t3

[susiebow]

Just got bloods back TSH 2.38, T3 5 .TSH dropped from 7.38 and T3 dropped from 5.3 .

Still on T3 20 mcg and thyroxine 50 mcg daily.Do symptoms lag behind bloods ?

Still feel bad ,aches ,lethargy etc.,but I have improved with added T3.I am wondering if going on T3 only would make me feel really better.

[Clutter]

Susiebow, symptoms do lag behind optimal bloods for a few weeks. Unfortunately, your levels aren't yet optimal although they are considerably improved. Your TSH is still too high for most people to feel comfortable. Just above or below 1.0 is comfortable for most people. Read Dr. Tofts comments in Treatment and Options in this link thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

You haven't included ranges but FT3 5 is usually in the top third of range considered ideal. If you increase T3 I think there is a danger FT3 may go over range which may make you feel hyper but I'm surprise your endo didn't increase T4 to 75mcg.

[Jazzw in reply to Clutter]

Don't quite a lot of folk end up on 100 Levo and 20 Lio? 50mcg of Levo doesn't seem nearly enough with only 20mcg of liothyronine.

[Clutter in reply to Jazzw]

Jazzw, 50+20 isn't enough for Susiebow but 75+20 would probably be enough. Susie seems very sensitive to dose ahjustments, nevertheless I think she needs more.

[susiebow in reply to Clutter]

Yes Clutter my Endo wanted me to increase my thyroxine to 75 but gp did not hear from her for weeks and he increased my t3 instead, I do feel fuzzy head with 20 mcg ,but not hot or hyper ,no palps.How could such a low dose of t3 with higher dose of thyroxine help so much,I am thinking about what to do either raise my thyroxine and drop t3 to 10 mcg or maybe go t3 only.

[Clutter in reply to susiebow]

Susiebow, you are undermedicated and don't need to decrease your T3 if you increase T4 to 75mcg. My advice is to see how you feel on 75mcg T4 + 20mcg T3 for a few months. If symptoms haven't improved after you are optimally medicated then T3 only may be worth trying.

[susiebow]

Hi Clutter the only problem I have is I have had a tense feeling type headache which gets worse if I get over stimulated even a little,I think it is since t3 going up to 20 mcg,I really do not want to stop it as it is making me feel better.Iam worried I will have a stroke !

[Clutter in reply to susiebow]

Susiebow, your results indicate undermedication not overmedication so you won't have a thyroid medication induced stroke. Have you tried reducing T3 to 15mcg for a few days to see whether the headache is relieved? It won't improve your undermedication but you could then try an increased dose of Levothyroxine.

[susiebow]

Hi Miggy Thanks for sharing your story,I think you are right it is about tweeking the doses till you get it right ,I think I will reduce thyroxine to 25 mcg and t3 20 mcg to see if that is better ,I think I am not good with thyroxine.Take care.

Let me know how you get on.

[Clutter]

Miggy, if you find 50mcg isn't enough you could try halving the 25mcg tablet to take 62.5mcg daily. Some people feel better on a stable daily dose rather than alternating dose. If that is too much there are other ways to 'fine tune' too ie 50/50/75 or 50/50/50/75. Sometimes the tiny tweak makes all the difference.