Starting T3

[Gill007]

Hi

I currently take 75 mg of levythyroxine ( 1 x 25 , 1 x50 ) B6 and an iron tablet daily . I want to start T3 as I believe my T4 is not converting and want to know what is the best combination to take these meds . At present I take my vitamins in the morning and my T4 when I go to bed .

Thank you

[Clutter]

Gill007,

What are your thyroid results and ranges on 75mcg Levothyroxine?

[Gill007 in reply to Clutter]

My dr is rubbish and only tested my TSH which is 1.7 . I am being referred to a endocrinologist now at last , as she keeps trying to fob me off with anti depressants , fatigue clinics, lipid clinics etc . I am having another blood test on 18 th and have requested FT3, FT4 and thyroid antibody tests as well so hopefully she will agree . In the meanwhile I have decided to take T3 which I have bought privately .

[Clutter in reply to Gill007]

Gill007,

If you don't have TSH, FT4 and FT3 results what makes you think you are a poor converter? TSH 1.7 is a little higher than most people on Levothyroxine are comfortable with so you may just need a dose increase to improve symptoms.

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.

Bad idea to changed meds or dose 10 days before a blood test. That will skew the results you would be expected to have on 75mcg Levothyroxine which could result in a dose reduction but won't be long enough to properly reflect whether the dose/meds change you made is too much.

No-one will be able to advise you how much T3 to take without knowing what TSH, FT4 and FT3 are. I suggest you wait until you have your GP results or order a private test. It's unlikely the NHS lab will test FT3 if TSH is >0.03.

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

[Gill007 in reply to Clutter]

Thank you

[shaws Administrator in reply to Gill007]

It is preferable to have a Free T3 and FT4 before you add T3 along with T4. You then know for sure how much is circulating in your blood beforehand.

[Canvasbutterfly in reply to Gill007]

Hi Gill,

I went to see an Endocrinologist privately Friday week as I begged to be referred and wait too long on NHS so paid for consultation Privately!! Thankfully she is now requesting my Surgery release me into her clinic at my local hospital. The long and the short of all this she is going to send me a prescription for 5mg T3 once she gets my Doctors release to her.I went to her with blood reading TSH 0.05 and free T4 4.7 but with a whole range of symptoms.had more bloods taken by my surgery nurse yesterday to check cortisol,antibodies and T4 T3 levels etc. I can not wait to try T3 as I want to feel more 'normal' currently on 125mg levothyroxine and have been for 7 years. I take it at bedtime ( just last five months) as read that some people find this a better time. Will substitute 25mg levo tablet with 5mg T3. I was informed that after this prescription will no longer be prescribed in the UK as on NHS list of drugs they are dropping!!

I read on this forum that for many a higher optimum dose would be better to releave symptoms. Let me know how you get on on T3, I hope it works well for you. Also where did you purchase yours can you pm me .I presume you will have to cut these small tablets up at first otherwise would be starting with too high a dose. Have you found anywhere that Sells a lower dose tablet,say 10mg? Concerned that as UK supplies dry up many many more of us will be sourcing abroad and may be issues with supply.I have so far only come with across 25mg tablets for sale having looked at a Cyprus and a Mexico website, only two countries and sites so far are there other options say from Germany or France for example?

Thanks in anticipation.

[Gill007 in reply to Canvasbutterfly]

Hi . Thanks for your message . I am struggling to send you a private message with the T3 details . Not sure how to do it x

[Clutter in reply to Gill007]

Gill007,

Click on Canvasbutterfly's username and then click on Messages top right of her profile page.

[Clutter in reply to Canvasbutterfly]

Canvasbutterfly,

You will need a prescription to buy T3 from Germany or France. Buy a pillcutter from any high street pharmacy and you should be able to quarter 20mcg and 25mcg tablets easily.

[Canvasbutterfly in reply to Clutter]

Thank you for this advice much appreciated

[Marz]

We often read about people starting on T3 without preparing the body first. As others have suggested you really need to have good levels of the building blocks - Ferritin - folate - B12 - VitD - otherwise it is like trying to build a house with straw foundations ....

Only having the FT4 and FT3 results will indicate whether or not you are converting.

Are you taking any other meds that could be interfering with your current thyroid meds. T3 is not a quick fix and needs to be taken with care and good monitoring.

Which vitamins are you taking ?

[Gill007 in reply to Marz]

Hi . I am just starting taking B6 and iron as my levels are at the low end of the range . All my levels in everything else seem ok

[Marz in reply to Gill007]

Do you have the results with ranges of the OK results ? Are you taking VitC with the iron to aid absorption ? Why B6 ? People usually take a B Complex to keep all the B's in balance when taking B12 ....