T3 dose advice

[Tiredteach]

Hi all. I'm currently taking 75mcg t4. I've had 2 blood tests since starting Levo both of which showed a slight drop in my T4.

I've recently sourced t3 from my holiday and was hoping someone could help advise me on how much to take according to my results.

(I know that this would be purely opinion as we are not medical professionals;although a lot of you know much more than most Drs)

TSH 2.6 (0.34-5.6) was 2.68 at end of June

T4 11.2 (7.5-21.1) was 12.1 at end of June

T3 4.8 (3.8-6.8)

I currently take my levo at bedtime and wanted to do the same with t3 although I've read that so many people split their doses.

I can't believe that to heal yourself you have to take matters into your own hands and research all this information yourself! No other medical condition!!!

Thanks for your help

[Clutter]

TiredTeach,

Your GP should have increased Levothyroxine dose until TSH was 0.34 - 1.0 and then you may not have needed to self medicate.

6.25mcg T3 (a quarter of a tablet) can be taken with 75mcg Levothyroxine at bedtime. If you need to increase further in a couple of weeks it would be best to take the 2nd 6.25mcg dose in the morning. Hold at 12.5mcg T3 for 6-8 weeks and have a thyroid test including FT3 before increasing further.

[Tiredteach in reply to Clutter]

He wasn't going to even increase from 50mcg to 75mcg until I told him that I read that my TSH should be closer to 1. He said I was right so upped my dose!!

[Clutter in reply to Tiredteach]

TiredTeach,

If you only increased to 75mcg a week ago then SeasideSusie is right that it is premature to add T3 now and you may become overmedicated.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Tiredteach Why are you wanting to add T3 at this stage? You've only been on Levo since May and you had an increase from 50mcg to 75mcg just over a week ago.

You need to give the Levo a chance to work. The increase should reduce your TSH and increase your free Ts. You need to get your TSH down to about 1 before you know how well you are converting T4 to T3 and if you need to add T3.

Also, for conversion to take place, all vitamins and minerals need to be optimal. Have you had them tested -

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

You need to get all your ducks in a row, see if Levo works and then if you find you have a conversion problem that is the time to think about adding T3.

My suggestion would be to hold off the T3 for now, give the Levo a chance to work. It can take months after starting Levo to find your optimal dose and start feeling well.

[Tiredteach in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for your advice