Source of NDT or T3?

[BFNorway]

Looking for some advice. I’ve been having hypothyroid symptoms for years, with FT3 at the very bottom end and often below range the few times I got the doctor to test it.

Morning oral temp at 35.8-36.0C

Only a couple of times did it approach 50% of range and that was using desiccated thyroid supplements. That was several years ago.

The doctor usually just test TSH and FT4 and since those have been normal, no further testing has been done.

I’ve had elevated LDL for years, and even with high dosage of Rosuvastain + Ezetimibe, I couldn’t get my LDL down.

My CK, eGFR and liver values went up, and I started experiencing muscle pain.

So I asked him to test FT3, explaining how it is often directly correlated, and surprise, surprise:

It came back below range:

TSH: 1.7 (0.2-4.0)

FT4: 13.5 (11.0-23.0)

FT3: 3.3 (3.5-6.0)

Did a follow-up test 3 weeks later just to check if it wasn't just a random error, and now my FT4 was 12.0 and FT3: 3.0 with a slight elevation of LDL (no change in statins).

Doctor would not prescribe medication, since "TSH is normal, and T3 isn’t THAT low".

So I’m just looking for a good source of NDT and even T3.

Please DM this to me, as source posting is prohibited.

Would be really happy and relieved if someone could help me.

For natural sources that I’ve heard good things about, I’m considering Metavive II which I can get from a local supplier here, but it’s very expensive. I’ve also read positive reviews on Trustpilot about Nutriest, but it also contains liver so I’m interested in a pure product, if possible - and a pharmaceutical even better.

Thank you in advance.

[J972]

Welcome. My initial thought is, what time of day were these tests done? TSH follows a circadian rhythm and is highest early morning.

Have you tested thyroid antibodies at any point?

It could be that you’re looking at central hypothyroidism. That’s characterised by within range TSH but low frees. Your frees are abysmally low!

[BFNorway in reply to J972]

All of them at 8am.

Thyroid antibodies are in the low end of the range, so Hashimotos has been ruled out.

Yeah, I agree - and it drives me nuts that the doctor is so reluctant to treat it!

[FancyPants54 in reply to BFNorway]

Definitely try Levothyroxine first. It’s so much cheaper to buy. And make sure your B12, Vitamin D, Iron, Folate and Ferritin are optimal before you begin. Not just in range. These will help your body deal with the Levo.

[BFNorway in reply to FancyPants54]

But why would T4 be a good idea when my conversion is so poor? I have a DIO2 enzyme defect according to 23andme.

[FancyPants54 in reply to BFNorway]

You didn't say you had the Dio2 enzyme defect. From one or both parents? I have it from one. You can improve your conversion if you optimise the vitamins and nutrients I listed. After all, it worked in your earlier life and you still had the defect then.

I use NDT now. I have used Levo., Levo + T3, T3 only. They are all really hard to get a handle on apart from Levo. if it works for you. And you won't know that unless you optimise everything and try it. If you have the defect from both parents then I'd suggest Levo + T3. We have to look at this for the longer term. It worries me a lot that I'm currently using NDT. How long will I be able to pay for that? I don't know. But I know that T3 is a bit "fast" for me and I prefer the NDT. I would not start there, at the most expensive end. First try Levo. and improve everything else to match.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

so you are not currently taking any replacement thyroid hormones at all?

Why not start on Levothyroxine , standard STARTER dose is 50mcg

Retest in 6-8 weeks

Always test early morning, before 9am, only drinking water between waking and test and last dose Levothyroxine 24 hours before test

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Absolutely essential to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Can you add recent results and ranges

Exactly what vitamin supplements are you taking

Are you vegetarian or vegan

Have you tested BOTH TPO and TG thyroid antibodies

Had ultrasound scan of thyroid

Tested prolactin levels and testosterone levels

Low GFR (kidney function) linked to being hypothyroid