First results after switching to NDT. Help pls ...

[Juliet_22]

Hi beautiful people,

I shared a number of posts here about my thyroid journey.

I switched to Erfa brand NDT 2 weeks ago after being on levo for 2 decades.

I started from 0.5 grain, increased to 1 grain and then to 1,5 grains. I've been on 1,5 grains for about 5 days now.

I checked my bloods 2 weeks into my NDT journey as I read one thyroid doc recommends doing that on NDT to make sure you head in the right direction.

While I understand it's early days, I'm confused about my lower T3 levels (lower than levo before).

Previous results before NDT on levo (alternating 88-88-75 mcg per day):

TSH - 3.1

T4 - 50% of the range

T3 - 32% of the range

New results, 2 weeks after NDT

TSH - 0.734

T4 - 3.64 % of the range

T3 - 26% of the range (lower than before!)

I always test fasted, before 9am, no meds for at least 24 hrs. I supplement with iron, B12, folate and D and check my levels regularly.

My BP and pulse are normal right now. My temperature is normal too.

So my TSH went in the right direction - great. But T3 went down? And T4 is so low now?

But if I increase, I don't want my TSH to get lower.

Should I:

1. Wait and continue with 1,5 grains, retest in 2-4 more weeks (I read you don't need to wait for 6-8 weeks on NDT like on levo, it stores much faster)?

2. Add T4 at this stage, like 25 mcg and retest again?

I do feel better though, wake up with more energy, more energy in the day.

Thank you for your input!

[greygoose]

But if I increase, I don't want my TSH to get lower.

Why? It probably will, anyway, without the dose being increased because TSH moves very slowly, which is one of the reasons for waiting six weeks to test. Taking NDT or T3 is bound to take your TSH below range, or even suppressed if you take enough of it.

[Juliet_22 in reply to greygoose]

Mostly because of the bone issues that can result from too low TSH, if I'm right? I'm interested as to why my T3 has gone down further, perhaps due to slowly increasing the NDT? But shouldn't it be going up since I take T3 now as part of NDT?

[greygoose in reply to Juliet_22]

There are no bone issues with low TSH. TSH has nothing to do with bones. It's a chemical messanger between the pituitary and the thyroid. If you don't need it anymore - which you don't if you're taking enough T3 - the pituitary stops making it.

You should increase NDT slowly: 1/4 grain every two weeks maximum. And the closer you get to your sweet-spot, the slower you should go. But the difference in the two FT3 results is so little that it would probably have picked up if you'd waited the full six weeks.

[Beau55]

Hi Juliet, you need to wait 6 weeks for testing as results before then can be confusing.

At a certain point we reach a negative feedback loop. The additional t3 is reducing your TSH but your dose is still not enough to fully replace you so your levels will fall. Your levels could get worse and you may feel worse before better. I would hold the 1.5 for a few more weeks and then try another increase, in time your T3 should come.

Completely ignore your TSH level on NDT, it is beyond pointless. Just focus on your FT4/FT3 levels ☺️

[Beau55]

Juliet looking at your previous post it looks like you could potentially have a cortisol problem making this tricky for you. Have you tested your cortisol levels?

[Juliet_22 in reply to Beau55]

Yes, just tested it, 420 level of 8am cortisol and normal sodium-potassium. The am level 420 excludes adrenal issues, according to the sources I have studied, thankfully! I have no issues so far with increasing NDT and the T3 in it. I am feeling better energy-wise too, exercising, starting to work more after going with NDT.

[FancyPants54 in reply to Juliet_22]

Try not to rush about using that new energy. Rest. Let your body have the energy to repair and replace itself. It's very easy to overdo it in the early days.

[Juliet_22 in reply to FancyPants54]

Yes, I agree, going slow is better.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Osteoporosis is linked to low Ft3 or high Ft3 ……NOT low TSH

thyroidpatients.ca/2018/07/...

[Juliet_22 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so much for this link, what a relief to read! People on this forum are BEYOND amazing. Thank you!

[PixieElv]

hi Juliet_22 it’s too early. Give yourself at least 6 weeks but most importantly, see how you feel. If you feel better, then it doesn’t matter if your T3 is lower.

All the best

[Juliet_22 in reply to PixieElv]

Yes, I get it!

[Brightness14]

When I switched from Levo to NDT it took six to eight weeks for the levels to normalise.

[Juliet_22 in reply to Brightness14]

Thank you for sharing,were you checking them before 6-8 weeks as well?

[Brightness14 in reply to Juliet_22]

I went from 100mcg to one quarter Thyroid s in the morning then after about 7 days increased another quarter and so on. I was on 2.25 grains split twice for over seven years and feeling very well too. I only had my first blood test after 8 weeks when I was on 2.5 grains. I had to reduced by one quarter because my FT3 was well over the top range. You also go by how you are feeling of course.

[JAmanda]

I find my results take a really long time to go up and down when changing Levo and lio But have never tried ndt.