levo and T3 versus armour .. any noticeable difference ?

[Sizzles22]

hi all

I think in the long term affording armour is just not going to be possible.

it’s committing to taking for life and I feel worried about the cost.

Wondering about going back to Levo and T3 - any thoughts ?

many thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looking at previous posts you’re going to be working in Greece. T3 is cheap as chips over there

You might need to split dose T3 as 3 smaller doses

Levothyroxine plus T3 is more flexible in adjusting dose

NDT ….usually most people take twice day

[Sizzles22 in reply to SlowDragon]

thank you SlowDragon . Yes here and asked around about armour but definitely not. t3 2 euros .. do you mean take it 3 times a day ?

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Sizzles22]

yes…usually as 5mcg (cutting 20mcg tablet into 1/4 tablets)

How much levothyroxine are/were you taking

What were results on JUST levothyroxine

[Sizzles22]

hello slow dragon thanks for such a quick reply. I was on 125mg - for about 8 years on 300mg but the GP was freaking out

Results from before armour

Thyroid Stim. Hormone INSUFFICIENT 0.270 - 4.2 mIU/L

Free T3 3.6 3.1 - 6.8 pmol/L

Free Thyroxine (FT4) 21.9 12 - 22 pmol/L

Thyroglobulin Antibodies 16.0 0 - 115 kIU/L Method: Roche Cobas Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies 15.9 0 - 34 kIU/

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Sizzles22]

was test done early morning, ideally just before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Always same brand levothyroxine at each prescription and taking every day on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after.

No other medications or supplements within 2 hours

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

What are your most recent vitamin results and ranges

FT4: 21.9 pmol/l (Range 12 - 22)

Ft4 99.00% through range

FT3: 3.6 pmol/l (Range 3.1 - 6.8)

Ft3 only 13.51% through range

Assuming testing done as outlined

Ft4 (levothyroxine dose) likely a bit too high …..around 70-80% better

Ft3 obviously far too low

Most people when adequately treated will have BOTH Ft3 and Ft4 around 60-70% through range

Getting vitamins tested and at optimal levels can help improve conversion of Ft4 to Ft3

But many people need addition of T3 prescribed alongside levothyroxine……usually as small doses spread through the day

[Alanna012]

Well I have found through much trial and error that NDT is not strictly speaking the same as taking separate levo + T3. NDT confers a different set of cognitive and physical benefits (my experience) As does levo + t3. Pros and cons.

Some get by really well on a levo/t3 combi. But for others only NDT gives them a feeling of being well.

I don't know why this is. And not everyone experiences a real difference. But if you can get by relatively fine on T4/T3 then I would take that route for sure, as unfortunately NDT is both expensive and sadly not necessarily always 100% dependable in strength or supply, but then even T3 is occasionally open to supply issues..but if it's cheaper you can stock up more.