Take extra t3 after running/excersise?

[Sallyn]

Is it a good or bad idea to take an extra dose say 3-6mcg t3 after running? I feel that after running I'm so much worse for a day or two. My levels are optimal and I'm taking both t3 and t4.

[greygoose]

Well, your levels obviously aren't optimal, are they, or you wouldn't have this problem. Optimal is when all your symptoms are gone. Feeling bad for several days after exercise is a symptom. Personally, I don't think it's a good idea to take extra after exercise because your body needs a steady, regular level of intake, not more one day than the next. What are your levels, can you tell us?

[Sallyn in reply to greygoose]

Latest results are

Ft4 19 (12-22)

Ft3 5.8 (3.1-6.8)

I thought that was at a good level?

[greygoose in reply to Sallyn]

Well, all things are relative. It might be very good for some, but obviously not for you. We're all individuels, and some people need their levels higher than others.

Blood tests are just a guide, not a rigide barrier. You have to take a lot of other things into account. And you still have plenty of room for an increase, there. Optimal is how you feel, not the numbers on a blood test.

[Sallyn in reply to greygoose]

Thank you for your advice. Do you think I can increase my t3 by 6.25?

[greygoose in reply to Sallyn]

Oh, yes, I should think so.

[Sallyn in reply to greygoose]

I've got my new results now:

Ft4 18 (10-19.8)

Ft3 5.7 (3.5-6.5)

Do you think I can increase t3 by 6.25?

[greygoose in reply to Sallyn]

I think you can, yes. But, if I were you, I would reduce the levo a bit, at the same time.

[Sallyn in reply to greygoose]

By how much? 25mcg? And increase t3 by 6.25 or 12.5?

[greygoose in reply to Sallyn]

Is it possible to reduce levo by 12.5? I don't know what size tablets you have. But, if not, 25 would be good. But, never increase T3 by more than 6.25 at a time.

[Sallyn in reply to greygoose]

Thank you ever so much!

[greygoose in reply to Sallyn]

You're welcome.

[Sallyn in reply to greygoose]

I'm sorry just one more question please. When I was increasing my levo before I added t3 and I had a test done when taking 75mcg levo my result was

Ft4 15.4 (10-19.8)

Do you think this would suggest that I can decrease levo to 75 straight away and add 6.25mcg t3. After 2 weeks if I feel like I'm undermedicated maybe I can add anther 6.25 t3? Does this make sense or shall I try 88 levo? I can achieve this with the pills I have.

[greygoose in reply to Sallyn]

No, I don't think it suggests that. You can't really compare T4 dose/FT4 result when taking T4 only, with taking T4+T3. But, Try reducing to 75 and see how you feel. It's all trial and error, anyway.

[Sallyn in reply to greygoose]

Hi, I decreased t4 to 75 a week ago and added 6.25 t3. Now I'm very tired and weak when I try to cycle to work. Only 1mile. Do you think it would be a good idea to up it back to 100 or at least 87.5?

[greygoose in reply to Sallyn]

Well, yes. It's worth a try, see if it helps with the weakness. As I said, it's all trial and error. Go to 87.5 first, and if that doesn't help, go back to 100.

[Sallyn in reply to greygoose]

Thank you! How long do you think I should give it to feel better since I've only been on this lower dose 1 week?

[greygoose in reply to Sallyn]

Well, six weeks it the time it normally takes to kick in. It's surprising, actually, that the reduction caused symptoms after such a short time. Are you sure you're not sickening for something?

[Sallyn in reply to greygoose]

I don't think so. Yesterday was the first time in a long time that I got lactic acid cycling and walking up the stairs. .-(

Could that be a symptom of too much T3?

[greygoose in reply to Sallyn]

Perhaps so. Try reducing the T3 again, before re-increasing the levo. See if that helps.

[jimh111]

You could take a tiny bit more after long exercise. It's not that you 'use up' more T3 but rather the substances that are end products of thyroid hormone action get used up. Since tissues respond differently to circulating T3 it's always a good idea to stay on the lowest effective dose of T3 and so taking a slightly larger dose on certain days is better than taking a larger dose all the time (and better than going hypo after exercise).

[T3sortedme]

I never vary my dose for any short term benefits. The body's system is complex and other cycles adjust to our T3 dose and timing and a sudden change of dose one way and then back (eg an extra tablet) will not give any time to the body to adjust, so there is no benefit. Taking your dose at the same time every day is very important for the most benefit. If I make a change to dose it takes 2-3 weeks to settle before I can say if it has helped or not.

[greygoose in reply to T3sortedme]

I do so agree with you.

[phoenix23002]

I am no adrenal expert but... if your adrenals are marginal, the exercise may be taxing them a bit and after a day or so of rest, they are back to normal. Adrenals run on salt so maybe an adrenal 'cocktail' a few times per day may help? Add 1/4 - 1/2 tsp of organic/natural salt (celtic, pink, Real) to a glass of water and drink. Some can't tolerate the salt alone so they add a little lemon juice and honey or stevia for sweetener and call it a lemonade. lol.. There are other adrenal cocktail formulas 'out there' so just google it. Lots will come up.

ps. if you are of a certain age and approaching that milestone that women get to if we live long enough, your progesterone levels have probably (or are going to) dropped like a rock and our bodies struggle to regain some equilibrium or we may be experiencing estrogen dominance. Replacing/supplementing natural progesterone can be very helpful. Read the book "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause" by Dr. John Lee. Great info. Probably available on Amazon.

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I noticed that when I started jogging a couple of years ago, I needed to raise my daily intake of NDT (I take Thyroid-S) from 5 to 6 grains. I agree with Greygoose and others that it's probably better to provide your body with a steady supply of thyroid hormone rather than taking more right after exercise. Not everyone needs to raise their dose of thyroid hormone as much as I did, though. My FT4 levels have been lowish since I started NDT, but my FT3 levels are close to the upper normal limit (3.6; ref 1.7-3.7) and that seems to be where I need them to be to remain symptom-free...but we are all different. I think Greygoose has made some good suggestions that make a lot of sense to me.