Finding this community has encouraged me to ditch T4 altogether after 30 years.

[mickstability]

Over the last 15 years or so I reckon I've become increasingly unable to metabolise T4 properly, (it was fine for the first 15) and such is the nature of the condition that I've only recently taken the plunge and switched to T3 only (20mcg x 3). I won't go into the gory details of GP ignorance/indifference and Endo competency, but I'm seeing my Endo tomorrow ( he doesn't yet know I've switched ) and I'll keep you posted!

[nobodysdriving]

yes please keep us posted and 'well done', do you feel much better now how long since you've 'ditched' T4?

[mickstability in reply to nobodysdriving]

Only a fortnight, but the effect was rather like filters being progressively removed to reveal a clear picture. The speed with which I progressed suggests to me that T4 was inhibiting the action of the T3.

[tegz in reply to mickstability]

From what I've learned recently the critical impact of ReverseT3 and its Ratio to Free T3 is the nub.

If only T3 /RT3 test was standard we would all be So-oo much better off.

OK the tests are pricey c.f. standard TSH -but, done right, a hell of a lot of wasted tests [ie:money] would be saved and people MUCH healthier & happier.

Isn't this what the Health Service should be doing?

Maybe I'm a blind idealist- Not!

[Totoro]

How do you feel on T3?

[mickstability in reply to Totoro]

Early days yet as I had to wait for the T4 to go... but I would cautiously say that I feel better than I have for months, but expect to feel a great deal better than this once the heatwave is over.. I've also ditched Ezetimibe and Naproxen because I want to analyse my state without them. And my backache's gone since starting T3 so I don't need Naproxen.

[editfmrt in reply to mickstability]

Absolutely brilliant. Did you have to go it alone or did you manage to persuade your indifferent GP/Endo to prescribe?

[mickstability in reply to editfmrt]

I originally asked Endo no1 to try Armour, because of its T3 element, as I felt that T4 wasn't working like it used to. This request was dismissed on the grounds that 'Armour isn't stable, it varies from batch to batch' - this was just over a year ago- so I asked my GP to refer me to another hospital (a 120 mile round trip ). They cautiously agreed to a T4/T3 combo 150/20mcg. This produced an immediate (and much needed) improvement in mental acuity but if anything made other symptoms worse - poor sleep, depression, listlessness - but Endo 2 wrote to Endo 1 asking him to support T3 in my case. Whilst waiting for the (twice postponed) Endo1 appt I took advantage of the possession of T3 to trial withdrawing T4 altogether, upping T3 to 60 mcg. This morning Endo 1 agreed that as I was clearly so much better they would sanction it's continued use, which is the result I wanted, as it frees up my GP who had been covertly supportive, but understandably rather at sea with all this. Endo 1 's reservation is that it will be difficult to monitor TSH on T3 only, whereas my interest is in how much T3 ends up in my brain, and TSH ain't going to tell you that!

[Totoro in reply to mickstability]

I also felt much better mentally when I went from T4 to T4/T3 combo but then after a couple of weeks felt much worse.

I think it's because the T4 was making my body better but not much affecting my brain. So when the T4 was reduced (and started to get out of my body after a while) it wasn't being replaced by the T3 because that was mainly going into my brain, which is where it was most needed. Then when my T3 was increased I felt better all over

T3 only is also working for me too!

Totoro

[mickstability in reply to Totoro]

Thanks Totoro.Yes, that initial hit of T3 was welcome and dramatic, and it was very disconcerting to find that it didn't last. I think that it revealed that the T4 was being converted to rT3 in excess amounts and inhibiting delivery of T3 - (my own highly subjective opinion - no tests to back this up, of course ). I too continue to improve on T3 only, but I wonder if this regime is sustainable long term, ie where am I going to get T1 T2 and cortisol from? I suppose the next challenge is to persuade my endo to trial NDT.