Hi I have decided to add T3 after months of being unwell with hypothyroidism (diagnosed 2010) I was taking 100mcg levothyroxine, I have added 10mcg T3 to my 100mcg levothyroxine. Any idea when I will likely feel better on this? I started this on Saturday after discussing with my partner many times about adding some.
Symptoms have cleared up a little - still feeling a bit down, constipated, not as tired but feeling cold still. Thank you!
TSH 4.99 (0.2 - 4.2)
FT4 14.8 (12 - 22)
FT3 3.3 (3.1 - 6.8)
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Allyson88
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Those results show that you were on too low a dose of Levo. You should have increased dose of Levo. The aim of a treated hypo patient generally is for TSH to be 1 or lower with FT4 and FT3 in the upper part of their ranges if that is where you feel well. You can't know how well you convert T4 to T3 until TSH is around 1, then you can see if adding T3 would be beneficial.
You really would have been better asking on the forum first rather than jumping in with T3 at this stage. There is a lot more to investigate first, all building blocks need to be in place for thyroid hormone to work eg optimal nutrient levels, addressing any gut or absorption problems if present, addressing Hashi's (autoimmune thyroid disease caused by raised antibodies) if you have it.
You sound as though you have a very sensible and helpful GP. I would be inclined to follow their advice and be guided by them.
From my own experience of adding T3 to to Levo it can take a few weeks before the benefits of T3 are felt so hang in there. It’s early days. I would say another couple of weeks.
Do you also have a history of over range TSH and low in range FT4 to go along with the low FT3? If so then your GP doesn't know what he's doing. The guidelines state TSH should be in the lower part of the range.
You need a good amount of T4 to convert to T3. If TSH remains high then FT4 will remain low and so will FT3.
Marz and SlowDragon have both given further explanations in their replies below.
As mentioned by SeasideSusie thyroid hormones - T3 or T4 - will not work well without optimal levels of B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD. This is patient to patient knowledge and well understood by those of us who are finding wellness. Do not expect your GP to know.
Your dose of T4 was not yielding the correct results - so something else is not right. do you have Hashimotos ? - are you taking any other medication that could be affecting the uptake of T4 ? Yes you have a history of LOW T3 - as many of us once had - but if you are not absorbing well then the extra T3 will have little benefit.
Do you have your vitamin and mineral results with ranges ?
So there's your answer - you have Hashimotos which will affect your uptake of vitamins and minerals - also T4 meds. Adding T3 will not help due to the same problem. Ferritin needs to be around 75 - Folate around 10 - B12 around 500 and no VitD result which can have a big impact on your wellbeing. So what are you doing about these low levels - or what is your GP doing ? You need a FULL Iron Profile done and FBC ....
WOW ! - and still your GP does nothing ? You have Iron Anaemia . Your GP sounds pretty clueless. I would read the great replies about diet etc from SlowDragon and about Vitamins and Minerals from SeasideSusie
I would be interested to know what your GP will be saying about your levels. From reading this Forum for almost 6 years - they rarely have the knowledge required - but you will find it here. So do report back and Tag those you wish to inform !
B12 is extremely low. GP should run further tests to rule out Pernicious Anaemia. Probably should start you on loading injections of B12. If not then you need daily sublingual B12
Folate needs improving but not until AFTER B12 supplements are started. Adding a good vitamin B complex with folate in
If you are taking vitamin B complex, or any supplements containing biotin, remember to stop these 3-5 days before any blood tests, as biotin can falsely affect test results
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels makes it difficult for both Levo and T3 Thyroid hormone to work
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten.
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
Unfortunately Doctors are useless for vitamin advice...take the advice of people on here. I did and I am a new woman.......don’t underestimate the major role of something bought over the counter but make sure you get the advised dosage for optimum results. My doctor told me to get a multivitamin and 2 years later I felt no better. With healthunlocked advice I upped doses and 5 days later fe.t the effect.
Vitamin D is toxic in excess so important to retest twice yearly. Once you reach good level (around 100nmol) it's trial and error what dose you need to keep at that level. May need more in winter than summer
Vitamindtest.org.uk £29 postal kit
Also if taking high dose (many of us need 3000-6000iu daily) it's important to supplement vitamin K2 Mk7 and magnesium
Dr's Only know Pharmaceutical Medications and Not Nutrients . I learned it the hard way that we have to think out of the Box to feel optimal . Nutrients are the important companions for our thyroid meds . Thu we take them 4 hours apart from our thyroid meds .
*SeasideSusie* has Excellent posts on vitamins that are so very Vital to our wellbeing .
*SlowDragon* Has Great posts with Gluten Free Diet . So Very Helpful .
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