Is it safe to just stop T3

[lexilou]

Hi, sorry for all the questions, I was taking 40mcg of t3 have been building it up for the last month, not on any other thyroid medication, I have stopped taking it 3 days ago due to side effects, I am waiting delivery of armour to try that, feeling terrible. Is it safe to just stop or should I have cut down slowly.

[shaws Administrator]

I would have cut back slowly until your Armour arrives. I don't think it's a good idea to go cold-turkey.

[Clutter in reply to shaws]

Cold turkey is unpleasant but not dangerous. Cancer patients are given T3 for 2 weeks after stopping T4 and stop T3 14+ days prior to RAI.

[lexilou in reply to Clutter]

Thanks Clutter cold turkey is very unpleasant hit me like a steam train.

[lexilou in reply to shaws]

Yeah Ive found that out the hard way took 20mcg not sure what I'm doing anymore.

Thanks

[Hidden]

You may be going too quickly, what dose did you start with?

[lexilou in reply to Hidden]

Cinnamon_girl, I started at 10mcg a month ago but could only do this for a couple of days then had to increase to 20 mcg as the lower dose made me really depressed, I have been increasing at roughly 5mcg a week.

[Hidden in reply to lexilou]

lexilou - the strength of T3 should not be underestimated. If you've been poorly for a while then any medication will have an effect.

For example, when I started on T3 the dose was only increased every 3 weeks or occasionally longer, I do self-medicate by the way.

[lexilou in reply to Hidden]

I have been self medicating as my Dr will not go any higher than 30mcg, I just feel whatever I do I feel worse. I have taken 20mcg today I just don't know what to do I just feel like its spiralling out of control and I will never get better.

[shaws Administrator]

Some information, if you haven't already read this:-

stopthethyroidmadness.com/m...

[lexilou in reply to shaws]

Thanks Shaws, I have read this before, So many different reasons why, seems it will take forever to get well.

[shaws Administrator in reply to lexilou]

You can, with a bit of luck, get well. I am on T3 only now but I did try several NDTs as well as levo/T3 before I got one that suited. What side effects were you having on T3?

[lexilou in reply to shaws]

Really bad Pain in leg joints that were worse when resting, not able to think straight , Hissing in ears and flu like symptoms. It feels like I get more hypo taking medication.

[shaws Administrator in reply to lexilou]

Reducing you T3 by 20mcg is quite a large amount to drop in one move but I know you're desperate.

Levo gave me muscle/joint pain I couldn't put one foot in front of the other.

Or you could try taking an antistamine tablet 1 hour before your thyroid meds, If you are sensitive to the fillers/binders you will have no reaction after you take your meds but you will have to change to an alternative.

Read question dated September 6, 2001

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

This is an extract re the USA T3:-

NO COMMON SIDE EFFECTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED with the proper use of this medicine." (Medi-Span, Inc.: Database Version 97.2. Data © 1997.)

This statement makes a fact perfectly clear: When used sensibly, T3 is extraordinarily safe among prescribed drugs. When I say extraordinarily safe, I’m comparing T3 with drugs such as the amitriptyline which your rheumatologist prescribes for you.

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

OR

You could have a viral infection so I would ask your GP to refer you to a rheumatologist to check your painful legs. etc. You also have 'flu like symptoms etc.

[lexilou in reply to shaws]

Thanks shaws, I will try the antihistamine.