Dividing T3 dosage

[Tigreg]

I take 5 quarter pills of Cynomel per day. Until last week I had been dividing them into 3 doses. I have now changed to 5 doses - 6am, 9am, 12 o'clock, 3 pm and 6 pm. My thinking behind this is because they only kick in for 2 or 3 hours the effect would be more constant. Of course, it's a little trickier, means setting the iPhone alarm to 3 hourly intervals. Any thoughts anyone? Cheers.

[shaws Administrator]

I take T3 only once a day and am really well with no symptoms.

T3 has to saturate all of our billions of receptor cells and I don't think dribs and drabs are helpful to attain that. Also you don't have to set alarms, forget, remember. It's just too much bother.

Besides, even though T3 is absorbed quickly, it's effect only begins in the cells and then it sends out 'waves' which last between 1 and 3 days. This is an excerpt:

Third, the leaflet on Cytomel pharmacies give patients when they fill their prescriptions states, "POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS: NO COMMON SIDE EFFECTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED with proper use of this medication." This information is accurate—when plain, full-strength, one-time-per-day doses of T3 are used properly, there are no adverse effects. The only adverse effects occur when a patient takes a dosage that for her is excessive. With Cytomel, if overstimulation occurs, it can be stopped with one or two small doses of propranolol. Or the patient can simply reduce her dosage of Cytomel the next time she takes it. I want to emphasize, however, that when our protocol is used properly, there is no overstimulation to be avoided by using timed-release T3. The protocol has safeguards against adverse effects.

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...

[Tigreg in reply to shaws]

Shaws, thank you for your reply and for the quote from Dr Lowe. I shall experiment in that direction.....thank you!

[Clutter]

Tigreg, T3 doesn't 'wear off' after 2-3 hours. A dose will be out of the blood in 6-8 hours but goes on to do it's thing in the cells. Some people can only tolerate miniscule doses of T3 at a time and divide into small doses throughout the day. It's an unnecessary inconvenience and difficult to dose away from food, drink, other meds and supplements for others.

I take T4+T3 on waking and a second, smaller T3 dose at bedtime. I don't feel the T3 'wearing off' in between doses.

[Tigreg in reply to Clutter]

Clutter, thank you for that. I shall keep it in mind. I would have thought that a bedtime dose of T3 would prevent you from falling asleep because of its "kick"?

[Clutter in reply to Tigreg]

Tigreg, What kick? I've taken up to 120mcg and never felt a kick. TSH and FT3 are highest between 01.00-3.00am which may be why some people find sleep is improved after taking T3. ETA recommend the largest dose of T3 is taken at night contrary to advice given by most NHS endos.

[Tigreg in reply to Clutter]

Clutter, Wow, that's really interesting. I will try it out and let you know what happens. Thanks again.

[Andyb1205]

I’ve only recently began T3, in addition to 75mcg T4. I titrated up from 5mcg T3 and am now up to 25mcg. I found that in the beginning I had to split the doses and now my body handles 12.5 twice daily well. Now with me feeling the need to re-dose after 8hours instead of 12hrs, my body might be ready to adjust to a single large dose. You might find something similar for you.