Trying T3 for the first time in combination

[wano]

Hi all,

Has anyone had success with T3 and levo in combination? Would love to hear if it worked for anyone. My main concern is a lack of thinking sharpness and I hear T3 can clear this up?

Thanks!

[Scazzoh]

I have read that the brain uses a vast amount of T3, so if you haven't got enough, your brain can't function normally.

[Clutter]

Wano,

If your FT3 is low you will almost certainly benefit from the addition of T3 to Levothyroxine but may not benefit as much if FT3 is good. I was very unwell on Levothyroxine but have been well on T4+T3 for 2 years. Improvement in clarity of thought and mood was the first benefit. It took months for my physical symptoms to improve.

[wano in reply to Clutter]

Thanks, Clutter, very helpful.

Can I ask if your doctor wanted to lower your levo dose to start? Mine wants to step back to a slightly lower dose before trying 10 mcg of T3. I'm nervous to take the levo down as I was feeling better on the dose (and at 2.67 TSH as of last Friday).

[Clutter in reply to wano]

Wano,

I'd been self-medicating in addition to the prescribed Levothyroxine dose. I added 20mcg because FT3 was below range and endo prescribed 20mcg on top of the Levothyroxine without changing dose.

TSH 2.67 indicates undermedication so I don't think Levothyroxine dose should be reduced.

[wano in reply to Clutter]

Did you add 20 mcg of levo or of T3 above the endo's prescription?

I thought a TSH of around 3 was pretty good, although I've heard it should be optimally around 1, so I'll keep that in mind!

[Clutter in reply to wano]

Wano,

I added 20mcg T3 to the 100mcg Levothyroxine I was prescribed. My TSH is targetted <0.1 to avoid cancer recurrence. Most people feel well with TSH 1.0 or lower, 3.0 is too high for many patients.

[Hidden in reply to Clutter]

Clutter thank you for reply about t3 ! I thought if started t3 20 mcg that was the equivalent to the t4 75 I was on so stopped the t4 confused now as you just added the 20 mcg t3 to yr normal t4 dosage? Was worried about chest pain as when I tried increase t4 dose before I got chest pain plz advise if you can thanks molly maid

[Clutter in reply to Hidden]

Mollymaid,

20mcg T3 is equivalent to 60mcg T4.

My T3 was below range when I added T3. It was the right dose for me but I admit it was more luck than judgement.

If you want to discuss this further can you write your own post and include your thyroid results and ranges for when you were taking 75mcg. When I can see your levels I can advise how much T3 to add.

[Hidden in reply to Clutter]

Re t3 to clutter

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi 4/2/15

Free t3 6.1(3.5-6.5)

Free t4 16.9(11.0-23.0)

Tsh. <0.05

Think I did try t3 added at this time briefly

But it was stopped.

Been on t3 only 20-25mcg since 30/11/15

1/6/16

Free t3 3.9

Free t4. 5.7

Tsh. 1.48

Also had saliva test done was told cortisol problem adrenals, had sex hormone blood test done too? Struggling fatigue , if increase t3 get chest tightness was the same on t4 if increased it passed 75 any advise be greatly appreciated , I dont know how to post hope you see reply thank you

[Clutter in reply to Hidden]

Mollymaid,

I will answer if you start your own thread. Click on Write a post in the top right hand corner.

[wano]

Just starting the T3 supplementing (10 mcg all at once, midday - 30 minutes after lunch). I'm feeling pretty dizzy... is this normal?

[Clutter in reply to wano]

Wano,

No. You may be a little sensitive to the T3. The dizziness should wear off within 6-8 hours as the T3 leaves your serum. Tomorrow split 10mcg into 5mcg doses and start 1 x 5mcg dose for a week. If you tolerate it well increase to 2 x 5mcg doses.

_______________________________________________________________________________

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.

[wano in reply to Clutter]

Thanks Clutter. I'm back to ask if after a week with a 1 x 5mcg if I should still feel dizzy?

I've had a further complication - about three weeks ago I had a miscarriage and my levels have felt really strange since. I wonder, could it be that my T4 has raised due to the hormone fluctuation and now isn't quite right? I have felt "off" ever since. The day my pregnancy was confirmed the doctor took a TSH test and it was at 2.67. I wonder if it's since dropped...

[wano in reply to wano]

... if the TSH has since 'raised' that is.

[Clutter in reply to wano]

Wano,

I'm very sorry for your loss. Is it possible the dizziness is related to your miscarriage as you've felt strange since? It may be worth asking for thyroid test to check levels.

You shouldn't really be feeling dizzy at all with 5mcg as it's such a small dose. You could persist for another week but if the dizziness doesn't stop you may have to consider stopping T3.

Unfortunately, the risk of miscarriage increases when TSH is >2.0 which is why NICE recommend the TSH of women planning conception and newly pregnant should be in the low-normal range 0.4-2.0.

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

[wano in reply to Clutter]

Thank you, Clutter.

I will ask for another blood test to verify if the TSH has gone up again. The doctor told me a TSH of 2.67 was normal for pregnancy... thanks for the link to this. I'll be better prepared next time.

W