Started T3 but awful insomnia Advice please - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

140,892 members166,004 posts

Started T3 but awful insomnia Advice please

Otto11 profile image
17 Replies

Hi everyone I'm just after a bit of advice. I started T3 Roma on Saturday & had reduced my dose of T4 from 125mcgs/100mgs alternate days to 100mcgs daily for a week then alternating 100mcgs/75mcgs since Saturday. I was prescribed 10mcgs T3 morning & evening however after advice from this group I have started low so taking 5mcgs split to am & pm currently. I've had dreadful problems sleeping for 3 nights still awake at 3am then sleeping till 10am. I've set an alarm to take T3 at 9am (hubby waking me to take it) then again at 5pm. I felt a bit more human yesterday but feel dreadful this morning so not sure if its the T3 or just lack of decent sleep. Should I take the afternoon dose earlier? Any advice welcome please.

Written by
Otto11 profile image
Otto11
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
17 Replies
TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMeAmbassador

I'd be inclined to say just drop back to the 5mcg morning dose for a couple of weeks to give your body chance to adjust to this new regime... adding 10mcg from the start is a big dose and we recommend starting low as it is powerful stuff and you may only need a very small amount, you could drop back to 2.5mcg morning and night?

Feeling wired is certainly a sign that your body isn't happy

Perhaps look back at the responses to your previous post... healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Otto11 profile image
Otto11 in reply toTiggerMe

Hi sorry I seem to have misled you. I’m splitting the 5mcgs into 2.5 mcg am & 2.5 mcg pm. I have capsules so mixing powder with water which isn’t ideal. I don’t feel wired as such just unable to sleep.

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame in reply toOtto11

I'd be inclined to stick with your current dosing, it takes quite a while for the body to adjust.....it's not like taking paracetamol for a headache. You are still only a few days with this dose.

Have you tried taking a warm drink and a light snack....e.g a digestive biscuit, before you go to bed.

Unfortunely it's often a case of trial and error, with a good helping of patience, until we reach our therapeutic dose

Good luck

Otto11 profile image
Otto11 in reply toDippyDame

Thanks. I have Camomile tea before bed. Then read in bed & feel tired but that’s it awake till 3am. I have to be up early the rest of the week & know I won’t manage on just a few hours sleep. I wasn’t thinking of lowering my dose just maybe taking it earlier than 5pm. Guess it’s just trial & error as you say. I will stick with it x

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame in reply toOtto11

Re magnesium...sorry forgot to mention it!

Magnesium glycinate is considered to be the most effective type of magnesium for bettering sleep, as it may help relax both the nervous system and your muscles.

Otto11 profile image
Otto11 in reply toDippyDame

I will look at that thanks. I have a lot of prescription meds so need to make sure it’s ok for me to take. Thanks.

DippyDame profile image
DippyDame in reply toOtto11

You can check contraindications here...

go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00440

Otto11 profile image
Otto11 in reply toDippyDame

Thats really helpful. Thanks. I will look at it over the weekend.

TiggerMe profile image
TiggerMeAmbassador in reply toOtto11

Sorry, my misinterpretation, like Dippy says either stick with it or drop back to once a day for a bit... do you take magnesium as this is good for relaxation?

Otto11 profile image
Otto11 in reply toTiggerMe

No problem. I will try to stick with it. I have bought some Magnesium foot cream see if it helps. Thanks.

Anthea55 profile image
Anthea55

I take my T3 in 2 doses, one at about 7am and the other about 2pm.

T3 wakes you up and has a short half life. I wouldn't take it in the evening.

Anthea55 profile image
Anthea55 in reply toAnthea55

By the way these timings were recommended by my thyroid doctor (from the Thyroid UK list of doctors).

Otto11 profile image
Otto11 in reply toAnthea55

Thanks. As I have several other health conditions with lots of meds I don’t normally wake early generally 9.30 ish hence taking second dose at 5pm. I’m going to have to try & work round it. It makes sense. I did tell the nurse this but she said it didn’t matter as long as 8 hours apart. Thanks again.

Muffy profile image
Muffy

I take mine when I wake up during the night and the next 20mcg in the morning. I’ve a feeling that Jim111 has said on here that takes his at night as well.

Otto11 profile image
Otto11 in reply toMuffy

Thanks. Its definately something to bear in mind.

chrisbuy63 profile image
chrisbuy63

I actually sleep better after t3 at night. It is probably an individual thing.

You could try bringing the doses back to earlier timing to give more time before bed.

Otto11 profile image
Otto11 in reply tochrisbuy63

Its strange how we are all different. Ive managed to take it at 4.30 the last few days but still not found it helps. I will continue till next week then re think. Thanks.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

T3 timings. Advice please.

My endo recently increased my levo and T3 meds. (50 to 75mcg and 10 to 20mcg respectively). I’ve...

Started T3 and need advice please...

I started t3 ten days ago. I’m taking 5 mcg T3 in the morning an hour before food and 100mcg T4 at...
HarlesBarles profile image

Started T3 and feel awful

Hi all. Help needed! I’ve been on Levo T4 100 dose for some time, still had symptoms so my Endo...
HashiFedUp profile image

Started T3, need advice

My doctor added additional T3 to my meds for my hashimotos. I have a T3/T4 compounded of 60mg,which...
sandyskw1967 profile image

Started Liothyronine T3 2 weeks ago with my T4- Advice please

Dear all. I have tried to attach a table of all of my thyroid results below in a table so...
Bubbap profile image

Moderation team

See all
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator
helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator
Buddy195 profile image
Buddy195Administrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.