I'm on a combination of levothyroxine & liothyronine.
How do others manage there combination of meds.
Should i be splitting the dose for best results, take it with food or without.
I would appreciate all advice to see what would give me the most absorption although i must add i'm a little over medicated at the present so i'm gradually lowering the dose of levothyroxine from 150 to 125 micrograms.
Jillymo
I have always taken my dose, whether T4, T3/T4, NDT or T3 only once per day. I have always been advised to take it once per day and it's far more convenient. You have to have an empty stomach as food interferes with the uptake of levo so I take it first thing and don't eat for around an hour. If you take food you have to have two hours gap either side of medication. You have to have a time-table if you split doses and it may not always be convenient. Some take their dose at bedtime not having eaten for 2 hours beforehand.
can I just say to Shaws, I am so glad you have said you take even T3 once a day,
I kept reading about how it should be spaced out during the day and have been feeling awful doing this, when I was taking just 25mcg of Mexican T3, I was ok, but it didn't seem enough, even though I felt ok, mainly because when I was on Levo I was taking 125mcg.
but something must have changed as I took 50mcg split in two doses of T3 yesterday, and had the most awful symptoms of hyper all night.
I would love to know the real strength of the Mexican Cynomel.
When medicating you always go by pulse and symptoms of hyper and reduce dose.
I think the spacing idea came about if you had an adrenal issue which I think Paul Robinson uses.
Also most Endocrinologists use terminology that's wrong, re T3 i.e. short life etc. - that's it's difficult to medicate. I don't think many have a clue how it works and I will link below for info. The idea that, somehow, T3 is dangerous (it is only a synthetic hormone after all) and it may cause problems if taking too much but it's the same with T4 or any medication if we take too much. Excerpt:-
And finally, why do I specify that the typical patient use one full dose of non-timed-release Cytomel for life? Because extensive testing has shown that this is safe, effective, and most economical—when used within the context of our entire protocol.
web.archive.org/web/2010103...
Synthetic T3 being the active hormone, synthetic T4 is supposed to convert to sufficient T3. After a short while in the bloodstream T3 enters the receptor cells and has to saturate the cell in order to send out 'waves' and that lasts between 1 to 3 days."
Dr Lowe was also not in favour of 'time-release' T3. I think the fact that he also used T3 himself, NDT and T3 for patients and was a scientist too he knew more the Endocrinologist who insist on levothyroxine alone.
Of course, some people cannot tolerate some thyroid medication for one reason or another and that's difficult.
Roughly, 25mcg T3 is equal to approx 100mcg levo so 50mcg T3 = 200mcg levo. I find my dose of 30mcg is perfect for me and, compared to levothyroxine which was horrendous, I enjoy my health at present.
Thank you so much Shaws, I agree with everything you say, I have researched as much as possible and it seems we both did the same research etc,
I have seen people say T3 only lasts 4-6 hours, but I have read on DR Lowes writings that it lasts for approx. one and a half to two days, although may not be active that long.
I believe I kept adding to get up to 50mcg when I was over dosing, and I am so grateful for your help, I will go back to my one 25mcg and 10mcg dose, taken in the morning.
I just wanted to say, (no edit button?) it just shows how different we all are, but it is comforting to find someone else on the same page, especially as having to self medicate, so thanks again Shaws.
This new system isn't clear on how we edit, etc. but if you press on the arrowhead on the righthand side of Reply button, click and edit, delete etc appears. The only thing when you edit you are surprised to find about two lines of your post, you then have to put cursor in corner of box and pull it down to enlarge. Good job our medication's working.
Thanks Shaws.
I'm so pleased to hear you have managed to find the correct combination that suits your needs.
It's not that i cant tolerate the medication it just isn't working for me. Is your weight stable now your on the correct dose ?
Jillymo
What medication are you taking? What were your last blood test results?
I am not on a combination just straight T3. I was fortunate not to gain much weight and am much the same weight before diagnosis.
If your doctor doesn't prescribe enough medication for you and keeps your TSH within range rather than low or suppressed your metabolism cannot rise enough in order for you to exercise and diet because it is just fruitless. It is a researched fact that levothyroxine can cause weight gain.
web.archive.org/web/2010103...
web.archive.org/web/2010032...
That is exactly what i have been doing taking first thing in the morning.
You are so right about slitting the dose being inconvenient but some do recommend doing so.
Thank you for your input.