Has Anyone Tried Adding An Over the counter T3 To Their Levo??

[mitchell66]

I have been on Levo for 8 weeks, and to be honest I am not feeling any better, and in fact have put on more weight. I have convinced myself I must have a conversion problem. I am currently on 100mg.

[helvella Administrator]

There is no over-the-counter T3.

T3 (also called Liothyronine or tri-iodo-thyronine) is a prescription-only medicine in the UK.

If you have seen something called "T3" available as an over-the-counter supplement, that is nothing whatsoever to do with T3 as we know it. It is a name chosen to exploit the unwary, especially in the body-building world.

Rod

[mitchell66 in reply to helvella]

Thanks Rod. So when people talk about self medicating with T3 what do they mean?

[helvella Administrator in reply to mitchell66]

They mean obtaining Liothyronine (T3) from somewhere outside the UK (for example, we have members who live in countries where it is readily available, others manage to buy it from abroad).

Then taking it!

Some people find a doctor who accepts that T3 might be helpful but is unwilling to prescribe it themselves. Others do their research and take full responsibility themselves. In either case, they then purchase their own T3.

As soon as you do this you are accepting the problems that go along with it. Such as the time it takes for product to arrive. The possibility of sources drying up. The lack of experience of many doctors. The internet scams. The possibility of poor quality product. It is, nonetheless, something some people feel they must do.

To be honest, eight weeks is not long enough. And simply being on 100 micrograms and not feeling 100% does not explain a lot. You might need more. You might need vitamin B12, folates, iron/ferritin and vitamin D all to be tested and supplemented in order to feel better. You might need to change when you take it.

Managing T3 is not always easy.

For information: It is perfectly legal to import many medicines for personal use only. So long as it is not a Controlled Drug.

Rod

[mitchell66 in reply to helvella]

Thanks Rod I have put some info in my profile.

[helvella Administrator in reply to mitchell66]

In my book, you have a way to go yet on trying levothyroxine. Looks like at least 25 micrograms more.

I suggest your B12 is too low so would take some high dose oral methylcobalamin.

And, maybe some folic acid or other folate supplement.

[mitchell66 in reply to helvella]

Thanks Rod, Dr S wanted me to go up to 125 after 4 weeks on 100, but just found out my stupid doc won't support it or do the blood tests Dr S wanted before my next appointment which is why I'm panicking a bit.

Anyway I'm on 3000iu of vit D3, 300ug of biotin and 50ug of selenium, so will go for the B12 and folate this week, didn't want to start everything together in case one or more upset me and I wouldn't know which it was, if that makes sense.