My T3 is here, can anyone suggest how to start? - Thyroid UK

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My T3 is here, can anyone suggest how to start?

24 Replies

I decided to try with T3 as explained in my previous post. Nobody here was very helpful with giving me a source except one person who directed to to another forum where I got info I wanted right away. Anyway, T3 in now here but I am not sure how to start. I am on 100 mcg of Levo and T3 is Uni Pharma and tablets are 25 mcg. Do I take them whole or cut them in half? Also how much less of levo should I take? If anyone wants to help, thanks!

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24 Replies
shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

I am not medically qualified but take T3 only.

As you are on 100mcg of levothyroxine already you can switch straight over,

25mcg of T3 is said to be around 100mcg of T3.

If you want to do a combined T4/T3 you can take 75mcg of T4 and 1/4 tablet T3. After a week or so, depending on how you feel, you can add another 1/4 T3.

I'm sure you will feel an improvement. If with 75mcg T4 + 1/4 T3 if you feel good you don't need to add more T3.

in reply toshaws

I'm on 125mcg of levothyroxine. What's the difference between that and T3? Is T3 more effective?

helvella profile image
helvellaAdministrator in reply to

I strongly recommend you post a new question/post. Trouble is, when you ask on another thread like here, it can cause confusion.

Levothyroxine is also called T4 - it has four atoms of iodine on each molecule.

In the body, one atom of iodine is removed leaving three - and that is called T3. (Also called tri-iodo-thyronine or, when supplied as a medicine, liothyronine.) Broadly, T4 has to be converted to T3 to be active in your body.

Some people take T3 directly.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to

I made a mistake on my response above and this is the correct sentence:

25mcg of T3 is said to be around 100mcg of T4.

in reply toshaws

Thanks, that's great! This was very helpful, will do it like that.

in reply toshaws

I took 75 mcg of T4 and quarter of T3 tablet this morning, how long do I wait before I increase T3?

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to

Stay on your new dose for at least one week. Always take note of your pulse/temp as sometimes we feel too hot and assume we're taking too much hormones.

You can increase the dose by a 1/4 each week and if you feel not too good or palpitations etc. drop down to the previous dose and that should now be your daily dose. Don't chop change doses.

in reply toshaws

Many thanks. Will do it like this.

greygoose profile image
greygoose

Maybe people were unhelpful because they weren't convinced you needed it. You never gave very much information - you don't have the necessary information yourself to know if you need it. And just taking stuff because somebody said to try it, is very dangerous. I don't think anybody here condones that.

I am sorry that you didn't get any help stakiboy. Maybe people didn't notice your post, if I saw it I would definitely try to help. I read your previous post now, my son was with the army for a several years as well. There is no harm in trying to get better and even experimenting if you have no other way. Doctors don't understand most of us and how we feel. Hope you'll find your way to get better.

in reply to

Thanks.

jc72 profile image
jc72

Might this help?

Recovering with T3 by Paul Robinson

amazon.co.uk/d/Books/Recove...

in reply tojc72

Thanks.

Clutter profile image
Clutter

Stakiboy,

If you post your recent TSH, FT4 and FT3 results and ranges (ranges are the figures in brackets after results) members will advise.

in reply toClutter

My doc never gave me my results, I never saw them.

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to

Stakiboy,

The Data Protection Act entitles patients to their test results. Ask your GP receptionist to print out your recent results. If the results are more than 40 days old you may have to pay a small fee.

in reply toClutter

Yes they are older than 40 days. Do you know how much I will have to pay to get them, cause I don't have a clue how much is it?

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to

Stakiboy,

No, whether or not to charge, and how much, is up to your practice. If your practice charges more than you are willing or able to pay ask for an appointment to view your test results on screen and make a note of the results and ranges yourself.

You can obtain your entire GP medical history for £50.00.

in reply toClutter

Wow, I didn't know that I can do that.

I've never heard of T3. What is it and what does it do?

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to

Levothyroxine is also called T4. Liothyronine is also called T3.

T4 is an inactive thyroid hormone and it converts to T3.

T3 is the only Active thyroid hormone which goes into our Receptor Cells but isn't usually prescribed unless you cannot convert T4 sufficiently into T3.

in reply toshaws

Thanks so much. I'm pretty sure I'm converting fine so should be good with the levothyroxine. Appreciate the reply.

in reply to

I'll start tomorrow morning, so will let you know how it goes if you like.

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to

Sierrasue28,

Liothyronine (T3) is an alternative thyroid medication to Levothyroxine (T4).

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