Hi I have been on T3 nowfor a month and some hypo symptoms have settled a little but I am still in chronic pain which I think is the tendons/ connecting tissue. Last summer I was crippled with pain in my feet/ knees and did all the recommended stretches but it remains in my feet, ankles, all the way thru knees up to hip , lower back to nexk jounts between shoulders. Painkillers dont help , massage does but expensive, take epsom dalt baths which also help Take all the recommended supplements and oils. In constant pain and can barely walk. Getting very very unfit which is not helping! I dont know whether to rest or to exercise as have ME like chronic fatigue Have had TT and was only on T4 for 13 years! I am refusing to take anti D's because all my problems ate physically caused and not in my head!!
Connecting tissue pain: Hi I have been on T... - Thyroid UK
Connecting tissue pain
You need a new blood tests particularly for Free T4 and Free T3. Even though you are on T3, you may not be on a sufficient dose to relieve all symptoms. The best way to increase your dose is little by little but the doctor probably wont prescribe enough. If you take the same dose for two weeks, after that increase by a 1/4 tablet and so on until you feel well not till your bloods are 'in range'. If you feel you've taken a bit too much reduce back to the previous dose and always keep and eye on temp/pulse. If either goes too high, reduce back one dose.
(I am not medically qualified but believe everyone with TT should be given alternatives to T4 only.)
T3 is the only active hormone required in our receptor cells but we need sufficient as individuals as we would probably all be on a different dose.
The test should be the very earliest possible (fasting) you can drink water and allow a gap of 24 hours between your last dose and the test and take afterwards. If you've not had B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate tested ask for these as well.
(I am not medically qualified but believe everyone with TT should be given alternatives to T4 only.)
T3 is the only active hormone required in our receptor cells but we need sufficient as individuals as we would probably all be on a different dose.
Just to clarify I am on 150 Levo reduced from 200 and 20 T3. I felt a little better after two weeks but worse again now. Getting blood test for all above end of week. So do u think taking an extra 1/4 tablet of T3, my feeling is T4 toxicity is reduced but I am still hypo! Seeing Endo in May! It all seems very slow my end between apointments and tests.
I have read that a combination of T4 to T3 should be on a 3 to 1 basis. If you add more T3 you should reduce some T4. I shall try to find the link which states the above.
I don't know how long you've been diagnosed and I can only go by my own journey which is the more I reduced T4 and increased T3 the better I became. I am fine on T3 only at present.
This is the link and go to page 80 (left-hand side) to read the recommendations of the study.
I have been suffering I now realise for years and we have previously connected recently on here. Thank God for all u r advise! I have had symptoms of chronic hypo and T4 toxicity for at least 8 years but classic medical oversight and disregard for medical facts! no energy yet to take on system need to get well but the hyothyroid International medical neglect is chronic and cost me my health and probably my marriage! Its an ongoing slog this self treating with chronic disabling conditions which means I cant even get to Drs let alone take them on. And I havent even started with the benefits claims I need to take on!! Bur I have managed to get 2 months of cheaper T3 from Germany by post so when I have energy will look at how to adjust dose. Endo said not to until next appointment early May but is easy for him to say and I lose yet another month of functioning life!
I had general all-over body pain (just a fraction of what you have problems with though). My vitamin D level was not terribly bad but it wasn't optimal either. Once I started supplementing vitamin D at a decent level my all-over pain diminished. I could walk smoothly again.
I also had terrible pain in my feet and ankles. It was always worst first thing in the morning. I couldn't bend my ankles and walking downstairs for breakfast was agony. Putting my feet to the floor was horrendous as well. T3 helped that. This problem vanished entirely now.
After only a month I'm assuming that your T3 dose is still very low. Hopefully once you get up to a suitable dose for you, then you will start feeling better.
And fixing any nutrient levels which are below optimal should help. Check vitamin B12, vitamin D, folate, ferritin - and iron if you can get it. Post results on here, along with thyroid results, and ask for feedback.
Whether T3 and optimal nutrients will fix everything remains to be seen! But good luck.