Feeling worse on T3

[Romany]

Ok so three weeks without Levothyroxine and two weeks on just T3 ( had high rT3 of 28 ) and I feel WORSE !! Has this happened to anyone? Not sure what to do next?

[shaws Administrator]

What dose of levo were you taking and what dose of T3 did you decide upon to start?

[Romany in reply to shaws]

I was on 100mcg of Levothyroxine although TSH was 4.2... I started on 25mcg T3 ...keeping record of Temp, BP etc ...upped to 37.5mcg I have absolutely NO ENERGY. 😢

[Clutter in reply to Romany]

Romany,

You were undermedicated on 100mcg Levothyroxine and undermedicated when you switched to 25mcg T3. 25mcg T3 is equivalent to 75mcg Levothyroxine.

You can either see how you do on 37.5mcg T3 or go back to 100 Levothyroxine with 12.5mcg T3.

[Romany in reply to Clutter]

Thanks Clutter , I've started on the Levothyroxine at 100mcg and T3 at 12.5mcg ...two days in and I feel tons better !! Hopefully this will work for me. Still keeping records of vitals and will see how things go, looking promising so far.

[Romany]

I'm tempted to do that Clutter and see if feel better. Thank you

[Romany in reply to Romany]

My only worry is the rT3 was 28 and I don't want that to increase further if I'm having trouble converting T4 to T3. ...however I'd have thought that I would have been feeling better by now ? So perhaps worth a try.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Romany]

I don't think RT3 is a problem and this is a link which may be helpful - go to the date March 24, 1999

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

[jgelliss]

Romany , It's very possible that you where under medicated to begin with and your conversion from T4 to T3 is not sufficient for your needs . And then there is another reason that some as myself do better with higher T4 and just minute amount of NDT for the T3 mix . Personally to much T3 makes me lethargic brain foggy and my concentration is off . I needed to read something a few times till I can understand what I'm reading . We are all unique and therefore we must respect what works for us only . I bought into high NDT had my Endo change my T4 to NDT . Big mistake for me . But I had to find out for myself . There are those who do great on T3/NDT only without synthetic T4 . I respect that because that's what makes them feel optimal . Until you don't try different doses like more T4 and some T3/NDT added or only T3/NDT You will never know what works the very best for you . Trying and experimenting will help you find your "SWEET SPOT". I would also add that you respect your body with that I mean to give your body time to acclimate to new changes . Don't make changes often and with small dose changes up or down . T4 takes longer to notice changes while T3 you feel much quicker .Initially with T3/NDT you feel great and then you have a down slop .With T3/NDT make sure you split the doses . If you don't it's like having a coffee rush (NOT FUN). While your waiting journal your symptoms . TRUST ME ON THIS ONE it will help you find your right dose . You will learn with journaling your symptoms how to apply your symptoms to T4 or to T3 . Nutrients are very important like Selenium , Vit"D" , B-12 and folate , Iron (test prior to dosing Iron panel/ferritin) Vit"C" ,magnesium . Pay attention to your adrenals . If adrenals need support . Adrenals and Thyroids work in UNSON .

Best wishes for a happy out come .

[amala57 in reply to jgelliss]

Can I ask if you have a thyroid gland or has it been removed?

I'm on a trial of t3 and feel brain foggy like you. Wondering if ndt/levo combination might suit me better.

[jgelliss in reply to amala57]

amala57 I had TT . And being on high doses for suppression purposes was not very conducive in the way I felt . In addition I'm not a good converter . So adding a minute NDT for the T3 mix made a tremendous difference . You must try different modalities to see what works the best for you . For me as I mentioned previously higher T4 and a low dose NDT for the T3 mix works for me . NDT has all the components our thyroids once made . Synthetic T3 did not work for me .

Best wishes .

[amala57 in reply to jgelliss]

Thanks. I had RAI 2 yrs ago. Unwell on levo. Added t3 8 weeks ago but getting bad headaches and foggy head. I'm having a blood test on Thursday but may have to go the ndt route. It makes sense that people without any functioning gland do better on ndt. How much do you take with your levo? Are you in usa? If in uk does nhs prescribe ndt? Sorry so many questions but most on this site are hashi sufferers. Therefore have their gland. Big difference.Thank you!

[jgelliss in reply to amala57]

amala57 don't feel sorry asking questions . People that know the answers once asked the same questions as you too . We are all in this journey together . I'm in USA . And don't think for one minute that Dr's are fast in giving scripts for NDT in USA . Yes I agree that you would be better off if you can be on NDT . Your symptoms point to missing T3 . But NDT is a much better delivery of T3 . I'm on 150mcg T4 and 16.5mg NDT . It's the smallest dose . And I split both my T4 and NDT 2x/day .

You are so very welcome feel good .

[amala57 in reply to jgelliss]

Thanks so much! I was always a bit scared of self medicating with ndt. But feel braver now. Thanks! 😊

[jgelliss in reply to amala57]

amala57 joining forums like this great one . And asking questions and feeding off each others experiences empowers us to deal with our own journey . At least you know your not alone in this journey . Go slowly with every change and with small increments wait for your body to acclimate . Journaling your symptoms will help you find your "SWEET SPOT" .

Best wishes as you proceed .

[amala57 in reply to jgelliss]

So helpful. I will journal my symptoms. Thank you

[Romany]

Thank you all....Ok so T3 didn't work for me...and I was undermedicated before started so I'm now on trial of 100mcg Levothyroxine and 12.5 mcg T3 ....will see how I fare ? ......

[bindy2 in reply to Romany]

I know this was a while ago Romany but how is the Levo t3 mix going. I am on just t3 at the moment and not feeling good at all.