Stopping T3

[Needanswersnw]

Has anyone had to stop taking the T3 because your T3 and T4 are over range? I stopped he T3 about ten days ago but feel tired and don't know if it was the right thing to do. Any advise?

[startagaingirl]

Hi - I have had to stop t3 for a few days, and lower both t4 and t3 doses. What test results did you have that made you think you were over? What was your dose before and what is it now? Without those numbers (incl ranges) we won't be able to advise.

[Needanswersnw in reply to startagaingirl]

I just replied with my lab info.

[shaws Administrator]

How were you feeling before you reduced your dose?

[Needanswersnw in reply to shaws]

I felt good. But the TSH is 0.2 and the T4 was 1.66 (top of range is 1.71), T3 was 4.45 (with top of lab range being 4.43. I am not sure what needs to be done with those numbers.

[startagaingirl in reply to Needanswersnw]

Hi - I would say you were bang on with your previous level. That is why you are now struggling as you are now under-medicated. I would go straight back on the t3. If you are nervous you could reduce your dose slightly from previous and see how you feel after a couple of weeks, but really I don't see any need to do so. xx

[Needanswersnw in reply to startagaingirl]

I am trying to give it a few weeks to see if I level out. The thing that makes my numbers fluctuate is that I take Adderall as well. I do not like to take it all of the time though. The doctor said I could stop one or the other. Well, I cannot focus at work on lengthy reports I write so hence stopping the T3. I am going to talk to my doctor and ask her if I can get back on it.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Needanswersnw]

If you felt fine that would seem to be your optimal dose. This is how another doctor would treat his patients as would many who took more account of symptoms than a test result. So did other doctors trained before blood tests were introduced along with levo.

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

web.archive.org/web/2010112...

[shaws Administrator]

This is a link which may be helpful.

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

[Eddie83]

On several occasions, I have stopped T3 for one day when I felt a bit hyper. However I would never consider stopping T3 for a long period of time. When I discovered my FT3 was over-range while I was on 15mcg Cytomel daily, I stopped T3 for one day, then re-started dosing at 10mcg daily. My FT4 has never been over-range since my body will not tolerate high FT4. In any case, I don't pay much attention to TSH as it is worthless for the purpose of estimating dose.

BTW the lab I use provides a range of 2.77 < FT3 < 5.27 pg/ml. So if you are down in the 4s, you need not be concerned unless you clearly have symptoms of hyperthyroid.

[Needanswersnw in reply to Eddie83]

Thank you all for the input. I think I will go ahead and start taking at least 2.5 and then get back to my 5. Do you think it is an option to reduce the T4 and increase or remain on the T3?

[Eddie83 in reply to Needanswersnw]

My doc has told me he has several patients who do best when they use a dose of T4 that sets their FT4 low in its range, and use a dose of T3 that sets FT3 high in its range. I am one of those patients. It is possible that you would feel better if you lowered T4 and increased T3, but the only way to find out is to experiment; nobody (including doctors) can advise you on what dose is going to make you feel the best. What dose of T4 or NDT, are you taking along with 5mcg T3?

[Needanswersnw in reply to Eddie83]

88 Synthroid / It is really hard because I feel like I have to be consistent with my Adderall or my numbers fluctuate. I think I feel when I need to back down and can do a maintenance by myself but my doc says I need to take the T3 consistently if I am going to take it.

[Eddie83 in reply to Needanswersnw]

In this situation, I would back down to Synthroid 75mcg and take T3 5mcg daily. FYI, I am on a T3+T4=10+75 dose, and that works well for me. If I push T4 up to 88, I can feel hyper anxiety creeping up.

[Needanswersnw in reply to Eddie83]

Do you take a pill of 75 or does it not come in that dose? I have 50 and 25 here but do you think it makes a difference rather you add to total 75 or if you take just one pill of 75?

[Eddie83 in reply to Needanswersnw]

I use Levoxyl 50mcg pills. I take 1-1/2 pills daily. Synthroid splits cleanly, much cleaner than Levoxyl (which is crumbly). If you use Synthroid 50mcg pills, you can split those into quarters, allowing you to vary dosage by 12.5mcg.

[Needanswersnw in reply to Eddie83]

Thank you so much for all of your help. I am going to try some of your suggestions and hopefully can given you a promising update =)

[Heloise in reply to Needanswersnw]

I would tend to agree with Eddie. Your T4 may be turning into reverse t3 so dropping only the T4 may correct your numbers. Lately read that it's not good to have BOTH FT4 and FT3 in the high part of the range and if I have to choose I would prefer FT3 to be highest.