Undiagnosed hypothyrodism for 10 years. Finally on T3 alone to see if it benefits me better than just T4 or NDT. Been taking T3 alone for about 2 months. Previous 1 and a half years on NDT alone, T4 alone and T4 and T3 together. Currently on 25mcg of T3 x day, taken on an empty stomach in the morning.
However, am still suffering fatigue, especially after I've eaten which can lead to sleeping for over 4 hours, unintentionally.
Any physical activity, especially if done hurriedly or lifting heavy weights, has me sweating and puffing heavily, followed by a period of an hour or two of weakness and fatigue.
Any ideas / suggestions appreciated?
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cc120
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You're probably not taking enough T3. Do you have any lab results?
Did I understand correctly, you went from NDT to T4 only, to T4 + T3, to T3 only all in the space of 18 months? You don't give things much chance to work, do you.
Who said you should split the dose? I don't split mine.
Difficult to say how much people require, we're all different, and we need what we need. But 25 mcg isn't a huge dose, when on T3 only.
And if you were only on each regime for about six months each, you hardly gave them time to reach and optimal dose. How long have you been on T3 only? What dose did you start on?
6.25mcg would be a quarter of a tiny tablet, could I add half 12mcg? Also, when I have been on too high a dose previously I've found I sweat and puff a lot, though I don't have the dizzy feeling now that I've had on too high a dose?
The Patient Information Leaflet suggests dispersing in 20ml of water if trying to use less than a full tablet. (Then taking it up in a syringe and squirting that into your mouth.) The tablet probably doesn't fully dissolve but should disperse adequately. I'd consider dispersing, swallowing, topping up glass, swallowing that, repeat if you feel the need.
Drink water before as well as during & after taking your meds.
I find I need 50mcg of T3 when the weather’s warm, or 62mcg if I’m doing anything strenuous, plus a grain of NDT in winter. I’m supposed to have a normally functioning thyroid. 🙄
Thank you helvella. I see the trial uses '120 mL water containing or not containing 500 mg vitamin C' , I suppose that means per intake of levy/t3/ndt?
I do take 1 or 2 tablets of Digestive Enzymes with each meal/snack, that contains Betaine HCI 250mg (promotes better digestion of protein-rich foods such as meat, fish & eggs); Amylase extract 100mg (promotes better digestion of starchy foods such as bread, cereals, potato & paste); Papain extract 15mg (promotes better digestion of proteins, particularly meats); Lipase extract 10mg (promotes better digestion of fats, oils and fat-rich dairy products). So 'hopefully' my digestive enzymes are improved/increased for when I take the T3?
The paper doesn't say anything about T3 or desiccated thyroid. It is so very easy to assume the effect would be the same as (or at least, not worse than) plain water, but even easier to be wrong.
Hi mischa, I do believe my hypothyroidism is secondary condition following years of adrenal fatigue. I initially took nutri adrenal extra before beginning thyroid meds.
And more recently took Adrenal Cortex 1 tab x day for 2 months, finishing approx 3 weeks ago. Found them expensive but plan to start on them again soon.
Have you had a saliva test done for cortisol? Before starting the cortex it would be helpful to know how well your adrenals are in producing cortisol.
From what I've gathered, not being able to tolerate thyroid meds can be due to wobbly adrenals. Although T3 can stimulate adrenals it can also be hard on them or that is what I have read.
But until you see what your adrenals are capable of without a saliva test you will never know.
St Georges did test to see if I was producing cortisol and results were OK. But couldn't get them to do a saliva test. Can't remember what the type of test they did, I would have to go through my letters to find out.
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