Self Medicating: The ideal starting dose for T3.

[Inana]

Good Day,

I will be starting with self-medicating T3 and I would like to know from your experience and knowledge what the ideal starting dose for T3 is.

I have read that it is 25mcg, however upon reading posts here, I see a lot of people who are taking only 10mcg. I'm currently on 25mcg T4, and depending on what happens on the 28th of July (follow up doctor's appointment, new blood tests), I should either stay on 25mcg if I don't convince the doctor to up my dose, or... I will be on 50mcg which is the real starting dose for someone my age (34).

Another question: Do I also take one dose of T3 for 6 weeks before increasing or decreasing? Do I take T4 and T3 at the same time in the morning, or does T3 work differently?

Any links that I can read would be a great help in figuring out how to embark on the inclusion of T3 to be regimen.

Any advice and thoughts would be most welcome.

Thank you in advance.

[BadHare]

T3's 3 times stronger than T4 so 50mcg of T3 is the equivalent of 150mcg of T4.

I don't think dose is age related, being more dependent on how much you need to feel better as an individual.

Take

it the same time that suits you best, on an empty stomach with water only. I like a pinch

of vitamin C powder in my water. No food for at least an hour, & no

other supplements etc, for at least 4.

If you're currently taking T4, you'll have residue of this in your body that will continue to convert to T3, so perhaps start off at a lower dose, & increase after a few days or a week. T3 doesn't take a week or so to convert & be used by your cells, as T4 does. I'm sure I've read that T3 starts working in 30 minutes, so you'll notice the effect much more quickly. It also has a shorter half life. I've only been self-medicating for 2 years, & find T3 dosing easier to adjust according to weather, what I'm doing, etc, than NDT that I found I also need during winter.

Hope that makes sense!

[Inana in reply to BadHare]

Thank you. It makes a lot of sense and it is very helpful. It makes things easier when it comes to adjusting if the T3 works faster because I can better keep track of what is happening.

[Clutter]

Inana,

There is no ideal starting dose of T4 or T3. Dose of either will be determined by your thyroid blood levels. If your GP increases your Levothyroxine dose to 50mcg you should wait 6-8 weeks and have a repeat thyroid test to check levels before adding T3 and self medicating.

When adding T3 to Levothyroxine initially it is sensible to start with 5mcg or 6.25mcg to see how you tolerate T3.

If you post your thyroid results and ranges at the end of July members will be able to advise.

[Inana in reply to Clutter]

Aaah. So, I will have to wait before self-medicating if my dose is increased. Noted. As for 5mcg, I have access to 25mcg tablets. I have a pill cutter however, I don't know if I can cut the 25mcg in 4. I've never used a pill cutter before, to be honest, so maybe it can. The T3 pills are small... Hmmm...

Anyway, I suppose, I will let the test tell. I was hoping to know the general starting dose, like how the "general" starting dose of T4 is 50mcg for adults, so "ideal" is the wrong word.

Thanks Clutter.

[Clutter in reply to Inana]

Inana,

25mcg T3 is equivalent to 75mcg Levothyroxine so you will need to cut down the tablet or you will become over medicated.

The starting dose of T4 or T3 is entirely dependent on your thyroid levels, age and general health. There is no "general" adult starting dose. My starting dose of T3 was 3 x 20mcg daily and when I was switched to Levothyroxine it was 200mcg!

[Inana in reply to Clutter]

Understood. I will have to try and get the lowest dose I can and start there when it is time to start. Then work upwards. At least I do understand that 25mcg of T3 is a tad to much to begin with, which is what I needed to know. Thanks.

[Inana]

This is so tricky, however I will figure it out. I have to. No doctor is doing it for me. **shrug**.