NDT - to split the dose or not?

[PixieElv]

Hello lovely people

I am after some experiences on if and how you split your NDT dose?

I have been taking NDT 3.75 grains once a day at 6am. But recently i have been feeling quite tired in the afternoon around 3ish.

My recent bloods are: T4 16.5 (9-22) and T3 5.9 (2.4-6) TSH 0.01

Ferretin 193 (1-200), Folate 14.1 (3-20), Vit D 179 (50-200)

My Endo said I should split my dose, (one dose in the morning and one before lunch) but that seems to make me even more tired.

Any suggestions what worked for you to make you less tired in the afternoon? Any suggestions on how to split your dose? Or not?

Thank you so much

[TSH110]

I split it initially but after a few years I found it made no difference if I took it in one daily dose so I’ve done that since. It’s better absorbed taken at night before bed rather than first thing in the morning , but some find sleeping an issue with night time dosing I just fall asleep the minute my head hits the pillow! Low ferritin caused me to have a serious afternoon slump but yours is excellent .

As you don’t take it at night I’d try that, as a bit extra might make the difference you need

[PixieElv in reply to TSH110]

Thank you and interesting. By taking it at night, do you not miss out on the T3 ‘boast’ I thought that only lasts for 4ish hours?

[terebol in reply to PixieElv]

there is a very good explanation written by diogenes(on this community) from 2 yrs. ago re: NDT It is entitled: Pharmacokinetics of NDT. If you can't find it, I'll do some cut & paste. I have been on NDT for most of my Ord's/Hashi life (35yrs). I have, only, ever taken it once daily in the a.m.

[PixieElv in reply to terebol]

Hiya

I would be really grateful if you could send a link or a copy & paste please?

I can’t find it…

Thank you so much

[RedApple in reply to PixieElv]

Here it is healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

[PixieElv in reply to RedApple]

Thank you so much

[terebol in reply to RedApple]

Thanks for sending link for PixieElv & others

[PixieElv in reply to RedApple]

So if I understand the post correctly, it says that with T3 from NDT you do NOT get the boost you get from synthetic T3? And that it does a lot longer to break down and enter the bloodstream.

So it doesn’t matter what time of day you take it?

[RedApple in reply to PixieElv]

My own experience of taking NDT agrees with the slower release of hormone compared to the synthetics. For me, it's a 'smoother ride', meaning I don't feel my levels peaking in the way it can feel with synthetics. But I wouldn't say that's a reason not to split the dose. Tolerance of thyroid hormones can vary from one person to another. Some people can tolerate it all in one go, others need to split dose. Actual time of day isn't necessarily important (as long as enough time is left before/after eating etc.), but consistency is best.

3.75 grains is quite a high dose. Most people don't need that much. And looking at your FT4 and FT3 numbers, I'm guessing you could drop your dose down a bit. Tiredness can certainly be a symptom of too much thyroid hormone for me.

[PixieElv in reply to RedApple]

That is sage advice. I don’t struggle with taking it all at once but I hear you re over medicated. I will try 3.5 grains in the morning and see if that works better

Thank you

[TSH110 in reply to PixieElv]

Don’t seem to. Some say you need a lot of t3 in one go to get the benefit     DippyDame and taking it two doses don’t do it. You can but try and see if it helps . The peak can be a lot longer to happen in some people maybe 8-12 hours

I don’t notice any peak whatsoever, it all feels very smooth, pretty normal in fact I take 1.25 grains a day

[PixieElv in reply to TSH110]

So do I (feels smooth). I had terrible peaks on T3 and didn’t get on with it. The only problem with taking my NDT in the morning that persists is the afternoon slump. But still a lot better than on Levo, T3, combo or splitting NDT 😂

[BB001]

I split my Thyro-Gold bovine desiccated thyroid into two doses, 1 hour before and 4 hours after food as follows: Wake & take Thyro-Gold

After 1 hour eat breakfast

11:30‐12 eat dinner

4pm take Thyro-Gold

5pm or later eat

I personally would take 2 grains in the morning and 1.75 grains between 12-4pm.

By splitting your NDT dose, you get a boost from the T3 in each dose. By taking the second dose at lunch (remember to do an hour before eating), you should avoid the energy dip in the afternoon as it takes the T3, 2-4 hours to peak. I'm now on T3-only and get some benefit within 30 minutes of taking a dose.

It would be useful to know how long after taking your last NDT dose your blood test was done.

[PixieElv in reply to BB001]

I tried that timing too. Still I was absolutely exhausted. Ihad to have 2 sleeps during the day. Splitting seems to make me more tired…

the test was done about 24h after taking it. So it might give a false low on the T3?

[Brightness14]

I have no thyroid and have been taking NDTs for about 8/9 years now. At first I took it all in one go AM. But for the past seven years have split the dose. I take 1.25 at 6am and the other one at around 1pm one hour after lunch. This works well for me with no thyroid. I don't have any other things stopping it i.e. age allergies etc.

Your levels seem good to me but I always feel well when my FT3 is higher above 6.

[Farrugia]

I split mine - 1.25 on waking and then 1.25 usually an hour after lunch (or an hour before if I'm late eating lunch). I still get a slump in the afternoon but it's not as bad as when I was on Levothyroxine.

The other day I read on a post on here about the optimum time to take supplements that Vitamin B (not sure if this was B12 or B complex) can prevent you sleeping so it's better to take it in the morning. Someone suggested taking Vit B in the afternoon to give you a boost if you get a slump. I've tried taking vitamin B a bit later a couple of times and I think it might help but it's quite hard to fit it in so that it can be far enough away from the NDT.

[PixieElv in reply to Farrugia]

Taking B vit after lunch is a good idea. I will give that a go. Thank to