Switching Back to T4 Only - Did I Do It Right?

[thyroidrose]

I recently went hyper from adding T3 to my regimen. My endo advised me to stop all thyroid meds for 3 days, then drop the T3, and take only T4.

So I went FROM:

5 mcgs of T3 twice a day

*50 mcgs of Tirosint once a day (*this was up to 88 mcgs of Tirosint when I went hyper, we went down to 50 a couple of weeks ago hoping it would help but I still felt bad)

TO:

88 mcgs of Tirosint once a day

Does anyone feel like I should've started lower with the Tirosint instead of the full 88? Or since I had only missed three days, is that a pretty even swap? I had worked up to 75 mcgs of Tirosint successfully before upping to 88 mcgs and then adding the T3 which proved way too much at once.

Also is it possible I will feel better sooner than the 5 weeks since I have been on some level of thyroid med the entire time? Or do changes always usually take the full 5 weeks?

Thank you for reading!

Rose

[Clutter]

Thyroidrose,

The T3 will be pretty much out of your system 3-4 days after last dose. If you *feel* overmedicated on 88mcg it may be too much and you could reduce to 75mcg. If you don't feel overmedicated on 88mcg you will need to wait 6 weeks to see if you are biochemically euthyroid or overmedicated.

[thyroidrose]

Replying to my own thread in case in the future someone is in this situation and curious about another's experience. I started to feel better about 2 weeks after switching back to Tirosint 88 mcgs only so I did not have to wait the full 5 weeks. I am now only getting the heavy head/hypo pangs a couple of times a day or late at night instead of having the issue all day. Fingers crossed that I have reached my "sweet spot" dose....

[Furbabymommy in reply to thyroidrose]

Hi thyroidrose,

How did you make out stopping the t3 and going with 88mcg Tirosint?

Hope you made progress since your last post.

After trying NDT and NDT w t3, both without success, endo changed me to Tirosint and t3 a few months ago- my first time on a t4 med.

Started newest regimen of 88 mcg and 5mcg t3 2 weeks ago.

Noticed hyper feelings today- heart palps, hyper, mean...especially after taking the t3. Doc said same thing you were advised- stop the t3 for 3 days, but continue with the Tirosint (you were told to stop all meds).

Doc said in 3 days resume either 2.5mcg t3 or no t3 because my body is absorbing the Tirosint well ( per recent labs) and continue with 88mcg Tirosint.

Furbabymommy

[thyroidrose in reply to Furbabymommy]

Hi there, I did well on Tirosint only over the summer, alternating 88/75 capsules for an average of 82 mcgs a day. But I had a health scare and lost 10 lbs and then Tirosint stopped controlling the hungover feeling. Maybe I was hyper then although my labs looked normal. At any rate I’m now trying Nature Throid. If it doesn’t work for me I’ll switch back to Tirosint and probably just to 75 mcgs as maybe with the weight loss 82 was too much. It is SO HARD to find the sweet spot with the right medicine!! What is your worst symptom?

[Furbabymommy in reply to thyroidrose]

Hi Thyroidrose,

Interesting you were alternating 88/75mcg Tirosint a day. I wonder, if it turns out I’m a t4 only type, if that’s where I will land.

Tirosint is very clean and I absorb it very well, meaning I need less of it than expected.

I have to pic ONE worst symptom? Ugh. At the moment it is the mass hair fall out, ongoing since June. Been taking t3 that time so wondering if t3 is a culprit.

Next symptoms would be constipation, no libido, weight gain with little appetite/eating. My energy has been good lately and maybe because I was sliding into over medication state possibly by the 5mcg taken with the new addition of Tirosint which is well absorbed (gel formulation, no fillers and dyes).

I have learned when my TSH is under 1 I feel horrible- overmedicated, hyper, hair loss occurs.

How about you? Your symptoms?

FBM

[thyroidrose in reply to Furbabymommy]

Hey there, I have only been technically hyper from meds once and my TSH was 0.016, I was on T3 at the time in addition to the Tirosint and the T3 was just way too much for me. I should’ve reduced my T4 dosage when I added the T3 but the well meaning doctor I was seeing didn’t know to advise that unfortunately.

I would also suspect the T3 when it comes to hair loss. Surprisingly I have no hair loss when I am hypo but I have it when I’m hyper. So many of the symptoms of both hyper and hypo cross over and it’s really difficult to know what is going on sometimes.

Right now my labs look good, TSH of 1.66, but the hungover feeling continues so I’m not 100% sure where I feel my best. One day I’ll find out!

[Furbabymommy in reply to thyroidrose]

Hi thyroidrose,

Reading your information is looking like it syncs with my current experience, especially the hair loss-thank you!

I’m thinking I’ll go with no T3 and only the Tirosint. I think my TSH sweet spot is around 1.5-2.0.

Hungover feeling...what is that, explain please. Lethargy? Have you had your vitamins and minerals checked? B vitamin good? Iron?

I just posted a long response to roxanaleah which you may find relevant. Heck, we all learn from each others paths here. Thanks for sharing yours and keep me updated please.

Smiles,

FBM

[thyroidrose in reply to Furbabymommy]

Hey there, yes it’s like my body and head feel heavy and it’s not identical to a headache really. Just run down and a “tired head.”