Should I revert back to morning T4 dosing now? - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

137,139 members160,821 posts

Should I revert back to morning T4 dosing now?

Emily78 profile image
7 Replies

Hi,

So, 6 weeks after having tried taking T4 (100mcg) at bed time instead of first thing, I got my bloods done. I was shocked to say the least.

Latest results are:

TSH: 0.06 (0.27 - 4.20)

Free T4: 17.8 (12 -22)

Total T4: 92.6 (59 - 154)

Free T3: 3.44 (3.10 - 6.80)

My T3 is now the lowest it's even been. Before changing my dosing to night time, my results were:

TSH: 0.01

Free T4: 16.2

Free T3: 4.6

These were done last November.

When taking my meds at bed time, I was leaving 3 hours after eating before taking them.

Would people agree I should revert to morning dosing? It seems I don't convert well to T3 when taking my meds at night.

Has this happened to anyone else? I thought night time was meant to be better for most people.

Thanks.

Written by
Emily78 profile image
Emily78
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
7 Replies
Clutter profile image
Clutter

Emily78,

Research shows that bedtime dosing reduces TSH more than daytime dosing. Perhaps your TSH would have been higher and FT3 lower if you had continued morning dosing? The only way to tell is to try it. If it makes no difference or thyroid levels worsen you can always switch back to nighttime dosing.

Emily78 profile image
Emily78 in reply to Clutter

Thanks Clutter. The thing is, I've been taking T4 for well over 10 years before I decided to change to night time. My results hadn't changed in the last year at my 100mcg dose when taken in the morning. The last 6 weeks has been my first experiment with night time dosing. I can't believe the difference it has made, and not in a good way. Does it make sense that myT4 is higher and my T3 is lower? Is that less T4 converting?

Clutter profile image
Clutter in reply to Emily78

Emily78,

Your FT4 is higher which would normally mean more conversion to T3.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator

As you take a bedtime dose, did you miss this dose the night before the blood test and take after it? If not the results may be skewed. Was your test a fasting one (you can drink water). You can also take bedtime dose as usual the same day.

Emily78 profile image
Emily78 in reply to shaws

I did not take my meds the night before. I took them the morning after the test (so test was 36 hours after last meds). I also fasted for 12 hours before testing. I am so confused by the results but can't think of anything that would have skewed them.

shaws profile image
shawsAdministrator in reply to Emily78

The major question is 'how are you feeling'? This link from a doctor who was an Adviser to Thyroiduk.org.uk before his death stated and may be helpful:-

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

Emily78 profile image
Emily78 in reply to shaws

That is an extremely interesting and informative read thank you. I am inclined to think my low T3 result is accurate as I feel tired and lethargic, like my body is shutting down. And my menstrual cycles have become more drawn out. Plus my basal temperatures are lower. I just don't get why my T4 is higher than before but T3 so much lower... I'll see what the endo says. Thank you for your help.

You may also like...

T4/T3 morning dose time

said she takes her t4 first in the morning then waits an hour before taking her first dose of t3,...

Should I reduce dose slightly? T3/T4 combination therapy

Hello lovely people. I recently had my bloods done and met with my endocrinologist, and wanted to...

Should I increase my T4 or stop T3

I have been on a low dose of T3 (5mcg x3 day =15mcg) I'm also taking 75mcgT4. I have been on T3...

Do I need to change my dose of T4?

then my dose of T4 should be reduced to 62.5mcg. My recent blood test was TSH 0.05 serum free T4...

Should I accept GP advice for dose reduction?

suggested a dose reduction back to 100mcg 😔 TSH X 0.115 mIU/L (Range: 0.27 - 4.2) Free T3 4.9...