Which ndt is the best in combination with levothyroxine?

[adin]

Hi, I have noticed that levothyroxine dosages that exceed 100 mcg give me unpleasant side effects. I need 125 - 137 daily t4 and would like to add the difference from 100 mcg in ndt. Also I take aprox 18 mcg t3 slow release split in 3 doses. I tried to add 1/2 grain of erfa and thyroid-s but I feel under dosed(mentally I feel good but physically I feel weakened in this formula), although my last values ​​look good. What do you think, is it worth to try with Armour or NP thyroid ? It's very expensive...

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

Have you thought about trying immediate release T3? It's just that the slow release form doesn't suit everyone and adding NDT that contains both T4 & T3 can complicate making adjustments.

What supplements are you taking?

What were your most recent thyroid blood results?

Have you tried eliminating gluten from your diet?

[adin in reply to Jaydee1507]

Hi, i used t3 (Thybon) for years and gave me fast heart rate +anxiety. My main problem is t4 not t3, I need some t4 from ndt to reach my total dose of 125. I take some supplements, B12 slow release form, D3, iron and Q10, condroitin+glucosamine +msm.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to adin]

What form of B12 are you taking?

You haven't mentioned folate.

Recommend getting nutrient levels tested to see where you are at which could make all the difference to how you tolerate thyroid hormones and also how you feel. See link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost. thyroiduk.org/help-and-supp...

I dont think anyone will be able to predict for you which NDT will suit you as this is a very individual thing.

[pennyannie]

Hello Adin :

I don't understand why you wish to combine different treatment options - which work very well on their own.

T4 appears to work well for around 85% of those who are diagnosed hypothyroid and if T4 doesn't suit you, the further options are to add a small amount of T3 to T4 making a T3/T4 combo:

take T3 only :

or take Natural Desiccated Thyroid which is a full spectrum thyroid replacement as it contains the same hormones as that found in the thyroid gland - viz - trace elements of T1. T2 and calcitonin + a measure of T3 + a measure of T4 and derived from pig thyroids dried and ground down into tablets referred to as grains.

[Lalatoot]

Adin I think you risk making things tricky by having too many variables.You will be on levo t4, NDT t4, NDT t3 and slow release t3.

Say your ft3 goes over range and you want to reduce. What do you do? If you reduce your slow release you take away the slow release benefit. If you reduce the NDT for t3 levels then you reduce your t4 element too and you might not need a reduction in ft4.

There's too much having too many effects. I would rethink your strategy.

[Alanna012]

I too can't tolerate levo above 100mcg regularly even with T3 (although I keep trying and really want to be able to eventually) so I started adding a one grain NP thyroid

My dosage would look like:

Morning 50mcg levo + 12.5 t3

Afternoon NP thyroid

Evening 50mcg levo + 12.5 t3

If I am having a bad energy day I might adjust that a bit - usually adding a bit more T3. If sleep really bad, add a bit more levo BUT that means paying a price the next couple days from the fallout of the extra levo

Why would you want to mix them up?

The price of NDT is prohibitive for some and so it's a way to get some of the benefits whilst making it last longer by adding cheaper elements.

Also:

I have been paying close attention to my cognitive changes and only NDT gives me some motivation and drive, an interest in going out and doing hobbies. I might still not be able to do those things, but the desire is there.

T4 helps with speed of thinking and organisation

T3 helps with short term memory and mental stamina

Neither does everything. I get insomnia on Erfa, Thyroid S and Armour or I'd take those as they seem more potent. Nature thyroid was better than anything else I have ever taken but alas is no more.

[adin in reply to Alanna012]

If I don't take the full dose of t4 in the morning, I feel weak and tired during the day. So I should take 100 levo and ndt together in the morning, and t3 divided in the rest of the day. If I exceed about 10/12 mcg of t3 in the morning I have insomnia. I take a tiny t3 dose at bedtime to sleep well.

"NDT gives me some motivation and drive, an interest in going out and doing hobbies",... yes exactly the same and that's one of the reasons why I take it. Only on ndt I don't feel good because ft4 falls below the limit so I have to add synthetic t4, the only struggle is to find the right balance for you....

[Alanna012 in reply to adin]

Yes honestly finding the right balance is so tough!

I might try and see if your way of dosing works a bit better for me because I do have insomnia too. Sigh.

Good luck!

[adin in reply to Alanna012]

I also have insomnia when I uderdosed.

[Alanna012]

I didn't answer the question.

The answer is what brand what works for you. We're all different.

I too tried a bit of Thyroid S but started to feel off. It didn't mesh well.

Added some porcine glandular and that was a complete disaster and took a week to recover.

NP fits well, thank god. I find it more benign and easier on the system (possibly weaker?) than Armour and the rest.