Got my T3 today and am unsure....

[kiwifruit1]

Had a doc appointment today and finally got the T3 I was fully expecting that my levo would be reduced but he hasn't reduced it..... I didn't realise this until later on as I was just so "wooo hooooing" in my head while I was there.... gah.

I am currently on 175 levo. (Down from 275 which wasn't working as I was having soya protein shakes and so on....Long story... but once off all soy products this dose (260-275) I had been on for years sent me all over the place...)

I am now stabil on 175 even though it's only been 2 1/2 weeks ish

He has prescribed me 175 levo and 20 T3.

All he said was to take 1/4 of the T3 twice daily for the next 5-6 days and then increase to take the whole 20 spread out over the day.

I am super excited about getting the T3 but also worried that combined it is too high of a dose....

Even if my 20 T3 is around (60+60=120) And that would be the lowest estimation of 10 T3 = 60 levo.... doesn't 175 levo and 20T3 (120 equivalent) = the same as 295 levo? Which is way higher than what I have ever been on?

I have not taken my levo today as I had a blood test this morning and then when I got home and added it up I thought- Hells bells.... I had better hold off taking it until I run it past you guys

Would I be better halving my 175 levo to be 87 with the T3?

I also have a bottle of 150 levo that I could potentially halve as well.

Thanks in advance for your help and advice!

[Clutter]

Kiwifruit, I think you're over complicating things. 20mcg T3 is roughly equivalent to 60mcg T4 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/204... When one is optimally medicated on T4 it is usual to reduce T4 by 50mcg for each 20mcg T3 added. The fact your GP hasn't done so suggests he thinks you may be under medicated on 175mcg T4 or your FT4 &/or FT3 weren't responding sufficiently. It would be helpful to see your recent thyroid results with lab ref ranges.

Good luck with chopping a 20mcg tablet into quarters. They're tiny mothers and you're more likely to achieve chunks and crumbs It's safe enough to take 10mcg with your T4 for a few days to see how you tolerate it before increasing to 20mcg split into one or two doses.

[kiwifruit1 in reply to Clutter]

Aha.... ok I see where my math skills let me down I thought 10 T3 was 60mcg T4..... so of course 20 would be double. Thank god I am not a Math teacher!!!!

He said that my tests show I don't convert to T3 like I should. I had tests done 2 1/2 weeks ago but I was trying to get stabil on a lower dose. Notably while reducing from 275 to 175 my T3 dropped by over half very quickly while my T4 dropped only very slightly. My TSH stayed close to what it had been. I had more done this morning so will have results maybe next week. (Summer hols here mean that everywhere is very lightly staffed)

Will take my levo as usual tomorrow morning with my T3 Happy days!

Thanks Clutter- once again you are a star!

[Clutter in reply to kiwifruit1]

Kiwifruit, Sounds like you have a very clued up GP (apart from his expectation that you'll be able to carve 20mcg into quarters).

If you do feel overmedicated reduce your T4 by 25mcg for each 10mcg T3. Symptoms of overmedication caused by T3 will wear off within 6 hours and it's okay to skip a T3 dose if this happens.

[marmaris in reply to Clutter]

That page does not show Clutter

[Clutter in reply to marmaris]

Thanks Marmaris. I've edited the link ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/204...