RE: On NDT and T3 elevated Advice appreciated

[Guest guest]

Hello Han, I wondered what had happened to you.

First, regarding your thyroid function test results. Can you

tell me, did you take your Erfa Thyroid on the morning you had your blood drawn

- if so, do NOT reduce your Erfa Thyroid. The T3 (the ACTIVE) thyroid hormone

has a very short half life of just 2 days in humans. However, the EFFECT T3 has

in your body only lasts for approximately 6 to 8 hours and that is why we

always recommend splitting the dose - in order to keep y our level 'topped up'.

After taking T3, it peaks in the blood between 2 to 4 hours

after taking it - so we always recommend NOT to take ANY on the morning your

blood is drawn, because it would double your T3 result and often, put it

outside the top of the reference range. If you did take it in the morning of

your blood being taken, ask your endo. to let you have another test, and this

time do not take your Erfa until after the test has been done.

If you did not take any Erfa on that morning, you might be

taking a little bit too much so drop your dose by half a grain (30 mgs) and see

if that helps. You may be getting these symptoms because you are suffering with

another of the many associated conditions that go along with symptoms of

hypothyroidism and which stop the thyroid hormone from being properly utilised

at the cellular level. Ask your GP to test your levels of ferritin, B12, D3, magnesium,

folate, copper and zinc. See also the attached document and check out all the

different conditions there to make sure none of these are the cause of your

problems. If you suffer any of these, they need to be supplemented with

whatever you are low in.

It is expected that your T4 is low when you are taking all the

thyroid hormones, but 25mcgs levothyroxine won't do you any harm, and might

help you feel better.

Luv - Sheila

My Endo prescribed Erfra 120mgs daily (which I have been taking in divided

doses) since the end of February this year. Previously I was on T4 only (for

15yrs) but began having problems with hypo/hyper symptoms a year ago and have

been very unwell. My main symptom being extreme fatigue. Since commencing NDT I

have noticed a vast improvement in my wellbeing, more energy,and sleeping

better. However over the past few weeks I have noticed some ugly symptoms

returning,not as much energy, and at times a racing heart.(previously my pulse

rate was always very slow) I got my Thyroid blood results yesterday and they

are;

T3 6.09 (3-5)

T4 9.4 (7.5-21)

TSH is supressed

Endo has advised me to reduce the Erfra to 90mgs daily.

My T4 seems very low and I am just wondering if it is ok being so low?

1 of 1 File(s)

Why thyroid hormone stops working (2).doc

[Guest guest]

Hi Sheila

Thanks for your reply. No I didnt take my Erfa on the morning of the blood draw,

so it looks as if I am taking a bit too much replacement and will drop by 30mgs

(thats what my Endo suggested too - so great minds think alike!!!)

I was wondering about adding in a bit of T4 as you suggested due to my FT4 being

so low. Do many on here add in a bit of T3 or T4 to NDT?

Han

> If you did not take any Erfa on that morning, you might be taking a little

> bit too much so drop your dose by half a grain (30 mgs) and see if that

> helps.

>

> It is expected that your T4 is low when you are taking all the thyroid

> hormones, but 25mcgs levothyroxine won't do you any harm, and might help you

> feel better.

>

> Luv - Sheila

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Taking 25mcgs of T4 with my NDT helped me in the past. I took it

for years, but now no longer need it as I am happy with the 2 grains of Erfa I

am taking. The T4 and T3 is standardised in every tablet, but some of us need a

bit more T3 or a bit more T4 so you have to try the experiment. As they say,

one size shoe does not fit everybody.

Luv - Sheila

Thanks for your reply. No I didnt take my Erfa on the morning of the blood

draw, so it looks as if I am taking a bit too much replacement and will drop by

30mgs (thats what my Endo suggested too - so great minds think alike!!!)

I was wondering about adding in a bit of T4 as you suggested due to my FT4

being so low. Do many on here add in a bit of T3 or T4 to NDT?

Han

_