Need some help

[bonnyaus]

New doctor has stated my test results are borderline.I am on NDT 100mg Capsules made up by a compounding pharmacy lab.

I take the capsule between 9pm and 10pm, 2 hours after eating evening meal.

Doctor said test 6 hours after medication. Never been told this before.

3 doctors in last 3 years.

TEST 7/7/23 @ 8.45am

TSH 0.39 mU/L (0.1-5.0)

Lab did not give Free T4 or Free T3 results although on referral.

TEST 26/9/22 @ 8.32am

TSH 0.31mU/L (0.1-5.0)

Free T4 9.6 pmo1/L (9-19)

Free T3 6.1 H pom1/L (2.5-6.0)

I have a new referral for blood test from new doctor.

Am I over medicated.

[pennyannie]

Hello Bonnyaus and welcome to the forum :

When taking Natural Desiccated Thyroid it's more about how you feel as there are no ' lab tests ' specifically for NDT and we dose to the relief of clinical symptoms - so how long have you been on this dose and how do you feel you are doing ?

As was the system before the science of blood tests and the rules and guidelines introduced by Big Pharma when they launched their own T3 and T4 synthetic options on the back of NDT in the middle of the last century.

NDT blood tests will not look like synthetic T3 and T4 blood tests and we track on the Free T3 reading :

NDT blood test readings tend to show a low suppressed TSH -

and a T4 likely lower in the range BUT with a T3 significantly higher in the range than when on synthetic T4 monotherapy,

Do you have any bench mark readings from when taking T4 monotherapy so we can compare if NDT ' looks to be ' working better for you ?

So is this blood test is 6 hours post ingestion of the capsule as that puts the blood test at around 3/4 am ?

My fasting blood tests at around 10 / 12 hours - gives me a similar T3 reading - I am not over medicated :

I'm with Graves and post RAI thyroid ablation 2005:

[bonnyaus in reply to pennyannie]

Have always been on NDT since 2014. Past tests have been on 10-12 hour fasts as the results I have posted.

The new doctor said 6 hours after ingestion. I am due for a new blood test so was a bit confused about the timing and her comment about being borderline.

I am coeliac, diabetic and have DH. I had my gangrenous gallbladder removed in an emergency opand since have had problems with diarrhoea.

So I have a lot going on and not feelings so good.

I have all my tests back to 2014 so tomorrow I will complie the results to look at the progression so you can see what has been happening.

I will do the test with 10-12 hour fast to get the new base line.

I have now found a functional doctor closer to home but is a 4 month wait. The doctor who ordered the referral is 120klm from my home where we now live. I live on an island in Redland Bay area.

Thank you for replying it has helped clarify my thoughts.

I need to go to bed as it is 10.18pm and mind a bit fuzzy.

[Brightness14]

How do you feel. The ratio between your FT4 and FT3 is so low. Your NDT is probably made up differently to the usual ones. Armour, Erfa and Thyroid s. It think that it must contain a lot more T3 for your FT4 to be low too. It all depends on you.

[bonnyaus in reply to Brightness14]

I have been on NDT since 2014 but different strengths adjusted over time.

Not feeling good but a lot of issues with health and our terrible hot humid raining summer.

NDT is from compounding pharmacy mixed to doctors script.

What should the ratio be between FT4 and FT3 and how to work it out, please.

I have all my tests back to 2014 and will look tomorrow at them to give me a guide.

It is 10.27 and head getting a bit fuzzy after a very hot, humid rainy day in SE Queensland.

Thank you for replying.

[Brightness14]

You may be better taking your NDT early am rather than PM. Your ratio T3 to T4 is very high 1.57 . You are on capsules so these contain the ratio they are compounded.

Are you on a statin and if so why.

[bonnyaus in reply to Brightness14]

Changed to pm to take capsule as upset stomach am plus was easier to maintain same time each night. My diabetic medication is 12 hours apart so clashed with thyroid taking am. Metformin XR 7am again 7pm.I felt better taking NDT in the evening 2/3 hours after evening meal.

Yes I am on a statin, a standard treatmeny when cholesterol is a little high and a diabetic.

I will ring the compound pharmacy and ask about the mixture they use. I understand it is thyroid USP powder (porcine) and Avicel PH-105 (microcrystalline cellu). Eg Thyroid power 4.2 GM

to match dosage for 40mg capsule. This from old receipt from 2018.

I did a blood test this morning so will see doctor in a week and get more information.

How do you work out the ratios please.

[Insomania]

Hi, I’m interested in your NDT dose at bedtime. Does it help with sleep?

My sleep is shot to bits! (Last night I was awake 12-6 😖) I currently take NDT in one dose at 6am and fall into a deep sleep.

[bonnyaus in reply to Insomania]

I'm not sure as sometimes, it takes awhile to fall asleep but I have other issues like sinus and tummy issues after gallbladder op. I generally sleep well.I changed to pm because clash of other medication and the slight sick feeling in tummy. My functional doctor I had at that time said it was OK.

My NDT is mixed by a compound pharmacy.

I did have trouble sleeping years ago and it was my cortisol level was through the roof.

[Insomania in reply to bonnyaus]

Thanks for replying. I’m on Armour, still titrating.

I know my cortisol is part of the issue, unavoidable stress in the mix too.

How did your cortisol improve?

[bonnyaus in reply to Insomania]

My functional doctor worked with a naturopath, so she prescribed treatment, which took 6 months to bring it into the mid range and stabilise, as the doctor wanted. He prefers naturopathic and only uses big pharmaceutical if necessary.Yes, I have had unavoidable stress over a long period, anxiety issues am diabetic and coeliac in the mix.

I usually take magnesium from powder in a drink in the afternoon. I'm trying to sort out my diarrhoea problem at the moment.