Thanks. I think I'll try dividing my dose this weekend, and then try a slight increase so that I'll know what dosage to request from my doctor when I get back to the states in 3 weeks. I'll keep posted.
I disagree that you have to wait longer to raise your dose. You can feel the bulk of the effect of desiccated meds within a few days to a week IMO. Since you are still feeling symptomatic, I doubt the subtle boost of T4 will bring you to the right place. This is just my opinion, based on how it was for me raising my dose of Naturethroid, and it's true that everyone is different. I raised 1/4 grain (15mg) at a time, about every 2 weeks. I slowed down once I got to 2 grains, but still had to raise from there. I agree with goolarra to just pick one brand and stick with it.
What I do: a.m. dose of Naturethroid upon waking, wait at least 30min before eating. afternoon dose around lunch, before or after it doesn't really matter, but I don't take it at the exact same time that I eat... again, just personal preference there. I take iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, etc in the evening so as not to interfere with thyroid med absorption. Fat-based vitamins like A, D, K I take whenever, usually around mid-day or later.
You really have to give it more than 10 days before you make any judgments. The T4 portion of desiccated will take 4-6 weeks to reach its full potential in your blood.
Most people do split the dose. When taking desiccated, you are basically relying on the T3 in it to get you through the day. T3 is very fast-acting, peaking a few hours after you take it and then being completely neutralized by your body a few hours after that. So, most people find that taking more than one partial dose keeps levels and energy steadier. Most people take the second half dose around noon or early afternoon. Depending on schedule, of course, you might want to avoid taking it much later than about 3 pm since it can interfere with sleep.
90 mg NT is considered equivalent to 1.5 grains Armour. All desiccated products vary a little, but there is no "rule" on changing from one to the other. Some people do better on one brand over another. You just have to experiment and see where you feel best.
Please post recent labs with reference ranges (they vary lab to lab and have to come from your own lab report). I can then comment on whether it looks like you need an increase.
You should be as consistent as possible in when you take your meds. You don't have to get crazy..."when you get up" is close enough (unless that varies wildly). The rule of thumb is to wait 30-60 minutes after taking meds before eating or drinking anything. Some of us adhere to that rule, others don't. If you tend to have an issue absorbing, then, yes, you want to wait. Food, especially fiber, is the worst offender, but coffee can also impact absorption. I want my coffee first thing in the morning. If it affects absorption, as far as I can see (and my endo agrees), so what if I have to take a little more meds to compensate. However, if as you said, you have a hard time getting going in the morning, you might want to let those meds get into your bloodstream before you eat anything.