T3 Self medicating

[Lorr67]

Hi all

Just wondered what your views were on self medicating T3. I'm due to see Hosp but if they won't then I'm thinking about self medicating. How do you work out dose and where is best place to get ghem from

Thanks in advance

Lorraine

[galathea]

People do self medicate, but its not a step to be taken lightly. There is a lot you can do to persuade your endocrinologist to help you. The first thing would be to have all your thyroid hormones measured to be sure you have enough t4 to be able to convert to t3, then check you have good levels of iron, d3, ferritin, b12 and selenium.

When all this is done and if you then, still have low levels of t3, despite having good levels of t4 You might persuade the endo to try t3. I did and yet the endo I saw says he does not believe in t3 being of use.... ( though he did prescribe it to me)

There is more information about testing and how it all works on the thyroiduk.org.uk website.

X. G

[Lorr67 in reply to galathea]

Hi Galathea

We my d3 and B12 were in range (b12 need a bit if a boost so taking that now) iron was low so on iron tablets when stomache can take em ( shocking pains when taking em) ... Must admit but more energy since taking b12... Other symptoms still remain though.

Lorrx

[Hidden in reply to Lorr67]

Try Spatone water rather than iron pills, take it twice a day with a little orange juice. Really gently on the stomach. You can but it off Amazon, as pharmacies. Good luck, make a hug difference to my stomach. It's quite pricey and if isn't enough, try health span iron supplements are designed to be gentler.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I take both healthspan Iron supplements and Spatone water and both are great with my IBS x

[Lorr67 in reply to Hidden]

Ty I'm looking into getting some xx

[Heloise in reply to Lorr67]

Lorraine, You've been hypo for a long time so some of the comments being made might assume you are new. Since you mentioned that your iron level is very low, that could be the reason your last tests for FT4 and FT3 were rather opposite. A high T4 and low T3 looks as if you are not converting well and iron is essential to do that. I'd be inclined to see what happens after you raise that.

If that doesn't work, adding T3 and reducing your T4 might be a good idea. In fact you could mention that when you discussed your results with your doctor.

[Lorr67 in reply to Heloise]

Hi

I'm actually on Levo but looking to self medicate... Seeking info at mo

[Heloise in reply to Lorr67]

Have you received the information you need? You can send me a private message if you haven't. Let me know how much Levo you are taking.

[Lorr67 in reply to Heloise]

Hi ya I'm on 125 Levo but felt awlful for a long time.

The results of bloods were all in range but everyone said I need T3 not converting prop.

My B12 was again within range but low side. Iron was low.

So I'm taking B12 to boost it a bit I need to take a folic acid sip lumens as the ones Dr gave me give me pains in stomach.

My TSH was 0.71 range 0.27-4.2

Free thyroxine 19.5 range 12-22

Free t3 4.6 range 3.3-6.8

I've been told I need to do cortisol saliva test before starting t3 but it's near £80 and I'm on low income I already had to pay for other bloods as Dr refused x what a nightmare we have to go through don't we x

[Heloise in reply to Lorr67]

The reason they want a saliva test before trying T3, Lorr, is that your adrenal glands try to lower your TSH so you won't be pumping out too much thyroid hormone if your body can't handle it. (Which may account for why your TSH is so low.) When that happens your T4 will result in reverse T3. That actually might be happening.

Some of us are in the same boat because after finding out from your saliva test that you need treatment you need someone who knows whether you need to support and boost your adrenals or take hydrocortisone to give them a rest.

It's possible that adding a small amount of T3 and reducing your levothyroid might ease your situation.

All of this is guesswork so I can't say that this is what is happening to you.

If you want to know more you can private message.

stopthethyroidmadness.com/a...

[Jackie]

Hi The crucial thing is an FT3 test before starting on a low dose, then another test 6 weeks before any alterations etc etc. It is easy to overdose on T3, very dangerous! Also cheaper to go to an NDT such as nature Thiroid which is T4 and T3.

Best wishes,

Jackie

[Lorr67 in reply to Jackie]

Ty Jackie x

What do you actually take...I've been on Levo for 21 years and I've decided I e felt unwell for far to long now so looking into self medicating, but also waiting for Endo appointment x

[Jackie in reply to Lorr67]

Hi , I cannot take levo so I take nature Thiroid, 4 grains + a little T3, 10mcg. There is T4 and T3 in the nature Thiroid as , I think, all NDT.

Jackie

[stuartwwhouse]

Many people are self medicating through help groups like this one , it can be a sure fire way of recovering

Paul Robinson the author of "Recovering with T3" has a help group specifically designed for dosing T3 both with and without a prescription from your Endo

If you search recovering with T3 or RWT3 on facebook you will find a world of information and if you post on the site will guide you on its proper dosage using your own signs and symptoms

Good luck !

[Lorr67 in reply to stuartwwhouse]

Thank you Stuart I will do that. Much appreciated.

[pennyrose]

Hi Lorraine

Definitely follow the advise below. I was diagnosed hashis/hypo in June 2013 after a year of illness. I learned more about the disease on this forum than any doctor could tell me.

I worked on getting my B12,ferritin, folates and VitD at a decent level and fought with GP's to do so. After still feeling rubbish and my blood results showing similar (regardless of a decent levothyroxine does) I decided to add T3 myself and see the endo 4 weeks later with my own results.

I showed him all the evidence I'd collected over the year, how I'd tried to make myself better and care for the vitamins/minerals my body lacked. I told him the difference I felt with the T3 and he agreed that it was the right course of treatment for me.

I was lucky and have a good endo but it's definitely worth a try. If not, you don't lose out on the addition of t3 if you are happy paying for it.

xx

[Lorr67 in reply to pennyrose]

Can I ask where do you get your from hun x

[salty6]

I have no thyroid due to cancer and RAI my surgeon put me on T3 only for 16months and I felt fantastic, then changed me back onto T4(levothyroxine) and I gradually felt dreadful, I dont think I convert it at all, also had the most terrible headaches, I bought Paul Robinsons book and have been put back on to T3 only and am starting to feel better but it takes a while to get better. Hope you manage to get some help, it must work for people with hypo as you cant get much more hypo that no thyroid gland at all.