But I do know GPS are terrible at undermedicating us. This is why I have had to go down the private road with medication.

[greygoose in reply to Ajva]

Oh, I'm terribly sorry. I saw you were taking tirosint and just assumed you were in the US. My mistake.

But, yes, doctors are so terrified of hormones in general that they think there will be dire consequenses if the level goes just a tad outside the range. Pure ignorance on their part, of course.

[pennyannie]

Hello Ajva :

You are mixing together 2 different thyroid hormone replacement treatments - why ?

If you stay on both how do you know which one suits you best or needs adjusting ?

A blood test whilst on NDT " looks very different " to that of a blood test when on T4 ?

[Ajva]

There is a reason behind it all.

I was on Levo alone felt dreadful. Swapped to NDT feel much better on it. BUT my body just can not take going over a grain (not even upping 1/4). I have tried 7 times in the past year. My t3 goes over range and t4 stays extremely low (I feel hyper and heart rate goes through the roof).

I have PoTs so already have heart problems. My heart obviously can not tolerate going over 9mg of t3. So my private thyroid Dr suggested I add in tirisont 50mg to try and raise t4.

Eventually I will probably try and de crease NDT and stay on levo, possibly add in a compounded t3 low dose.

This is really my only option because I can’t be on t4 alone or high dose NDT

[pennyannie in reply to Ajva]

No thyroid hormone replacement works well until ferritin, folate. B12 and vitamin D are up and maintained at optimal levels and conversion can also be compromised by inflammation, and physiological stress ( emotional or physical ) dieting, depression and ageing - so we can't turn back time but can try and maintain a strong core strength to help us through these health issues, and sorry you have other issues compounding your health.

[Ajva in reply to pennyannie]

Yes I agree, I was currently supplementing with all of the above so I am hoping I can get my vitamin levels better. I also work on diet I am GF and dairy free. Was on the AIP diet for 3 months but it was a struggle. It has been a difficult few years but I am learning a lot from these type of forums to help improve my health.

[pennyannie in reply to Ajva]

Like we all do :

[PixieElv]

Have you tried T4 & T3? Instead of NDT? That might suit you better? Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of NDT, I take 3.25 grains and have never been better but you might be better on T3-4 instead?

[Ajva]

I have tried but not been great on seperate t3 and t4. I felt dreadful.

I’m going to see how I go and retest in 6 weeks. I will also get my RT3 checked as well .