Increase in T3 how much pls?

[MissFG]

Had some issues changing over from unipharma T3 to Mexican cynomel back in July and had to re-start again on a low dose and increase. Been pretty sick since but got other health issues and new toxic meds not suiting me to take also, so it’s a juggling act right now.

Here’s my results from yesterday’s blood test. I’m on T3 only:

TSH 1.29 (0.5-2.5)

FT4 - with doctor to respond but is expected to be low and out of range

FT3 3.8 (3.5-6.5) no wonder I feel so pants!

Should I just increase by 1/4 of 25mcg or can I increase by 1/2 or will that be too much?

Many thanks

[shaws Administrator]

Your T3 dose is too low. The main aim is relief of all clinical symptoms.

The blood tests were introduced along with levothyroxine only. So if we take or add 'extras' like NDT or T3 tests cannot correlate at all.

Increase by 1/4 tablet and do so every 2 weeks until you feel better. Take pulse/temp too so that if either goes too high drop back to previous dose. If you begin to not feel well, drop back to previous dose.

[MissFG in reply to shaws]

Thanks shaws tbh it’s a relief now I know why I feel so ill!

At first I thought cynomel seemed stronger when I switched but I’ll actually be on a higher dose.

As my immune system is still very much over active and I’m trying yet another immune suppressant, could it be my thyroid is still being attacked and therefore that’s why my dose is increasing over time?

[shaws Administrator in reply to MissFG]

I think it can be quite common - if quite recently diagnosed - for symptoms to return/appear or even if we've been on a satisfactory dose for a while.

If we've been symptom-free for a while then some return we need a blood test to clarify that's the case. If you have thyroid antibodies present it is those that attack the thyroid gland until we are completely hypo.

Why do you need to take an immune suppressant. I have read that if we have one autoimmune condition we can get others. I am not sure what effect an immune suppressant has.

[MissFG in reply to shaws]

Since diagnosis in early 2016 I’ve had great difficulty stabilising. My Endo wanted me on T3/T4 combo but couldn’t prescribe on the NHS so I took natter into my own hands. But he is looking after me. And I have regular telephone consultations every 6 weeks.

I also have Myositis just not sure if it’s Polymyositis or inclusion body. I’ve started treatment in September following an MRI scan but struggling to tolerate the immune suppressants so trying another. Hopefully it’s not IBM but I see a specialist I’ve found in Manchester in December so hope they can help.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

I found Mexican Cynomel stronger and had problems when I did a straight dose swap from Unipharma, had to stop for 2 days and restart very low. Definitely 1/4 tablet increase

[MissFG in reply to SeasideSusie]

That’s what I’ve done but still felt so ill. I was on 25mcg on unipharma but doesn’t seem enough on cynomel