Notes gained from American endocrinology pages.
TSH that is elevated beyond the normal reference range. For most labs, this is about 4.0 to 4.5.
Free T3 and Free T4 should be above the median but below the upper end of the laboratory normal reference range. Elderly patients, the numbers should be in the middle of its range.
T3 does 90% of the work of the thyroid in the body.
Patients need to be warned about the over-dosage symptoms which are frequently only temporary during the adaptation stage. The symptoms may include:
palpitations,
nervousness,
feeling hot and sweaty,
rapid weight-loss,
fine tremor,
clammy skin.
The leaflet for the T3 says don't take T3 if have Angina or other heart or circulation health problems.
Don't take T3 if over-active thyroid.
Or pregnant or breast feeding.
The elderly keep dosage longer in the body than other ages, so be careful about over-dosage.
Be careful if you are a Diabetic, as the T3 tablets can raise blood sugar levels.
Be careful if you have high blood pressure.
Liothyronine Sodium Tablets may affect or be affected by the following medicines: • Anticoagulants (e.g. warfarin) used to thin the blood and prevent blood clots
• Anticonvulsants (e.g. carbamazepine or phenytoin) used to prevent fits • Insulin and other treatments for diabetes • Medicines called cardiac glycosides (e.g. digoxin) used to treat heart conditions such as heart failure • Tricyclic antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline / imipramine) used to treat depression • Colestyramine / colestipol which reduces the level of cholesterol (fats) in the blood • Oral contraceptives (‘the pill’) • Amiodarone, used to treat irregular heart beats • Barbiturates, used to induce sleep and decrease anxiety • Primidone, used for seizures or fits.