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Cutecat42 OP t1_j7rhphr wrote

Reply to comment by MoobyTheGoldenSock in TIFUpdate by most likely having diabetes for years without knowing by Cutecat42

I'm pretty sure my doc isn't a quack...

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"Since the introduction of levothyroxine, some patients have anecdotally reported much better symptom relief and management of their hypothyroidism by taking NDT vs. levothyroxine. The likely reason? NDT contains natural forms of both T4 and T3 hormones."

"More recently, research has shown that a subset of the population has a genetic defect that impairs the ability to convert T4 into T3. Many of these patients report far better symptom relief and quality of life taking NDT because it includes T3 and doesn't rely solely on conversion."

"One reason given by some doctors for their reluctance to prescribe NDT is the fact that NDT drugs are not "FDA-approved." This statement is misleading. NDT was available by prescription long before the Food and Drug Administration came into existence. These drugs were "grandfathered in" by the FDA and were never required to go through the formal FDA approval process. They are, however, carefully regulated by the FDA."

"There is no strong evidence to suggest Armour Thyroid or a combination therapy of synthetic T4 and T3 produce better results than Synthroid in most people."

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I found quite a few articles with the above info. My doctor has a medical degree, and I don't. So even though I know there are other articles that have different info, I trust her more than the Internet.

Seems like the Internet is divided straight down the middle for this argument. As long as I'm taking the medicine properly, there is no risk to my health. If you like dark chocolate, and I like milk chocolate, one of doesn't have to be wrong. We can both have our own opinions.

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MoobyTheGoldenSock t1_j7rotpg wrote

We can certainly have different opinions, but I’m actually a family doctor and am qualified to diagnose and treat hypothyroidism. I do have some patients on it who came to me already on it from other doctors and I do leave them on it if they’re stable, but I certainly don’t start anyone on it.

The endocrinologists in my health system recommend against it and refuse to touch the stuff. The only one who does prescribe it is the self-proclaimed thyroid guru in the area who runs massive panels of unnecessary tests like alternative medicine practitioners do and then prescribes everyone NP or Armour thyroid as a first line. The fact that this is what they started you on without even trying levothyroxine first suggests you have one of those docs.

So I’d be wary. There are a lot of docs out there practicing outside the guidelines even though they hold legit degrees and board certifications. So any time I see a doctor doing something like that, it immediately makes me suspicious.

And hey, maybe yours is an exception. As I said, the metformin is legit. But NP thyroid as a first-line choice makes me suspect they’ve gone down the alt med rabbit hole.

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SometimesGlad1389 t1_j7rtazf wrote

Can I message you? I have some questions about hypothyroidism, someone close to me was just diagnosed and sees a specialist next month. I have a lot of questions on what to expect.

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MoobyTheGoldenSock t1_j7rxkxi wrote

I am going to respectfully decline. You and I don’t have a doctor-patient relationship and that would cross over into giving medical advice on the internet. You could try /r/askdocs as an alternative.

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SometimesGlad1389 t1_j7rxrlu wrote

Fair enough! That's why I asked first before popping into your inbox. Thanks anyway! I'll check that sub out. I didn't know it existed.

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theburiedxme t1_j7srmgy wrote

If you have high bp or cardiovascular issues you might wanna avoid armour/np thyroid but otherwise i wouldn't worry about it. Armour does have therapeutic value, some people have difficulty converting t4 to t3 for several reasons.

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