First visit to doc after T3 started...

[kiwifruit1]

Hi everyone,

I was incredibly lucky to begin combined treatment of levoxine and T3 during the summer.

Tests showed I didn't convert the high dose of levo to enough T3 in my system.

Started on 175 levo+ 20 T3

After 3 weeks reduced to 150 levo + 30 T3 and all was well for around 2 and a half months.

At the start of October I had already been experiencing some of the old symptoms back: nails all broke off, starting waking up again with a headache, forgetful, tired etc.

So I booked an appointment for Fri 24th Oct. (The earliest I could get)

I have also upped my T3 a week ago to now be 40 so my current daily dose is 150 Levo + 40 T3 (spread throughout the day)

I now feel better again. Morning headaches have disappeared and my energy levels are ok. I am not experiencing any "hyper" symptoms.

I upped it without asking the doctor....

When I see him on Friday, how should I approach it? I am keen to reduce the levo to 125 and take T3 40 to see how that goes for the next few months.

I had read somewhere that it can take a while to find the right dose and balance that works for you.

Is it normal that it was working so well and then I semi crashed?

Also how long should I not take T3 before a blood test on Friday?

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

R

[Clutter]

Kiwifruit, I noticed similar blips when I first started T3+T4. Felt well for a while and then felt I was running out of steam and increased T3. I imagine your TSH was suppressed on 175mcg but you will need an FT3 test to tell you whether you've increased too much. I had, 75mcg T4+ 40mcg T3 meant my FT3 was was over range, and I reduced T3 to 30mcg 4 weeks ago without any hypo symptoms coming back and the slight tremors I had have stopped.

Allow 12 hours between your last dose of T3 and the blood test and take your morning T4+T3 after your blood test.

[kiwifruit1 in reply to Clutter]

Thanks Clutter!

I forgot to mention I was on 275mcg levo alone before starting the T3. When I started it, that's when the doc reduced me to 175 levo plus the T3.

So maybe I am just not on a high enough dose?

[Clutter in reply to kiwifruit1]

Kiwi, 20mcg T3 is equivalent to 60mcg T4 so I think your doctor cut your T4 too much initially. It doesn't matter if FT4 is slightly above range as long as FT3 remains within range, but oral T3 usually lowers TSH and FT4.

[shaws Administrator]

To be on the safe side I always leave a gap of 24 hours between meds and blood test. They are apt to reduce at the least excuse as they only go by the TSH and not how patient feels.