I was really pleased when my GP didn't stop my T3 or insist I take T4 to which I have side effects. BUT is taking T3 the answer?
So I've been on T3 only for a few years now and I'm ticking over ok but not great. After seeing my GP I got to thinking, I know he wants to give me as low a dose as possible because like most he thinks it's a powerful drug.If 'm not optimal on the present dose and he is hoping to reduce it, well I'm never going to get really well am I.
I've been reading and looking at the alternatives, natural thyroid firstly and then T2, to help with weight loss. I don't know that much about either and would like to know others opinions and experiences. Thank you.
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beaton
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Hiya! I've been asking that same question almost. I am prescribed levo but wondered if T3 would help with weight loss. What is T2? You say that is good for weight loss? Can you take that with levo? My GP will only prescribe levo and is very unsympathetic to discuss issues in depth.
Hi Twinmommy, I can't take T4, even the GP recognised that the side effects I was having were too much to live with. So I've been on T3, endos. were still insisting I take T4. Trip back to GP got rid of that problem but I do still have to see the pharmacist to find the right dose. BUT I have been reading , yet again . I'm reading Dr. Peatfield, who says, you won't have energy or loose weight without T2. Well synthetic T4 or T3 won't have that, leaving us all under medicated. Thus the choice is either to drop the T3 and get NDT or keep T3 and add T2.
If you are capable of converting anything (I don't know if there is a genetic test for T3 to T2) synthetic T3 will convert the same as your own would. 3,6 sounds low - what's the range? T3 needs to be in the top third at least preferably top quarter of the range (which in the UK is usually at least 5). Bio-Cor in the US sell a weight-loss supplement that is supposed to contain T2, but I don't know whether it actually does.
So your FT3 is under range. You need an increase in T3 (or T4). No earthly reason to reduce dose. Rememvber that TSH is irrelevant if on T3. If your GP won't prescribe, just buy your own.
Hiya Beaton, I've been on T3 only as well for nearly fifteen yrs. Do you have any thyroid function left and are you producing a little bit of T4 yourself? I was fine on T3 only for most of that time until my own thyroid gave up the ghost and stopped producing T4 a few years back. My T4 level had always been under range about 3-4 so was only a little that made the difference so now I've added 25mcg of T4 on top of my T3 and my symptoms appear to be going now
The natural desiccated thyroid should have T2 in it anyway - i am also considering the more natural option as has everything your thyroid normally produces - T1, T2, T3, T4 and calcitonin so I'm thinking I will be better on it. I think it has a higher ratio of T3:T4 than humans normally produce which some people might find not suitable for their systems but I would imagine those like us on T3 only would not have an issue with this
Edit scrap what I said about T1/T2/calcitonin in NDT - I normally only quote official stuff but can't find anyon a quick google so not 100% sure it is contained in there lol????
should have added, you can't treat with T2 only anyway - you cannot make T4 or T3 with it as T2 is what T3 becomes after use (I think)??
From what I understand, your thyroid produces (mostly) T4 which is then converted into T3 (which is what your body requires primarily) and after it changes into T2 and then T1 and then nothing as it is used up. I Might be wrong so don't quote me on it lol
Yes, some of my issues seem to correlate with lack of T4. T4 converts directly into Rt3 and I've read T2 is possibly made made by the deiodination of T3 and rT3 (possibly more so from rT3) which means I've certainly been living without Rt3 (symptoms correlate) and possibly unable to make T2 which may be more active than initially assumed but haven't looked into T2 much yet for any scientific proof to state this for certain??? Without T4, you will still not produce Rt3 and I'm beginning to think that whatever way i look at it, if the body has it, then it must need it lol!
I am also having issues with levo it seems. It seems to have solved the newer symptoms I was having with my brain etc but I am certainly having some kind of systemic allergic reaction to it and inflammatory response but I am trying all the different brands to see whether or not it's one of the fillers but its not really making any sense and have already tried three!!! Teva certainly bothered my kidneys on top also but the other two have not but all three have caused similar blisters I get when eating gluten????? My T3 has never done this and no other substance other than gluten has ever caused these blisters before so I'm really quite confused.
My only option after ruling all brands out is to try the NDT and see if my body will accept a more natural version of it but this also has T4 and I'm becoming more convinced that for some reason, I seem to have an issue with T4 itself
I suppose all you can do is try and see what works?
I knew I had read somewhere that it was all in there and I think this was it but a quick google yesterday found stuff that mentioned how it's unlikely to have much T1/T2 as possibly produced outside of the thyroid and therefore not much contained in ndt??? So thought I'd best say I'm not sure until I read up and find something more certain lol
I don't seem to have a problem despite the T4/3 ratio being not identical in pigs thyroxine to human thyroxine. I think we must have mechanisms to get what we need when we need it. A working thyroid is dynamic after all not like taking one tablet a day. It is miraculous we can pop a tablet really and feel well or at least in my case I feel well.
Beaton, hi there. Just been reading through other posts for clues. You've had a rough ride...
The thing we need more than anything else is blood test results. Do you have any to share? I couldn't find any in your posts. We need to know what your FT3 levels are in particular, as TSH is likely to be irrelevant and FT4 low in range if not lower than that if you're still on 25mcg of Levo and 60mcg of lio.
I think it's quite likely you're undermedicated. You may be better for sourcing some additional T3 to take, rather NDT.
Hi Jazzw, Thanks for your response, When I saw the endo. the only positive was getting her to do bloods, so these are :-
TSH 0.019
FT4 <5.2
FT3 3.6
If the pharmacist lowers the T3 I think I will be struggling.
I've been on meds for about ten years, never lost weight or had the energy to exercise much.
I was reading Dr. Peatfield where he said the only way to have energy and loose weight was to have T2. which would be NDT or to get separately and take along with the T3.
You need more T3. There was absolutely no need to reduce your dose and no need to try to get FT4 up - when on T3 only of course your FT4 is low! This is a classic example of a doctor/so-called endo thinking that a suppressed TSH is overmedication - and it isn't!!
If they threaten to reduce T3, point out that it's already at the bottom of its range and that it can't possibly be that you are overmedicated on it.
I wouldn't worry about T2. I think that's a red herring. You just need an increase in dose. It may be that you have T3 receptor resistance (again something that many doctors have no idea exists) and need more T3 than some might assume.
I feel much better on natural thyroid than I did on levothyroxine and my weight is normal again (put on 4 stone with Levo). Unfortunately I have never taken synthetic T3 to make any comparison for you. I have been told adding some T3 to NDT gives a more suitable T4/T3 balance similar to what a human thyroid makes. I think ones body must be able to extract what it needs in the right amounts. I might try adding T3 one day.
I take it sublingually in the hope I get some calcitonin too. I take thyroidS - not designed for sublingual ingestion but it tastes very pleasant. I think Acella is the only one for sublingual ingestion from USA. I went a bit haywire on naturethroid which tastes dreadful, so all NDTs are not created equal.
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