Recently added T3 to my NDT

[Hippyhappy234]

I have recently added 25mg to my ndt. I was taking 4 x 150mg capsules of thyrogold & reduced to 3 capsules plus 25mg of cynomel. I lost 3 pounds in the first 3 days (I couldn’t lose anything prior to adding t3). I have another 20lbs to go

How will I know when to increase the T3.

I was thinking whether increasing t3 to 50mg in the next few weeks & decreasing my ndt to 2 capsules.

[shaws Administrator]

I am not sure whether you realise that 25mcg of T3 is equal to adding 100mcg of levo. That's usually too much if we are already taking thyroid hormones. If we increase we usually go up in 1/4 tablet every two weeks always taking notice of how you feel etc. i.e. heart, pulse, temp. if any go too fast or high, drop to previous dose.

[Hippyhappy234 in reply to shaws]

I did read that you should increase slowly. I ordered a tablet cutter from eBay but it still hasn’t turned up. What do you think I should do. I do feel absolutely fine on the 25 mg

[Kell-E in reply to Hippyhappy234]

I'd stick with it and see how it goes.

[shaws Administrator in reply to Hippyhappy234]

It is up to you as I am not medically qualified but I would think you'd be wise to increase gradually. You wouldn't want to have experience of overdosing which would be very unpleasant to say the least..

[Kell-E in reply to shaws]

True, but she eliminated a thyrogold capsule. I believe that they have 50mcg of T4 and 12.5 mcg of T3.

[Kell-E]

The T4 from the extra thyrogold capsule that you are no longer taking will decrease in your body for about 6 weeks. I think I would wait until that stabilizes before making another change. I do think it is a reasonable idea to reduce the thyrogold even further and add more T3 if needed. How are you feeling?

[Hippyhappy234 in reply to Kell-E]

Thanks for your input.

I feel absolutely fine on my current dose. I do want to lose some more weight so should I wait 6 weeks before making any more changes. I was tempted to try reducing my thyrogold & adding more t3!

[Kell-E in reply to Hippyhappy234]

I'd probably wait, if I had the patience, lol.

[silverfox7]

I know it's tempting to lose weight but really that shouldn't be your immediate aim. Keeping well is! When I was raising my NDT I went over and it's an awful feeling so I really endorse the earlier posts to do it very slowly. You do tend to lose a lot of fluid to start off with but it slows down naturally so don't try to speed it up. You are more likely to end up in a mess and have to backtrack. Once you are on your optimal dose you will lose thyroid weight gain but any other is down to you adjusting and managing what you eat better.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

T3 is not a weight loss treatment. You can gain weight on it.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

Hippyhappy234,

T3 is not and never will be a weight loss medicine.

Using T3 with that as your aim is very likely to result in over-dosing. Especially if you use apparent weight loss as your indicator for dosing.

A three pound weight loss in three days will not be of fat - but probably mostly of water and possibly better functioning gut.

That proper thyroid hormone dosing often results in weight loss must not be changed into being the aim of treatment. Rather, aim for proper dosing and it is likely that when you reach that point, you will lose some weight.

Make changes slowly. Allow plenty of time to assess the impact before making any further changes.

[Hippyhappy234 in reply to helvella]

Thank you for the advice.

[Hidden]

I take 1 grain of NDT and 1 x 25 mcg T3 per day. I have no thyroid this works fine for me.

I don't know anything about thyrogold, sorry or weight problems I have never been overweight so I can't help there either. I weigh around 132 lbs. and am 5ft 8 inches tall.

I have only been on this for about 6 weeks now but feel great, so far.

[Hippyhappy234 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you