Researching T3

[Shazamm]

Hi, I've been following these posts for a couple of years. I was diagnosed hypothyroid about 4 yrs ago. I take 100/125 mcgs levo alternate days and can honestly say I still feel no better than before I started. My Consultant said I may benefit from taking T3 but didn't prescribe it. I take iron (prescribed) vit D, B12, vit C, zinc, magnesium. I've been researching T3 and am thinking of seeing if it works for me. My blood results last time are

TSH. 0.40 (0.3 - 5.5 )

FreeT4. 20.1 (10.3 - 24.5 )

Free T3. 3.7 (3.5 - 6.5 )

I would aim firstly to reduce T4 and add in T3. Can anyone help with dosages . I was thinking 75/ 100 mcgs levo and starting with 10 mcg T3 split into 2 doses. Would this be about right to start with.

Lastly, can anyone private message me separately regarding safe, reliable online suppliers

[Hidden]

Have you had your Vit B12, Vit D, Folate and Ferritin levels tested recently? If any of those are sub-optimal then you won't convert enough T4 to T3, and you need to know where those values are before you add T3. If you have then it would help if you could post those results here with ranges.

I'm thinking of doing what you're going to try, too, but am aware my ferritin levels are still too low so am supplementing to get those higher first.

[Shazamm in reply to Hidden]

I'm due to have new blood test in the next couple of week so I will post results when I have them.

[Marz]

Am afraid adding T3 will not be of benefit if your nutrient levels are low ....

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Do you have Hashimoto's (high antibodies)

If so you very likely also have hidden food intolerances - usually gluten. If so then trying strictly gluten free diet first would definitely be next step. Some are dairy intolerant.

Adding T3 before sorting vitamins and gut issues is not good idea

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

Plus if your endo think T3 a good idea ask him to write you a private prescription. Gives you more options on sourcing

[Shazamm in reply to SlowDragon]

Yes I do have hashimoto's, I did try going gluten free once before but didn't stay with it for very long ( rubbish willpower) . I was tested for coeliac disease when I was first diagnosed but that came back as negative.

[Shazamm in reply to Shazamm]

Thanks for advice. I will post all of my new blood test results in next couple of weeks and take it from there

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Shazamm]

5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but 88% are either gluten intolerant or feel noticeable improvement gluten free

It often is key to helping antibodies fall

[greygoose]

10 mcg is too high to start on. Start with a quarter pill - which will more than likely be 25 mcg, if sourced abroad - and increase by a quarter pill every two weeks. Reduce levo to 100 daily to start with. You can further reduce later, if you need to.

But, as the others have said, see to your nutrients first. You are a bad converter - that's why T3 will be helpful - but your conversion might improve if you optimise your nutrients.

[Clutter]

Shazamm,

FT4 isn't high so there is no need to reduce Levothyroxine dose. Outside of UK most T3 is 25mcg. Buy a pillcutter and quarter the tablet into 6.25mcg doses. Add 6.25mcg to your current Levothyroxine dose. See how you do for a couple of weeks then add a second 6.25mcg dose later in the day if necessary. Hold at 12.5mcg T3 for 6-8 weeks and have a thyroid function test including FT3 before increasing further.