I've been taking T3 only since seeing Dr Peatfield in October last year, after having been on thyroxine for 30 years. On his advice I have gradually built up to taking 50mcg daily but I'm feeling incredibly tired all the time and having palpitations - missing beats etc and pulse raised to 80/84 bpm. I actually feel as though I'm dragging myself around and feeling light headed and occasionally dizzy.
I've tried to speak to Dr P and left messages to no avail. I'm wondering whether I need to cut back on the T3, or even introduce either T4 or some NDT into the equation to see if it makes any difference. Dr P said he thought I have conversion problems with T4 and he may be right for all I know, but I expected to feel a lot better by now than I do.
Any thoughts or advice very welcome.
Thanks
Marlene
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marlathome
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I had exactly the same problem when I was on a T4/T3 combo and, according to my endo it was a combination of being overmedicated and low ferritin. I have not read it myself but when I was explaining to someone on this site what my endo had said she replied "Paul Robinson talks about the importance of iron and how it needs to be at a reasonable level when you are taking T3". So my question to you is have you had your ferritin levels checked?
My endo also said, when I told him that it wasn't the fast heart rate that worried me it was the missing beats that "there are no missing beats because before you feel what you think is a missing beat the heart has an extra beat" - whether he is correct or not I wouldn't like to say. I battled with this problem for over a year and finally had to come off of T3 and go back to T4 only - I'm not saying that this will happen to you but I do know how worrying it can be.
Because of my "heart" situation and my continuing tiredness my endo has had me taking every test he can think of - from heart and bone scans to adrenal and endless blood tests as he is under the impression that "not all my symptoms are thyroid related". He hasn't quite got to the bottom of it yet but I must say I have a lot more energy and am spend less time dragging myself around (when even walking my dog was becoming to much for me) since starting on iron supplements.
Your endo sounds wonderful, Moggie! How I wish I could get the same care and attention from the NHS you are having - is your endo NHS or private? I'm glad you're feeling better, although still not there yet - it's a riddle, isn't it? Thanks for the tip about ferritin (see my post below).
Hi I cannot comment on the treatment you are having. however, under an Endo, T3 alone is only used if t4 or NDT ( armour etc) cannot be taken. It also depends on blood tests, TSH, T4 and Free T3. T3 is wonderful, I have it + armour, to keep my Ft3 high enough to keep well in respect of my Hashimoto. However, If it goes above range, the Free T3, then I immediately reduce it. This is considered essential. in any case, it is vital to have Free T3 and other thyroid bloods tseted before upping T3 and a month after being on a higher dose.
I hope this helps.
Best wishes,
Jackie
50mcg is not a huge amount, so it has me wondering HOW you are taking it? All in one go, or split 3 to 5 times daily?
I found when I was on T3 only, I needed to take very frequent small doses to stop the ups and downs of heart-rate, and is one reason I would not be so keen to be on T3 only all the time.
Even now on NDT, I find I am much better on 3x daily dosing because of the T3 it contains.
Thanks for the responses - I'm feeling pretty grim, actually - my heart rate seems to be doing somersaults and I'm feeling dizzy and lightheaded and exhausted. Have stopped taking all thyroid medication now in the hope that things will calm down and I can start again - it seems clear to me that I've taken too much T3 too quickly. If I don't feel better soon I'll have to go to the dreaded GP who will waste no time in taking me off T3 and prescribing levo. Really hope I dont have to do that.
maria, the half life of T3 is only about twelve hours I think, so your levels will drop very soon and within a few days or a week be out of your system. Are you still on T4 which is more like two weeks of half life. You probably don't want all of it out of your system, do you?
I spoke to Dr Peatfield's clinic yesterday and they advised me to stop taking T3 immediately until Monday and then start again on 25mcg. I've made an appointment to see him in June. I felt truly awful yesterday and was beginning to be very alarmed but during the afternoon things calmed down.
Reading Moggie's post I decided to take an iron tablet - my doctor wouldn't include my ferritin levels in my last blood test because he said other blood results showed they were fine, whatever that means. Anyway, I took one and it was after I did I began to feel better. Does anyone know if iron can have an almost immediate effect, or was this just coincidental? I certainly don't feel as tired today but maybe that's because my heart rate has calmed down totally - no more palpitations although it's still on the fast side.
Thanks everyone for your input - really appreciated.
Taking iron when you don't need it can be dangerous so please be mindful of this. It needs to be taken with VitC, so the body can absorb I properly, and also on a full stomach (according to people on this site) but please, please ask your GP again for a test.
My GP told me my iron was fine, but it wasn't, and I know how frustrating it can be when GP's refuse tests. Have you ever asked your GP for a private test - I did this with my VitD, I had asked on numerous occasions but she kept refusing until I asked how much a private test would cost, she then relented and did a test for me on the NHS (which came back very low).
I don't think the one iron tablet would have made the difference as it has taken me six weeks to notice any change, it is most probably you stopping the T3 that has done it.
I mentioned on my first reply about RT3 - its a very complicated issue which I don't fully understand but have sent you this link to look at, it might ring a few bells for you.
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