T4/T3

[Miffi]

I have been prescribed 125mcg of Levo, GP would not prescribe T3 after informing her of morning body temp weight gain etc just increased Levo, i have since purchased T3 in the form of Tiromel, i have taken 75mcg of T4 and 50mcg T3, feel good in myself, body temp up, but no weight lose, could somebody tell me if i should be taking a different dose?

[Hidden]

It's great that you're feeling better in yourself.

How long have you been taking the T3? Be aware that changes happen surprisingly slowly when you change meds. If you have more energy you may yet find that the weight begins to slough off slowly as you are able to more physically.

I don't think (sadly) that you can hunt for treatment which will shift the thyroid weight. Search for treatment on which you feel well (which is happening: good). And find other ways to validate yourself apart from weight. Easier said than done, I sooo know! I gained 4 stone when I became hypo, and they are still with me. Dieting is hellish. Much more difficult than 'normal'. Although there are people on here who have done it successfully (who, if you read this - please weigh in). No pun intended.

[Maui52 in reply to Hidden]

On researching all of this I have come to the conclusion that there is more involved like Leptin syndrome, insurance resistance and leaky gut syndrome. Conclusion the only way to lose weight is to cut all carbs and sugars including fruit juice, which is the worst because there is some trickery afoot in the body which is called RT3, this is there because the conversion of T4 to T3 isn't happening correctly and it blocks the metabolism and slows it down giving symptoms of hypothyroidism again even though on thyroxin so too much T4 isn't a good thing. Hope this makes sense I am just researching and have started the Palio diet, will let you know How I get on

[Rose2408]

Hi miffy!

Im not sure of your situation, ie have thyriod or not? And that matters with limits etc...I started on 20 now take 100mcg T3 & 100 T4 but I don't have a thyroid. Your dose sounds good! I didn't loose weight for about 4mths I started to realise but since Jan I have lost 15kg. It IS slow but it will hopefully continue! I read a lot about T3 weightloss too & they take like only 5-10-20 mcg and loose fat on that so be patient!!! Cross fingers for you!!! X

[mumcat2]

I agree with Rose - T3 weight loss doesn't kick in immediately. It took the best part of a year to get rid of the weight I put on,and once I got down to a sensible weight (BMI is now 23) I can't seem to shift any more. I'm resigned to a size 12 for life!Good luck.

[puncturedbicycle]

Hi. How long have you been on the t3? How long were you underactive?

That is quite a high dose as compared with the dose of t4 you were on, but maybe you need a higher dose. The rule of thumb is that 10mcg t3 = 50 t4, so now you're on the equivalent (roughly) of 325 t4. (I'm sceptical of this ratio because like you I needed more t3 than this calculation would predict to feel well.)

I found I lost a lot of water weight all at once when I started taking 10 t3, but the fat didn't begin to shift until I had the energy to take more exercise. Like everything thyroid-related it can take a lot of time for things to change.

[Miffi]

Thank you to everyone that replied, i love this site i have been diagnosed hypo for a year now, was prescribed, 50mcg of levo, then 75, then a 100 and after last blood test ( gp only tests for tsh) put on 125mcg, after being refused T3, i purchased Tiromel and have been taking it for about five weeks, i eat less than i did before being diagnosed, i do yoga every day and walk alot.