Hi all. It's a few months since I've posted but really I'm no further on in my hunt for t3 but I still believe I need it. I've had 2 rounds of tests with a private endo who, after the first test put me on increased thyroxine (now on 150mcg and 175mcg on alternate days) and also prescribed 1600 mu of vit d per day. After following this for a couple of months my tsh is 0.03 free t4 is 21pmol and t3 although improved from 4.2 to 4.8 (previously 3.8) it is still not in the 6 range where I would like it to be. I'm needing to take high levels of levo with vit d to get to barely normal level. This has also resulted in my pth being above normal range at 8.3pmol (upper ref is 6.4) though calcium is mid range. I discussed t3 with the endo but he isn't willing to prescribe as there is no reliable option with steady time release so you get a big hit then nothing. Very frustrated as my gut is telling me t3 is what I need. If they reduce my levo my tsh will increase and pth decrease but my t3 will also decrease as I'm clearly no converting efficiently. I feel fine but my problem is weight. Pretty healthy diet and at least 30 min hiit type exercise 5 times per week but still 3 stone overweight. Any advice guys?
I still think I need t3...: Hi all. It's a few... - Thyroid UK
I still think I need t3...
Stop the exercise, it's using up your T3, which you cannot easily replace because you do not convert correctly. In no way will it help you lose weight, and is probably contributing to your weight-gain by making you more hypo.
How about buying your own T3, it's next to impossible to get it prescribed.
Yes Greygoose is right, if you are so certain that you need T3 why don't you buy it yourself. Many of us here are self-medicating.
Endo is wrong about "big hit" effect of T3. That's not how it works. Dr Lowe always used to advocate taking T3 once a day.
My other half is an ex body builder who has seen t3 used / abused in that field for weight loss and is dead set against me buying off the net. I'd persuaded him to support me if I could get an endo's support but no joy. I hate the idea of giving up the exercise. I enjoy it and actually feel better for it but I had no idea it could affect my t3. Since I gather Dr Peatfield etc are either no longer prescribing or no longer with us, can anyone recommend a currently prescribing endo who would consider a t3 trial? In the north if poss but not essential and happy to go private if I get the right result.
What are your ferritin levels? Ferritin needs to be optimal (70+) for conversion of levothyroxine to T3.
How would your other half feel about you taking Natural Dessicated Thyroid? stopthethyroidmadness.com/n...
I understand his reservations but you would be taking T3 for a genuine reason - not to get "cut". If taking T3 is what's needed for you to feel well, then he may just have to deal with his misgivings in order for you to get well... If you continued to take levo as well you'd probably only need a small amount of T3 to raise your levels.
Ferritin levels were 49 back in Feb and I've been taking some off the shelf medication since then. Do you have an ndt source you could suggest. A couple of people have Suggested reputable t3 supplier so I'm going to put myself on trial to see how I respond. I'm
t3W,
For many, thyroid meds only work well with optimal iron & nutrients.
Your iron is low and can result in impaired T4-T3 conversion as is a major part of the enzyme thyroid peroxidase. What about Vit B12 & folate ? ? ..
T3 is 3-4 times stronger than T4 with a short half life. Many members need to split their daily amount into two or even three doses to reduce rapidity of onset and prolong the duration of its action.
If you get some T3, post a question about doses and how to introduce it, which must be done gradually. T3 levels will need testing 6 weeks after introduction.
If you enjoy your exercise, do it. Exercise is good as will help with muscle tone, balance & mobility. Also hormones travel around your body much better through muscle but high intensity exercise can lower T3 levels so just moderate so you don't feel excessively tired.
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Private labs testing
thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...
B12 level 315ng/L folate 7.7 ng/ml. Thanks for your help and advice.
t3warrior,
Even without the ranges, I would suggest these are both low and require supplementing.
Vit B12 and folate are frequently found in the same biochemical pathways and work together to help create, develop and regenerate red blood cells and make iron work properly.
Members supplement Methylcobalamin which can either be in patches (1 or 2 per week) or sublingual tablets and Methylfolate, together with a Vit B Complex to balance.
If this were me, I wouldn't medicate T3 until all iron & nutrients were optimal as doing this often eliminates many symptoms.
Supplementing Selenium with help with T4-T3 conversion.
.
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/161...
That's great. I'll speak to my doctor about this. Many many thanks.
t3warrior,
Your doctor will probably not have heard of Methylcobalamin. Most supplements contain cyanocobalamin (a form of the vitamin that contains small amounts of cyanide that has to be removed and detoxified BEFORE converting to Methylcobalamin - [Active B12] ).
Folic acid participates in the homocysteine metabolic cycle and adequate levels are required to keep this amino acid in check as high levels are considered a significant risk factor in cardiovascular disease and may disrupt thyroid metabolism.
Methylfolate (converted folic acid) works with methylcobalamine (active B12) and magnesium to produce SAMe that drives Methylation.
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Folate v Folic Acid
chriskresser.com/folate-vs-...
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Vit B12 Methylcolalamin
t3warrior There are very reputable, member recommended, suppliers of T3 who sell branded T3 - UniPharma, Abdi Ibrahim Tiromel, nothing dodgy, not body building sites. As long as you know what you're doing, check your levels to ensure FT3 doesn't go over range, then there is no problem.
That's really helpful. Thanks
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