T4/t3

[susiebow]

So on t3 t4 now,for 3 months.feeling worse and neck feels something pressing although no obvious swellings,Dr felt neck and could not feel anything.So just a question ,do I need more t4 as now my thyroid is back in action after being on t3 only.Is my thyroid gland recognizing the t4 and needing more.I know this is not a clear explanation,sorry about that and hope that someone understands where I am coming from.

[greygoose]

Taking thyroid hormone replacement, of any kind, does not cause your thyroid to start producing hormones again. Nothing can do that. You are just replacing the hormones your thyroid can no-longer produce.

How did you feel on T3 only? If you felt better than now, perhaps you should go back on T3 only. T4 isn't for everyone.

[susiebow in reply to greygoose]

Was wondering ,if suppressed with t3 and t 4 always very low on t3 only am I struggling to produce t4 again.I have got a thyroid.

[greygoose in reply to susiebow]

Are you talking about the TSH? TSH isn't a thyroid hormone, it's a pituitary hormone. The pituitary secretes TSH to stimulate the thyroid to make hormones. Presumably your thyroid wasn't responding to the TSH, and that is why you were put on thyroid hormone replacement - T4 and T3. Just because you have a thyroid, doesn't mean it's capable of producing hormone.

[susiebow in reply to greygoose]

I was talking about suppressed tsh and low t4 levels on t3 only,but maybe now t4 levels are raising due to taking thyroxine again

[greygoose in reply to susiebow]

On T3 only, your TSH and FT4 are going to be very low. Your TSH will be low because the pituitary senses that you do not need it; and the FT4 will be low because you're not taking any, and your thyroid cannot make any.

If you add in T4, the FT4 will rise, but only to a certain point, because the body only keeps what it needs, and it doesn't need as much because you are taking T3.

But, none of that has anything to do with the thyroid itself, nor does it mean your thyroid is working again, I'm afraid.

[Inana in reply to greygoose]

Hi greygoose . To maximise levels of T4 in my body, I have to take no T3 at all, or, do I take a certain ratio? I ask because I have been taking a combination of T4 and T3, but I'm pregnant now, so I need T4 for the fetus, even though I never needed too much of it myself. I need my T4 high in the 1st trimester, I am told.

Also, do you have any idea how long it takes to flush out T3 out the body? I will Google too, but if you have links or knowledge, please share.

[greygoose in reply to Inana]

Inana, that is a complex question, so you really ought to start your own thread. It's not fair to discuss that on susiebow's thread, because she gets notified every time someone posts on here, and it gets complicated.

Besides, I know nothing about thyroid and pregnancy. But, the half life of T3 is 24 hours, so will be out of your body in about five days, I think.

[Inana in reply to greygoose]

Thanks greygoose .

[susiebow]

Thanks for that greygoose.

[susiebow in reply to susiebow]

Just find it odd that pressure in my neck now back on thyroxine.

[greygoose in reply to susiebow]

Well, you're probably not taking enough T3.