How to add t3 to t4? Advice please..

[helen642]

I'm currently on 75mcg of levo and my t3 is only 3.7, the lowest its been but my t4 is 22.3! (TSH 2.4) I reduced dosage gradually after i went a bit hyper in October my tsh was 0.03 then and my t4 21 and t3 5.5. I just feel that now my dosage is quite low but t4 is now pooling. I have struggled for 3 years constantly adjusting levo meds and have never felt well, i'm fed up with being sick! Time for a change, i have put off trying t3 as i was a bit afraid of it but i need to try something new in order to get better. I have just ordered a kit from Genova to test my t3/rt3. Anybody already on cytomel/levo could you advise me how to introduce the cytomel, i have the 25mcg tablets on order.

Thanks

[Moggie]

Have you looked into conversion issues?

Your TSH looks too high to me at the moment and could possible be why you are feeling poorly but you will feel poorly if you also have conversion issues.

How are all your vital vitamins looking - iron, ferritin, VitD, folates and B12 - are these all at optimum levels because if they are not then your body will struggle to convert your T4 to T3.

If you really do want to try T3 then, if this was me, I would reduce my levo down to 50mcg's (and I am going on the basis that with a TSH of 2.4 you are under medicated) and introduce 12.5 (half a tablet) per day for a few weeks to see how you feel.

If you don't know if all your vitamins are o.k. then I would find this out first because the T3 you want to take will also struggle if they are low.

Moggie x

[helen642 in reply to Moggie]

Hi, thanks for advice, iron is ok, ferritin I haven had tested for a few months it was about 40ish at last test which I know is low so I have started iron supplements again, my vit d is 106 and b12 is about 400. I'm currently waiting on more b12 supplements. I have never seen a blood test result like the last one I had. I have been on HC to support adrenals since December and I'm down to only 5mcg a day now and I hope to come off it. I have just recently had a Synacthen test which I passed but still waiting for results of ATCH test. If I reduce Levo down to 50 do I need to do that for a few days before commencing the quarter tablet? Thanks

[shaws Administrator in reply to helen642]

No you you don't need to wait for a few days. Just reduce levo and add your quarter and take both at the same time.

After around 6 weeks and you're feeling better I would get a new blood test. If your clinical symptoms still bother you can then increase T3 gradually until you feel better.

Personally, the more I reduce levo and increased T3 the better I became but everyone is different.

[Moggie in reply to helen642]

The trouble with trying to cut a tablet into quarters is that you will not know where in the tablet the active ingredient it. So for three days you wont be getting anything and on the fourth you will be getting the whole 25mcg's - this is why I suggested cutting the tablet in half - not quarters - plus T3 is very crumbly and you may end up with a load of dust.

Moggie x

[Hidden]

Just reading the posts on this as my endo is about hopefully to give me some t3 to try. I currently take 125mcg levo one day and 150mcg the next I dont want to second guess my Endo what is the normal starting dose for T3 he may be reluctant to give me a high does as my tsh is 1.2 . I was hoping to drop down to 75mcg and take 10mcg of t3 a day is this something I could suggest to him or should i wait and see...I have been fobbed off for so long also where can I buy it from as he wants me to pay for it privately.

What is the best way to take the t3?