I have been on levothyroxine 75mcg for about 30 years but my T3 levels are at or below the normal range. I just began to take Liothyronine 5mcg three days ago and about 1/2 hour after I take it I feel really sleepy. Is my body just getting adjusted to this new medication? Is this normal? The pharmacist suggested I stick with it for two weeks and see how my body adjusts to the medication but I thought I would feel more energetic, not less. Thanks,
Angelworld
It is only a very tiny dose. What were your tft results like otherwise? I could be wrong in which case someone should correct me but I'd expect you to eventually be on more t3.
When I started t3 I was prescribed 10mcg (with a view to raise to 25) but initially tried 5 to see how I would react. I didn't see any results until I took 10.
My T3 result was 82; and my T4 was 8.5mcg/dl; tsh was 0.760. For some reason my endo and GP are worried about my getting too much so my Endo just started me off slow. None of them seem to know what they are doing. I had a partial thyroidectomy when I was 27 and am now 66 years old. I just want to have energy to live a normal life. Thanks or your help. Let me know how your t3 worked for you. What did you see when you took 10?
The oedema which had plagued me for ages just seemed to fall off, constipation resolved, I felt brighter and happier and had a bit more stamina. It wasn't a dramatic change but the swelling and constipation issues went a long way toward making me feel loads better on their own.
Without the blood ranges I don't know how much wiggle room you have but if you find the t3 helps you, you may want to eventually reduce some levo and add a bit more t3. What I've struggled with is getting the proportions right.
Good luck! I hope it helps you too! 
Oh, by the way, the doctor's office gave me the number 82 so I don't know if she meant 8.2 or 82. Do you know?
Why don't you phone your doctors office and ask for a print out of your results. They are yours and they can't refuse you.
Jo xx
I don't remember feeling tired, but I remember feeling very worried about it and a bit woozy as the first tablet wore off. You might coincidentally be tired for another reason or perhaps it's just your individual reaction to it. I started on a much higher dose than you, but it was weeks before it made any difference, though I don't understand why. I'd just try to stick with it if you can, it's worth it in the end
Thanks, Aurealis, I do have some other stress issues going on right now with my health but for some reason, right after I took the t3 pill, I was suddenly really tired.
Did you reduce your Levothyroxine when starting T3?
When I first tried Liothyronine, I took 5mcg and reduced the Levothyroxine.
I did not get any benefit from the Liothyronine, but felt worse on the reduced Levothyroxine.
Increasing to 10mcg Liothyronine made no difference.
It was only when the Liothyronine increased to 20mcg that I began to feel better - gradually, over two weeks.
Hi angelworld, I am curious how things turned out with the cytomel as I am having the same problem. Was on Synthroid many years, but was tested for free t3 (for the first time ever) last month and it was very low, along with tsh being high. Doctor added 5mcg cytomel, been on it for 5 days now and am very tired, much more than usual. Like you I was hoping to feel more energetic. Did you stick with it? Did it eventually help with other symptoms? I'm wondering if I take it at bedtime, it might help my insomnia?
I know this is an old thread - but I am curious too. I am so tired from it as well - going to try as you suggested to put it to good use and help with my insomnia Hope you are feeling better!!
Me too! Do I’d you ever get over the fatigue? I feel like a zombie
Hallo - me too!! Other symptoms much better but the tiredness is awful. It’s more brain fatigue than anything else. When I get moving my body has the energy but if I’m not up and about my brain feels woolly and I have to really fight the urge to sleep in the afternoon. It’s a weird sleepiness like there’s cotton wool in half my brain. When do you take your T3?
I’ve been taking half before bed and half in the morning. I’m still not sure if it’s the t3...I guess I’ll have to come off it to see.
I get what you’re saying about wool in the brain. I feel like I’m drugged or in a stupor of sorts. My body feels tired and achy like I’m getting the flu. I’ve tried adding a bit more t3 and it just seems worse. It’s so paradoxical, if it is the t3......I don’t get it.
I’ve been given a trial of 15 T3 to add to 75 (reduced from 100) T4. I’ve only managed to increase to 15 for about 4 days and couldn’t continue feeling that bad was completely wiped. Am now taking T3 10 with T4 at 4am. It sort of works in that most symptoms better but that woolly (yes, drugged is a good description) remains. I perk up late afternoon though. Drinking more coffee than usual! Only been less than a week on this though so am going to stick it out and see if the tired goes away 🥱 how long you been trying it? I was wondering about taking the T3 at bed time and T4 in the morning to see if that helped. Have you tried that?
did you? i am gradually increasing my T3 …. now at 50mcg ( no levothyroxine)& feel tired/woozy
did it resolve?
thx!
This happened to me. I did really well on T3 only treatment, until I became depressed (due to a move) and began eating more carbs and dairy.. I could not absorb 250 mcg and was so tired! When I was well, I was on 75 mcg 3x a day.. it worked.. I was happy, down to my (US) size 2 pants, no depression or anxiety, everything was great! I have absorption issues, unfortunately, so I need to take high doses. Try low carb and see how you absorb the hormone.. you may need more.
I have to mention that I’m in T3 only treatment.. L-T3 monotherapy.
I was on Levothyroxine 125mcg for over 10 years, I have recently swopped to T4 +T3 medication after always feeling anxious and having lots of aches and pains with levothyroxine.
For the last few weeks I have been taking 50mcg Levothyroxine and 20mcg of Liothyronine and I am feeling really tired at the moment. I'm going to keep going though and see if I feel better in a few weeks time. Will let you know how I get on.
Hello, I see this post is 4 years old but I am hoping to hear back from you about your experience. I am experiencing the same thing. I take half of 25 much in the morning and half an hour after I feel really sleepy. What ever transpired with you taking t3? I hope to hear back from you.
Did you have any improvement in the fatigue? I started T3 a month ago and I'm having the same experience. I'm taking 10 mcg T3 and 75 mcg T4. I've lost some of the weight I gained on T4, and my appetite is back, but I'm dealing with a new symptom of wanting to lay down and go to sleep by mid day! This is puzzling since I was expecting the opposite.
Came across this thread and just wondered how you were getting on with the tiredness? I started t3 yesterday and had exactly the same experience. I thought perhaps it was unrelated, but the exact same thing happened this morning. About half n hour after taking it I’m very sleepy. It’s very weird. I’m normally a bad sleeper, have terrible insomnia. I’m wondering now if it was lack of t3 that was causing it 🤔. Is that even possible? I’m probably just reaching here
I am having the same problem with the T3 making me sleepy. Are you still taking it and have you seen any improvement?
Same thing for me!! How are you making out? I know this is an old thread.
Dose is too low..
me too! what happened? thx
Realise this is an old thread but im having this same experience with feeling foggy and wiped after taking a small starter dose of t3 (5mcg) with my 50mcg t4 (lowered by 25 in order to add t3; adjusted prior to adding t3). It's only day one for me but some reassurance would help as this doesn't feel sustainable. How did things go for you guys??
You need more T3. When it works, you feel you have energy..
This is an old thread, but I'll answer in the event it will be helpful to someone. I had RAI for Graves 35 years ago. Over the years, I never really felt well for long. When I was "happy", my TSH would be suppressed, so my T4 dose would be lowered. Feeling cold, constipated, and cranky followed. The pattern of doses going up and down became the norm, with the same results. It felt like life on a yo yo. Two years ago a small amount of T3 (5 mcg) was added to my T4 when my FT3 was found to be below range. I initially felt overcome with fatigue on the T3, and even napped in the daytime. As an insomnia sufferer, I enjoyed sleeping really well for a few weeks. After those few weeks, everything settled down. I feel well now....no longer cold and constipated. The Raynaud's I'd had for years miraculously disappeared in a couple of days on T3 and has remained at bay since. My only complaint is the insomnia returned. Having recently read a small amount of T3 at bedtime can be helpful with sleep for some, I'm considering giving that a try. I have labs and an endocrinology appointment soon, and intend to discuss this possibility.
How long did it take for your tiredness to go away? Im on t3 only now 10 mcg split in 2 doses but all I can do is sleep or lay in bed. Im so exhausted 24/7.
ME too!! And I just started on 2.5 cause I know I am so sensitive. I do have horrible insomnia and I have slept more in the past three days than i have in a long time LOL
me too
Realise this is an old thread but im having this same experience with feeling foggy and wiped after taking a small starter dose of t3 (5mcg) with my 50mcg t4 (lowered by 25 in order to add t3; adjusted prior to adding t3). It's only day one for me but some reassurance would help as this doesn't feel sustainable. How did things go for you guys??
One reason why some are getting sleepy with T3 could be that they are running on Stresshormones (adrenalin, cortisol) before and with the added t3 this hormones are coming down which results in a temporary tiredness.
Source: raypeatforum.com/community/...
Interesting! I do have adrenal issues - trying to work on them.
You may be correct. I've had thyroiditis for over 3 decades with Doctors ignoring it, telling me to suffer through it, etc. Finally found a couple of Doctors willing to help instead of just looking a blood results being near normal or just slightly off. (Extreme bouts of fatigue, 40 pound weight gain in 6 weeks proven between Dr visits, dry/itchy skin, hair looking like a scarecrow's and going through bottles of conditioner/oils/washing hair once every 7-10 days, horrible insomnia - to insomnia with not being able to think and being too exhausted all the time to get bare basics done through the day). I am back on T3 the the past year after another low cycle of suffering 5 years. 90% brain fog lifted, stomach and digestion issues improved, insomnia better but so-so. Been on it 9 months this time. Past few months, I have been putting the tablet next to my bed to take between 3-4am, but then I would still wake at 5-6am for the day and still have to fend off a bit of grogginess - but attributed that to waking up throughout the night. But recently noticed I seemed a bit more sleepier. Like just not being able to get going until noon. Last night I took it at midnight when I woke the first and second time. Figured WHY NOT - let's see what happens. I toss and turn all night anyway (which is nothing new, even without T3). Slept solid until 5am, woke feeling refreshed for a change. We will see what happens. But if your metabolism is working again, it would make sense that your body's stress would be alleviated on many levels. Only new symptom this time around is edema that always leaves sock indentations even if only on 15 minutes. So hope that does away. But I did have a kidney removed years ago and in my 50s - so may be just age with change of life approaching.
I recently started 5mcg lio in addition to Synthroid.
When I was on Synthroid only, I had no issues staying awake but my FT3 was below range so I added lio to see if it would help. When taking them both together in the morning, I noticed I would essentially fall asleep between 730-9p, couldn’t keep my eyes open — which is strange because taking more hormone you’d expect the opposite.
I decided on my own to start taking my Synthroid in the morning and Lio in the afternoon around 2p (or 2hrs after lunch) and it helped me to stay awake until a more appropriate time, 10-11p. I think this was key because my T4 was able to convert in the morning and T3 helped carry me through the rest of the day — I’ve read that our T4 may not convert as well to T3 if there is already T3 in your system when taking them together (stopthethyroidmadness).
Of course my FT3 increased some but I had to drop my Synthroid dose some after two weeks as I was having hyper symptoms of night sweats with a TSH of 0.08.
I may even try taking the lio at nighttime to see if it helps with the night sweats and nighttime sleepiness.
TLDR: experiment with taking your Lio at different times than your T4, it may work better for you.
Thank you for this! I’ve been on 5mcg lio for about 3-4 weeks and lately have been so tired and hyper symptoms. I’m going to take my levo separate from my lio and see if that helps. You explanation makes so much sense! Thank you!!!
Just starting out on liothyronine…
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