Advice on T3 medication and where to source it

[lynnie0123]

Hello

I have decided to try and add in a small amount of T3 to my thyroid treatment and would be keen to have people's opinion on how much I should take and how much I should lower my T4 medication when this is added in. I currently take 125mcg of T4. If you are able to see my previous post my recent blood results are there for levels.

Any help would be wonderful!

Thank you

Lynne

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

lynnie0123

TSH 4.25 ( 0.55-4.78)

T4 18 (10-25)

T3 4.9 (4-7)

Those results don't show poor conversion, they show undermedication. Good conversion takes place when FT4: FT3 ratio is 4:1 or less. Yours is 3.67 : 1

You are more likely to need an increase in Levo to reduce your TSH and increase your free Ts. An increase in Levo will give you more T4 which will give you a higher FT4 and some of that T4 will convert and give you a higher FT3.

The best thing you can do is what was suggested in your previous thread, get your vitamins and minerals tested. If they are not optimal then no thyroid hormone can work properly. Post the results, members will comment and if they are less than optimal suggestions can be made for supplements to improve your nutrient levels.

[lynnie0123 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you seasideSusie I will try and go and get my GP to increase levothyroxine. I really will have no hair left at the rate it is falling out. Need to get the right dose soon.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to lynnie0123]

lynnie0123 It's not just lack of thyroid hormone that contributes to hair loss. There are many vitamins and minerals involved too. Have a look here healdove.com/disease-illnes...

A good B Complex contains quite a few of those and is a good idea for us thyroidies anyway. But a good place to start is getting those vits and mins tested that have been suggested and any others you can persuade your GP to test.

Whatever you do, don't take a multivitamin or Multivit/mineral supplement. They contain too little of anything to do any good and usually the cheapest and wrong form of ingredients. A good multi mineral that doesn't contain iron, calcium and iodine is a good idea (like this one biocare.co.uk/default.aspx?... ) plus whatever you are deficient in and a good B Complex.

[lynnie0123 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you! Does something containing iodine have a negative effect. Got advice from a friend to try a supplement containing that?

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to lynnie0123]

lynnie0123 Before supplementing with iodine then it's best to test to see if you are deficient, if not then don't supplement. In particular, if Hypothyroidism is autoimmune ie Hashimoto's, then supplementing with iodine can cause increased autoimmune attack on the thyroid.

Where testing shows a deficiency, then supplementation should be under the guidance of an experienced practioner.

[lynnie0123 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you SeasideSusie!

[Clutter]

Lynnie0123,

As SeasideSusie says you are under medicated. If your Levothyroxine dose is increased you probably won't need T3. Ask your GP for a dose increase.

The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 1.0 or lower with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email [e-mail] if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

If you decide to self medicate T3 you do not need to reduce your Levothyroxine dose as FT4 is mid range.

[lynnie0123 in reply to Clutter]

Thank you for your advice. I have piled 3 stone on also.in last 5 and a half months as well as my bad hair loss. I'm hoping my thyroid level getting better will help me lose weight also.

[Clutter in reply to lynnie0123]

Lynnie0123,

The weight gain and hair loss are due to you being undermedicated so get your GP to increase dose.

[lynnie0123 in reply to Clutter]

Thank you for your reply. I'll try and speak to my GP soon.

[Gascher]

I had my thyroid gland removed in early 2016, and since have experimented with many combinations of thryoid supplements.. What works best for me is an established level of T4 (75mcg) nightly, with an added T3 pill (5mcg) the next morning IF I feel sluggish. A variety of factors affect your absoprtion of T4, so I find I take the T3 pill a few times a week.

If you want to take T3 daily, I would start with a small amount and reduce your T4 by at least 12mcg.

Hope this helps!

[Sybilla14 in reply to Gascher]

Hi Gascher, are you taking your normal dose of Levo and then topping up with t3 occasionally, in addition to your normal dose of Levo? Is the dose of Levo your optimal dose, where you feel well? I tried t3 recently but made myself very ill, by running down my adrenals I suspect. I loved the effect of the added t3 for a couple of days but after that things went downhill for me. I like the idea of using t3 on 'special ocassions', on bad days🙂 Maybe a short term use each time wouldn't cause my adrenals to crash.

[Clutter in reply to Gascher]

Gascher,

Lynnie0123 is undermedicated. She doesn't need to reduce Levothyroxine dose if she adds T3.

[lynnie0123 in reply to Clutter]

Thanks! 😀

[Gascher]

Clutter, good point. Didn't realize Lynnie was undermedicated. I agree.. higher dosage of T4 or combo of her present level with T3 added.