Firstly, I'm aware I'm asking a lot of questions at the moment - my apologies for being so needy but I'm struggling with things a bit. I switched from 75mcg levo (suppressed tsh but low ft3 too) to 20mcg t3 (taking once a day in the morning).
For the last week I've had pretty bad insomnia, where I lie awake for hours, heart thudding and thoughts racing. I've taken sleeping tablets a few times, but I can't keep doing that. Not sleeping makes me feel anxious during the day so it becomes a vicious circle. It's happened to me quite a lot over the last year, but it's not been this bad for a while.
I'm trying to work out what's going on, and I wondered whether if I was taking too much t3, it would have happened pretty soon after starting.
My digestion has slipped back to its old ways of pain and bloating after eating the last few days too, but that could just be stress.
I've also been monitoring my body temp too, and not made it up to 37 yet but that could just be me. Also my heart rate is normally between 40 and 47.
I don't know if I need more t3, less (I'm mindful of my v suppressed tsh which is below the 'safe' 0.04), whether it's my female hormones being out of whack, or whether it's simply a result of stress and worry.
I guess I'd like to rule out it being too much t3, but I would really appreciate others' advice and experience.
I should also say, endo wanted me to reduce to 10mcg plus 25 levo, but I'm going away for two weeks so GP has agreed I hold off for now.
I'd pinned everything on t3 changing my life, which was probably silly, but it's hard not to feel a bit desperate in the face of running out of options. Thank you, and apologies again for another ramble x
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mountaingoat83
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Mountaingoat, 20mcg T3 is equivalent to 60mcg T4 so you may be underdosed. It's nonsense to tell you that TSH <0.04 is unsafe. TSH does not reflect thyroid levels. Be guided by FT3 when you are taking T3 only. You wouldn't feel overmedicated immediately because it takes time for FT3 levels to become elevated. Perhaps your GP could test now to put your mind at ease.
I am not a medical professional and this information is not intended to be a substitute for medical guidance from your own doctor. Please check with your personal physician before applying any of these suggestions.
Thank you Clutter, I've got a test booked for early Dec when I'll have had 8 weeks. How long before a test should you take your last dose to get an accurate result? I take mine in the morning, so is 24 hours enough/too long?
Your dose of T3 is too low if you were on 75mcg of T4. This is what happens if our dose is too low:-
If you go to the date June 8, 2001 on this link you will see the result of a low dose. Before the blood tests were introduced the usual dose of NDT was between 200mcg and 400mcg daily.
That's really interesting, thank you. I had been wondering how my tsh could get so low on 75mcg. Maybe I should ask to try 100mcg levo instead, and see if that gets tsh and ft3/4 up, if I've understood right.
The TSH is really immaterial as to how we feel and it's a pity the modern method only takes it's cue from the TSH and not clinical symptoms. This is an excerpt. Also sometimes our temp doesn't come back to 'normal' but we feel warm and well when on the correct dose/meds:-
You’ll find that in that chapter—as in every chapter of the book—I use scientific evidence and logical discourse to show the truth of the matter. This approach, of course, differs distinctly from the endocrinology specialty’s scientifically-groundless, commercially-driven ex cathedra pronouncements about TSH suppression.
Our treatment team uses the TSH level only initially to help clarify a patient’s thyroid status. But during treatment, we completely ignore the level. The reason is that the TSH level is totally irrelevant to normalizing the patient’s whole body metabolism and relieving his or her suffering. The only clinical value of the TSH level is to see the effect of a particular dose of thyroid hormone on the pituitary gland’s "thyrotroph" (TSH-secreting) cells.
Thanks to both of you. I took 2 x 5mcg extra yesterday evening - slept like a baby. Could be a coincidence or that I was just totally knackered but it seemed to work!
It's better to leave 24 hours between your last dose and blood test. I did 12 and t3 was slightly over but the doc didn't take notice of it. Probably just checked the tsh which although was low didn't matter to him because the endo was fine with it.
Sorry I've been so long in replying. When I had only left 12 hours my tsh was down to 0.01 but 24 hours only brings it up to 0.5 and at the moment "they" are quite happy with that.
Thanks Jo, mich appreciated. Mine was 0.02 after 24 hours unfortunately! Will see what the next one brings. I'm figuring that more than 24 hours is pointless as I don't want to fudge the results! Xx
On t3 the tsh is usually suppressed. Please don't worry about that, although the doctors will probably panic. Just ignore them. I take 80 to 100 at bedtime everynight. I felt so much better after I cut out the t4 . It's how you feel , not a blood test. Hope you get it sorted.
Wow that's a big dose! I'm still trying to figure out what dose works, up to 25-30 so far but I know I'll need to drop it back to 20mcg before the blood test to prevent a freak out! xx
Sorry I misunderstood. I just don't take it the night before and after the test next morning I take 40 and then a normal 80 mcg at bedtime again and am fine. I really think that you are needing more t3 but just take your time in raising it. I never feel like I am NEEDING my next dose. I just take it. I hope this helps a bit.
And PS I am not medically trained just use trial and error.
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